Anrich
New member
Good evening,
People have been suggesting I come here for advice from the best in SA, so here I am
I have done research, read so many reviews, articles etc. and I'm stuck. I'll keep this as short as possible.
My intention:
- I want to enjoy high quality, mostly lossless, music.
- When the need arises, I want to be able to use the system for music during a braai or so, but will mostly be used in a small room.
- Will barely ever be used for movies, I'm interested in music - hence me not considering a 5.1 or similar AVR - it will never be connected to a TV.
What I think I need:
- A stereo integrated amplifier, preferably with a built in DAC (my laptop output will be my main source, and it's on-board DAC is not great - MSI GE60 0nd. So USB/DLNA will be awesome)
- A pair of bookshelf speakers (preferably not near field monitors, as mentioned, will be used for braais and so occasionally)
- Side note: a cheapish sub I own will be used for now, but a proper active sub will be purchased later on.
My budget: R11000 to about R14500
What I've looked at:
Stereo amps:
- Harman Kardon HK 3770 @ R9500 (quote from distributors) (http://www.connoisseur.co.za/harman-kardon/hk3770)
- Monitor Audio Airstream A100 @ R8900 (http://www.ultrasound.co.za/monitor-audio-airstream-a100-amplifier)
- NAD D3020 @ R8890 (http://www.audicoonline.co.za/HiFi/stereo-receiver/NAD_D3020)
Speakers:
- Klipsch Reference R-14M @ R3690 (http://www.ultrasound.co.za/klipsch-reference-r-14m-bookshelf-speakers-pair)
- Klipsch Reference R-15M @ R4190 (http://www.ultrasound.co.za/klipsch-reference-r-15m-bookshelf-speaker-pair)
- Dali Zensor 1 @ R4140 (http://www.ultrasound.co.za/dali-zensor-1-bookshelf-speaker-pair)
- Q Acoustics Concept 20 @ R3999 (http://www.audicoonline.co.za/speakers/bookshelf_speakers/Q-Acoustics-Concept-20-Bookshelf-Speakers)
I honestly feel like I'm stuck in a maze. So many conflicting reviews etc. I considered buying a stereo amp and DAC separately, but my budget makes it difficult. Basically I'm looking for the best all round stereo setup I can afford.
Any help and suggestions will be appreciated, this will be my first "higher end" setup, so I'm quite inexperienced.
Thank you!
People have been suggesting I come here for advice from the best in SA, so here I am
I have done research, read so many reviews, articles etc. and I'm stuck. I'll keep this as short as possible.My intention:
- I want to enjoy high quality, mostly lossless, music.
- When the need arises, I want to be able to use the system for music during a braai or so, but will mostly be used in a small room.
- Will barely ever be used for movies, I'm interested in music - hence me not considering a 5.1 or similar AVR - it will never be connected to a TV.
What I think I need:
- A stereo integrated amplifier, preferably with a built in DAC (my laptop output will be my main source, and it's on-board DAC is not great - MSI GE60 0nd. So USB/DLNA will be awesome)
- A pair of bookshelf speakers (preferably not near field monitors, as mentioned, will be used for braais and so occasionally)
- Side note: a cheapish sub I own will be used for now, but a proper active sub will be purchased later on.
My budget: R11000 to about R14500
What I've looked at:
Stereo amps:
- Harman Kardon HK 3770 @ R9500 (quote from distributors) (http://www.connoisseur.co.za/harman-kardon/hk3770)
- Monitor Audio Airstream A100 @ R8900 (http://www.ultrasound.co.za/monitor-audio-airstream-a100-amplifier)
- NAD D3020 @ R8890 (http://www.audicoonline.co.za/HiFi/stereo-receiver/NAD_D3020)
Speakers:
- Klipsch Reference R-14M @ R3690 (http://www.ultrasound.co.za/klipsch-reference-r-14m-bookshelf-speakers-pair)
- Klipsch Reference R-15M @ R4190 (http://www.ultrasound.co.za/klipsch-reference-r-15m-bookshelf-speaker-pair)
- Dali Zensor 1 @ R4140 (http://www.ultrasound.co.za/dali-zensor-1-bookshelf-speaker-pair)
- Q Acoustics Concept 20 @ R3999 (http://www.audicoonline.co.za/speakers/bookshelf_speakers/Q-Acoustics-Concept-20-Bookshelf-Speakers)
I honestly feel like I'm stuck in a maze. So many conflicting reviews etc. I considered buying a stereo amp and DAC separately, but my budget makes it difficult. Basically I'm looking for the best all round stereo setup I can afford.
Any help and suggestions will be appreciated, this will be my first "higher end" setup, so I'm quite inexperienced.
Thank you!
