2. speakers
  3. 140277-121378

New to audiophile and need HELP.

I’m new to this audiophile “hobby” , relatively “poor” , and need some advice and direction. 

I am willing to spend around $2k US now and then maybe another 1 k or so over time but then that’s it. I just simply can’t afford to go chasing a perfect system from now on. 

I realize that I’m going to be looking at equipment that is WAY below what most of you are running but I can see that this forum is extremely knowledgeable and helpful and so I would greatly appreciate some guidance. 

Right now , I have two Sonos play 5’s (gen 1) and two Sonos play 5’s (gen 2) as well as Sonos SUB. I really thought that these were good until I bought a Naim Mu-so and now I’m having real difficulty listening to the Sonos equipment. 

I’ve just recently ordered a signature Sound Anchor stand for my Mu-so which should be to me in about two weeks and my intention is to keep the Mu-so in my bedroom and then supplement/replace my Sonos with better equipment in my living room. 

Over the last few months I’ve been researching Bluesound , Audio Pro Addon, Devialet Phantom, Kef LS50 Wireless, Buchardt, more Mu-so’s Etc. And I really think that I’ve just managed to confuse myself. I really feel that if the Mu-so could function in stereo with another unit and you could add a sub then it would be about perfect for me.

However, I haven’t listened to and really don’t have access to listen to any other audiophile equipment either. 

I’m really salivating over a Naim Uniti Atom but it’s a lot of money to spend (for me) and I would still need to add speakers and probably a sub. Would streaming to my Mu-so (s) from an Atom give me an appreciable sound quality upgrade? 
If not, then I would have to save up for the speakers and sub as well. I can get more Mu-so’s For about $850.

Streaming is a must for me and I don’t really want to add a turntable or anything like that. 

My listening is very eclectic as one minute I will be enjoying classical and the next I might be 
Thrashing to punk or metal - thus the need for a sub. 

I’m sorry for the rambling post but any and all help would be greatly appreciated!! 

Thanks



bacchus1234
tomcarr
1,468 posts
 
Buying used whenever you can will save you mega $. Audio gear typically holds its value about as well as used underwear.
Buy smart-buy used.
Welcome to the club!

Tom

glupson
7,842 posts
 

In your case, buying used but well-maintained equipment will virtually double your budget. Just as tomcarr said above (good analogy to underwear, I will have to remember that one).

Now, what equipment to buy is more difficult to decide. At least for speakers, listen to them first if you can. For example, no review and no person seems to have ever disliked above-mentioned Pioneers. Statistically they may be the best buy you could ever have. Had I bought them for myself, they would have been the biggest disappointment ever. I bought them for a friend of mine and he was beyond satisfied which is what really mattered. I am just trying to say "approach carefully and try to hear first". At least for speakers. For your budget, Monitor Audio has a good price/quality ratio in my opinion. They can be found used and in great condition for relatively little money.


Also, what kind of system are you really envisioning? Plain two channel, sitting in front of it and just listening, or something that would eventually involve movies and, maybe, surround?

mr_m
1,900 posts
 
The Naim Atom you mentioned is a very special piece of gear. It is compact, has great streaming capabilities, very well built, and sounds spectacular. I would think you would notice a good increase in SQ in it's streaming capability. BUT, as you said, it is expensive and would eat up all of your allotment of money, and then some. Just something to look at for the future. The Bluesound Node 2 would be an excellent choice in your price range. A used pair of Kef LS-50's would be pretty good too. 

It's not about what I like though. It's what you want. Please due the research and go out and listen to as much equipment as possible. Look for an audio store that has a good selection of used gear too.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,770 posts
 
I have both the BlueSound PowerNode and a NAIM Atom in different systems....

@mr_m. has heard the Atom driving $8 K speakers and it is up to the task....an astonishingly good product that will eat most of your budget, even IF you find one used. But try !!!!!!! Find a pair of ADS 710 or 810 on Craigslist and don’t worry about a sub. There are a lot of very high quality used vintage speakers out there that will sound great w 40 watts of NAIM power. Tannoy would be a real score!

The PowerNode is an amazing value and the application well developed. The amp section is NAD and IMO very nice for a switcher...well executed by a company with a lot of engineering talent, and ears..I drive a pair of Totems in a large sunroom and it also can rock. As mentioned it has a RCA sub output.
I would suggest a powernode paired with the PSB speakers/ sub engineered for it.

Have fun, go listen !!!!!!!
bacchus1234 OP
29 posts
 

 I will be doing almost exclusively online streaming as I really love the ease of use and the fact that I can listen to almost anything at any time and with decent quality via my iPhone and Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer and Tidal all upgraded to high tier. Airplay 2 has been working great with the Mu-so. I’m still a bit unclear on whether streaming from a Mac desktop or Mac Mini (?) would be an upgrade from my iPhone or not.

My living room that the system will primarily be in is way less than ideal as it’s really three rooms which are loosely connected. 

I’m ( perhaps somewhat irrationally ) really drawn to Naim because I’ve seen how good their “cheap” and Chinese-made all-in-one unit is and therefore I’m REALLY interested to see just how good their other nicer completely British-made units are.

Does anyone have any experience with Audio Pro’s , Devialet Phantoms or similar sound Quality versus Mu-so? How would the Kef LS50 Wireless stack up (other than the obvious difference in soundstage) ?  

Finally, part of my personality is that I really like things that different and not common and so therefore my focus on British/Euro equipment rather than American or even Canadian even though I am American myself. This is also probably irrational as well. What North American brands would be somewhat equivalent?

Thanks so much guys for all of the ideas  and posting tips. Please keep them coming! 




More to discover