Planning a living room stereo setup

[Guest wcseow]

Am planning to have a stereo setup in the living room as an opportunity to replace my front speakers arose.

 

Current living room setup is 5.1.4 with Denon 4500, Starke V62/VC62/VS61 speakers, Gallo Atmos. 

 

Plan is to replace Starke V62 speakers and to setup a stereo system with the new speakers. Undecided at this point, whether to use a amp with HT bypass to share the fronts or buy separate pair of smaller speakers for the HT. HT not critical here as I have another room dedicated for that.

 

Thus, stereo setup being explored are

 

Speakers : Heard Elac Vela, Dali Opticon, Dali Rubicon. Going to audition Piega Premium and Ace. Not sure what others, prefer AMT or ribbons.

 

Power Amp : Not familiar but will probably get it together with the speakers. Considering XTZ Edge and Legacy PowerBloc. Aware of these 2 only because my ded HT setup are using Legacy Audio and XTZ speakers.

 

Pre Amp : Not sure whether needed this or go with an integrated amp with HT bypass. But prefer higher power power amp for future speakers upgrade.

 

Streamer : Networked music files and Tidal is what I used often. Thus considering Bluesound Node 2i for MQA and Tidal Connect support.  

Include NAIM Uniti and NAD M10 into consideration. All in 1s.

 

Ext DAC :If needed, maybe Gustard X16 or CA DAC Magic 200M for MQA rendering on Coax In.

 

Turntable may be included if I still find my current vinyl collection to be of good condition.

 

Any other considerations I should take, as not too familiar with stereo setup.

 

Thanks.

Edited February 22, 2021 by wcseow

[Boxerfan88]

If your stereo setup is gonna coexist with HT, better go with integrated with HT bypass. I’ve had my regrets when I didn’t do so, and cost me more to eventually swap in an integrated with HT bypass. Also do check the compatibility of the center with your new LR speakers, if they don’t match then you should replace the center Starke too. It is advisable for LCR to be from the same brand/family.

 

If you’re gonna toss away the HT setup, then by all means you have a free hand to get whatever you like for the stereo setup.

 

Edited February 21, 2021 by Boxerfan88

[Guest wcseow]

It does not have to coexist as the living room setup for HT there is only used by my younger child and she cares about is dialogue and effects. My elder child is too lazy to switch on the AVR..

 

Understood the HT bypass  it seem that those integrated amps has much lower power output than the power amp. I am thinking of trying out high power amp to experience it.

[Guest wusplay]

do this combo cover your requirement?

Neat Acoustics Ekstra (Ribbon + Iso-baric ) and Naim Uniti Nova (Streaming + HDMI ARC)

[Guest wcseow]

1 hour ago, wusplay said:

do this combo cover your requirement?

Neat Acoustics Ekstra (Ribbon + Iso-baric ) and Naim Uniti Nova (Streaming + HDMI ARC)

The Neat speakers is pretty neat.  Who carries this?..and hopefully can have a listening.

 

Not so sure on a All in one box, though Nova power rating of 80W seems good for a All-in-1.  Guess too, will not have MQA. Not too critical though I am.thinking of having a try on mqa for this setup to experience it.

[Guest wusplay]

Absolute Sound, both Neat & Naim

 

haha, fan of Naim will tell you their 80W is like no other lesser amplifier of similar rating

[zephyr11]

12 hours ago, wusplay said:

do this combo cover your requirement?

Neat Acoustics Ekstra (Ribbon + Iso-baric ) and Naim Uniti Nova (Streaming + HDMI ARC)

 

 

thanks for sharing!

 

walked pass afew times and was wondering what those small floorstanders are. possibly worth a look for me too! 

[Guest wcseow]

14 hours ago, wusplay said:

Absolute Sound, both Neat & Naim

 

haha, fan of Naim will tell you their 80W is like no other lesser amplifier of similar rating

Thanks.

Probably will look at Atom instead or NAD M10.

 

I believe Atom and Nova shared the same DAC design?

[Amon86]

34 minutes ago, wcseow said:

Thanks.

Probably will look at Atom instead or NAD M10.

 

I believe Atom and Nova shared the same DAC design?

I am using naim atom as for atom vs nova....nova has a higher output in terms of power, the user interface are the same....

[Guest wusplay]

Atom and M1 are probably not powerful enough to drive an isobaric to the exciting level

 

In term of charecteristic, NAD and Naim are totally different.

Nowadays are we still talking about PRaT (Pace, rhythm and Timing)? Last time Neat match so well with Naim, I don't know about all the latest models. 

 

 

[Guest wcseow]

26 minutes ago, wusplay said:

Atom and M1 are probably not powerful enough to drive an isobaric to the exciting level

 

In term of charecteristic, NAD and Naim are totally different.

Nowadays are we still talking about PRaT (Pace, rhythm and Timing)? Last time Neat match so well with Naim, I don't know about all the latest models. 

 

 

 

I see. Ok.  I guess will have a listen to the Nova/Neat if possible. Another option is to have a separate power amp as both have pre outs. 

 

Wouldnt it be great if a shop could have a NAIM and NAD setup with the same speakers.

[DHT Triode]

What is the size of the room (WxLxH) you have for your new system?  Will the speakers need to be up against the wall or are they able to be positioned further away from room boundaries? 

 

Do you have particular music type/style preferences and/or particular music presentation preferences?  Do you listen LOUD or at more reasonable levels?

 

Are you considering both vacuum tube and solid state amplification?

 

The room size and speaker positioning options are important factors to help with your decision making process, particularly for your speaker choice.  Choosing amplification that fits with your music and presentation preferences are strong secondary factors, but frankly, if you get speakers that aren't a good fit with the space you intend to use them in, investment in other areas may be a moot point.

 

And then there are your budget considerations....  Balancing all of these factors is key to getting the best bang for your buck and brings a result that is satisfying in the long term to your music enjoyment.  Random equipment suggestions may send you down a rabbit hole.

 

I might also suggest that if you can get the opportunity to audition the (short list) speakers you are considering in your own home is a big plus in terms of getting a good result.

 

Good luck!

 

cheers,

Bill

 

 

Edited February 23, 2021 by DHT Triode

[DHT Triode]

One more thing if your intended new stuff is in a common area of your home: How important is aesthetics to you significant other?  

 

You could end up with a completely wonderful solution only to find that the missus says "get that ugly stuff out of my living room!!!" 

 

It happens.....

 

[Amon86]

15 hours ago, wusplay said:

Atom and M1 are probably not powerful enough to drive an isobaric to the exciting level

 

In term of charecteristic, NAD and Naim are totally different.

Nowadays are we still talking about PRaT (Pace, rhythm and Timing)? Last time Neat match so well with Naim, I don't know about all the latest models. 

 

 

Neat Acoustic Ultimatum is still the best i have heard so that explain why they didn't upgrade that model......naim atom is good for speakers like LS50 meta or Dynaudio SP40 or other small bookshelves....as i used them in room for relaxing listening.....

[Guest wcseow]

4 hours ago, DHT Triode said:

What is the size of the room (WxLxH) you have for your new system?  Will the speakers need to be up against the wall or are they able to be positioned further away from room boundaries? 

 

Do you have particular music type/style preferences and/or particular music presentation preferences?  Do you listen LOUD or at more reasonable levels?

 

Are you considering both vacuum tube and solid state amplification?

 

The room size and speaker positioning options are important factors to help with your decision making process, particularly for your speaker choice.  Choosing amplification that fits with your music and presentation preferences are strong secondary factors, but frankly, if you get speakers that aren't a good fit with the space you intend to use them in, investment in other areas may be a moot point.

 

And then there are your budget considerations....  Balancing all of these factors is key to getting the best bang for your buck and brings a result that is satisfying in the long term to your music enjoyment.  Random equipment suggestions may send you down a rabbit hole.

 

I might also suggest that if you can get the opportunity to audition the (short list) speakers you are considering in your own home is

 

Good luck!

 

cheers,

Bill

 

 

Hi. Here goes.

 

Living area size: 3.7 x 2.4 x 2.9

Current setup TV/LCR on 2.4m wall

One side sliding door to planter, another side leads to dining area

 

Room boundery.

Only limited by the side. Thus am looking at "slim" Floorstanders only 

 

No particular genre. Mostly ballads and instrumental but not classical. No loud listening

 

For now, only solid state.

 

Budget?...prob $8K for speakers and $4k for electronics but flex. Knowing my purchasing habit, depends on how much I like the stuff and will make adjustment accordingly, including creating space.

 

Home audition will be great but I doubt it is feasible here for those speakers i am targeting. Still, will explore that when I have zoom into a set.

 

[Guest wcseow]

10 hours ago, DHT Triode said:

One more thing if your intended new stuff is in a common area of your home: How important is aesthetics to you significant other?  

 

You could end up with a completely wonderful solution only to find that the missus says "get that ugly stuff out of my living room!!!" 

 

It happens.....

 

It is in a open area.

 

I am blessed my wife is particular as long as it does not obstruct movement. She is perfectly fine when we convert the MBR to a dedicated HT and we are sleeping in the study room which is large enough for a double bed and side table.

Edited February 23, 2021 by wcseow

[Guest wcseow]

1 hour ago, Amon86 said:

Neat Acoustic Ultimatum is still the best i have heard so that explain why they didn't upgrade that model......naim atom is good for speakers like LS50 meta or Dynaudio SP40 or other small bookshelves....as i used them in room for relaxing listening.....

I have constraints in speaker placement, thus only looking at slim speaker designs, which the Ekstra fits.

 

I am just thinking it may be good to have a separate power amps, which may be easier to do replacements in future

[Amon86]

50 minutes ago, wcseow said:

I have constraints in speaker placement, thus only looking at slim speaker designs, which the Ekstra fits.

 

I am just thinking it may be good to have a separate power amps, which may be easier to do replacements in future

I see....naim atom has output pre-out rca so able to add in a power amp in the future as well just to let u know....if you buy a nova then add a power amp later on is a waste of money if you are always upgrading.....if you are fine with nova and have no means of upgrading later on that is a good choice as all in one liao.....

[Guest wusplay]

$8K on speakers and $4k on electronics... most of the budget go to speakers. 

 

[Guest wcseow]

2 hours ago, wusplay said:

$8K on speakers and $4k on electronics... most of the budget go to speakers. 

 

not a sound distribution?

[Guest wusplay]

Haha, no right or wrong. 

 

Some of the good speakers, keep sounding better with better amplifier and source. 

 

Then it is also true that speakers have more significant impact on your system. For eg it is always easier to detect the changes in sound when you change the speakers than say a DAC. 

[Amon86]

Welcome to a world that never ends lol.....once you had a 8k speaker with a 4k gear if you had audio friends bring their 8k gear to your house to listen you began to hiam the 4k gear.....then when you itchy finger go buy a 12k gear thinking it will sound better than your friend 8k gears....you began to hiam the 8k speaker cause 12k gear you think it was not utilising your gear full potential then the loop goes on again......

[Tommy Miura]

On 2/21/2021 at 11:38 PM, wusplay said:

Absolute Sound, both Neat & Naim

 

haha, fan of Naim will tell you their 80W is like no other lesser amplifier of similar rating

 

Well true with less demanding speaker, try loading them with Magico A series or some Dynaudio. You will see the amp running out of steam.

[heuer]

13 minutes ago, abc1624705746 said:

 

Well true with less demanding speaker, try loading them with Magico A series or some Dynaudio. You will see the amp running out of steam.

 

Have to agree with you on this, it is seriously overhype imo. Naim is like a cult, you will see comments in their Naim forum as if their amp is invincible and can drive ANY speaker. 

 

I own their 552/500 and it can't even drive a pair of Magico S5 properly and we are looking at 60k++ SGD  worth of amp and yet can't even do the job. Rid it off for Luxman and had never been happier, cost less yet drive it beautifully.  

 

Check out the amount of Naim gears being dump in Carousell can tell you alot. Surprisingly i also saw many pair of Focal Sopras which is being dump as well, likely due to being not able to drive to full potential by Naim.

Edited February 24, 2021 by heuer

[Guest wusplay]

Here come the Naim bashing... trying so hard