shopping for 2-channel networked system

[elflord1973]

Greetings! I've recently started looking into replacing a dead bookshelf system.

I'm looking for a system that does the following:

(*) plays music streamed wirelessly from my PC. I have Linux on my desktop if that matters.
(*) I don't want a complicated 5-1 or 7-1 home theater speaker set -- I live in a rental apartment and have a 3 year old running around, so I don't want the wires and I don't want to have to mount things to walls and don't have a lot of space.
(*) I would like good sound quality even given the above constraints. So I am thinking of getting a pair of floor standing speakers
(*) I'd like some kind of CD player.
(*) music -- mostly jazz, also some pop music. Doesn't need thumping bass (would probably get me evicted)

I reviewed the example systems such as the $2000 recommended 2 channel system on this website. But it seems the receiver doesn't have any networking support. Would I be better off getting a 5-1 system (like the Denon 1613) or would I be better off with some kind of 2 channel system ?

Initially some parts I looked at were the Denon 1613 (airplay, can do wireless streaming, if I get an ipod later on I can dock it), Polk Rti A7 or A9 speakers (I like the look of the Cherry finish), and the Sony CDPCX355 CD player (I like the idea of being able to change CDs without fiddling with the player). Not that these are necessarily optimal choices, but hopefully it provides some insight into what I'm trying to achieve.

Questions --

(1) what to do about the receiver ? Does the Denon 1613 look like a reasonable choice ? Or if I'm sticking with two speakers, am I better off with something else ?

(2) Is the Sony CD player any good ? Or is there anything like it that is any good ? Are there any compromises I should be aware of in going with a CD player that can hold a large number of discs ?

(3) speakers: mostly listening to jazz. I don't need them to be very *loud* but am looking for standout sound quality. Nice aesthetics (e.g. the Cherry finish on the Polks) is a huge plus. I'll need to pitch this to my family ...

For now let's say the budget is about $2000 for a receiver, CD player, speakers and some kind of cabinet.

 

[ImcLoud]

OK, heres what I would do if I were buying before the sales end....

$350 for streaming I think this will do what you want- Sonos CONNECT Wireless HiFi Player

these are on sale for $500 until the 14th Newegg.com - MartinLogan Motion 12 Home Theater Front/Surround Speaker Each I had some time to listen to these recently, they are bassy and sound really good, this price is just too good to pass up... I know they are not super pretty but they are just different enough to be attractive in their own way...

$350 I believe in the most direct music path possible I dont like all that video crap in the way, this is a really clean way to tidy everything up, it just does what it does and very well.... I own the xda1 this is the newer version XDA-2 USB DAC/Digital Preamp/Headphone Amp | Emotiva Audio Corporation | Emotiva Audio | High-end audio components for audiophiles and videophiles, spanning 2-channel music systems, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 home theaters. Products include multichannel

$400 cd player, I own this unit, works very well, I would compare it to anything else out there for any price, it plays cd's well... ERC-2 CD Player | Emotiva Audio | High-end audio components for audiophiles and videophiles, spanning 2-channel music systems, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 home theaters. Products include multichannel amplifiers, stereo amplifiers, and monoblock amplifiers

$300 amp I own one of these amazing unit for the price X Series Balanced XLR | Emotiva Audio | High-end audio components for audiophiles and videophiles, spanning 2-channel music systems, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 home theaters. Products include multichannel amplifiers, stereo amplifiers, and monoblock ampl

so that will put you to $1900 leaving $100 for cables and a stand, for a stand I would have just get an amp stand and toss everything on it, even a thick block of wood with spikes from parts express...


I think this system would be really nice, and sound really good, since I own most of the components and have heard them all....

I really like the sound of crossing the towers {not the martins since them are made for bass in the bottom} but a regular set of 6.5" towers, and sending the bass to a sub, and to me there are not many speakers that can stand alone, none of which fit your budget or asthetic criteria, one being the Wharfedale Opus 2-3 {which are attractive, but cost $3500} they have dual 10's and really make good bass, next would be the CV CLS215's which are only around $1000 but they are not living room friendly at all... Cerwin-Vega Delivers 500 Watts of Powerful Sound - BestStuff.com but them with a nice crown xls1500 would blow you away!!! Anyway good luck, I would take advantage of them sales...

heres an amp stand, toss it on the floor stack it all on there... EZ, http://www.amazon.com/Series-Fixed-Height-Speaker-Shelves/dp/B0048B7L36/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1357705063&sr=1-2&keywords=amplifier+stand

Good luck, and oh yeah, welcome to the forum..

 

[elflord1973]

$350 I believe in the most direct music path possible I dont like all that video crap in the way, this is a really clean way to tidy everything up, it just does what it does and very well.... I own the xda1 this is the newer version XDA-2 USB DAC/Digital Preamp/Headphone Amp | Emotiva Audio Corporation | Emotiva Audio | High-end audio components for audiophiles and videophiles, spanning 2-channel music systems, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 home theaters. Products include multichannel

Thanks for the detailed response.

I take it you're saying that I'm better off spending 350 for a pre amp + another 300 for an amp then getting another device that just acts as a receiver (as opposed to just getting an AVR receiver and spending more on speakers for example) ? What are the advantages of using a pre amp / amp as opposed to an AVR receiver ? I'd neglected this originally but this was largely out of ignorance.

Sorry if that's a really stupid question, if there's an FAQ that covers the basics, that would help.

 

[elflord1973]

thanks for the detailed response.

I have another question -- what is the advantage of going with a pre amp/amp and then a wireless device (a total of $1000) over a single AV receiver (the latter option would leave more in my pocket for the speakers)

I'd originally neglected the whole pre-amp/amp thing but that was largely out of ignorance -- I've yet to grasp the role of these components. But this approach does suit me in a way because it means I can choose whichever wireless device works best with my operating system (e.g. I could pick something besides the Sonos and still have a top notch amp/pre amp) without boxing myself in to something that might not have the best audio quality.

 

[Grador]

If you choose to go with some form of setup with digital inputs: The choice of CD player will not affect the sound quality in the least if you're using a digital connection. This leaves you free to completely ignore this factor in selecting the unit. Personally I've found large players to be so very cumbersome that no one really uses them. Managing the CD's you've put in it is a chore and not really that difficult to screw up. I think it's easier to get a single disk player [maybe a five disk if anyone still makes them?] and keep your disks organized well.

Unless your budget is large, or the demands on your system high [power wise] you'll probably be best off going with an AVR. If you're thinking you might want to upgrade on power later look into one with preamp outputs.

 

[bikemig]

An AV receiver is a good choice even for a two channel system because of the digital inputs. Some stereo receivers and amplifiers have digital inputs as well. If you are on a budget, you might want to look at the Onkyo TX 8050 at around $270. It has digital inputs and networking capabilities.

Sonos is a good choice for wireless streaming; so is AirTunes but you'll need an apple express. The AE express is cheaper than Sonos but you'll want a receiver with digital inputs with the AE express.

Frankly, I'd put most of my money to work with a pair of quality floorstanding speakers. You need to go and listen to as many as possible. I really like the PSB image T-6 speakers (they run around $1300) but there are obviously other good choices out there.

 

[ImcLoud]

thanks for the detailed response.

I have another question -- what is the advantage of going with a pre amp/amp and then a wireless device (a total of $1000) over a single AV receiver (the latter option would leave more in my pocket for the speakers)

I'd originally neglected the whole pre-amp/amp thing but that was largely out of ignorance -- I've yet to grasp the role of these components. But this approach does suit me in a way because it means I can choose whichever wireless device works best with my operating system (e.g. I could pick something besides the Sonos and still have a top notch amp/pre amp) without boxing myself in to something that might not have the best audio quality.

I can only tell you what I would do and I like having separates, plus I can hear the difference between the stand alone dac and the built in units I have heard in avr's. With music only systems I wan't it to be just that, so why clutter up the function with all the video crap, I can definitely hear the difference between my music system and my HT system which are both pretty close the main difference being the avr vs the stand alone dac....
Heres how I figure in a music only system, I want to start with rock solid electronics since them are probably not going to get upgraded, then pick and try speakers at will, don't get too hung up on cost of speakers, I have heard $200 speakers that I enjoy over $2000 speakers, and with what you need its even more important because you are not using a sub, so if you get a plain set of towers that have dual 7" drivers you may not be happy with the bass output.... Them martins I linked you to surprised me with the low end they reproduce {this is impressive because I am a 2.2 guy, and for 2.0 I like very few speakers}...

My 2.0 system uses Tekton Lores, its in the bedroom and I wanted a tube amplifier for ambiance reasons, and since tube amps are generally low power the tektons are very efficient without using horns {Im not a fan of horn loaded speakers}. But I don't usually recomend the lores even though they are amazing and everyone that hears them loves them, if you don't have a pair near you, its hard to demo them, and speaekrs should be listened to...

With the martins you can just return them, no harm done... I wish the evo2 40's were still on sale for $799 because I have a set of them , and they are amazing, but even at that I like them much better with subs... But like I said, this is my taste, you may pick up a speaker with dual 5" drivers and love the bass them make???? I like fast deep strong clear bass, that solid sound. That I have yet to find in a tower speaker... The Opus 2-3's and cv 215's have some decent bass, but neither fit you... the opus are expensive and the cv's are ugly...

What have you listened to? I had people telling me to check out b&w and klipsch when I first started looking and I hated both, the b&w's I liked were out of my price range and from the Klipsch I listened to , I don't know how they are in business... But someone has to like them...