Audiophiles hifi appreciation thread old and new

buying new speaker cable also if anyone has a link to a convo in this thread discussing this topic.>

TLDR > don't get the spendy stuff. Anything around £2 p/m will probably be fine. Flat cable makes it easy to route IMO

Thanks will have a look

Looking for advice please. My music is now all via Spotify, which I listen to though a bluetooth link to a Bose Soundlink Mini. I would like to enhance the sound - what are the options? Is there a way to connect to a traditional amp and speakers? Do modern amps have the ability to receive spotify straight from the pc / iPhone?

a modern amp should.

does it need to be bluetooth?

or you can use a pi as an airplay receiver and plug that into an amp. the cheapest would be chromecast audio gadget, but the uses wifi not bluetooth.

I'd prefer it not to be bluetooth! I have not the first idea on all of this. I shall look into a chromecast audio gadget. Thank you.

Also will be buying new rear surround speakers possibly tomorrow - any other recommendations on some or for sale with a budget of £150

Chromecast Audio is 15 quid at argos, pc world and a few other places at the mo'. Definitely worth it at that price!

Reviews say that if they're still in good condition they sound great but they're about 20 years old now.

Thats OK, no probs. I think the 1st DL8 series date back further than that, mine were from 1980/1 the original owner reckoned.

The Chromecast audios are great, got a couple dotted around the house. Been doing some renovations and that's let me get some old hifi bits up a running.

I've got a really simple setup running the Chromecast into an early Mission Cyrus One and a pair of Mordaunt-Short 3.10 speakers. Had a dry joint on one of the amp inputs, but that was easy to sort. Sounds lovely.

YEP. Airport Express. I have an AWESOME A&R A60 amp linked ot a record player and an Airport Express.

thinking of getting the ancient nad3020a repaired, as it has such a nice MC phono input and pre-amp, http://www.amprepairservices.co.uk/home/ look like they'll make a decent job of it

More progress. Got my dali centre speaker early this week and got my Dali zensor rears today.
Have ordered my speaker cable, anti oxygen, low resistance cryogenically frozen gold plated cable at £23.99 per meter. Just kidding it's reasonably thick and cost about £2 per meter.
Still need to get a sub and a new amp but that's going to have to wait till next month. In the mean time I can get some banana plugs.

Are they worth it as you can get 12 of eBay for not too much money. If so what should you look for when buying some as if seen many types

Cheers

I would like to know the answer to this too. Cramming loads of loose wire into connections never stuck me as the wisest way to make things clean and clear.
Also worth noting, my A60 is still amazing. My Beogram 1203 is playing up a-bloody-gain but maybe I will just buy a NOS 4000.

When I looked into this when setting up my system the consensus seemed to be that banana plugs made no difference to the sound so long as all the contacts were solid.

I went with them as attempting to connect a dozen bare wires round the back of my amp would have been a real ballache. Also far less chance of any stray wires escaping and brushing against other terminals.

I've never used them. Each to their own.

And the blinking Beard has blown a bias pot, more or less the instant I showed it off on t'internet... the main issue is actually lifting / handling it to get access...

Cheap 'nana plugs. I've had some that look well made but the 'lantern' only connects intermittently with the body! Odd but true.

Buyer beware.

banana plugs - the maplin gold plated ones are ok

Splashed out on some Cambridge Audio ones at lunch... neater that loose wires.

Let us know how you get on with them. Might just order some for the sake of having a neater wire layout

Already have one pair, not sure if there is any difference in sound but my AWESOME A60 is a bit fiddly round the back connection wise, or maybe I just have fat clumsy fingers, but with the plugs on it's a lot easier to connect the speakers, and I know they are solidly connected...

I got some ebay banana plugs that have two screws. These hold the cable solidly in place, look a bit fancy and are much easier to plug in/unplug. Got them set up on the stereo I gave my sister.

Do not go for the really cheap plastic one screw things, I've tried them on my stereo and they're useless and I'll be replacing them with the above when I can be arsed.

Edit:

Good

Bad

The good ones you suggested are the ones I have bookmarked. Seen them for £8 for 12

My CA ones were fiver a pair. Look nice. All metal. Job done.

you're all fired