Audiophiles hifi appreciation thread old and new

Also quite a bit of weight in 1000 CDs.

It's worth noting that a modern Kallax is hollow, they're certainly not as robust as they have been. I've got my records in a vintage Kallax and about 1000 CDs on Ivar shelves.

every output from every solid state amp currently should be flat

This just isn't true in my experience. I've heard a fair few class AB amps and they sound different, even at similar power outputs. I know there's a lot of bollocks in the hifi industry but I can't agree with NAD in this case.
I don't know how much of this is purposefully 'eqing' the sound as a point of difference though. I've heard some very expensive stuff that has a rising treble to sound more detailed.

I'm looking for something similar to Dogs, but preamp only. Currently have a cheap little channel switching box with built in phono stage but it was only £70 ten years ago so surely must be the weak link in my system. Ideally I want a box that has:

Bluetooth aptx
Chromecast Audio or an optical-in & DAC for my existing CCA
Phono stage

Would also do non-chromecast type thing as long as it can be controlled in-app by Spotify. Balanced output would be nice, but I'm sure I wouldn't be able to tell if it wasn't.

Neither Schiit, Topping or Pro-Ject seem to do the thing I want, though happy to be corrected. Where else should I look?

New WiiM amp looks to be very good and is £300

Has phono in for a phone stage and does native streaming via WiFi very well, along with hdmi arc. Also has parametric eq and they update the software very regularly - my WiiM mini is excellent so thinking about trying one out

Surely your options increase if you have a separate phone stage? There’s plenty of good budget ones out there.
Would a WiiM mini or pro plus phono do all you require?

Edit, the Winamp looks like it ticks the boxes

Because I don't read enough hifi reviews to have a publication or author whose opinion I trust, I just found them all a bit of a waste of time; it's either YouTube channels and random websites just regurgitating the specs and some BS about the original brand or reviewers that do try to describe the audio qualities but using such opposing language to each other it's as if they're listening to completely different amps.

From what I can tell, the Leak is a decent mid-tier amp with similar performance/insides to a couple of others in the same price bracket, that's been put in different looking packaging.

I'll take a couple of my preferred test records to the shop & see what's what. Might end up with the Leak or there might be something better on the day!

Ooh Wiim Pro looks ideal actually.

How does one select each input? Is it app-only until the Pro Plus with a remote? The Pro has buttons on the front but only volume, play/pause and “preset”.

The WiiM amp is different from the pro and comes with remote and volume controls in the front but also has hdmi arc so can use your tvs volume control

https://youtu.be/MfeEr6u3fKo?si=pyZFvlElwYPwvkLC

Pro-Ject Prebox DS2 Digital does all of that plus it’s a nice headphone amp. I’ve used mine in all sorts of configurations, it’s very versatile.

https://www.project-audio.com/en/product/pre-box-ds2-digital/

I’ve since upgraded to an external phono stage and added a linear power supply but it sounds great straight out of the box.

I’m not needing an amp though, as nice and good value a package as that is.

I've got the pro without remote and the app is relatively good as proprietary hi-fi apps go remote-wise.

It can be set to autodetect source and switch to it - so depending on how much 'live' switching you need that might be enough.

That ProJect box looks ideal actually. Not as cutting edge as the Wiim but a better DAC (according to ASR) and I wouldn’t need a phono amp. Just plug the CCA in.

Time to set up an eBay alert I reckon

Actually got a Wiim Pro Plus to fiddle with. Unfortunately the Bluetooth implementation is wack, starts to stutter and is unusable after ~20 mins so useless for movies etc. Seems to be a known issue.

Probably great for music but as the idea was to consolidate boxes, plugging an aptx BT receiver and phono stage into it seems a bit silly

Just scored these Neat Mystique 2 floorstanders for £250. I’m quite shocked by them - they’re more forward than even my Klipsch Heresies. Exactly what I was after.

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Nice - they always get great reviews, I was watching a pair on ebay a while back (can't remember model) & thought they might have stayed beneath the radar as it was collection only, thought i was in luck but the £200 bid shot to £700 in the last few seconds

I can see why the reviews are always so positive, they’re very dynamic and exciting. They’re the best all-round package I’ve had in this room so far. The Heresies are too big, the RP50M IIs are a bit ruff and the LS3/5As are too laid back. Plus I don’t need a sub with them so I can stop meddling with that.

I’ve got a feeling these won’t be staying too long - my wife hates them, they are in a horrible dated orange stain finish. I think I’m going to save for a pair of those tiny floorstanders the Iota Alpha with a more modern look.

my wife hates them, they are in a horrible dated orange stain finish

https://kitchen-wraps.co.uk/product/midnight-navy-blue-matt-dc-fix-self-adhesive-vinyl-kitchen-wrap/

They are on my radar but what about the Petite classic? Think they look good in either white or wood and the reviews really rate them.
Wharfdale super Denton?

If she hates them now, wait until I’ve made a dog’s breakfast of sticking that stuff on.

Yes I’d love to hear the petite classic, but these are the first floorstanders I’ve tried (not including the Heresies but they’re sort of in between floorstanders and standmounts) and I really like the extra bass. Bookshelves I’ve tried with ports always boom in my lounge, sealed ones need a sub, these towers are just right.

I haven’t looked into the Super Denton, they do look nice.

I think you can also get Cath Kidston vinyl wrap. I'm. Sure a pattern would be more forgiving too.

They have literally just come out but i’m interested in an in depth review.
I have lots of demands that take a lot of speakers out of the equation. They have to be stand mount but ideally not over 35cm tall they have to match a mid-century space/decor or at least not look like a geek heaven piece of tech like Kef or B&W, have to have bass but detailed not room shakers and I can’t bring them forward into the room with more then 30cm behind.
The Chartwell LS6 is likely a bit too big and possibly needs free space, most of the spendor/harbeth options are just an Ls3/5A tweaked or too tall/expensive.

the Neat is pricy but I might score an ex-dem when finally ready to buy, the small iota’s would be the only floor stander I would entertain as they are not ugly and dominating the room. not actually heard a 3/5a or at least not since being a sweaty palmed teenager in phonocraft hi-fi Ashford high st drooling over the glowing green naim kit and Linn isobariks

Sounds like any of the Neat Classic or Iota stand mount or floorstanders would do the job then as long as you like their character.

I was really knocked out by the LS3/5a when I first put them in, I’d never heard anything that imaged so well but over time I’ve got a bit fed up of having to really crank them to bring them to life. Even then they don’t really make you tap your foot, more like stroke your chin.

If you want to try them to see if you like the sound I could send them to you (not trying to sell them to you, I’m going to keep them). They’re very accurate replicas that I’ve since fitted Falcon gold badge crossovers and drivers to - it’s just the cabinets aren’t from one of the factories but they are to spec.

Very kind offer but i’m a while away from getting everything set up, turntable to service/new cart/phono stage/replace the dimmed screen on UnitiQute/ refinish the stands my Dad made for me before bringing them from the garage. The total budget currently available is £0.
sell my flat early next year which should release some fun money.

Room is open plan and 6m into the dining area and 5m at the wide part, no idea how the room sounds as my Leema Xero’s are in a box and current hi-fi is a Sonos play 1 under the TV.

When I was searching with the same criteria I found a pair of PMC LB1's. They are standmount but tall. The transmission line bass seems to work as detailed but not booming.