Audiophiles hifi appreciation thread old and new

Yeah, I sort of bought a Cyrus power amp. £140, so £640 for the pair.

I think I could have jury rugged the Onkyo by just using one of the inputs and leaving the volume control at 85 percent or so.

Great thank you! I'm sure though that it should be the WXA50 I'm going for instead.

Ok so another spanner in the works - the WXA50 (love the form factor) or I just got for a regular sized amp, the RN303D - it's going to be a bedroom set up. The rn303 can drive up to 100w speakers whereas the WXA I believe is 80.

I really love the form factor of the WXA but the RN303 is 2/3's of the price.

I've been given 4 B&W bookshelf speakers, I think originally made in the 80's. I know nothing about hifi but I've just moved to a new flat and bought a decent telly, and I'm wondering if I can fix up these speakers instead of buying a soundbar?

Would really appreciate any opinions about whether these are worth trying to fix up or if I'd be better of just buying new? I'm on a budget so every penny counts at the moment. The guy who gave them to me used them as monitors in a jazz studio and thinks they need variously need new cross-overs and/or tweeters.

I barely understand what a cross-over is so I'm a bit out of my depth... But they're clearly quality things, heavy and solid with (I think) teak surrounds that would clean up lovely.

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Perhaps put them away until you can afford to get an AV amp / repair them? Lots of people cream their gusset for vintage speakers, that could be you one day

Anyone interested in a Rega Planar 3? In good condition, recently fitted a new motor/upgrade. Will come with a cart but could do with a new cart/setup.

Yes lovely kit, among the best of its type, but if you need components replaced, it will be costly. They also show up the deficiencies of poor-quality electronics.

Hey Chromecast audio users.

Do I need a Google account to set up and use a it? Are there any drawbacks, particularly as a Plex client?

I really don't want to hand over more data (or cash) to the 'be evil' company but I'm increasingly using Plex + Tidal for managing and playing my music (outside of my main network streamer, which is DLNA compliant so can see the Plex server), so looking for Plex clients that won't break the bank. Sonos connect is an option but I already have an assortment of DACs, speakers and amps in most other rooms so it seems like a really expensive alternative if I can grab a fist full of chromecasts for under a hundred quid. I was also looking at the more expensive Bluesound node but that has zero plex support and is even more expensive. Optical or SPDIF output would be preferred, hence looking at the Chromecast Audio.

Does anyone have any other suggestions for me please?

Fred, you plex? I need a guiding hand.

Oh and same! What @freddo said!

yes man, big fan of Plex. PM me if you need support

Cd ripping, yes I know, do it yourself.
I've found someone in Essex at £1 a pop. Plus hard drive costs.That's about right isn't it?
Unless someone knows better.
Those Brennan look interesting but it's just a pi in a box. Anything else?

(I don't have time)

Cyrus DAC-XP and XPA power amp into B&W 602s? Check.

Tidal and Deezer FLAC free trials begun? Check.

Sonos Beam and 2 X Play:1's for surround sound? Check.

Logitech 650 all in one remote reprogrammed? Check.

It all works and it is fantastic. I'll do some in-depth listening and report back, but the early signs are outstanding.

The Cyrus setup is Hella LOUD. I have not got past -45dB, which is about 20% of the volume bar indicator.

Could use some advice from the hivemind.

I'd like some decent speakers to plug into my PC. I've had a variety of shitty PC speakers over the years and I want something with the warmth and good sound I get out of my Sony headset. I've been looking at Edifier as a potential option but I have no idea what else is out there. What should I be looking for? Active amplification? Monitor speakers? Any help appreciated.

And so begins the tale of aroogahs journey into the audiophile lands, searching for a simple solution with a dream in mind, first he tries the Bluetooth dongle, then the Chromecast, then the direct line, then he upgrades the speakers, the amp, buys a DAC, sells a DAC, buys a power amp, becomes biwire curious. But still the vision escapes him. He hacks through richer sounds, finds niche retailers, then decides that the all encompassing sound from his headphones can't be bettered and buys a new pair.
Meanwhile......

Last call for a hifi repair place in SE London - anyone know if Goodways Electronics in West Norwood is any good?

HK amp has lost a channel and it's making me sad.

Ah the rabbit hole.

I thought there was one on the OKR, near the Thomas a Beckett?

I used joe on goose green a few times. Alas, he left there some time ago.

Chris - what budget?

Ah, indeed. I am climbing out.

As it ends, I will have a full 1976 rig (apart from dac and cables)

Interesting - I hadn't seen one there but cycling past that way so will check

Probably sub £200 - there seems to be tons of options.

Use case is - sitting at desk working/studying and having some decent sounding tunes on at a sensible volume without the need to block out the world with headphones. Desktop space is at a premium as are power sockets so I would like to avoid a subwoofer.

.

I ended up taking mine to somewhere in Essex (Essex amp repairs) as I was up there, simpler.

hmm. I was thinking more that this just plugs directly into the PC audio out - and then into some speakers. Worth having the extra amp in there? If so then what speakers?