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  • What music system?

    Id like to upgrade my Big W $120.00 mini hi-fi at the shop to something a bit better. I mainly use it for radio, cds, and mp3 player.

    What I would like is something that:

    Produces good quality sound
    Accepts multiple CDs (5 or more would be good) and is front loading
    Uses a remote
    Digital radio would be good
    Can be used with an MP3 player (I have a Creative)
    Needs to be compact

    I have a budget of $1500.00 and as we have a Bose system at home that weve been happy with, have been considering something like the Bose wave music system as per the links below.

    http://worldwide.bose.com/axa/en_au/web/wave_music_system/page.html
    http://worldwide.bose.com/axa/en_au/web/awms_5_cd_changer/page.html

    Would appreciate any first-hand advice!

  • #2
    Re: What music system?

    Long before my obsession with coffee I had a much more expensive obsession with hi-fi. My first and most important piece of advice would be to forget about anything with a cd player. Music can be easily ripped to a lossless format and stored on a hard drive(s). Then you can invest in a DAC, a digital to analogue converter. I think the Dacmagic is available in Australia and is very well reviewed. If you couple this with a Logitech Squeezebox Touch you have everything you need, a remote, internet radio, and its a very compact system.
    There is NO logic to buying a cd player anymore.
    Im glad you were happy with your Bose system but for me they are the capsule coffee makers of the Hi-Fi world, more about lifestyle and looks than sound.
    The above system would also make it very easy to add multi-room functionality if you wanted to further down the line.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: What music system?

      Originally posted by 353033262637203E372B520 link=1283500452/1#1 date=1283502084
      you have everything you need
      Thanks for the advice.

      I presume I need speakers and that these would plug in to the Dacmagic?

      Further recommendations?

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: What music system?

        Ummm sorry I got a bit carried away there. You would also need an amp as well as speakers which is probably taking you way over budget.
        I didnt realise the Bose system you were speaking about was that kind of set-up. My parents have one of those and theyre not bad at all.
        If you can have a laptop system near a set up then a dac, amp, and speakers could be had I reckon for around $1500 and youd have internet radio. Id think the sound from this would be a significant improvement on your Bose system.
        I know a very good forum that specialises in that sort of thing but dont know if Im allowed to post it here?

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: What music system?

          Dennis

          Ive had the previous version of the Bose Wave Radio/CD for just over 10 years - I bought it in 2000 when we were living in London.  A quick plug change when we got home and its happily made the migration to the southern hemisphere.  

          The earlier version had the flip-top lid for loading CDs - I am jealous of the new version which can fit the stacker underneath.

          In all that time its never missed a beat.  The remote still works fine (never even had a battery change!) and you can really crank it up without any noticeable distortion.

          They are very compact and are suprisingly heavy given their size - just like a quality espresso machine!  ;D

          You should be able to plug your mp3 player into it with no trouble.  Even my older version has an input for an auxiliary music device.

          I agree they are as much about form as function - but 10 years down the track, Im still impressed.

          Cheers

          James
          SniffCoffee

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: What music system?

            Originally posted by 6D686B7E7E6F78666F730A0 link=1283500452/3#3 date=1283506344
            Ummm sorry I got a bit carried away there.
            Spoken like a true hifi fanatic. ;D

            Originally posted by 607E666B7D7E65640A0 link=1283500452/4#4 date=1283507757
            I agree they are as much about form as function - but 10 years down the track, Im still impressed.
            Yeah, we have the acoustimass system at home James, and like you remain impressed - which is why this one is high on my list.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: What music system?

              I would never buy Bose
              Sorry but I know what speakers they use
              Nothing wrong with them but the buy cost to sell cost is several 1000 per cent mark up

              Its just like coffee machines
              If you are not into Hi Fi but want a good system get an entry level Hi Fi designated system

              Or you will be throwing your money away

              KK

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: What music system?

                Originally posted by 40646D6D6E6E5440647866640B0 link=1283500452/6#6 date=1283511450
                get an entry level Hi Fi designated system
                Happy to listen to a recommendation if you could be more specific.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: What music system?

                  Originally posted by 594F4A4A5B59555C5C5F5F3A0 link=1283500452/7#7 date=1283512059
                  Happy to listen to a recommendation if you could be more specific.  
                  Not sure what NAD is worth these days but I am sure you can mix & match a system for your budget
                  http://nadelectronics.com/home

                  Also the AU distributor
                  http://www.audioproducts.com.au/brandproducts.aspx?Brand=NAD

                  They also sell other great brands like Tannoy
                  http://www.audioproducts.com.au/APGBrands.aspx

                  KK

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: What music system?

                    Having spent more time on Hi-Fi forums then I care to remember Ive often been struck by the similarities between them and this forum.
                    Most people on those forums would give the same advice to you as people advise here. If you have the time, energy and inclination then go to an independent Hi-Fi shop and explain your budget and listen to whats on offer. If your going to invest $1500 of your hard-earned then someone should be willing to give you a few hours of their time before you hand your money over.
                    Otherwise youd find if you spent a few days researching on-line theres lots of magazines with review sections according to budget and/or forums where youd get a lot of informed advice within a few days.

                    I just spent 3 minutes having a look and Id recommend you have a look at a Denon D-M38DAB which I reckon would safely out perform a Bose system.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: What music system?

                      I agree with all KKs recommendations and gbatterleys too - in fact, I did just that a couple of years ago - went to a specialist and over a few weeks picked up several upgrades.

                      During that process I got a NAD AV receiver and its also very solid.

                      Monitor Audio are an English company that make good speakers...again during the upgrade I bought a set to go with the NAD receiver.

                      You could check out www.hifitrader.com.au - they have some good little systems and could probably put something together for you. They sell all the above brands.

                      Sniff

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: What music system?

                        I was only thinking when in your shop the other day how youd benefit from having a bose system in there...

                        At home Ive got the Bose Idock and had picked it up off the bay of evil fairly cheap. Seeing as the ipod is 180gb it can hold a few songs! Though, I dont know what youd do for a radio.

                        Some people say that there are better docks out there but Im pretty happy with my Bose and the sound it produces. Whilst I didnt pay full price as I bought second hand, Im also confident that this little unit will give me years of happy sound. So happy in fact that Ive found that I dont turn on the big Yamaha surround sound system to just listen to music anymore, rather I just put the Bose on. (unless I really want HUGE sound. ;D)

                        Well, it will be interesting to see what the "audiophiles" will come up with for you within a budget of 1500...

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: What music system?

                          You know my DIY credentials on all things coffee

                          Well that is the same with Hi Fi
                          I built my own speakers and had a tube amp built for me to my requirements

                          Next is an enclosed horn sub woofer

                          Then just for fun I am building a pair of Voight Horn Floor standers to fit some near perfect speakers from the 1930/1940s era that I have recently acquired

                          I have for some years been into high performance full range speakers

                          KK

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: What music system?

                            These would have to be an option wouldnt they. Just get an Ipod to sit on top of it and away you go. Should put out PLENTY of sound.

                            http://www.hifitrader.com.au/prod78.htm

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: What music system?

                              Originally posted by 437C7A7D6067564B6670656C090 link=1283500452/13#13 date=1283516213
                              These would have to be an option wouldnt they.  Just get an Ipod to sit on top of it and away you go.  Should put out PLENTY of sound.

                              http://www.hifitrader.com.au/prod78.htm
                              This really appeals to me!

                              Comment

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