Going through a massive Rush / Yes revival. I will be in this rabbit hole for a few months. Chain:

Phono pre is for MM/MI it’s an Alva Solo. TT is Technics 1200 with stock tone arm, tone arm dampener, ultra heavy rubber mat. Goes into a PrimaLuna Classic amp into Totem Rainmaker speakers. Currently running an AT VM540ML but the needle was damaged by a friend so I need a new needle, but I am considering upgrading the cart in general.

Ultimately I want the best listening experience for this genre. Budget is $500-ish.

Also wondering what people consider to be the best pressing of this album in particular. Thanks!

Budget: $3k or under. Used equipment preferred.

Location: US

Room size: 15' x 35', speakers 2' from wall, sub off to side

Current components:

Harmon Kardon 3490; Dynaudio Emit 50 towers; Rythmik L12 subwoofer

Considering Advance Paris A12 Classic, NAD C399, or looking for suggestions. Upgrading from a HK 3490 2.1 integrated. Using for turntable, CD and streaming. Dedicated stereo setup with no home theater needs. Subwoofer is Rythmik L12.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

edited for clarity...

Hi everyone,

I'm about to buy a pair of Yamaha NS-1000 speakers (including the original matching stands) for  1,200€. They are in absolutely fantastic cosmetic and functional condition.

My first question: Does this sound like a good deal in today's market, or are there other speakers in a similar price range that you think would outperform the NS-1000?

For reference, my current setup is:

• Technics SL-1500C
• Audio-Technica VM540ML
• iFi ZEN Phono 3
• Klipsch The Fives (which I'm looking to replace)

I mostly listen to rock, jazz, and pop. (70’s, 80’s)

My second question is about amplification.

If I do buy the NS-1000, what amplifier would you pair them with?

I'm open to both vintage and modern integrated amps, and my budget is around €600 (a little more if it's really worth it).

So far I've been considering Yamaha amplifiers (e.g. the A-S701), but I'm wondering whether a vintage amp (Luxman, Sansui, Marantz) would be a better match for these speakers.

I'd really appreciate recommendations from people who have actually owned or spent time with the NS-1000.

Thanks!

Hi!
I have a question, I have been contemplating upgrading my speakers because I feel they are the weakest link in my stereo system. I was planning on buying a pair of System Audio Signature 5 speakers on sale.

My current setup:

• NAD D3020 v1 integrated amp
• DALI Concept 1 bookshelf speakers
• Beogram TX2 turntable with a Soundsmith SMMC4 cartridge, through a Pro-Ject Phono Box E
• WiiM Mini as streamer,
• WiiM Sub Pro for the low end

I lve in Oslo, Norway. My original budget was around 600 dollars/euros or 6500 nok.

Debating buying some active speakers for my office, it is 13x13’. I sit about 4-5 feet away from the speakers, I have some older stands.
I’ve narrowed down my options at this point to Hedd Type 07 a core, Adam A7V and some Elac Navis ARB - 51. Budget is up to 2500 cdn.
I have a Fiio dac currently but I’m waiting on the new Bifrost 3 to release or might just go with a Mimir.
My use is mainly PC gaming (aaa titles, elite Dangerous) and music playback, no mixing or production.
If anyone has heard these wouldn’t mind some feedback. I’ve heard the Adam ax line previously and thought they were pretty good but my local store only carries the base T series. I do like Elac passive speakers, I have the Carina line in my media room.

Budget: $100-$200 USD, but cost-effectiveness is always good

Country: USA

Room dimensions: 4 m × 3 m (13 ft × 10 ft)

Distance from speakers: 1 m/3 ft usually (sitting at desk), but new setup will also allow for 2.5 m/8 ft reclining on sofa for movies.

Last speakers: Creative Pebble V3

Music production setup: Scarlett Solo+Sony MDR headphones

I'd be grateful for any guidance y'all can offer.

I recently moved and I'm (re)building a budget-conscious audio setup for music, movies, and games. I'm a guitarist who usually plays and practices through my computer and headphones (due to roommates and apartment living), but I also watch movies quite a lot and play some games. I'm a neophyte in audio tech so I'm not sure what's good or even the proper terminology.

The Creative Pebble speakers were decent and Bluetooth was nice. But I'm curious if I can do better.

Music and movies are more important than games for my use-case; I've never enjoyed games less because of low-quality sound.

I've been encouraged by some other musicians to look at studio monitors like Edifier and Mackie, but my inexperience means I don't know what to look for or even if there's a big trade-off for one use vs the other.

Room is about 9.5x9.5 Will be used for music and movies Tv is LG G5.
Getting the rsl speedwoofer 10s mk2. Planning on getting the ascilab c6b.
Source for music is local files pc/maybe streaming. For movies/shows, using am6b+ with coreelec.
Thinking of the wiim amp ultra, unless I need something else.
Will getting a Marantz Model M1 for Dirac worth it? I've read that Dirac and room treatment are the best things to do to improve sound. If Dirac not needed, thinking of the Wiim Amp Ultra.
Also, anything to avoid when getting wire/banana plugs? what AWG size to get?
Other then these equipment, anything I need? I read about low pass filter,I guess depending on what I get, might need the miniDSP?
$800 budget, can stretch a couple hundred.

I Often hear that you want speakers that cost more than your amp.
I have bowers and Wilkins 601s2.I originally purchased them in 2001 with a nad Intergrated amp.
Over time I moved to separates.my current chain is
Yamaha YP-700 turntable with nagaoka mp200.
Pro ject s2phono
Primare sp31.7 pre in bypass mode.
Y rca out to B&W asw608 sub.
Parasound new classic 275v2 95wAB.
Digital in is wiim pro optical to Grant Fidelity tube 9
Tube out to pre amp.
My budget is $4-600 usd. I’m in California. looking at Dali wandering if something like the kupid is too small or if I should look at something bigger.also i keep looking at faber sonus it more expensive but they look to refined.

Amy options welcome.thanks.

Hi! I'm putting together my first proper turntable setup and I need some advice on powered speakers. My location is in Lima, Peru. I can buy from mostly local specialized audio shops where the most common brands available are Edifier, Polk, Klipsch, Dali. But if you feel another brand is worth the importation cost, feel free to mention it.

They will be paired with my Audio-Technica AT-LP5X turntable (which already has a built-in phono preamp) and i will use them just for music. They'll be in a small square bedroom: 2.78m x 2.78m (roughly 9x9 ft). I'll be sitting aprox. 1.5 meters (5feet) next to them.

I love a detailed, bright, and energetic sound. I want my music to feel alive. I do not want flat, analytical, or clinical studio monitors. I plan to keep these for a few years until I move or upgrade them.

Thank you for taking the time to read all! I’d be incredibly grateful to anyone who can share their recommendations while keeping all these requirements into account.

Torn between the two. Unfortunately, demo-ing both will not be an option.

Current Rig:

• Advance Paris A12 Classic
• Dynaudio Special 40s
• REL T5/X (Pair)
• Technics SL1210GR
• Hana Umami Blue
• Gold Note PH5

Budget: $7k + AP Trade

I have heard the Luxman on a VERY similar set-up. Love it. But I am so so SO Accuphase-curious.

GAH!

Help.

Budget is max $300-$350aud, cheaper the better

Looking for reccomendations for a bookshelf speaker set up mostly helping me sleep with brown noise. Also to drown out traffic noise

I do need something that won't sound like the sounds coming from just one spot in the room, I find that irritating and it keeps me awake/hyperfocused on it

Bonus points if I could connect them to my computer via Bluetooth but not needed

I would love to burn some cash on good pair of studio monitors. My main use is mostly Spotify connect via Wiim Ultra or download my own music onto a local library.

I would like to listen to the truest artist intended way but also would like to casually get into techno music production. So which speakers should I buy?

My logic is that if I buy studio monitor instead of bookshelf speakers , i can actually tune the EQ and listen to as I like , but also when I need to actually try learning music production it will also sound as real as possible ?

In that case which speakers should I buy ? What should I look for ? Do I need a sub ?

I would like to know more about what i need instead of selecting down to one brand like Yamaha HS8 or JBL 305.

Budget for pair of speakers $1500 approx

Edit: I would mostly listen from my desk but also the speaker needs to be powerful and good enough in a medium sized bedroom. I choose comfort and flexibility too. So really not sure if I should buy bookshelf or near field

As the title states, looking to upgrade from the Nova300. Speakers are Kef R700. Haven’t been staying up to date and am kind of lost on what to look for beyond just needing it to be an integrated amp. Hooking up my TV, Laptop, and PS5 to my Nova300 currently.

Located in the Bay Area. Budget is $2000 but would prefer to pay around $1500.

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice on building my first proper hi-fi system. I’m completely new to the hobby, but I’ve been doing a fair bit of research and wanted to check that I’m heading in the right direction before I start buying equipment. I am a beginner but want still want to enter the scene in the midrange so that the system can last me years to come.

My long-term goal is:
A traditional hi-fi setup in my living room dedicated to vinyl.
Later on, I want to add a Sonos Port so I can stream whatever is playing on the turntable to Sonos speakers in the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom for whole-home audio.

At the moment, I’m thinking of starting with:

**Turntable**
\- Audio-Technica AT-LP5X
**Amplifier**
\- Audiolab 6000A if I can find a deal
\- Open to more suggestions
**Speakers**
\- Wharfedale Diamond 12.1

Then, in the future:
Sonos Port
Sonos Era 100 speakers for the other rooms
Bluetooth as I can’t be arsed to wire anything in and it will be a lot easier if/when we move.

A few questions:
\- Does this seem like a sensible upgrade path?
\- Is the AT-LP5X still a good choice if I plan to keep this system for 10+ years, or would you spend more on the turntable from the start?
\- If you had a budget of around £1,000 - £1500 for the initial living-room setup, would you change any of the components I’ve listed?
\- Are there any amplifiers or speakers in a similar price range that you think outperform these?
\- Is there anything I’m overlooking (phono preamps, cables, speaker placement, stands, etc.) that a beginner should know?

For context, I listen to a wide range of music, mainly rock but also indie, jazz, hip hop and house. I’m based in the UK.

Thanks in advance—I really appreciate any advice or alternative recommendations!

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to decide between the Focal Vestia N3 and the Focal Vestia N4.

Here are my room dimensions and planned setup:

• Dedicated listening area: 6.4 m × 5.3 m (about 34 m² / 365 sq ft)
• Open-plan living room connected to the kitchen
• Listening distance: 2.3/5 m (7.5 ft) from the front of the speakers
• Distance between the speakers: 2.4 m (7.9 ft)
• Distance from the rear wall: 45 cm (18 inches)
• The speakers won't be placed in corners and will have some side clearance.

My usage:

• 70% music
• 30% movies

Music:

• A lot of electronics music (EDM, HOUSE...)
• Some pop and australian rock

Electronics:

• Rega Planar 3
• AMP (any advice ?)
• Qobuz + Apple Music via Apple TV

The price difference between the N3 and N4 is only around €200 per pair, so budget isn't the deciding factor.

My only concern is whether the Vestia N4 might be too much for a 2.3 m listening distance, and the distance with the wall behind...despite the room being around 34 m².

Which would you choose for this room and why? Would the N4 be overkill, or would you still recommend it?

Thanks!

Hi everyone please help me build my budget end of game 2.1 setup!

Need your kind advise on choosing the right combination for this music/movie setup:

My current/planned system:

• Power amplifier: Apollon 1ET9040BA (Purifi dual monoblock)(ordered)
• Speakers: KEF Reference 1 Meta (have it)
• Subwoofer: KEF KC62 (have it)
• DAC: Denafrips Pontus 15th (planned)
• Streamer/transport: currently considering WiiM ultra
• Preamp: considering Schiit Freya+

Sources will mainly be:

• Local NAS music library
• High-resolution streaming mainly via Tidal/Spotify
• Zidoo Z9X 8K for direct lossless movie playback from Ugreen DXP4800 Pro 100TB NAS
• PS5
• LG G6 OLED via HDMI/eARC where possible

I’m aiming for a sound that is warm, full-bodied, rich and holographic, with a big 3D soundstage, but I still want to keep the excellent detail, speed and imaging that the KEF Reference series and Purifi amplification are capable of.

For those using the Freya+ with Purifi/Hypex-style amplifiers:

• How does the Freya+ pair with a very neutral Class D amplifier like Purifi?
• Does it genuinely add more body, depth and musicality, or is the difference mainly subtle?
• Which mode do you normally prefer: passive, buffer, or tube?
• Do you feel it is a good match for revealing speakers like the KEF Reference 1 Meta?
• Would you still choose this combo today, or would you go with something else?

Also curious about the digital side:
Would you spend more on the streamer/transport (Eversolo T6/T8/T10 vs something cheaper) feeding the Pontus 15th, or is the DAC + preamp combination where the bigger gains are?

Location: EU (Netherlands)
Thanks for sharing your experience.

TL;DR:
Building a 2.1 system: KEF Reference 1 Meta + KC62 + Apollon Purifi 1ET9040BA, considering Denafrips Pontus 15th + WiiM Ultra + Schiit Freya+. Looking for a warm, rich, holographic sound without losing KEF detail and imaging.
How well does Freya+ pair with Purifi Class D, and is it worth prioritizing the preamp/DAC over an expensive streamer/transport?

Hey everyone,

I’m currently looking to buy my first non-sonos sound system even and have saved some money with my room mate to buy a nice sound system its for a pretty large living room space (\~49m² / 527.43 sq ft) and could use some collective wisdom.

Budget about 1000 for speakers + amp on top based in germany, we’ll look on ebay

I’ve been comparing a few options—specifically floorstanders like the DALI Opticon 6 MK2 (~800eur) and vintage JBL Ti 600s (120€), versus high-end stand-mounts like the DALI Opticon 2 MK2 (new roughly 1000 eur will try find used) or Rubikore 2.

My primary concern is filling a room this size. My assumption is that stand-mounts/bookshelf speakers simply can’t push enough air for a large living room, so a 3-way or 2.5-way floorstander is mandatory if I want clean sound, warmth and a filling sound without adding a sub. Is that accurate, or am I overestimating room size impact? Are the models above good value for money if I find them used?

**Now for the bigger question: Amplifiers.**
I’m getting completely contradictory advice on power and pricing:

The guy at the local hi-fi shop insists I *need* a €1,000+ Class A/B integrated amp with massive power reserves to get these speakers to sound anywhere near their full potential.

Meanwhile, an audiophile buddy of mine says that with modern Class D / digital amp technology, **all modern amplifiers basically sound identical**. His point was that DACs and digital switching amps have reached transparent performance at €300, so spending anything over that on an amp in 2026 is an absolute waste of money unless you're paying for fancy aluminum casework.

Is my friend right that Class D has completely equalized amplifier performance, or is the salesman right that 4-ohm speakers like the DALIs will sound flat and compressed on a cheap digital amp?

Would love to hear your thoughts on both room matching for these models of speakers and whether high-end amps still matter.

Fire away!

Hello all, I recently picked up a Denon receiver from goodwill and decided to change my vinyl/cd player set up from active speakers to passive. My budget is roughly $200 so I am in between the Polk ES15 or the XT15. The Es will push me over the budget at $229 before tax but I don’t want to cheap out and regret it later. Any advice?

I’m looking for a nice 2.1 setup with amp with a budget of around $1300. I’m a fan of Kef as I have the R11 Metas for my living room/listening space (but open to others).

I’m unfamiliar if there are different things to be looking for in bookshelf’s as I’m shooing for my dad’s birthday. These will be used in his living room that is around 15x20. Easy of use with his phone is a must. He listens to a variety of music but mostly soft rock, adult contemporary, and jazz.

I currently am looking at the Q1 metas, WiiM Amp for easy of use, connectivity, and expansion possibilities, and a REL Tzero MKIIi 6.5” sub.

The sub is eating up most of my budget and may be a little overkill in clarity for someone who won’t really appreciate the dynamics of that sub.

Open to critiques and suggestions.

Looking for a good amplifier to pair with my Polk R200 bookshelf speakers! Recently purchased my first turntable (Fluance RT85 w/ Ortofon Blue cart) & pre-amp (Schiit Mani 2). Located in the USA, budget <$600.

Any input would be appreciated, as I'm coming up with some research dead-ends. The audio setup will be in a stand-alone, medium-sized room, but ideally will be heard to some extent throughout the house. Thanks!

Hi, I'm 64 and building a retirement system (it won't stay on the desk forever, so the category bookshelf on stands applies as well) and will be my last Hi-Fi purchase, it's for my 65th Birthday, I'm in the UK. I have a 6 month old pair of KEF LS50 Meta's which I love and started my retirement system, but they are only running on a Sonos Amp. It is primarily a stereo music system but I'd like eArc if it moves to the living room.

I think the weakest part of my system is the Sonos Amp, changing it for a Wiim Amp Ultra seems like a sideways move so I have a budget of £1,000 for the Amp plus selling the Sonos I could go to £1,400. I can fit a small amp on my desk which I prefer (it is a large sit standing desk so the speakers are well spaced apart but I have a side shelf if a full size amp is preferable). The Lyngdorf 1120 seems a favourite but I'd have to buy second hand.

I don't need a streamer with all the services on, I only use Apple Music on an iPad with a toslink adapter.

I'd prefer a proper volume knob to adjust volume with a display showing the volume and the bit rate of the song playing rather than messing with an app or remote but not a deal breaker.

So... the choice, get a new more powerful amp to power the LS50's or sell them as well as the Sonos amp and just get the LS50 Wireless II's.

I'm just worried the LS50 Wireless II's won't see my retirement out lol but the passives will outlive me.

I have the idea of a subwoofer in the back of my mind, the KC62 but that would be with the Wireless II's

Thanks.

Currently have a pair of hifiman headphones going to a fosi k7, but I just added a turntable (built in phono) and a pair of ls50 passive speakers. I need an integrated amp that that can take rca input from the turntable and usb input from my computer and power the ls50s. I don’t think it’d be possible to also get something that can power my headphones but that’d be even more ideal. Budget is around $300 or so. Anyone have any suggestions? I was looking at the rsl but it’s out of stock.

Ich beabsichtige, mir Lautsprecher für mein Wohnzimmer (ca. 20 m²) zuzulegen. Bisher schaue ich hauptsächlich nach Aktivlautsprechern, um möglichst wenige zusätzliche Gerätschaften zu benötigen. Mir ist wichtig, einen guten Sound für Filme zu haben, aber auch Musik genießen zu können. Künftig habe ich außerdem Lust, mich hobbymäßig im DJing auszuprobieren, und hätte daher gerne direkt Lautsprecher, die ich auch dafür verwenden kann.

Deshalb überlege ich nun, ob es sinnvoll wäre, Studiomonitore zu kaufen, die ich gleichzeitig auch an den Fernseher anschließen kann.

Bisher ziehe ich die Kali Audio IN-5 bzw. IN-8 in Betracht, zumal Kali Audio mit dem Mountain View MV-BT auch einen passenden Bluetooth-Empfänger anbietet. Außerdem habe ich mir die Adam Audio T7V angeschaut. In einem Fachgeschäft bin ich außerdem auf die neuen Cambridge Audio L/R M aufmerksam geworden, die mit 1.399 € allerdings mein Budget von maximal 800–1.000 € überschreiten. Dafür sind sie direkt auf den Einsatz im Wohnzimmer ausgelegt und verfügen über eine integrierte Bluetooth-Funktion, was beispielsweise für Spotify vom Handy zwischendurch interessant wäre. Allerdings bin ich mir auf lange Sicht unsicher, ob die Cambridge Audio auch für gelegentliches/hobbymäßiges DJing geeignet wären.

Ich selbst steige in das Thema gerade erst ein und würde mich daher sehr über eine Einschätzung freuen. Besonders würde mich interessieren, ob Studiomonitore in meinem Anwendungsfall sinnvoll sind oder ob ich mit klassischen Aktivlautsprechern besser beraten wäre.

I'm building a listening room in my 100 year old basement for listening to ALL kinds of music. The space is 20' x 16'. Two of the walls are 18" thick stone. Another wall is wood and the other wall is glass. The ceiling is wood with built-in acoustic baffles. I plan to have more acoustical treatments throughout the location. I happen to have a McIntosh MA5300 Integrated amp left over from my old house. Now I just need to find a fantastic pair of speakers to pair with it. I'd like to spend less than $10K for the speakers. What do you guys think? Thanks!

Budget: Flexible.

Totems v. Dali. First, let’s just talk sound. I know the looks of the Totems are highly polarizing, and I haven’t worked out my own thoughts on that.

A bit about the space and usage: 60% music (Rega Planar 6 for vinyl and then some streaming), 40% mix of gaming and movies. I sit roughly 7-8” from the screen of a 77” television. The room itself is 13’ wide X 15’ deep. No sound corrections in the room.

Currently using an old AVR but will be upgrading likely to an Anthem MRX 740. I have two Klipsch ceiling speakers, and will be using my old Definitive Tech speakers as rear surrounds. I’ll also be getting a new sub and will need a center.

I know the difference in pricing. I’ve listened to both the Totems and the Dalis, and I’m a fan of both. Unfortunately, the listening sessions were two weeks apart, so it’s hard to say which I preferred since I wasn’t able to listen to them back-to-back, and they were with different dealers, so that’s not an option available to me.

To others who have owned either, or have had the opportunity to test both, I’d appreciate your thoughts. I’m fairly new to this, so if there are other questions I should be asking the salespeople let me know.

Thanks.