Hi, I am purchasing my first stereo and did some auditioning (2 hours in one store!) over the weekend. Did not know what to expect and now all I want to do is take some equipment home and crank it up. I tried to do as much research as possible before going out to listen but now have more questions than I started with...
The system is for my bedroom which is about 3mx4m, currently using Logitech z2300 hooked up to the computer (SB Audigy 2). Which up until now were awesome, and compared to other computer speakers they are.
My budget is $AU2000.
I got to listen to a pair of B&W 685's ($999) with a NAD C315bee (amp $399) and a NAD C542 (CD Player $699). I am pretty set on getting the 685 as they seem to work well with the various types of music I listen to, initially I thought they lacked in bass, but since some songs had really good bass and others didn't, its probably more to do with the recording.
The amp seemed to be able to provide more than enough power to the speakers and I only turned them up to about 25% and that was party loud. My question is do I need more power? Will this improve anything to do with the sound quality? I have read a lot of people setting up the 685 with more powerful amps than the C315 (40w).
Dynamic range: The speakers are rated 25w-100w and the dynamic range of the amp goes to 95w and if I bought a more powerful amp and if it goes higher than 100 (most likely) will it destroy the speaker? Also lets say I Turned the C315 to 100% will that destroy the speaker? it says its only 40w so it should be safe? (even though at 25% is really loud).
I was kinda shocked to find the CD player costing more than the amp as I initially figured I will spend more on the amp than the CD player. its a nice CD player and is very quick at getting started and changing tracks. The salesperson said I will get better resolution/quality out of this CD player than a cheaper one. I always thought that CD's were digital so they either work or they don't. I can understand that better processors/output will deliver better sound, but not too sure about it having better resolution? Would using the drive on my computer be just as good?
A friend of mine told me not to even worry about a CD player and just rip everything lossless to the computer. And in the event that I needed a CD player, I can just use the computer. 75% of my music is on the computer so it does make sense. The problem with this setup is that I will be getting rid of the computer to make room for the stereo.... and I find the computer too noisy. Using a squeezebox is an option, but would be an upgrade later as I want to stay within my budget. But the convenience would be awesome. (for extra credit is squeezebox any good?)
The other consideration are my records. I have a turntable, but its attached to a Philips midi system and it doesn’t spin at the right speed... so I need a new one. I would like to buy a second hand Technics 1210 mk5 which a friend is selling for $600, would this $600 be better spent on a different TT? I have only ever heard and used DJ type TT. The reason I want one is because they are indestructible, highly adjustable and its fun to play with the pitch control of course this would alter my budget substantially if buying both the CD player and the TT.
Long post summary:
* Is 40w amp powerful enough for 685?
* dynamic range?
* am I spending too much on CD player?
* what to do about records and MP3's?
I would appreciate as much feedback as possible and thank those that do. Also please comment on the overall system. I know a lot of people have gone Rotel+B&W but I was not able to find a dealer that had both to audition, so if anyone has compared the two why did you choose the one that you did?
The system is for my bedroom which is about 3mx4m, currently using Logitech z2300 hooked up to the computer (SB Audigy 2). Which up until now were awesome, and compared to other computer speakers they are.
My budget is $AU2000.
I got to listen to a pair of B&W 685's ($999) with a NAD C315bee (amp $399) and a NAD C542 (CD Player $699). I am pretty set on getting the 685 as they seem to work well with the various types of music I listen to, initially I thought they lacked in bass, but since some songs had really good bass and others didn't, its probably more to do with the recording.
The amp seemed to be able to provide more than enough power to the speakers and I only turned them up to about 25% and that was party loud. My question is do I need more power? Will this improve anything to do with the sound quality? I have read a lot of people setting up the 685 with more powerful amps than the C315 (40w).
Dynamic range: The speakers are rated 25w-100w and the dynamic range of the amp goes to 95w and if I bought a more powerful amp and if it goes higher than 100 (most likely) will it destroy the speaker? Also lets say I Turned the C315 to 100% will that destroy the speaker? it says its only 40w so it should be safe? (even though at 25% is really loud).
I was kinda shocked to find the CD player costing more than the amp as I initially figured I will spend more on the amp than the CD player. its a nice CD player and is very quick at getting started and changing tracks. The salesperson said I will get better resolution/quality out of this CD player than a cheaper one. I always thought that CD's were digital so they either work or they don't. I can understand that better processors/output will deliver better sound, but not too sure about it having better resolution? Would using the drive on my computer be just as good?
A friend of mine told me not to even worry about a CD player and just rip everything lossless to the computer. And in the event that I needed a CD player, I can just use the computer. 75% of my music is on the computer so it does make sense. The problem with this setup is that I will be getting rid of the computer to make room for the stereo.... and I find the computer too noisy. Using a squeezebox is an option, but would be an upgrade later as I want to stay within my budget. But the convenience would be awesome. (for extra credit is squeezebox any good?)
The other consideration are my records. I have a turntable, but its attached to a Philips midi system and it doesn’t spin at the right speed... so I need a new one. I would like to buy a second hand Technics 1210 mk5 which a friend is selling for $600, would this $600 be better spent on a different TT? I have only ever heard and used DJ type TT. The reason I want one is because they are indestructible, highly adjustable and its fun to play with the pitch control of course this would alter my budget substantially if buying both the CD player and the TT.
Long post summary:
* Is 40w amp powerful enough for 685?
* dynamic range?
* am I spending too much on CD player?
* what to do about records and MP3's?
I would appreciate as much feedback as possible and thank those that do. Also please comment on the overall system. I know a lot of people have gone Rotel+B&W but I was not able to find a dealer that had both to audition, so if anyone has compared the two why did you choose the one that you did?
Comment