• Welcome to ASR. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

starting and try to make fewer mistakes

I don't know how to communicate this in the right way, so I'll just be honest:
there are no floorstanders for 500 euros that measure and sound good. (Some bookshelf speakers at that price do sound good, like the dbr 62 I mentioned earlier.)

That's why many of us recommend a bookshelf speaker. Another reason is that to sound good in a room, especially in the bass/low frequencies you really need room compensation. That's where an avr or flex come in. A sub can be added at a later stage or can be upgraded.

A floorstander just costs a lot more and doesn't deliver, until you get to the level of, for example, a Kef R5, which is 3600 euros a pair.
You can catch a good deal on solid floorstanders when they are going to outlet. Like certain Revels right now. It's all how persistent and preying (vulture culture) you are in time.
 
@AaguiarS where are you in which country? We can help you more then hypothetically to get there but keep the communication going!
 
I am very inclined to acquire the Denon DRA 900H and CD player CDC 900

I always seem to be more content when I get what I think I want.
 
As others have said - put a lot more of your budget into speakers. IMO you should start with working out which speakers you want and what sources you have/want, then work out what amp you need in the middle.

Do you want a CD player because you already have a large CD library? Or because you think it’ll sound better? A WIIM streamer is cheap, has PEQ and the better models have excellent DACs. I ripped my ~300 CDs to FLAC and stream them because it’s so much more convenient and I get PEQ.

It sounds like aesthetics are important to you (which isn’t a bad thing) but it does limit your options a bit - the newer breed of Chinese companies like Fosi, SMSL etc make great stuff but it doesn’t look like traditional hifi.
 
Finding everything new under 1400, within the same brand, is going to be a stretch. If you do find such a combo I would not have high hopes for performance.

As they always say, "ya get what yas pay for"

If it were me starting out, given what I know now, I would place initial focus on modern amplification and speakers. An amplifier with features that accomodate those add-on components. You want that primary signal path as best as budget will allow.

From there the add-ons: add on CD player, streamer, phono, whatever. With initial budget constraints, I would consider cheaper or even used add-ons with the thought of trading up as budget allows in the future. If you go with that strategy, as your system changes, you will HEAR what works and does not work for YOU. Thats most important.

But get that initial primary signal path sounding good for starters. Poor amplification and/or speakers will just make any component sound like sh*t, no matter how expensive they are. Spending money on a system update will be disappointing if everything sounds terrible.. Selecting a good amp/speaker combo will minimize chance for disappointment.
 
The fact that you are getting different opinions tells you that there is a spectrum of “good choices” but there is near universal consensus to spend more on speakers with your budget and less on electronics.

I, for one, think using the same brand for CD and amplification makes sense because you can use a single remote control. CDs offer excellent sound and it can be faster to pull music off a shelf than to use a smartphone. Your budget doesn’t allow SACDs which aren’t a big jump in audio, but there is content that is better mastered in SACD.
 
Went from a receiver Denon 6800 running a 7.4.1 system to switching the receiver to preamp mode and running 11 350 watt monoblocks that reviewed very well here.
The main difference is it will play crazy loud a bit clearer and cleaner. It was never a wow factor.

As others say.

Speakers. Most important. Don't rush that one.
Just get a receiver WITH room correction. The room is always the problem no matter how much you spend.

Your return on investment and enjoyment will be much higher. You can always grow add on and swap things out latter. And you probably will, even if you buy your dream system now.
 
Just get a receiver WITH room correction. The room is always the problem no matter how much you spend.
THIS^^^^

I am now a true convert to modern DSP. It is the easiest and most reliable way to get CLOSEST to that system-wide "flat" frequency response baseline. After that, you can color the sound to your tastes. This helps to understand how room and changing out components affects the sound you ultimately hear.
 
Just get a receiver WITH room correction.
It doesn’t necessarily need to be the receiver - but I agree you need PEQ somewhere in the chain. I’m pretty happy with the results I have from using the HouseCurve app for measuring and WiiM’s PEQ.
 
I live in Portugal
Well you don't have much of a availability problem. Started digging, Thoman doesn't have HiFi in Portugal. How big is the room (especially length) and at what listening distance are you intending to listen at? Asking you because I see nice active monitors there.
 
+ Denon DCD-900NE about 2K and that lefts you to get half deacent stands and prefered connection cable (RCA analog or coax digital).
Many folks hire would want such speakers!

 
It doesn’t necessarily need to be the receiver - but I agree you need PEQ somewhere in the chain. I’m pretty happy with the results I have from using the HouseCurve app for measuring and WiiM’s PEQ.
True, If there is no need to go past a 2.1 system you are spot on, I was assuming Home Theater may be in a future upgrade where multi channel processing seems to only exist in receivers or pre amps without complicated pc based software where the pc itself is processing all channels (as far as I have seen) My bad for not asking.
 
Last edited:
Como outros já disseram, vista muito mais do seu orçamento em alto-falantes. Na minha opinião, você deve começar definindo quais alto-falantes você quer e quais fontes você tem/quer, e depois decidir qual amplificador você precisa no meio termo.

Você quer um CD player porque já tem uma grande biblioteca de CDs? Ou porque acha que o som vai melhorar? Um streamer WIIM é barato, tem PEQ e os modelos melhores têm DACs excelentes. Eu copiei meus ~300 CDs para FLAC e os transmiti porque é muito mais prático e eu tenho PEQ.

Parece que a estética é importante para você (o que não é algo ruim), mas isso limita um pouco suas opções - as empresas chinesas mais novas, como Fosi, SMSL etc., fazem coisas excelentes, mas não se parecem com sistemas de alta fidelidade tradicionais.
 
I appreciate everyone's opinion and I'm almost giving in to these more modern ideas, really those moments of nostalgia that bring back memories of adolescence, when my father let me use his sound system and that was always my goal, these modules. My friend Bland_username, I didn't respond to your participation because I was researching the idea suggested for the Technics SA-C600. I really liked it, and several friends suggested the Wiim Ultra. I need to research more about it. If I decide to buy one of these, what passive speakers could be part of the system for up to 1000 euros? Elac Debut B5.3, Focal Theva No.1, Klipsch rp 6oom, Dali OBERON 3, Triangle Borea BR03, I would like one that has better quality in the treble. I accept suggestions of other manufacturers and models
 
I appreciate everyone's opinion and I'm almost giving in to these more modern ideas, really those moments of nostalgia that bring back memories of adolescence, when my father let me use his sound system and that was always my goal, these modules. My friend Bland_username, I didn't respond to your participation because I was researching the idea suggested for the Technics SA-C600. I really liked it, and several friends suggested the Wiim Ultra. I need to research more about it. If I decide to buy one of these, what passive speakers could be part of the system for up to 1000 euros? Elac Debut B5.3, Focal Theva No.1, Klipsch rp 6oom, Dali OBERON 3, Triangle Borea BR03, I would like one that has better quality in the treble. I accept suggestions of other manufacturers and models
I think the only real reasons to to go with the Ultra over the Pro Plus is the sub out and screen. If you don’t need those you can save but and out that into speakers.
 

Well you don't have much of a availability problem. Started digging, Thoman doesn't have HiFi in Portugal. How big is the room (especially length) and at what listening distance are you intending to listen at? Asking you because I see nice active monitors there.

Well you don't have much of a availability problem. Started digging, Thoman doesn't have HiFi in Portugal. How big is the room (especially length) and at what listening distance are you intending to listen at? Asking you because I see nice active monitors there.
 

Attachments

  • WhatsApp Image 2025-04-22 at 07.40.12.jpeg
    WhatsApp Image 2025-04-22 at 07.40.12.jpeg
    95 KB · Views: 36
Well you don't have much of a availability problem. Started digging, Thoman doesn't have HiFi in Portugal. How big is the room (especially length) and at what listening distance are you intending to listen at? Asking you because I see nice active monitors there.
My friend, my space is a room measuring 6.5 by 3.2 meters and this photo shows that if I buy the Wiim Ultra I will be replacing this Denon or if I opt for the modules I will be placing it in this corner of the photo. This speaker that you suggested is out of my reach and I posted this message with some speakers and I would like to know if you know the qualifications of these models or similar ones. I appreciate everyone's opinion and I am almost giving in to these more modern ideas, really those moments of nostalgia that bring back memories of adolescence, when my father let me use his sound system and that was always my goal, these modules. My friend Bland_username, I did not respond to your participation because I was researching the idea suggested for the Technics SA-C600. I liked it a lot, and several friends suggested the Wiim Ultra. I need to research more about it. If I decide to buy one of these, what passive speakers could be part of the system for up to 1,000 euros? Elac Debut B5.3, Focal Theva No.1, Klipsch rp 6oom, Dali OBERON 3, Triangle Borea BR03. I would like one that has better quality in the treble. I accept suggestions of other manufacturers and models.
 
My friend, my space is a room measuring 6.5 by 3.2 meters and this photo shows that if I buy the Wiim Ultra I will be replacing this Denon or if I opt for the modules I will be placing it in this corner of the photo. This speaker that you suggested is out of my reach and I posted this message with some speakers and I would like to know if you know the qualifications of these models or similar ones. I appreciate everyone's opinion and I am almost giving in to these more modern ideas, really those moments of nostalgia that bring back memories of adolescence, when my father let me use his sound system and that was always my goal, these modules. My friend Bland_username, I did not respond to your participation because I was researching the idea suggested for the Technics SA-C600. I liked it a lot, and several friends suggested the Wiim Ultra. I need to research more about it. If I decide to buy one of these, what passive speakers could be part of the system for up to 1,000 euros? Elac Debut B5.3, Focal Theva No.1, Klipsch rp 6oom, Dali OBERON 3, Triangle Borea BR03. I would like one that has better quality in the treble. I accept suggestions of other manufacturers and models.

I would start with the Elac debut reference 62dbr which are 518 euros.

If you then select the Denon DRA 900H and CD player CDC 900, you mentioned in an earlier post, then that would be 518 euros + 479 euros + 370 euros= 1367 euros together.

I couldn't find if the Denon DRA 900H has room correction (dsp). If it doesn't have it, I would suggest the Denon AVC-3800H instead, which is currently on sale for about 870 euros. Then connect your record player, stream music and add a cd player when funds allow it.

Ps: the added benefit of room correction (dsp) is that you can adjust the treble (or bass or midrange) to what sounds best to you. And that it can measure the room and make the speaker sound a lot better than without room correction.
 
Last edited:
My friend, my space is a room measuring 6.5 by 3.2 meters and this photo shows that if I buy the Wiim Ultra I will be replacing this Denon or if I opt for the modules I will be placing it in this corner of the photo. This speaker that you suggested is out of my reach and I posted this message with some speakers and I would like to know if you know the qualifications of these models or similar ones. I appreciate everyone's opinion and I am almost giving in to these more modern ideas, really those moments of nostalgia that bring back memories of adolescence, when my father let me use his sound system and that was always my goal, these modules. My friend Bland_username, I did not respond to your participation because I was researching the idea suggested for the Technics SA-C600. I liked it a lot, and several friends suggested the Wiim Ultra. I need to research more about it. If I decide to buy one of these, what passive speakers could be part of the system for up to 1,000 euros? Elac Debut B5.3, Focal Theva No.1, Klipsch rp 6oom, Dali OBERON 3, Triangle Borea BR03. I would like one that has better quality in the treble. I accept suggestions from other manufacturers and models.
Find Warfadale Linton's with stands for 1000€, you won't find either better or more vintage looking ones for the price! They will pass even far field (4m from speakers) calibration with little to no compression. I see you have good Yamaha dealership but whosent able to find anything spectacular regarding prices. So dig in and search told you what gems are. Best all in one is Yamaha R-N 1000A even YPAO ain't great (automatic equal loudness compensation is). Advice is to use coax (digital) from Denon DCD-900NE anyway (now old ESS 32 mobile DAC in it and not a great one).
Important is that you put it to the longer side of the room, use light (to go on living with) acoustic treatment like heavy thick accustic curtains and rugs and it will sound good. If you don't do it it won't.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom