What's the best way to get better sound?

Hi Mark. That is a nice MF system you have there. The rest of the setup sounds pretty good too. Can you take some photos and show it off in the 'Your Systems' part of the forum?

I can't help with the AV side of your dilemma. As for the ipod/PC/DAB issue, to get the best sound you should be able to use the X-DAC to link the PC to the amp. You will need either a digital/optivalcable or wireless connection between PC and DAC and then phono interconnects for DAC to amp. By using the DAC you will not only access itunes off the PC, but also all the other music available off the internet such as Spotify and LastFM. There are also a ton of internet radio stations so would you really need a DAB as well? If you just want the ipod alone connected to your amp you need a LOD - line out dock to connect from the ipods dock to spare phonos on the amp. The Russ Andrews GQ-24 is excellent. But it would be better to use the DAC route, especially since you already have one. So, out of your £4000+ budet you are looking at £50 for a decent digital/optical cable, £100 for really good interconnects and an optional £60 or so for the LOD.

As for mains conditioning, there are loads of products and a split as to how well they work. Just search the forum for mains and you will see. Just recently, What Hifi did a reader test on three forum members and they all felt that mains conditioning had a positive benefit. I think mains has had a positive or at least neutral benefit in different houses, and with different kit. It would appear that the condition of the mains in the first place and the wiring in your house can/will have an impact. At the bottom of the price range are conditioners from Tacima, then the likes of QED, then Russ Andrews and Isoteck and buy then you can be spending hundreds if not thousands. My advice would be have a go and buy from a company with a no quibble returns policy. A couple of Tacimas will set you back about £60 or so. Russ Andrews conditioners start at about that.

As for room treatment, it does sound like you should try a lot of furniture and speaker moving and would probably benefit from a rug or soft furnishings (not my scene!). Also, again from a recent reader test and my experience make sure you have a good solid rigid rack for your kit and the speakers are leve, stable and on solid stands. Spikes, granite and even blue tac can all be used for ensuring speakers are stable.

Even if you go a bit wild with mains conditioners and spend a couple of hundred pounds, get a nice rug and another few hundred on rack and stands, you should have at least £3000 left of your budget left for a projector and blu-ray. It may be better to post more specific questions in the Home Cinema part of the site to get help with that.

Easy one!

Forget all this 'Hi-Fi' nonsense, find a local pub or club with live music, go once a week (or more often), have a couple of beers while you listen to the real thing, save the remaining money and live happily ever after!!

Now what could be simpler than that?

Petherick:

Easy one!

Forget all this 'Hi-Fi' nonsense, find a local pub or club with live music, go once a week (or more often), have a couple of beers while you listen to the real thing, save the remaining money and live happily ever after!!

Now what could be simpler than that?

There must be a live music forum somewhere for you Petherick! I prefer to save money by not going to the pub and spending it on CDs and hifi and Spotify instead.

I was just answering the question as originally posed - with my tongue in my cheek!

I think there's scope for appreciating recorded music and the 'better' sound of live music. If you add up the cost of the hardware, the software, the electricity used (notwithstanding wind-up gramophone users) and the subscription to What HiFi, I reckon going out's a good deal. For the cost of a couple of CDs it would be possible to have a good night out, see a band and perhaps broaden your musical tastes. Maybe I am getting off-topic now, but personally, while I enjoy listening to music at home, I think 'live' is the better sound, even if it isn't always 'hi-fi'.

marnic:

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I think my room really doesn't help.  Its open plan with a hard wooden floor and a bit echoey.  Is there something I should do to improve the acoustics first, maybe acoustic ceiling tiles or something on the wall behind the sofa?  Many thanks>>

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You can do experiments with your room acoustic using bedclothes - duvet, pillows, etc, or heat insulation materials, or thick curtains. That will cost you nothing but you will learn your room. Just put them in various places, hang on a wall, hang on a ceiling, or put on a floor. As basic guidance, you can use a clap test. You will see that acoustics are different on different places of room. Then will be easier to decide do you need acoustic tiles, how much and where or maybe carpets in some places are enough, or maybe you will see something original that fits your room.

Anyway, start with your room, that can make a big difference. And that will works with any equipment in future as well. 

Petherick:

I was just answering the question as originally posed - with my tongue in my cheek!

I think there's scope for appreciating recorded music and the 'better' sound of live music. If you add up the cost of the hardware, the software, the electricity used (notwithstanding wind-up gramophone users) and the subscription to What HiFi, I reckon going out's a good deal. For the cost of a couple of CDs it would be possible to have a good night out, see a band and perhaps broaden your musical tastes. Maybe I am getting off-topic now, but personally, while I enjoy listening to music at home, I think 'live' is the better sound, even if it isn't always 'hi-fi'.

My experience of live bands, especially in the pub has been poor. They have mostly been covers played way too loudly and not that well. But I am quite old and I prefer a pub where the background noise is chatter and laughter!

As for broadening music tastes the best bargain of all is Spotify. Tens of thousands of albums all for free if you put up with the adverts. I am listening to loads of music I would not have even known about if it was not for Spotify; The Beta Band, Durutti Column, Secret Machines, David Sylvian are all now listened to regularly thanks to Spotify. If you have not tried it I would highly recommend it. Do you know of any good pub bands in the Glasgow area?

That's a great idea.  I'll do that and see how it goes.  Thanks very much for advice.

 As for going out instead.  Yes of course its a great idea and comparatively cheap too.  Only problem is I don't just want to listen to music when bands want to play music somewhere convenient.  None has yet played in my house either...