Music setup advice

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Weaksauce
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Oct 13, 2009
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I want to get a decent budget setup for music, movies and the occasional bit of gaming. But mainly music

Will be using either a PC and/or laptop. Will I need a USB dac? Option for iPod later on maybe

Budget max 200 pound for everything, although I'm not sure if that's enough?

Will start with 2.0, might add sub later. Speakers? Amp? Dac?

What do people suggest for not too expensive UK purchasing options?
 
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i would look at english brands as they will be easier to find for you in the UK.
maybe cambridge audio S20 or S30 for speakers.
not sure but you should be able a stereo amp for about £100.
http://www.richersounds.com/product/bookshelf-speakers/cambridge-audio/s30/camb-s30-blk
http://www.richersounds.com/product/bookshelf-speakers/cambridge-audio/s20/camb-s20-blk
http://www.richersounds.com/product.../cambridge-audio/topaz-am1/camb-topaz-am1-blk
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOPPING-T..._HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item483bc736c1

hold on the dac and sub for now based on your budget
 
What about speakers with built in amps? I thought most had inbuilt and didn't need to buy extra amp?
 
Whats your soundcard and stand on headphones? Decent pair of cans with Xonar DX can net you some awesome sound for your price range.
 
I have nothing yet apart motherboard sound and $3 speakers.

Not looking for internal soundcard at this stage as may need to swap between a few different PCs

Prefer to get speakers over headphones
 
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You will need an amplifier or receiver if you get passive speakers. They would be an incredible upgrade over consumer computer speakers, however space can be an issue. If you go this route, look into Wharfedale. They are a UK brand so they should be easier to get and are a great value.

http://www.wharfedale.co.uk/Product.../77/PID/10/language/en-GB/Default.aspx#detail

Alternatively, if you want to go for the consumer computer speakers, there is the Audioengine A2.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Audioengine-multimedia-speakers-Total-2-way/dp/B000VKEFN2
It is great for the size, decent for the price, though most passive bookshelf speakers in the same cost range would be better.

If Swans speakers are available in the UK, I would recommend those over the Audioengines.

Another route is buying a pair of active studio monitors.
 
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I've been reading very good things about Q ACOUSTICS 2020i

Think I'll get those unless wharfedale 10.1 better.

Now have to decide on an amp hmm. Also pretty keen to get some type of dac/soundcard.
 
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Ok been doing a bit more research...

Going to raise my budget a bit, and here's some more detail.

Pretty set on Q Acoustics 2020i unless I find something equivilant for cheap second hand

Possibly want to add a sub in the future. BIC V1020. But never want more than 2.1

From what I understand, it's best to get a receiver instead of a plain amp? A receiver is amp+dac+a few other things?

What would a suitable receiver be for the 2020i that lets me have the option of having a sub later?

Onkyo TX-SR309B 5.1 AV Receiver? Can I run that in 2.1 without any problem? Is it powerful enough?
 
no, a reciever is not better than a plain amp.
the only redemption of a reciever is that you can get used ones for $75-100 and you cant really get a dac and amp for that much money.
 
Consider the nuforce series. I mainly suggest it for its convenience.
 
How about Pioneer A-209R? Seems to get decent reviews and fits in my price range.

I forgot to mention, my room dimensions are 15'1 x 12'10 (4.6m x 3.9m)
 
id go with a cambridge over the pioneer, if you dont mind not having a remote control.
 
What makes it better? I want to learn this stuff but can't find what makes one amp better than the other

From what I see, the Pioneer has a higher power output which is why I assumed it was better. How much power do I need for the 2020i's?

Also, I've read a few weird comments about the volume controls on the cambridge.
 
the pioneer will still be a good unit, but the cambridge is no frills unit which means most of the money goes into the important stuff. also, im not really a fan of a tuner and an amp within the same box.

you shouldnt need more than 10-15WPC for those speakers at the listening level your looking at for a pc.

either unit will be fine however, and the pioneer has a phono stage, should you need that.
 
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