Audiophiles hifi appreciation thread old and new

Quick one. After new amp advise. Only connecting to a beogram 1203 (so need phono setting with pre amp I think) and an Apple airport (so 2 pairs of RCA in total). Budget £200, and British. Thoughts? I like the look of Naids...

Does it need to be new? Arcam integrated should come well under budget second hand, ditto rotel's higher end models. Naim brings snob tax and idiosyncratic connectors.

Or did you mean NAD? Also good but I think the glory days night be behind them. Get a good second hand 3020 and spend the change on records.

Cheers Olly! Sorry, should of said, doesn't have to be new at all. But, but, needs to look nice so no black plastic regardless of sound quality. Naims look great and a pal picked up a set for pennies but I can't deal with any odd connectors. My current amp is silver and teak which is nice but it's all crackly. Prob needs a deep clean and something changed. I took it apart and hoovered it but that didn't fix it.

Or did he mean NAD?

Receivers rarely catastrophically fail, I would look into getting the thing seriously cleaned, maybe add some new pots. If you were happy with the sound previously, this could be a way forward.

I know nothing. It never worked great but maybe could? Who knows?

^^^ I'm clearly a bit slow.

Anyway, Sevisol contact cleaner is everybody's friend for cleaning and lubing pots.

If you were to buy new, this is slightly over budget but maybe hunt around? You could do worse.
Has Phono stage too.

http://www.richersounds.com/product/amplifiers-receivers/yamaha/as301/yama-as301-sil

what is your current amp?

That yamaha amp is pretty much what I'm after.

Is there any easy way to make this:

work with anything other than a computer? Or is it not worth the bother?

Depends whether your device outputs 5.1 sound using three "stereo" analog connections...

If you want to use a stereo input device you'll need to duplicate the signal into the rear and centre channels, ideally with some EQ/bandpass filtering.

Yes, what is the source though? A set top box/DVD/BluRay player etc.

For simple 2.1 channel sound you could connect a 3.5mm stereo cable (3.5mm jack at both ends) to the green input marked "front" and the other end in anything that has a headphone out socket. eg. iphone.

If you wanted full 5 channel sound you'd have to use a vast array of adapters and cables that would exceed the value of those desktop speakers.

original wiring diagram if that helps:
http://files2.europe.creative.com/manualdn/Manuals/TSD/727/English.pdf

I wanted to utilise full 5.1, but massive amounts of searching has just returned this:

http://www.iaamart.com/ac3-dts-digital-audio-decoder-5-1-audio-gear-decoder.html

I've been using this setup with a computer in my room for ages, but as I've now got a living room, I wanted to use it with a TV and PS3.

I thought maybe I could get a cheap(ish) cinema surround sound amp and just utilise the speakers, but as the CSW sub appears to be built into the amp, I'd have no sub to plug into a separate amp so save that device I've linked to, it seems like a pretty futile effort.

yeah, not much point. You would be better off with a good stereo mini system even...

I had a similar problem...

You'll need an a/v receiver with pre-amp or 'direct' outs, which is quite rare/pricey these days if you want something that handles HDMI too. I think having a separate out for an active sub is more common though.

I went for a YAMAHA RXV777 for my setup, which has a lot of good internet/airplay/etc features as well, if you're looking for that.

That's exactly what I'll get if I buy new. Looks good. My current amp is a vintage pioneer one, same sort of size, with built in radio, it's nice but my set up still crackles and I'm pretty sure it's the amp.

It's one of these. Can't remember model and I'm on holiday ATM. Maybe I'll clean it properly and get the particle board replaced with real wood...

I once had a vintage Marantz amp/tuner. Champaign alu face, blue lighting, wood side panels. Lovely, when it didn't crackle. It worked about 70% of the time. I had it cleaned, new power cable, a few new solders, pots re-done etc. The problem persisted. The second vintage amp I had was a Pioneer and it worked brilliantly, until it didn't - 6 months after buying it.

So, IME, vintage looks are great, but the reality is often not.

Wise words. I'm getting to the point where I may feel the same. I want nice clear sound but it needs to look nice as its on display. Think that one from richer may be the winner...

Yamaha amps tend to be quite neutral so make sure it pairs with your speakers. I think richer sounds will allow you to test in your own home and return if not happy.

Still, might be worth getting the old amp looked at. It would be good to keep, you never know when you may need a second set-up.

Its thinking like that which means I have an arcam delta 90.2 and denon avc a10se knocking around which would work for @chrisbmx116 if he could stand ye olde black plastic / champagne amps...

Just brought a Naim Muso for my bedroom to replace my B&W Zeppelin that finally bit the dust. The cost is considerable however the sound is astonishing. The tonal balance is great and although it doesn't match the scale of my Superuniti/B&W803 it is definitely worth the expense,

Naim Muso>

Yeah, these are amazing. First all-in-one unit that I've listened to and thought "wow". Even the bluetooth streaming sounds good. For me, it was the room filling, seemingly omnidirectional sound and rhythmic punch that was enjoyable. Obvs scale at volume and clarity or definition suffers but man, what a package for everyday listening. The volume wheel/control dial is beautiful to use and look at. Nice one.