Stereo Set, which amp should I choose? Cambridge CXA81, Arcam A25+ or Cambridge EXA1000

[luisfelipe_lfo]

Ah, so not an Audio Chromecast as you mentioned earlier. Still, you're connected digitally without option with a regular Chromecast type unit. My Audio Chromecasts have an option of an analog or digital connection. I can't think of any streaming services I use with my Chromecasts (Amazon Fire Sticks) that are limited except by the streamer for higher resolution, tho.

Exactly, my Chromecast (streamer) limits the higher resolution, the max is 16bits/44.1KHz unfortunately.

 

[Chrispy]

Exactly, my Chromecast (streamer) limits the higher resolution, the max is 16bits/44.1KHz unfortunately.

That's generally the max audibly distinguished threshold. I haven't really double checked on my Chromecast/Amazon Fire Sticks that higher resolution is limited except by the streaming service. OTOH I'm happy with Spotify lossless and have tried several others and don't find them as useful.

 

[luisfelipe_lfo]

That's generally the max audibly distinguished threshold. I haven't really double checked on my Chromecast/Amazon Fire Sticks that higher resolution is limited except by the streaming service. OTOH I'm happy with Spotify lossless and have tried several others and don't find them as useful.

I use Tidal, for me it's very good!

 

[Chrispy]

I tried Tidal back when it was wading thru JayZ ads before actual content, and was the ridiculous MQA thing at the time. All the major streaming services use the same files to start. Audibility of high res isn't much of a thing, altho much more useful when still applying dsp to the recording (for final format) vs the lower res.

I use Tidal, for me it's very good!

 

[mglobe]

I use Tidal, for me it's very good!

If you’re using Tidal, any of the WIIM streamers can allow you to use Tidal Connect. That puts the streaming on the WIIM rather than on your phone or tablet. Your phone/tablet device then just becomes a remote control for the Tidal streaming, which to me is a more favorable way to run. To keep cost down, you could go with the WIIM pro, which should do everything you would want to do I think.

 

[Chrispy]

If you’re using Tidal, any of the WIIM streamers can allow you to use Tidal Connect. That puts the streaming on the WIIM rather than on your phone or tablet. Your phone/tablet device then just becomes a remote control for the Tidal streaming, which to me is a more favorable way to run. To keep cost down, you could go with the WIIM pro, which should do everything you would want to do I think.

Many streaming services work this way and before Tidal did it IIRC.

 

[mglobe]

Many streaming services work this way and before Tidal did it IIRC.

True, but the point is the OP is a Tidal user, and with a Wiim product he can up his game some, both in terms getting a higher resolution stream, and improving usability.

 

[Chrispy]

True, but the point is the OP is a Tidal user, and with a Wiim product he can up his game some, both in terms getting a higher resolution stream, and improving usability.

Whil

True, but the point is the OP is a Tidal user, and with a Wiim product he can up his game some, both in terms getting a higher resolution stream, and improving usability.

Doubtful. The idea that additional audible advantages from a higher res recording is nebulous.

 

[luisfelipe_lfo]

If you’re using Tidal, any of the WIIM streamers can allow you to use Tidal Connect. That puts the streaming on the WIIM rather than on your phone or tablet. Your phone/tablet device then just becomes a remote control for the Tidal streaming, which to me is a more favorable way to run. To keep cost down, you could go with the WIIM pro, which should do everything you would want to do I think.

WiiM Pro seems to be an excellent choice! Also, Eversolo A6 a couple bucks more.

 

[luisfelipe_lfo]

Whil

Doubtful. The idea that additional audible advantages from a higher res recording is nebulous.

I think a higher res recording improve sound quality. We I’ve connected the Eversolo A6 in my set, the difference was very notable!

 

[Everett T]

I don’t think it’s irrelevant, because the amps that I’ve listed have different signatures and will impact the speakers (each brand also has your signature).

I’m pretty happy with my actual sub!

And a bigger speakers, which you’d recommend?

Why would someone make an amp that isn't flat through its frequency response or colors it's sound?? Also out of the ones you listed, I'd choose the Kef too. They play nicer in room than the other two, especially the BW. How large is your room and how far do you sit from the speakers?

 

[mglobe]

Whil

Doubtful. The idea that additional audible advantages from a higher res recording is nebulous.

I simply stated that he could get a higher resolution stream. It’s not clear to me if that is audible or not. I’d use the term debatable rather than nebulous, but that’s to some extent semantics. I prefer to stream at a higher rate and bit depth, and I think I hear a difference. I’m completely aware of the debate on audibility, and the fallibility of my ability to determine that without a controlled experiment. The cost is however nominal in this day and age.

 

[luisfelipe_lfo]

Why would someone make an amp that isn't flat through its frequency response or colors it's sound?? Also out of the ones you listed, I'd choose the Kef too. They play nicer in room than the other two, especially the BW. How large is your room and how far do you sit from the speakers?

Room has 15,9m2 and I sit aprox. 2,70m from the speakers.

 

[Cote Dazur]

I think a higher res recording improve sound quality. We I’ve connected the Eversolo A6 in my set, the difference was very notable!

What we hear and what we believe we hear are 2 different things.
Challenge yourself, test your ability to recognize higher and lower resolution blindly listening to different resolution digital files.
You will find two important truth.
1 you cannot hear a difference.
2 your brain can almost make you believe anything you want to hear.

 

[Cote Dazur]

Not sure what you're describing with the interference with surrounding thing. Dynamic eq increases lower frequency response due the way we hear. Nearfield alone may not do that, especially if you don't have bass management to begin with.

What I mean by interference is that lower frequency, bass, travels trough floor and ceiling and can interfere with the tranquility of other people living near by, often we do not think we are disturbing as we do not realize how loud the bass is for others until we our self go to an adjacent space and realize that all they hear is the low frequency and at a level surprisingly loud.
Placing a sub close by, preferably behind allows to hear the bass well without “interfering” with others.
When people mention wanting to listening a lower level it usually because they do not want to incommode other people.

 

[Jim Creek]

The B&W’s have a reputation for a lifted high frequency response that will likely become tiresome over time. The Monitor Audio’s are intriguing. I’ve heard the 50’s and was impressed, but the only test data I can find on the 100’s are from the 3g version, and they look uneven as well. LS50 Meta’s are quite highly regarded and test well also. I’m a big fan of room correction and the Lyngdorf seems to have all you need and very good and easy to use room correction system, something that I suspect over time you will wish you had.

Amir tested the Silver 100 6G here: Silver 100 Review

The 6G and 7G are very close. I’ve owned my Silver100 6G for 6 years or so. They are very good.

 

[luisfelipe_lfo]

What we hear and what we believe we hear are 2 different things.
Challenge yourself, test your ability to recognize higher and lower resolution blindly listening to different resolution digital files.
You will find two important truth.
1 you cannot hear a difference.
2 your brain can almost make you believe anything you want to hear.

 

[Marc v E]

@luisfelipe_lfo

I think you're on a crossroad that could either take you a lot of money and years to discover what makes are real difference or set a path that makes it easy and clear.

We've all been where we believed amps have a sound signature, speakers are like instruments and people all have a different preference. I've been there and looking back it's been a massive waste of time and money. If I can, I would like to point you in the direction so you don't need to go through the same confusion I had to.

That's why I would recommend you look for speakers that have a smooth frequency curve on axis, and an off axis (10, 20, 30 degrees) a frequency curve that follows the same line. This means that the direct sound you get from the speakers is as much as possible the same as the music that is being played and you and others in the room experience pretty much the same.

It also means you can easily adjust the sound to your liking.

A good example of that would be any speaker from Genelec, with an special mention from me for the G series (G3, G4 for your room probably, you can ask Genelec for advice). Now this is powered speakers, so the power amp is in there but the preamp needs to be bought seperately. I personally have enjoyed music more and better since I've gone this route.

Passive speakers, with no amplification in them, need to have the same traits to be considered good by listeners in a blind test. Results are published here on asr and spinorama.org. From personal experience the Elac dbr62 are very good, enjoyable and exceptional for the money. Kef is too, so is Revel. A very good diy option apparently is the Audio first Fidelia.

However, in my experience you soon reach a level where upgrades in speakers make less sense. Ime if you have a good two way speaker, so tweeter for the highs, woofer for the mid and lows, if you get the basics right as described above there is a lot more to be gained from a subwoofer and a (dac/preamp/amp) that has a crossover for the sub plus an ability to apply eq.

In my experience this makes a massive difference, compared to a small one for speakers if we're talking about say 750 euros for speakers compared to say 2000 - 4000 euros for speakers.

That's why I would recommend you keep on the path you are with the Denon avr or choose a Wiim ultra or a Lyngdorf. Choosing speakers is far and away the most important. Of the speakers you listed imo only the Kef are ok. Look up speakers here on asr, watch a video, listen to Genelec to get a sense of what I mean.

Hope you do well. All the best.

 

[Chrispy]

I simply stated that he could get a higher resolution stream. It’s not clear to me if that is audible or not. I’d use the term debatable rather than nebulous, but that’s to some extent semantics. I prefer to stream at a higher rate and bit depth, and I think I hear a difference. I’m completely aware of the debate on audibility, and the fallibility of my ability to determine that without a controlled experiment. The cost is however nominal in this day and age.

There's also the nebulous provenance of such steaming files....let alone the proper comparison being made by various listeners....

 

[Chrispy]

I think a higher res recording improve sound quality. We I’ve connected the Eversolo A6 in my set, the difference was very notable!

Doubtful in any meaningful audible way. More expectation bias I'd think. Unless actually different recordings in mixing/mastering....