Arcam Solo Mini + B&W 685s OR Meridian F80??
Now here's a question . . . you're looking for a new Hi-Fi system and can afford to put £1000 - or at a stretch (and some more ummming and arghhhing) £1500 - towards it. You want something that's discreet, all-in-one, stylish, but above all still high in the sound quality stakes.
Do you . . .
A. Go for an Arcam Solo Mini with the B&W 685 speakers?
B. Go for the Meridian F80 and be a bit different?
C. Go for both (not possible, but what a great thought!)?
D. Go for something else?
E. Go for a holiday and stick with my Denon DM30?
AVI ADM9.1. Why play with toys?? Admittedly a nice toy in the shape of the Meridian but its still only a boom box.
AVI ADM9.1s will kill any of the options above (apart from a holiday!)
I see your point Chebby, but you could use any existing transport to good effect. I know Ashley like the Mac - AVI interface, but Ive used ADM9's with a cheapo dvd player and a DAB unit to amazing effect. The results were much better than any traditional hifi at similar price point. Far better sonically than Ive heard CDslossless through DAC Magic's and such like.
I would wager that the OP has a transport, either a cd-based one or a computer. If not, a sturdy one can be bought under budget and it would still sound better, way better sonically than the other options imo
chebby:Yes indeed, but it would cease to be compact - with a seperate CDP - and there would be no FM/DAB and it would be right against the manufacturer's explicit recommendations on their usage.
Even use of PCs is discouraged by AVI (it is why they removed the USB option on the 9.1 revision). Not just discouraged either. The manufacturer has been absolutely forceful on this point even to the extent of dis-missing his 5 star WHF review because a PC was used!
(Ashley's view on such matters are plain, vociferous and rather famous by now.)
If misguided (on the PC point)
Chebby, using the ADM's with an existing transport is surely very much a 'compact' system?!? It would still be one box. Granted DAB would be extra, but still dont see how it would be described as anything other than a minimalist solution
The USB ADM 9s were discontinued owing to (lack of) demand iirc. You can still order the USB unit I believe by special request.
If those 'speakers have an optical input and the DAC is as good as they claim, then any old source should be fine, be it a PC or an old DVD player.
Most people have a laptop these days, so there wouldn't really be any additional expense to have a complete system.
If the manufacturer is recommending Apple it is likely that it is becuase it works well and has a nice interface to "complete the experience".
Eddie Pound:If those 'speakers have an optical input and the DAC is as good as they claim, then any old source should be fine, be it a PC or an old DVD player.
Most people have a laptop these days, so there wouldn't really be any additional expense to have a complete system.
If the manufacturer is recommending Apple it is likely that it is becuase it works well and has a nice interface to "complete the experience".
Yes, fully agree. The DAC is great in the ADM's
So any source sounds about the same? Be it a cheap DVD player or a Mac or whatever?
That's been my experience with a good reclocking DAC.
Noooooooooooooo
Yes and most DAC's cost less than a tenner as Im sure you know! However in terms of implementation, quality can vary.
I previously owned a 6-7k system comprising of a Cyrus DAC-X then a Chord 64. The implementation of this DAC is excellent and marries well with the active crossover design. The AVI's compare favourably to my previous set up in terms of detail and resolution.
What about the Naim Uniti?
If it has to be discreet and pretty, A or E.
CA StreamMagic 6 | CA 751BD | CA 651A | PMC DB1i
Moderator. mail: john.duncan.whf at the mail of g dot com