The other half's hifi (is that still a word?) is slowly biting the dust and we are looking to replace. It needs to have a CD player, Bluetooth and external plugin for something like an iPod, DAB is a bonus. I'd also like the option to plug in a turntable.
I was hunting for either a Denon M41 or a Sony SBT100, both of which have stonking write-ups. However it seems the Denon is only available as a complete set-up in Italy (I don't want to start messing around buying speakers and leads) and the SBT100 is only available through Argos either in Harrow or Cross Gate.
We tend to listen quite an eclectic range of tunes from Slayer to Phantom of the Opera, via Kate Bush, Toots and the Maytals and the Chemical Brothers.
Any suggestions what else I should be looking for?
Oh, it's you again! Afternoon! 😀
I've got an oldish Marantz M-CR603 for similar purposes. Think its been replaced by the Melody X(CR612).
Tidy little box, stonking sound.
Teamed up with a nice set of speakers (Monitor Bronze here) and Robert's your mother's brother.
Richer Sounds sells the Denon M41 with speakers packages to suit
I have a DM 41 that I bought from Richer Sounds. I am very happy with it. You can buy from them as a package with various speakers, but I am not sure if this includes any decent speaker cable.
Mine is paired with Mission LX2’s but I don’t think that this is still one of their deals.
https://www.richersounds.com/search/?q=dm41
I've one of the Denon and it's a great little unit. Replaced a Marantz that I just couldn't keep connected to wifi etc, have since found out it's a Virgin Media thing and will get another when I can, as the sound on the Marantz was great. I had Monitor Audio speakers. Again all from Richer Sounds.
For just under £400 from Richer you can get a Yamaha CRNX470D and Q Acoustics 3010 speakers. You'll need to buy some interconnects but that's no biggy!
I have a Denon DM41 DAB hooked up to Q Acoustics 3020 speakers. Very little to fault it, apart from the fact that it had to go in for repair after one month due to a dodgy main circuit board. The Bluetooth stopped working and then it stopped recognizing CDs. Its been absolutely fine since.
The focus has gone into the CD player and that is where it really shines. The sound is fantastic and holds its own against more expensive standalone CD players.
The Bluetooth does the job (although no hi res codecs supported). It sounds better than the Logitech Bluetooth receiver plugged into my more expensive full size hi fi and the connection is solid.
It has two digital inputs and an analogue input so you can hook up TV / games console / mini disc player / turntable (although you might need a phono to line level converter for the turntable depending on your existing kit).
Can you not order the unit separately from a UK retailer and get it delivered to Italy? Mine came with an EU cable as well as the UK plug.
Oh, it’s you again! Afternoon! 😀
*waves* I feel we've lost touch since I abandoned Twitter!
Thanks all for suggestions; I'll speak to Richer Sounds and check out the Marantz too.
Cambridge One in our kitchen but seems to have had a hefty price rise. Tons of inputs but no specific phono stage. Minor irritation, long 'bootup' to quickly switch on DAB radio.
I have the Yamaha that Derek Starship mentioned. It's nearly excellent. The network and bluetooth pairing can be a bit of a bugger, the sound is, I think, not quite up to the standard of my old Denon amp but I can switch from 6 music over the internet (much higher quality than DAB) to Radio 5 on DAB, Spotify through my Chromecast and a CD all using my phone.
Simple when it's all set up.
We have the Denon m40 bought from richer sounds on a package with Dali zensor speakers.
Great sounding set up for bookshelf speakers even if I do have them hidden out of jnrs way ATM.
Can't fault richer sounds the whole set up cost me about 20 quid more than the speakers at other outlets.
Currently listening to an old Denon M39 hooked to to B&W solid bookshelf as it's my 'home office' hi-fi.
Denon seem to have diddy hi-fi's prety nailed, just pair one up up with decent speakers and you're off.
Denon it is. Thanks all. 🙂
Denon....
You really can't beat the Denon DM41 plus a couple of half decent speakers, but my recent purchase of a pair of Edifer Bluetooth speakers for the office is a bit of a revelation, and a third of the price of the Denon setup.