Amp&Speaker options for Apple TV proving tricky....
Hi All, Im a bit stuck and wondered if I could ask for ideas? Im looking to setup a small HiFi system using my AppleTv as the main source, streaming all my music held on the imac. I would also like it to be capable of handling the TV audio. I can get an optical audio feed out of the back of my Panasonic 42GX50B which will contain any of the TV sources. So that bit is simple a single fibre connecting into an amp and speakers. The problem is that Im rather tight for space and more importantly I will be using the system for Music as a primary concern, therefore Musicality is the main criteria so stereo sound only rather tha home theater! A bit unusual I know. Ive been looking at systems such as QAcoustics 7000 LR+sub, Cambridge Minx+sub, Bostn Acoustics XS,.... etc Also amps such as Teac mini range as I need an amp with an optical input. I think Ive discounted sound bars as although its an easy fit music probabloy isnt their first forte. Can anybody steer me on the right course to a suitably small amp/speaker combo that will do music justice and give me the connectivity I need? The problem is Im not sure whats out there and whats good and bad and is great at music! Thanks for any advice! Matthew
What is your budget?
CA DACMagic Plus and a pair of active speakers to match your budget £250 plus price of speakers
OR
AVI ADM9 speakers (internal preamp, amp and DAC) £1250-£1400 depending on tweeter option.
OR
Dynaudio Xeo3 £1180
Those are quite pricey options mind you, what's the budget?
I would look out for some used ADMs some just went last week for about £600 on fleabay, they inc. amp speakers and dac.
Hi,
Sorry yes forgot to mention a budget of about £600.
One issue is that there is no volume control for the output of the AppleTv so i need something that has a volume control.
Also the smaller the footprint the better which is why i was considering the qacoustics, minx or boston gear. But ive no idea what they would sound like with music?...
Thanks
Matthew
I don't know if you have or need surround capability for your AV setup, but a pair of suitable active speakers would fit the bill, allowing you to do away with separate amps and a DAC altogether.
ADM9s or Dynaudio Xeo 3s would do the job.
My preference would be for the ADMs though, having had Dynaudios with a similar construction, ie rear ported.
You are unlikely to find the Xeos on the used market yet for your budget though.
Of course ADMs have a remote with volume control, they are quite small roughly 30x20x25 cms, not fussy about positioning, they have the amps and dac inside each speaker so you just need to plug in or stream into them, also they have 325W amps in each speaker so plenty of power and control, for £600 I can't think of a better solution, a decent pair of speakers will cost almost that. Have a look on their website for some images.
If you can find them, Roland DS7 come end-of-line and usually discounted to around £250 a pair. They're also active, have an onboard DAC too and are rather good. No need to spend £600 if you don't have to of course. Teac's UD-H01 which I use offers XLR connections as well as USB, optical and coax, £150 in Richer Sounds if they still have it. Nice unit too, compact and neat. Just pop that onto a pair of actives of your choice thereafter - Yamaha's HS50 at around £250 a pair for instance.
Have you seen the marantz m-cr603? All in one little amp which has a optical input, got a sub out as well so gives you options down the line.
http://www.whathifi.com/review/m-cr603
http://www.hughesdirect.co.uk/hi-fi/hifi-systems/mar-mcr603-black/product
If you can find them, Roland DS7 come end-of-line and usually discounted to around £250 a pair. They're also active, have an onboard DAC too and are rather good. No need to spend £600 if you don't have to of course. Teac's UD-H01 which I use offers XLR connections as well as USB, optical and coax, £150 in Richer Sounds if they still have it. Nice unit too, compact and neat. Just pop that onto a pair of actives of your choice thereafter - Yamaha's HS50 at around £250 a pair for instance.
The TEAC does not have a variable line out, so could not be used as a preamp.
The Rolands are new to me though. They don't appear to be that powerful though, so I would wonder about their ability to do loud in anything other than a smallish room, which might suit the OP.
Ah, well, as he's using them in a small room that's no problem, but then, low powered, or lower powered amps can go loud. It depends if you overreach them. But I could turn up my Sansui AU217 amp (a 30watter) with Mission 752s. Sounded great.
As it happens, the DS7's come with an optical input, so could forget the Teac. In any case, the ATV could be controlled by an Apple remote, Touch, iPad or the like. No biggie.
Ah, well, as he's using them in a small room that's no problem, but then, low powered, or lower powered amps can go loud. It depends if you overreach them. But I could turn up my Sansui AU217 amp (a 30watter) with Mission 752s. Sounded great.
As it happens, the DS7's come with an optical input, so could forget the Teac. In any case, the ATV could be controlled by an Apple remote, Touch, iPad or the like. No biggie.
Yes it could, but I always think that some sort of other attenuation is a good idea in case of some sort of software glitch causing maximum line out voltage. 
I prefer to set iTunes to max and then turn up the other volume control to a 'party' level. This then sets a system fall back volume if something goes south. Then iTunes can be backed off a bit. I've got a remote with the speakers now, so this is not so much of an issue any more as it was with the BM5As.
What is your budget? There are various active speakers available with optical inputs ranging from the likes of Behringer to AVI.
Synology NAS + Audio Station - ATV2 - Benchmark DAC1 HDR - Event Opal
http://nwavguy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/what-we-hear.html