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New Entry Level Stereo System

post #1 of 14
10/1/11 at 3:25pm
Thread Starter 
Hey all,

Over the past 3 years I have listened to my music through a Logitech iPod dock, which is actually kind of embarrassing. I have made the decision to buy a new stereo system. My budget is approximately $1000. I exclusively listen to digital music either from iTunes on my Macbook or from my iPhone 4. I live in a 1100 ft2 condo, so I don't want much bass and don't need tons of power or volume. I should also mention that I am going to buy Apple TV to stream my music through my TV and new stereo.

I went shopping today and the person that I dealt with suggested the following system:

- Bowers and Wilkins 686 Speakers - $550
- NAD C316 Amp - $375
- Pro-Ject USB DAC Box - $250

I heard this system in the store and it is pretty much exactly what I am looking for as far as sound quality, volume, and power.

I am looking for suggestions, advice, and tips to get setup. For example Should I look into getting an amp with a built-in DAC?? Should I bother getting Apple TV? How is the pricing on the system components listed?

I am pretty new to the stereo world and I would consider my knowledge about stereos below average, so keep that in mind when replying.

Thanks in advance!

Matt
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post #2 of 14
10/1/11 at 4:26pm
First, if you like the sound of that system, what you really like is the sound of the speakers. So go with those speakers.

The amp is ok, but I'd consider as an alternative the Harman Kardon 3490 receiver, which includes a DAC. It's probably cheaper than the NAD alone, let alone the NAD plus DAC. And it'll sound just as good. I promise.

The Apple TV can feed directly into the HK's DAC. So you're all set.
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post #3 of 14
10/1/11 at 5:19pm
The B & W 686 speakers can be had At
Best Buy Magnolia for $480

The 685's are Regarded As A better Speaker.
They are $650 at Best Buy.

The HK 3490 is an excellent suggestion!
Good Luck!
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post #4 of 14
10/2/11 at 7:02am
Get 685, they are much better speakers. Try negotiate 10-15% off the price (If BB does not want to discount, find other local B&W dealer).

HK amplifier is a good choice. I also suggest to get something like Logitech Squeezebox Touch. That way you do not need to deal with sound tuning in your computer. It will be used just to store music files. As a bonus you get Internet radio like Pandora.
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post #5 of 14
10/2/11 at 12:14pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the suggestions! I think I will start shopping around for a HK 3490, It is $499 at my local Best Buy, but have found a few cheaper options on Ebay. I think I will go back to the the B & W dealer in town and have a listen to the 685's, if there is a noticeable difference I will try to negotiate a decent price on them. Thanks again. Keep the advice and suggestions coming!
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post #6 of 14
10/2/11 at 5:05pm
Amazon usually has a pretty competitive price on the HK 3490 (new).
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post #7 of 14
1/23/12 at 11:41am
Thread Starter 
So I've got my system up and running and I must say it is pretty tight. Monitor Audio S4 bookshelves($300 used), bi-wired to HK 3490 ($430 new), with Apple TV ($130 new) or digital music as my source.

As convenient and cool as the Apple TV is I feel that my system could be even better with a different source. My Apple TV is connected to the HK 3490 with an optical audio cable, which isn't great for sound quality. I'm thinking about buying a CD player to have the ability to listen to listen to higher quality music, that being said I only have enough room for one more component, so it will also have to play DVDs.

I am looking for suggestions of CD/DVD combos, with emphasis on the quality of the CD player. I am open to anything including a PS3 if you think it is my best bang for my buck.

Ps. I just came across a bunch of Luther Allison Flacc files and am dying to have a listen. What is the best way to listen to them with my current system or after the addition of my CD player??

Thanks in advance for the info.
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post #8 of 14
1/23/12 at 11:53am
well the apple TV won't let you listen to them as a FLAC so you'll need a player that will.
I would probably look at the squeezebox. Also be aware buying from itunes is not going to get you the best sound quality. buying CDs and ripping them into lossless formats such as FLAC or Apple Lossless will get you the best quality. (i usually buy used for 4-5 bucks a CD). Also i wouldn't quite give up on the Apple TV until you have tried an Apple lossless file and see how that sounds for you.
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post #9 of 14
1/23/12 at 1:38pm
amazon has hk 3490 for $259 great reciever for the money you might also look into a"good" sub especially if you like bass
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post #10 of 14
1/23/12 at 1:42pm
Quote:


As convenient and cool as the Apple TV is I feel that my system could be even better with a different source.

I feel that you are very wrong about this.

Quote:


My Apple TV is connected to the HK 3490 with an optical audio cable, which isn't great for sound quality.

Since when?

I'm not sure what problem you're trying to solve here, but your diagnosis doesn't add up.

Quote:


I'm thinking about buying a CD player to have the ability to listen to listen to higher quality music

The only reason that could be the case is that what you're streaming now is less than CD quality. If you've purchased downloaded music, it is (though the quality hit is smaller than you might think). If you've ripped music from CDs, try reripping them using the Apple Lossless format. Then they'll be just as good as CDs. You don't need a CD player.

Quote:


Ps. I just came across a bunch of Luther Allison Flacc files and am dying to have a listen. What is the best way to listen to them with my current system or after the addition of my CD player??

Google "convert FLAC to Apple Lossless."
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post #11 of 14
1/23/12 at 2:01pm
boston acoustics vs260-$500 a pair at vanns

energy rc-10 -$300 a pair at vanns
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post #12 of 14
1/23/12 at 5:45pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the insight.

Mcnarus...I've seen several of your posts on this forum and value your input. What you are saying is good news for me. My Apple TV isn't going anywhere, I just want the ability to listen to CD's, if the mood should strike. 99% of my music has been purchased from iTunes, so I am stuck with the quality they provide.

I had read elsewhere that optical audio cables were not as good as say coax or HDMI, which was the reason for my comment.

I will convert my Flac to Apple Lossless and have a listen.

Still looking for CD/DVD suggestions.......my current DVD player is a real piece of ****.

Cheers.
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post #13 of 14
1/23/12 at 6:13pm
For some, the "coax is better than optical" faith is nearly a religion. I haven't been converted yet. I think both are quality options. HDMI is fine, too, though it has enough hurdles, locks, and roadblocks that it's sometimes rendered nearly useless by its sanctioning body. When it works, it's great, though you'd need the highest quality files to perceive the difference.

The HK 3490 is a great choice, and it has both coax and optical so you're good either way. You can try both, and if you hear a difference, pick the one you prefer.

A used Oppo 981HD or 983H makes a great CD/DVD player, plus it plays just about everything else expept for Bluray and HD-DVD (which is dead). There are some high quality (read high bit rate) music files on SACD (some of which are stereo only, though most multichannel SACD also have hirez stereo tracks) that the Oppo players will handle, as well as DVD-A. Blu-ray music discs are few, but they are out there, and the future may produce more, so that would be a future limitation with either of these players.
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post #14 of 14
1/23/12 at 8:04pm
The music you are buying from iTunes is lossy. I would recommend investing in an external CD rom drive that is good for ripping any CDs you buy to lossless, and get away from iTunes purchases altogether. It's pretty cheap to pick up used CDs these days. Rip once, throw them in the closet. No need for a CD player for your HK then

Also, to improve the sound output, have you maximized the speaker placement for your listening position? That can make a big difference.
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