DAC - AMP - Speakers

If I had your budget, with your taste in presentation, I would be looking at the following kit:

Source:
Linn Sneaky (I've yet to hear better)

Amps:
Musical Fidelity M3i
Sugden Mystro
Electrocompaniet PI-1
Creek Evolution 5350

Speakers
Kef R300
PMC Twenty. 21/22/TB2i
Proac T.Anniversary/D1/D2
Spendor SP3/1R2

Given the size of your room, any standmount will need to be tried in situ to see how it sounds.

If the wooden floor is suspended, extra care will have to be taken to isolate the speakers from it.

Thanks for the tip AlmaataKZ - hadn't thought of that or knew such an arrangement existed.

Stream Magic 6: Streamer, DAC and preamp.

Event Opal: Active speakers.

Possibly my next move when funds allow.

Thanks, bluedroog - I'm demoing the TB2is this weekend following some research and receommendations on this forum. I have no idea what they sound like but if I was to make a judgement based on their looks I'd say they'd struggle to impress - I'm looking forward in being proved wrong.

The PMC22 are allot to outlay for a pair of speakers - again they dont look that impressive to look at .... I'll ask the dealer to add them to the audition list.

Cheers, CnoEvil - the M3i is on the list, so too is the Arcam A38. As is the Primare i30 which can be picked up at a reduced rate.

All well worth hearing. Arcam + PMC is a great match.

Hi Kubs, another vote for the AVI ADM9Ts from me.  A simple system that sounds truly amazing, try to get an audition if you can.  Having said that, ideally they need their matching sub, so you might want to look at larger actives, like Event Opal, if you can't easily accommodate the sub.

If you don't decide to go with active speakers (i would if it were me) then i'd consider the Harmon Kardon HK990 amplifier, it's got a built in DAC and bags of power, 150wpc i think, so would drive any standmount speakers within budget with ease, they're only about £800 too so you'd have more left over for the most important (by far IMO) thing, speakers.

+1

Ime the DAC is the least signifant in influencing the sound.

Quick update - I went to my local hi fi dealer to audition some speakers:

- PMC GB1i - great mid and treble but didnt hit the low notes I crave
- Roksan TR5 - great mid and treble - open / wide / high sound - huge improvement on to low end
- KEF R300 - a combination of the two above - I was impressed

The source was a Sonos - the dealer could see I wasnt blown away, it wasnt a step change to the speakers I have now so he added a DAC. The Musical Fidelity (forgot the name but its around £300) - the sound improved there appeared to be space around the instruments .... then he plugged in the Audiolab M-DAC ..... WOW! I urge you to go and audition one if you are after a DAC .... I ended up buying one.

I'm still working out which speaker to get ....

Kubs,

I would wholeheartedly endorse what Alma... has suggested.  The AVI ADM9Ts are a phenominal pair of speakers with DAC and AMP built in and with remote control.  They integrate beautifully with their own and other subs.

I purchased a pair recently and just cannot stop using them.  Music I hadn't bothered with for years has had a whole new lease of life.  I have re-engaged with my love of music and they are THE best thing I have ever purchased so far as hifi/av is concerned.

Be brave and get your plastic out.

Regards.

Damn I see you have already got a DAC.  Take it back for a refund and get the ADM 9Ts.