I bought a KICK-ASS HI-FI SYSTEM for €1000 (without hearing any of it first)
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- Опубликовано: 23 июл 2024
- 👉🏻 This video was funded by Patreon:
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🎥 Camera: Olaf von Voss
🎬 Editor: John Darko
🕺🏻 Motion GFX: John Darko
🛋 My listening room in 2022:
darko.audio/darkos-listening-...
🎵 Song IDs? Playlists of all music heard in this video - and other videos - can be found on PATREON: / johndarko
0:00 Intro
0:55 Loudspeakers
2:47 Amplifier
4:48 DAC
7:17 Total cost
9:44 How to buy 'blind' (as I did)?
🎛 Hardware seen in this video...
DALI Spektor 2:
🛒 (US) amzn.to/388qsEW
🛒 (DE) amzn.to/3wj4uam
🛒 (UK) amzn.to/3P9LZ0G
Rotel A11 Tribute:
🛒 (US) amzn.to/3P8j2BW
🛒 (DE) amzn.to/38dTfrB
🛒 (UK) amzn.to/3P8cfbG
Topping E30:
🛒 (US) amzn.to/3KVcO5p
🛒 (DE) amzn.to/3FoiMKK
🛒 (UK) amzn.to/37qHTjv
AudioQuest speaker cable:
🛒 (US) amzn.to/3ymY9wU
🛒 (DE) amzn.to/3Fr4SaO
🛒 (UK) amzn.to/3soeLAH
Samsung Frame 2022 55":
🛒 (US) amzn.to/3FrziJR
🛒 (DE) amzn.to/3vVvOMR
🛒 (UK) amzn.to/3w2KMkh
Atacama speaker stands:
darko.audio/2018/12/stand-in-...
🎬 Previous videos in this series...
A short film about a kick-ass €1000 hi-fi system (in 2021):
darko.audio/2021/07/a-short-f...
A short film about the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1:
darko.audio/2020/11/a-short-f...
Your first hifi system:
darko.audio/2021/06/a-short-f...
👂🏻 Podcast episodes mentioned in this video...
Podcast #34 - Buying used gear:
darko.audio/2022/04/podcast-3...
Podcast #25: For hi-fi beginners ONLY:
darko.audio/2021/08/podcast-2...
Podcast #26: More beginner hi-fi talk:
darko.audio/2021/09/podcast-2...
📼 Also...
Rotel A11 Tribute & Ken Ishiwata:
• The Creation of the Ro...
With thanks to Hifi im Hinterhof:
www.hifi-im-hinterhof.de/
#rotel #dali #hifi
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I recently bought the Rotel a 11 tribute amplifier, plus the Rotel cd 11 tribute and the Dali Spektor 2. Very pleased with the system
When I bought my first hi-fi system, I had a $1000 (USD) budget, for a desktop system. I chose Klipsch RB-61 ii speakers ($299 on ebay), a Reisong A10 tube amp ($450 on Amazon), and a Zen DAC II ($169). Speaker stands ran $89, and generic interconnects and speaker wire brought the total to about $1050 USD.
The Klipsch speakers turned out to be an inspired pairing with the Reisong amp. The Reisong is a bit rolled-off in the treble range, and Klipsch speakers tend to be a little bright. The Reisong only puts out 6 WPC, but the Klipsch speakers are rated at 95db sensitivity. Really nice synergy there. The Zen DAC II doesn't have a remote, but in a desktop system, that's not a problem.
I did add a subwoofer, later (Emotiva Airmotiv SE 8 $299 direct from Emotiva). The SE8 is nearly unique in its price point in having an adjustable high-pass filter. Running the signal from the DAC through the SE 8 and letting it strip out the sub bass, saves the Reisong from using it's limited power trying to drive sub bass frequencies.
I ended up with a pretty nice class A tube amp-based system for about $1000 USD, $1300 with the subwoofer.
Really tuning in to what your audience wants. Top work.
I bought this combo (Dali Spektor2 + Rotel A11 mkii) and I am very happy. Thanks for your review!!
I bought a pair of Dali Oberon 5 speakers in 2019 and they're the gift that keeps on giving.
That little Rotel is the key. Clean and with rough power for bookshelf speakers. And best of all is the turntable is analog all the way to the speakers.
I have the Topping E30 also and find it an excellent DAC at great value. The best way to run it is in its pure DAC mode which totally bypasses its volume / gain circuitry. Setup for that mode is covered in the manual. The filter, brightness and input settings are conveniently accessible from the remote.
Great video. I live in rural western Kansas and there’s not a “hi-if” shop for hundreds of miles. I have educated myself by watching videos from you and others and have learned a great deal. I have put together a system, based on recommendations from a number of people, and am very pleased with where I have ended up. Love your content and the manner in which you present it. Keep up the great work!
As someone trying to figure out my first system in roughly this price point, these are great tips and I am going to take your advice and make sure I go listen to the gear first.
You should try what hifi sound and vision magazine it's monthly for a fiver but it gives you such rounded reviews from a budget setup to hi end
Nad c338 with kef Q350's are the way to go. With the current pricing they're just a steal. Built in chromecast which sounds surprisingly good. Imaging comparable too speakers triple the price. And even a built in phono amp.
@@GazMoore Bear in mind What HiFi is one opinion, not always right. Listening demo is not full proof either as room treatments, cable, stands , amps resellers often demo are generally high end and you could well be disappointed when you take them home. I would instead order from a reseller with a good return policy. Maybe order 2 or 3 sets and demo all of them on your own gear at home and send back what your don't like. Audiophile for 30 years
This is something I’ve been looking for for ages!
I’m got a number of records on vinyl but I don’t have a turntable or a separates system so I need to start somewhere and this has given me some excellent ideas.
Really appreciate videos like this. Great job John
So much great advice! THIS is a MUST WATCH for anyone getting started in the hobby - or any experienced audiophile/enthusiast who’s been out of the game for awhile. I LOVE the notion of staying well below budget in order to afford upgrades or to “fix” any miscalculations. Absolutely brilliant video! Thanks, John!
I'm new to audiophile, and I've watched many videos on budget systems. Around $1,000 is my budget for everything; but I have to say, out of all the videos I've watched, this is the most informative video I've seen! Appreciate it!
Awesome content, so many variables but liked how you tackled the fundamentals. A very realistic scenario for many.
I particularly like these affordable system videos. Great video, interesting system!!
Nice video. I bought the E30 blind for the same reasons and have been delighted by it. Excellent value and have hooked up an old iPad , Arcam CD player and R blink. Has breathed new life into my system and has modernised it for a modest amount.
Love it. Keep up the good work.
Dang, your audio makes my cheap Creative T-20 computer speakers sound amazing. Great clear and crisp highs and a good deal of bass.
Very, very solid advice. I’ve walk in that path and agree completely on the approach. It leads to great audio satisfaction while minimizing financial mistakes. I’ve done those too and have that too experience as well. This was a good thing to put out there, John!
So stoked to see this video...i have the same decent setup sans the dac. :) Thanks for featuring these products.
Bought a Spektor 2 speaker set. The Loxjie amp/dac, built speaker stands from some old table legs and bought some speaker feet and speaker cables, then hooked them to my TV to stream music over Chromecast. Costed me less than 400eur and the sound is awesome.
I did the same for my second system. Same Dali speakers and Power Node 2i and Chord speaker cables and AudioQuest mains cable and audiophile fuse. Love the result. Speakers are designed to be close to the back wall.
An audiophile fuse? They don't really sell such things do they?? 🤣
I love your attitude towards high end high performance audio gear. Great video
What a coincidence!!!! I just bought Dali Oberon 3, Rotel A11 Tribute and ifi Gryphon a few days ago. Couldn’t be happier 😃😃😃 subwoofer will be my next purchase 😊 Love your channel 🥰🥰🥰
You can switch the E30 from pre-amp mode to DAC only (disabling the volume control). This will give you a somewhat cleaner sound.
Most reviewers I've read avoid using the Toping E30 as a pre-amp as they say the sound is much to be desired - awful. DAC use only.
how to disable the volume control, please?
Reviews I've read advises against using the Topping E30 as a pre-amp. I've noticed that when linked to my (active) speakers the Topping in DAC only mode reduces the higher volume capabilities on the amplified speaker.
@@FilipFejdi I think you just switch to DAC only mode and not use it as a pre-amp.
Delighted, and possibly surprised, to see a review which includes the heart of my own system! I have the Rotel A11 Tribute amp and Topping E30 DAC and am extremely happy with both. I went with a Wharfedale Diamond 12.2 pair for my speakers and added a SVS SB-1000 Pro subwoofer and have no regrets with any of my components - they play very nicely together. A tip re the Topping E30 - power it via USB if you can (in my case via a lithium power bank which is in turn charged by a constantly powered USB output jack) rather than the somewhat noisy wall-wart power supply. It does make a difference!
Same here. A portable power supply with the E30 has been recommended by many.
My current setup in the living room are a pair of white Dali Spektor 2's. Standing on a set of white Dali E-600 stands.
Octavio AMP amplifier, Cambridge Audio CXNv2 streamer and a Cambridge Audio CXC CD transport.
The bass is getting a boost through a JVC subwoofer.
I'm very happy with my setup. 🥰
This is a fantastic video, plain and simple. I enjoyed every last second of it 😀.
Feels like you're really dialed in the color for the talking head setups in the last several videos. Looks wonderful! Especially with the splash of green that the plants bring to the composition.
So cool to see my hometown Aarhus mentioned in the video. Come along and visit Buchardt as well.
Its a good system. I was looking last year and really wanted the Rotel gear but like others had mentioned wanted a digtial input on the amp. For a primarily digital audio setup, USB from PC to Topping D10s, optical to Yamaha RN303D connected to Wharfdale 11.1 all came in under £1000. This system sounds great.
Nicely explained, audio and it's satisfaction is unlimited. Audition is most important. Thanks from India
Loved the decor John . And the tv is literally invisible. Not a black mirror we all hate . 🙂👍
Gave that Giant Sand album a good listen thanks to your recommendation. Brilliant stuff. Thanks
These golden rules are dead on! Especially the one about money and buying used. Getting stuck with something that pushed your budget that you don’t like or that broke if purchased used is almost soul crushing in this hobby.
And the experience is a great point too. I’ve learned so much in the years that I’ve been in the hobby and made more mistakes than getting it right.
Wonderful advice, as someone who’s on system no. 3 and now friends with a boutique audio dealer (who sells everything I can’t afford) - all of this is worthy of the term ‘Golden Rules’.. I’ve bought some wonderful and worthless 2nd hand gear, and guilty of dropping way too much on cables! 😄
Great video, thanks for tackling the topic on buying blind. Unfortunately we don’t all have local shops and sometimes to get the gear we think we want, it has to be ordered.
I like these kind of videos. Nice one :) I got my kit as semi-used demo equipment in a HIFI retailer with full warranty!
Very wise hints John, music is a pleasure and building a system has to be a joy and not an hassle. I live outside of the world and when I want to purchase a component I stay as much below my budget as needed to have a nice weekend with my family in the town I need to move to make my purchase. Everyone at home feels involved in the process and we have good times together. Thank you for sharing
2/3 brands are the same in my setup.
Rotel RA-10 (different integrated amp)
Topping E30
Rega RX1
and as playback:
rega rp1 record player
technica sl-pg480a cd player
raspi with volumio
all put on solidsteel rack & speaker stands.
If it wouldn't be for the furniture, the entire setup would also be ~1000 Euro.
And this is soooo much bang for the buck- I don't regret a cent.
Most of the purchases I've made blind as in: never heard the entire setup before, only components.
The little topping dac convinced me so much, that I chased down a topping mx3 for my workdesk setup right across the other side of the room.
I have assembled systems for my front room and desktop over the past two years. Everything I currently have was purchased online. I was a lot of buying and returning (or reselling) until I was satisfied. I retuned the one piece that I purchased from a local audio store and they charged me a restocking fee.
For my front system I just kept trying components until I got the sound I wanted. My desktop system started as computer speakers that outperformed the analog output from my computer. So I added a DAC to maximize their potential, and the process spiraled out of control from there.
Completed my “$1000 system” this weekend, ~1 month since first finding Darko Audio and your great advice: 1. NAD C316BEEv2 Amp (new open box $410) 2. Dali Spector 2 speakers ( new open box $335) 3. Topping DX3+ DAC combo (new $295) 4. PSB Subseries 125 8” sub ($80 used). Total $1120 CDN (€835 or $875 USD).
I love my Dali Zensor 5.1 setup. Great speaker and great company!
Great episode, really. Thanks! Now, what about same idea but low power/high sensitivity speakers on a budget? that would be great too..
I built my budget system around the Dali Spektor 2. Coupled to a vintage Technics SU-7700 amp, a canton sub (second hand) and a used CD player from Cambridge audio. A wonderful system for less than 1000€.
Thanks John, as always great video. The speaker rule you mentioned applies to speakers much more expensive than those you mentioned nowadays. Some speakers like kef ls50 appreciate any money you throw at them!
I have these speakers connected to a Loxjie A30 (DAC+Amp class D). I like its sound and the versatility of the amp. the bass feels precise, for an apartment it is more than enough.
Excellent video!
I have these Dali speakers for a few years now and for the price I love them. I can confirm that adding a sub (I got the Dali one), makes a huge difference!!
John, great insight into the purchasing of hifi kit. Prior to my retirement, i had amassed a system that valued $15K NZ doĺlars. When i retired, i assessed my real needs in music listening, besides that my wife refused to use the system because she said it was to complicated. I have now sold off most that system, bar my Pioneer DVD969 player, which is used as a CD player and to watching music DVDs.
I replaced the old quipment with a Rotel A14 amp and Dynaudio M20 speakers for around the $3k mark. I did some evaluations of different systems on line before going into the shop prior to making my final choice. I knew that new system would not sound as good as my high end system, but i was quite suprised on how good the sound was. Both the amp and speakers came with a 5 year factory warranty, which is great. I really enjoy the new system has much as the high end system (not quite same amount of fire power). Good sound does not mean that you have spend lots money, technology now allows most people to buy a system that will provide a good sound for a reasonable cost.
My advice is, do some reading and see what bands are available, read some on line comments and choose a couple systems you feel will meet your expectations and budget, to much kit can cloud the issue.Remember buy with your ears, not your wallet. Good listening. R
I always enjoy your content, but this short film ;-) seemed to resonate with me - perhaps because I put together my first new HiFi system in twenty-five years early in '21. While my budget exceeded that in the video - how I allocated the funds towards individual components was comparable. After many weeks of research I'd decided to go with what I know and pick up where I'd left off many years ago. This worked for me - a logical extension of where I'd left off. I did buy locally (well, at least in the same state I live in... ) and I took advantage of the return period to upgrade the Integrated Amp I'd chosen to another model in the same product line from the identical manufacturer (more POWER!) What I found challenging was to properly asses the well reviewed speakers I'd chosen - couldn't do it within a sixty day window, too new & too different from my past experience. After thirteen months of a love & hate relationship with those bookshelf speakers I've swapped them out for another make/model with a different EQ curve - more in line with my tastes/experience/expectations - problem solved, but I did pay twice. Now I need find a new home for the previous pair of bookshelf speakers. The best advice I'd heeded was: make a decision. FOMO still creeps in "...but what if I had THOSE speakers?!?", but I've got that switched to Ignore Mode at present.
Regarding the follow up article on your web site regarding the E30: I'd been considering the addition of the popular Ares II DAC - until I realized I prefer using my CD player as a transport via Coax connection to the Integrated Amp as this my preference over the internal DAC of the CD player. Adding the Ares II would mean forfeiting that connection as the CD player has but a single Coax output in addition to the Analog Outs - no point to it. No longer convinced the Ares II is worth it just to run the TOSLink output from my AirPlay receiver (an old Apple Express Base Station.) Thinks that goes on the back burner for now.
Allways good John and nice to see something a bit different,. regards phil
It's so refreshing to hear a review about audio equipment at any price point. Totally accessible and digestible....and I don't mean biscuits 😅
Great advice!
EXCELENTE TRABAJO
MUCHAS GRACIAS
UN FUERTE ABRAZO DESDE SANTIAGO DE CHILE
That system is very similar to mine: Rotel RA-06 amp, with Dynaudio X12 bookshelves. As a dac I use the Bluesound Node 2 and indeed I added a sub: B&W ASW608.
Love the Spektors 2 they are accurate but fun. I have it pair with an Onkio A-910 also an inexpensive set up. But recently done with refurbish an old Harman/Kardon 430 twin powered... and yeah the warmer tone of the H/K just balanced well with the Spektor 2. Latin Jazz, female voices, salsa, everything acoustic sounds awesome. Amy Winehouse sounds sublime. The H/K was $20 plus $100 for a components kit for the rebuilt. We can get away with cheap great audio.
Ten years ago I bought a Cambridge Audio Azur 640A amplifier and a pair of Paradigm Titans to go with my existing Logitech Squeezebox Touch and they continue to amaze me with their expansive soundstage and fine detail. They were €800 all in
For my coffee-table system I run Dali Spektor 2s, an Aiyima A07 amp with a 45v 15a ps, and an ifi Zen Signature DAC. I’m running a 2.2 system with 2 subs in stereo through a Rolls SX95 crossover. Some room treatment and tuning with a UMIK and it performs fantastic for a $1k budget system.
Why 2 subs? Low frequencies are non-directional anyway, at least for humans, so 1 sub should be enough. Did you notice any audible difference between 1 and 2 subs?
Thanks for the honest information John, I’m sure it makes a difference to new audio enthusiasts.
Ken Ishiwata also designed one of the greatest integrated amplifiers of all time, even until this day - the Marantz PM-11S2. (Which I own).
I was really on a budget but managed to buy myself a whole system: Loxjie DAC (with AKM), Denon receiver, Onkyo CD Player, Fisher EQ, Kenwood casette recorder, JBL bookshelfs, AKG 712 headphones and Audioquest interconnects, all used gear for about 550 euros. Doesn't sound perfect but it's pretty decent
I'd be inclined to toss a WiiM Mini into my cart while shopping so I'd be up and streaming ASAP. Videos like this are always fun. Thanks, John.
Excellent video . I have a Hegel h 95 and I’m looking for speakers and everybody tells me to buy expensive speakers but this video help me . Thanks
Another great video, was just looking at the Dali's.. decided to go with the q acoustics 3050 towers to pair with the audiolab 6000
I bought Rotel a 11 tribute and dali zensor 3. It's beautiful- thank you. Greetings from Poland.
Great video John nice buying there.👍🎧🙂
I have the Rotel A11 Tribute . Amazing build quality . Bluetooth sounds great and powers my BW 607 really well
Great video and info as usual!! 👍👍👍
Watching/Listening from just north of Sacramento, CA. Always sensible and relevant content. Also, you scored big time with Jana in your court... awesome associate!! Hi Jana 😊!! I'm a Topping fan but I'm thinking on trying the SMSL D1SE in near future 🤔🤔 Take care.
You are spot on on how to buy and spend 👌🏻👍🏻
I basically had this exact setup as my first hifi system and it was great. I recently upgraded to the Oberon 7 speaker and honestly I miss the little Spektors. They had great imaging and soundstage.
Bought a similar system (with Topping II E 30 for Apple Music high res) but with Oberon 3 speakers as I don't like subwoofers. Compared the sound of the Oberon to KEF 150 and the B&W 606 and 607 with a small Canton thrown in at a dealer and the Dalis had for me the most likeable sound just as you describe the Spektors, slightly warm, enough highs and lows so you feel nothing's left out and a pretty large and broad soundstage without a too small sweet spot. Added a slightly over the top Planar 3 with Exact and PSU because it came as a bargain and now thoroughly enjoy this system.
2 years ago everyone talked about the e30 dac, now it gets rarely mentioned, but why? Bang for the buck is still awesome there. Glad you mentioned it! Also love the Dalis, I hope the smaller ones are good too.
Great site great advice for someone like me with little understanding of technical jargon. Like to see a review of Naim when possible. Great stuff, thanks.
Very similar to my set up. I have the A11 Tribute and Topping paired with Dynaudio Audience 52s. I then have a Sony DVD player for CD, Linn Basik and Raspberry Pi with hat for streaming. Sound is really good 👍
15:48 Exactly what I wanted to ask :D
Thanks John! Looking forward
One key feature of Dali speakers is that they are much easier to position as they are designed not to be toed in, which also saves space.
I have these Dalis connected to a Denon receiver, sounds great. Next step will surely be an Sub
I’m on my third set of Dali speakers, gone from Opticon 6 to 8, then Wilson Benesch ACT with Torus sub and amp and now my Epicon 8’s. The 8’s are my end game speakers. No doubt. Best I’ve heard.try them if you can
I was thinking about the rotel, but bought a used Myryad Z140 instead - very clean optics, VERY nice sound. This amp and a AP Stream x 9 is my setup now. With my Sony APM 66 ESG Vintage speakers i'm getting closer to the Higher Ground.
I moved interstate last year and sold my hifi gear. While my home was being built i needed something small for the rental i was in. I grabbed the Rotel A10 int. Amp with Wharfedale diamond 9.1 speakers off facebook marketplace for a few hundred AUD$. Such an amazing little system and the phono input on the Rotel wasn’t to bad either. Mates that are getting into hifi i recommend something very similar to this with an audio technica LP60X Turntable.
Totally agree with John’s admonition about where to spend the money at this price level. Entry level DACs and speakers have gotten so good that they don’t really stand in the way of an enjoyable listening experience. I recently purchased the iFi Air DAC for my bedroom and was surprised at how it sounded for the price to the extent that I even use my Sennheiser HD800 headphone with it despite the huge disparity in price.
I really like this video and its approach. That setup seems like a super sensible set, looks good and fits to many, many interiors and I can imagine it sounding fine by any any standard. I also like your choice of TV 😀 I have to make additional comment on your points of buying blind. Very, very good advice. I did buy a insanely expansive amplifier blind last year, one that I really did afford but I’m glad I did as it is more than I ever could have hopped for. I promise I won’t make same decisions again, or anytime soon at least. 😂
Great review! Any chance you still have KEF LSX? It will be great to see the comparisoin between this system vs LSX!
Nice to see rotel get some love. Had some lovely rotel stuff in the past. Karl-Heinz Fink was the designer of my Q Acoustics speakers iirc.
I could have gone down the used route and maybe got something better. But I like new stuff.😀
The Q Acoustic 3030s are a killer deal. I use them for TV and surround through a new Marantz
Nice treatment of the TV. Very subtle.
Very good advice. The best recourse is always to listen yourself and trust your ears because you are buying components for your enjoyment. If you have a good local retailer then count your blessings.
Good, obvious advice. Trouble is, the listening environment in the retailer is not the same as the room in your home where the equipment will be. The best situation is if your retailer agrees to swap for other equipment if you're not happy.
I bought Cambridge Audio CXA 61 amplifier and cheaper Q Acoustics 3020i. But I didn’t like the sound much, so I returned 3020i and got 3030i hoping that bigger speakers would bring more clarity. But no, they had a lot more base, very muffled midrange and very poor high frequency response (to my ears). So I did some more research and bought Dali Oberon 3 speakers. That changed things completely. Those speakers punch way above their weight/price. It was exactly what I was looking for. Now I can work with this setup and make it sound any way I want. Adding a subwoofer improved things even more. So yeah… It took me a while to figure this out 😅
How do you compare q acoustic 3020i, 3030i with spektor 2
Great review. Can't ever go wrong with some Rotel...
I have the Rotel A14 as pre amp and Akitika GT102 as power amp. I really like the sound and build quality of Rotel. Love the reviews btw.
Nice video! Could you please review Magnat Multi Monitor 220 (possibly with their sub woofer)? They seem very good for the money, so your review could probably mean to a lot of people.
I would suggest to get a Topping DX3 Pro+; I have one fed by a Rotel RCD12 through coaxial cable and the system works flawless with perfect soundstage and wide image. The Topping is running in the preamp mode.
Power amp is a Prima Luna EVO400.
Great content. I have the Topping E30 DAC ($150 USD) and it cannot play well (jitters a lot) via coaxial/Optical from a CD transport. I bought the Topping E50 ($270 USD) and all is good.
My setup is also A11 Tribute with E30, speakers are monitor audio silver 50. The sound is great, but A11 has very noticeable floor hiss noise which can be annoying sometimes.
I am listening to my Cambridge Audio A500 thru Mordaunt Short SP 3 way floor standing speakers bought second hand for a total of £150 and my Audio Technica LP turntable cost £230 new and it all sounds great. Never heard a peep before I bought the lot just hoped names would talk and they do! The Cambridge amp was new old stock the guy had it stored in a dry loft in original packaging with matching CD and tuner for 8 years! Cambridge make some beautiful sounding stuff!
Can someone please explain how to connect the topping e30 dac? Is it just for the cd player? Does it connect via coaxial and then analogue out to the a11 amp? Or does it connect to the amp in another way? I'm a complete amateur here and really need help here.
I bought a Denon 3806 and 3808 cheap as off the used trading post also a dsd/CD player and B&W DM 580 speakers for about 400 bux and it sounds great, yeah the speakers need to be upgraded but you gotta start somewhere.
Great video, good advice and it shows you don't have to take out a mortgage to get good sound.
The biggest gripe I have with the e30 is the audible pop when changing sample rate or when the Spdif signal is lost, it got so annoying watching tv, that I changed to the e50, which does have an input buffer for spdif.