Answering Customer Question at Audio T Bristol (Part 1)

/ Audio T Bristol/

Welcome to a new series of customer questions. Over the past three months, we’ve gathered customer questions that are nuanced and require fairly in-depth explanations. We hope this will be helpful as you consider your next, or first, Hi-Fi setup…

“Hi, I’m looking to build a Hi-Fi setup that includes an Amplifier (£800-£1500), Streamer (£800 - £1500), Turntable (£500 - £800) and Speakers (£1,000 - £2,000). I have listened to the PMC Prodigy 5 speakers at the Bristol show, these were the standout for me in this price range but I was also impressed by the Rega speakers and Focal. The Rega Planar turntable 3 or 6 has caught my eye, for amp and streamer I would take your recommendation, but I like the look of Arcam, Audiolab and Naim. Any advice would be appreciated and it would be good to arrange a demo session.”

This question reflects a very common enquiry, outlining source requirements and budget. However, the crucial information missing here is the room’s size, shape, and dimensions. Additionally, knowing the setup and furnishings is useful, as it allows us to estimate the room’s acoustic reflectivity and boundary wall areas, which impact speaker selection, positioning, and overall performance. Without this information, it’s difficult to know where to start.

A word or two on Room sizes

Roughly speaking, small to medium rooms are around 10m² to 20m². These are suited to small to medium standmount speakers, and occasionally small floorstanders. Listening in these rooms is often referred to as nearfield, so there is less need for powerful amplification.

Medium to large rooms are around 20m² to 36m². These are suited to medium to large standmounts and medium floorstanders, while anything above 36m² is considered very large. This may seem like a fairly large room, but many living spaces are now open-plan, with living rooms extending into dining areas and kitchens – this should be considered as a single room when selecting speakers.

Where to spend and achieve a balanced system?

The question above provides an overall budget of £3,100 to £5,800, with a focus on speakers, followed by amplifier and streamer, and lastly turntable. This approach is somewhat contentious (the old adage of 'garbage in, garbage out'). We prefer to prioritise sources first, then the amplifier as the heart of the system, and finally speakers.

If a well-designed speaker works well in a particular room, it will nearly always perform better when matched with higher-quality sources and amplification, revealing more detail, nuance, and control. The PMC Prodigy 5, priced at £1,995* as reviewed by our Audio T Swindon branch (read here), truly comes to life when driven by a Rega Aethos. At £3,000*, this is budget-stretching, but worth it. While these speakers could be powered by a less powerful amp, it would result in an unbalanced system. By this, we mean a system that fails to extract the full level of detail the source is capable of, as the amp wouldn’t have enough power to drive the speakers with sufficient control.

Cables and Interconnects are components not an afterthought

image: Chord Cables and Interconnects

Cables require careful consideration – whether connecting speakers or hi-fi components, the cable used will influence the way the system sounds. A higher-quality speaker cable can transform everything you hear, affecting dynamics, detail, tonality or timbre, and perhaps most critically, musical coherence and timing. This effect is also noticeable with power cables and dedicated audio mains blocks. Technically, better-quality cables improve signal-to-noise ratios and/or reduce noise – your decision is whether that change enhances the sound and is more suited to your preferences.


Comparing Amplifiers

At around the £1,000 mark, the contenders include the Arcam Radia A15, Audiolab 7000A, and Rega Elex Mk4. The most 'super' connected is the 7000A, offering four digital inputs, Bluetooth, USB, and HDMI, along with a unique feature – a power amp output, which is useful if you want to connect to an AV receiver. On paper, the Arcam is the most powerful at 80W.

Listening revealed the Audiolab and Arcam to offer smoother presentations, with a detail-rich, grippy midband and textured bass alongside impressive dynamics. Simply put, the Rega does more, and the all-important emotional intent of the music is so engaging, no matter what genre you throw at it. It’s no surprise that it’s rated by some reviewers – and by us – as one of the finest amplifiers under £2,000. The trade-off is that it lacks the interconnectivity of the Arcam or Audiolab, and doesn’t boast the plush exterior design and finish. The Rega is the more no-nonsense, classic A/B amplifier with a utilitarian design.

The fact that the Rega Elex lacks connectivity isn’t a significant issue, as those duties are handled by the streamer.

Streamer

The Bluesound Node 3 Wireless Network Music Player has long been a favourite for music lovers seeking high-quality streaming and easy integration into their system. Known for its robust features, the Node 3 offers seamless streaming from a variety of sources, including high-resolution audio formats, and even integrates effortlessly with other Bluesound devices to create a multi-room setup. Whether you’re using it to stream from your favourite services or your own digital library, the Node 3 provides an outstanding listening experience with crisp, clear sound and reliable connectivity.

However, the Node 3 is now end of line, making this the perfect time to grab one at a special price of just £395*, down from its original retail price of £549. With limited stock available, it's a great opportunity to secure a high-performance streamer at a discounted rate before it’s no longer available.

The Node 3 has recently been replaced by the new Bluesound Node Performance Music Streamer, which offers even more advanced features and enhanced performance for just £499. With improved hardware and software, the Node Performance provides an even better listening experience, supporting the latest streaming technologies, including superior DAC performance and expanded connectivity options. While the Node 3 remains an excellent choice for many, the Node Performance takes things to the next level for those who want the very best in wireless streaming.

Turntable

After many years in development, Rega has recently announced the new Nd range of cartridges, replacing the Elys 2 and the Exact with the Nd3 and Nd5. Using neodymium magnets, these moving magnet (MM) cartridges set a new benchmark for what is possible from an MM cart. We look forward to reviewing these new models from Rega – but there is no doubt, the initial listenings are truly groundbreaking. The Rega Planar 3 with the Nd3 is a clear winner here.

Systems in Summary

  1. Complete Separates

Other amplifier considerations -

  1. Combined amp & Streamer

Either system is firmly in the high-fidelity category and will provide years of musical enjoyment. The complete separates offer the flexibility to upgrade components over the years to come. With the Naim, we are entering premium Hi-Fi, with the fit and finish to match – the epitome of elegance and performance in a single device, along with impressive connectivity. And to hear the difference, as our customer notes, ‘…arrange a demo session.’

Thank you for reading,

Justin, George and Max - Audio T Bristol

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

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*All prices, credit terms and interest rates quoted are correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change. E&OE