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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
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,744 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! 




ashoka
81 posts
 
Try Andrew Jones designed Elac debut 5 or 6, go for schitt amps, PS audio sprout amp. there are any listed now in stereophile budget 2018 equipment list
bacchus1234 OP
29 posts
 
I’m not really interested in home theater either. 

Thanks!
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,500 posts
 
I think some people here have already suggested going to active speakers. These will be your best bang for buck I think. The LS50w are fantastic but you will need a sub either now or later down the road. Elac has a powered speaker now as well that is looking very interesting. Powered speakers tend to go for reasonable prices too in the used market. As you have said you listening to primarily streaming and don't want to be on the upgrade cycle then buy a good set of powered speakers and enjoy. then you don't need expensive cables and the such. 

the next option would be an all in one integrated and a set of speakers. with $2k to spend i'd think about $1k for speakers, $700 for integrated and the rest for cables, stands, ect.  If you can find something like a newer NAD amp and older pair of ProAc floor standers you'd be doing well and  ProAc floor standers don't need sub's. 

If your into a more close setting maybe a fullrange speaker like the Omegas. these are very efficient so you don't need much power so saving there in an amp. 

Look at Shitt Audio as well for very good affordable audio. 


buy used if your can for speakers minimum. 
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