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Guidance for Audio Set-up Wanted

ConElPueblo
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Somewhat off my usual track, but I have almost given up on the subject and cannot bear to sign up to a hi-fi forum. This one has as many geeks as I can bear being around 😁


We have moved a bit around in the living room as well as gotten ourselves a TV (first TV I've ever owned...) and now we are looking at an audio set-up for music that will serve us.

We are not interested in high-end sound etc, but an amplifier that will
1) support bluetooth connection in order to stream music,
2) allow us to connect a record player,
3) a DAB+ receiver and
4) preferably also a built-in CD player.

I would also love to be able to set up two speaker sets in order to have decent stereo two places in the living room.

upload_2022-4-15_14-14-10.png


Dark Red: Furniture, kitchen, etc.
Yellow: Amplifier.
Red: Speakers.
Blue: TV.

I was thinking that I could have speakers on the left wall with wire connection and then active speakers on the far right wall connected via bluetooth and switch between those depending on where we are situated. Since we've gotten a decent HD TV, I would also like to be use the speakers on that wall for films etc.

...Is all this even possible? Will I have to make a dedicated set-up if I want to include the TV (which is the least priority)? Would it make more sense to have two sets of active speakers and ignore the amp?

I have tried to research the subject, but I have to say that it's a complete jungle and I end up more confused every time I set out to learn more 🤦
 
JwRosenthal
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Skip the speakers at the TV and do a soundbar with active sub (usually sold as a kit)- that will take care of movies etc without setting up a whole system over there.

As for the hi-fI, You don’t have to go modern wireless over there as that will then be a dedicated system and you can use a proper set of passive speakers with cables, dedicated 2 channel receiver/integrated amplifier, and Bluetooth or wifi receiving module (there are some very good Bluetooth/wifi DAC’s out there for not crazy money)- a Sonos comes to mind the the wifi module which then you can use with wireless speakers around the house that will synch with your stereo.
As for turntable, if you get a receiver/int-amp that has a good phono stage, then your set for a turntable. If it doesn’t, outboard phono stages can be had reasonably. Depending on how much you want to spend and how compact you want the system will determine what components you want to get into.
 
Larry S
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We have a wonderful retailer in the US …. Crutchfield.com … You can go to their website, lots of articles and options and then go see a local retailer.

Since you no doubt have a smart TV, I second the sound bar/Sub suggestion for TV sound. It’s fuss free.

For Music I’d get an integrated amplifier with Blue Tooth, wired speakers, an entry level Pro-Ject Turntable and a separate CD player. Again, these are all well documented on the Crutchfield site and available in EU. You don’t need to go crazy financially.
 
cvalue13
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Sonos are such an easy and intuitive ecosystem.

Their newest amps (about 6” X 6” X 1.5”) are a breeze (I have a stack of 6 running my whole house), as well as their sound bar and sub on my TV. Their various extensions will allow you make any turn table or CD Player an over-air extension (ie the amp need not be near or in same room as turn table).

The few home audio company installers I know all agree: while there are some better sound quality products available, and while there are some other cheaper products available, nothing else can really compete in terms of ease of installation and ease of use.

Worth considering. My deck of amps, and the wireless extension to my vinyl set.

308BAA35-190A-48AE-ADE7-4A417134035A.jpeg 8105758F-83B4-4DB5-84A9-DD27B1230127.jpeg
 
ConElPueblo
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Cheers for all the replies! 👍

The audio for the TV is by far the least concern. If it could possibly be done via the music set up that would be excellent, if not I will probably not end up setting anything up now.

We have a decent set-up at the moment, but I would really like - and be willing to compromise on the hi-fi level to prioritise this - a smaller set-up. Hence why I have been looking at amps with integrated receivers and CD player such as Yamaha CRXN470D (using our own speakers).
 
JwRosenthal
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ConElPueblo ConElPueblo
Cheers for all the replies! 👍

The audio for the TV is by far the least concern. If it could possibly be done via the music set up that would be excellent, if not I will probably not end up setting anything up now.

We have a decent set-up at the moment, but I would really like - and be willing to compromise on the hi-fi level to prioritise this - a smaller set-up. Hence why I have been looking at amps with integrated receivers and CD player such as Yamaha CRXN470D (using our own speakers).
What components do you have currently, we may be able to help you brainstorm how to incorporate that into what you want you want to set up and where to accessorize to make it all work together. If all you want is Bluetooth, a $40 Bluetooth module into a line in your current system is all you need. If you want wifi and full app capability, a Sonos receiver into a line in will give you full wifi control of all apps from any smartphone or computer (and as CV said, can be paired to remote speakers (like one in the kitchen or dining room) which will allow you to play your vinyl on the main system and play it anywhere in the house.
 
AAAKK
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Not an audiophile by any stretch but here was my wired speaker solution for 2 zones. Denon 2 zone receiver with Bluetooth, wifi etc. Denon app controls both zones for music. They can be independent or have both zones playing the same thing. Then of course if you're just watching TV, you don't use the app at all and just use the TV remote as usual. My zone 2 for this receiver is 4 wired deck speakers outside. You can use the Spotify etc app directly to control the music if you prefer once you've opened up the Denon app.

20220415_101904.jpg Screenshot_20220415-102336_HEOS.jpg Screenshot_20220415-102421_HEOS.jpg Screenshot_20220415-102651_HEOS.jpg
 
Larry S
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
What components do you have currently, we may be able to help you brainstorm how to incorporate that into what you want you want to set up and where to accessorize to make it all work together. If all you want is Bluetooth, a $40 Bluetooth module into a line in your current system is all you need. If you want wifi and full app capability, a Sonos receiver into a line in will give you full wifi control of all apps from any smartphone or computer (and as CV said, can be paired to remote speakers (like one in the kitchen or dining room) which will allow you to play your vinyl on the main system and play it anywhere in the house.
This is kinda why mentioned Crutchfield as reference Very comprehensive DIY site.
 
Omegafanman
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I think you also need to consider the acoustics of the room and the location of power points for any passive or active components.
A sound bar does seem the way to go for your TV. Maybe set that up and see how the sound is in the rooms. It will have inputs for auxiliary items. I have line array front speakers, sub and infra red back speakers (one powered) = 5.1..But modern sound bars are supposed to compensate for all that. I can set distance etc per speaker to optimise it. Like you we have a separate set of speakers and equipment for audio / CD / records and DJ decks etc. We have had a street party a couple of times and to be honest if we pump either system up people outside seem happy for a party (but we are all getting on a bit and drink too much ;0)
Edited:
 
ConElPueblo
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
What components do you have currently, we may be able to help you brainstorm how to incorporate that into what you want you want to set up and where to accessorize to make it all work together. If all you want is Bluetooth, a $40 Bluetooth module into a line in your current system is all you need. If you want wifi and full app capability, a Sonos receiver into a line in will give you full wifi control of all apps from any smartphone or computer (and as CV said, can be paired to remote speakers (like one in the kitchen or dining room) which will allow you to play your vinyl on the main system and play it anywhere in the house.

I am not looking to keep the old amplifier as it is too cumbersome and has some other issues. I have a standard CD player and an entry level turntable of which I intend to keep the turntable and, if possible, get an amplifier with an integrated CD player and get rid of the external player to slim down the profile. I would really like to find a system that would cover all the bases within a single unit.


AAAKK AAAKK
Not an audiophile by any stretch but here was my wired speaker solution for 2 zones. Denon 2 zone receiver with Bluetooth, wifi etc. Denon app controls both zones for music. They can be independent or have both zones playing the same thing. Then of course if you're just watching TV, you don't use the app at all and just use the TV remote as usual. My zone 2 for this receiver is 4 wired deck speakers outside. You can use the Spotify etc app directly to control the music if you prefer once you've opened up the Denon app.

I had a look at Denon and I would say that the Denon CEOL N11DAB could probably be what I was looking for. We have a dealer locally who I will probably go to one of these days... Thanks!


Olaa Olaa
Do not miss these nice solutions! Danish companies.

https://lemus-home.dk/en/collections/lemus-home
https://lyngdorf.steinwaylyngdorf.com/lyngdorf-tdai-1120/

Has no feature that you can connect two different parts of the room as far as I know, but sounds significantly better than wireless mainstream! 😀
(my own opinion when I listened and compared)
listen around and have fun in the buying process!👍

You are overestimating my budget by a bit, but thanks for the suggestion 😁
 
Pahawi
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
- a Sonos comes to mind the the wifi module which then you can use with wireless speakers around the house that will synch with your stereo.

This.
 
Larry S
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I would not get an integrated amp/ tuner with a built in CD. They are garbage.
 
JwRosenthal
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Larry S Larry S
I would not get an integrated amp/ tuner with a built in CD. They are garbage.
Agreed- plus with the ever changing media (and CD’s being last century’s tech) you don’t want to get a one-piece that may not be able to be serviced in years to come.
Anyone remember the TV’s with the VCR built-in?
 
wagudc
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ConElPueblo ConElPueblo
I had a look at Denon and I would say that the Denon CEOL N11DAB could probably be what I was looking for. We have a dealer locally who I will probably go to one of these days... Thanks!

I was going to suggest a Denon mini-system if you want a CD player, but if your turntable is older, you probably will need a phono preamp, like this:

https://www.amazon.com/rolls-Phono-Preamp-Red-VP29/dp/B0002BG2R2
71BiIZCkU4S._AC_SL1500_.jpg

Another option without the CD player is the NAD D3020 which has a phono input.

https://nadelectronics.com/product/d-3020v2-hybrid-digital-amplifier/
 
ConElPueblo
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Agreed- plus with the ever changing media (and CD’s being last century’s tech) you don’t want to get a one-piece that may not be able to be serviced in years to come.
Anyone remember the TV’s with the VCR built-in?

Anyone remember mechanical watches? What were they thinking?!?
 
ConElPueblo
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Anyway, I use "we" a fair bit in my post - we are two adults in the household. If it was only me, I would get the CDs ripped...

Edit: if I were to keep a separate CD player unit (CD compatibility is a must), the amp would need to have two connections instead of only one and few compact units have that.
Edited:
 
noelekal
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ConElPueblo ConElPueblo
Anyone remember mechanical watches? What were they thinking?!?


I'm not budging from the military crest of the CD hill. I've bought vinyl, 8-track, cassette, and CD. I'm not reinvesting yet again in my music so have chosen to die on the CD hill.
Edited:
 
JwRosenthal
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I have a sizable CD and vinyl collection as well- I like having tangible music. But my
Wife streams almost everything, so I have a $40 Bluetooth device the size of a deck of cards on the living room and her office stereo systems so she can pair when she’s in those rooms.
 
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