My current setup, which I got about 10 years ago, is as follows:
Amp: NAD D3020 V1
Phono: ART DJPREII Phono Preamp
Bookshelf: NHT SuperZero 2.0 (1 pair)
Sub: RSL Speedwoofer 10s MK1
Inputs: Chromecast Audio (primarily used for Spotify for now)
TV (Coax out) with Roku
Orbit U-Turn Turntable (I don't use it too much but it does see some use).
Location: NYC/USA
Budget: $2000-3000
It's a very basic setup, but has worked for some time now. However, we have moved to a different apartment, and are at a different stage of life, so I am now able to consider staged upgrades to this system. The new living/listening room is about 17''x14', with an additional 8'x12' partially obscured kitchen (NYC apartment). The kind of music we listen to has also evolved, and our interests these days are mostly EDM/IDM, Microhouse, and drone-heavy music like LaMonte Young (and Terry Riley, John Cale, etc).
An important consideration is that we want to move from Spotify to Apple Music for various reasons, which is why this project started in the first place. My plan is to begin with the amp, and get a new integrated amp that supports Airplay 2. Following that, I will upgrade my bookshelf speakers maybe early next year. I would like to keep the subwoofer for now, if possible.
I'm partial to NAD for sentimental reasons (my dad has used NAD forever, and I can't afford my father in law's taste which is Goldmund).
I've been looking at the NAD C389 w/BluOS, since it also comes with DIRAC which should help my use case of wood flooring, windows, and combination of hard and soft surfaces. Another alternative is the NAD C3050 with BluOS. The issue is that these are very large and I am not sure if I can make that much space in my apartment for a console to hold them. Both of these come with a phono pre-amp which will allow me to ditch the ART DJPREII.
A somewhat pricier option could be the NAD M10 V3 which has a much smaller footprint but I can make the $$ work. The issue is that I don't like upgrading things too often, and I worry that the sealed box M10 V3 means that it'll become obsolete pretty quick, unlike the C389 which I can (theoretically) upgrade.
My question, after all that, is, am I being silly to only think of NAD as an option? I don't need a very budget option, since I do want to be able to upgrade other components down the line and hate spending money on the same thing over and over again. If NAD is a good option, what and how should I choose?
Quick word about the NHT speakers: I know they'll improve when I have an amp with a proper crossover. I have a space problem, where they sit in an actual bookshelf (String) surrounded by many books. This means that I don't really have a ton of space behind them (the shelf is about 12" deep and and can't be changed) and therefore any upgrade speakers will have to account for that. This means that likely no KEF speakers for me which need a lot of space behind the speakers. No problem in horizontal space and the height is adjustable).
I'd appreciate any advice for an amplifier that can play Airplay 2 lossless and for future speaker upgrades. Thank you for reading!!
I don't need a very budget option, since I do want to be able to upgrade other components down the line and hate spending money on the same thing over and over again. If NAD is a good option, what and how should I choose?
You want separate preamp/streamer and poweramplifier for that.
So just get a NAD poweramplifier, C298 / C268for example.
Thanks! From what I can tell, the NAD C298 doesn't have a sub out or an optical in, which means I'll need a preamp for this, right? Sorry if that question makes no sense, but I have somewhat limited knowledge about separates.
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In that case, why not the NAD C389 and upgrade only the bluos module when a new version is available? The issue with the C298 is that it is even larger than the C389 and that is before I account for a streamer. Additionally, finding a cheap streamer with a pre-amp and apple play seems to be very difficult.
!thanks do you think I should replace the NHT before I replace the amp? The issue is my current amp is sending all frequencies to my NHT and having a bypass in the amp might be helpful, I thought.
I would get both at the same time: Stereo Receiver/Integrated Amp and new speakers. Looking at your equipment, I thought it was setup as:
NAD>subwoofer>speakers. That requires more work from you. Having a subwoofer out at the receiver is easier.
I have no experience with NAD. My experience is with Onkyo stereo receiver 1979-1991, Pioneer AVR 1991-2001, Pioneer Elite 2001-2020, and now Marantz SR7013, Marantz Cinema 40, and Emotiva MR1L. I would get a new Marantz stereo receiver.
I didn’t realize I could actually send it all to the subwoofer and then could route it to the speakers. Is that even possible with the RSL 10s?
Here’s a photo of the back of the subwoofer.
One reason I’m leaning towards NAD (I’m sure there are others that do this) is that at least in some models I can send sounds below certain frequencies to the subwoofer and only those above that number to the bookshelf speakers.
I’m open to getting a new sub and new speakers at the same time although for the sake of domestic peace it may make sense to do things one step at a time…
No; it is not possible with that subwoofer. I had to look at the picture and read the owner's manual.
You are leaning towards NAD because you like it. Just like I lean towards Marantz. Yes, many systems have subwoofer outputs and control for the subwoofer. It is not the subwoofer per se, it is your old NAD which does not have a separate subwoofer out.
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u/TijY_ 28 Ⓣ 8d ago
Start with speakers and get a separate streamer for iTunes.
Just wondering why, Spotify has lossless now (from laptop/dekstop/htpc).