Hi-Fi Quality At A Great Price: Three Fantastic Systems Under £2,000! (Part 3 of 3)
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Hello, music enthusiasts! I’m Tiago from Audio T Southampton, and as some of you may know, I’ve been running a blog series exploring three different systems, each showcasing the best options for a specific source. This final instalment in the series focuses on the youngest of the three main sources – streaming. So, let’s dive in...
Massive Digital Libraries
Streaming has come a long way in the past 15 years, introducing fascinating new ways to enjoy music. Whether you're setting the mood for a house party, critically listening to a new album, or discovering fresh tracks, it offers a more convenient way for everyone to connect with music. Below are two streaming solutions I highly recommend to kick-start your journey.
First up is the latest iteration of the award-winning Bluesound Node (N132), priced at a reasonable £499*. This compact yet feature-packed streamer supports full hi-res playback and works seamlessly with Spotify, Tidal, and Qobuz Connect. It even allows you to plug in a pair of headphones for a more personal listening experience. The Bluesound app is widely praised, to the extent that major Hi-Fi brands like Cyrus and Roksan have integrated it into their own streamers – a testament to its quality and ease of use.
Bluesound NOde (Photo Credit: Bluesound)
The second contender is the brilliant WiiM Ultra, coming in at £349. Despite its lower price, this streamer confidently holds its own, offering many of the same features as the Bluesound Node. It supports high-resolution audio streaming and integrates seamlessly with popular services like Spotify, Tidal, and Qobuz, while also giving you access to a broader selection of lesser-known platforms.
One standout feature is its vibrant 3.5" OLED touchscreen, providing an intuitive way to browse and control playback directly from the device. This added convenience sets it apart from many competitors in its price range. The WiiM Home app is equally impressive—designed to be user-friendly and responsive, ensuring a smooth experience whether you're adjusting settings, queuing up tracks, or exploring new music.
While the WiiM Ultra is packed with features and delivers excellent performance for its price, it does fall slightly short of the Bluesound Node in terms of outright audio quality. That said, for those looking for an affordable yet highly capable streaming solution with a wealth of functionality, the WiiM Ultra remains a fantastic choice.
The wiim ultra: high quality streaming at a reasonable price! (Photo Cred: WiiM)
Crank It Up!
The next step in our journey is choosing the right amplifier. With countless options available—ranging from big and powerful to compact yet mighty—it can be overwhelming. To make things easier, I’ve narrowed it down to two excellent choices.
First up is the Leak Stereo 130, priced at £749.95*. While its vintage-inspired design may give it an old-school appearance, don’t be fooled—this amplifier is packed with modern technology. It supports full DSD and high-resolution audio, delivering a clean 45W into 8 ohms (or 65W into 4 ohms), making it a solid performer across a range of speakers.
Its minimalist design keeps things simple and reliable, ensuring you get maximum performance for your money without unnecessary frills. Whether you're streaming, spinning records, or enjoying your favourite CDs, the Leak Stereo 130 offers a fantastic blend of classic aesthetics and cutting-edge capability.
The leak stereo 130 is a beautiful amp with the walnut shell (Photo Credit: Leak Audio)
The second option is the Quad Vena II Integrated Amplifier, starting at £699.95*. There’s no denying that this amplifier is compact, but don’t let its size fool you—it punches well above its weight. Delivering 45W into 8 ohms (or 65W into 4 ohms), it has enough power to drive larger speakers with ease.
The quad vena ii comes with multiple choices for looks, including this simple grey. (Photo Credit: Quad)
Fancy Jukeboxes
The final piece of the puzzle is perhaps the most visually striking—the speakers. By this point, we’ve built a high-quality, easy-to-use streaming system, so it makes sense to pair it with speakers that are just as refined. I’ve selected two options that are both simple yet elegant.
the all-new acoustic energy ae300² are truly sublime and elegant
First up are the all-new Acoustic Energy AE300² standmount speakers, priced at £649*. Despite their compact size these speakers deliver a surprisingly big sound that can rival smaller floorstanders. With a rich, well-controlled low end, smooth vocals, and detailed highs, they offer a balanced and immersive listening experience that leaves little to be desired.
the quad s1 speakers even come with this stunning mahogany wood finish (Photo Credit: Quad)
The second option, sitting in a similar league to the Acoustic Energy speakers, is the Quad S1 standmount speakers, retailing at £549.95*. These compact speakers are seriously impressive, delivering rich, natural vocals and a clean, detailed top end thanks to their ribbon tweeter design. Despite their small size and 4" driver, they produce a surprisingly full-bodied bass response, making them a fantastic choice for those who want high-quality sound in a smaller package.
The Veins of Hi-Fi
We can’t talk about speakers without mentioning speaker cables. As previously mentioned, there’s one cable I strongly recommend to give your system the edge—the Chord Company C-ScreenX speaker cable at £11 per meter. While there are both more expensive and budget-friendly options out there, this particular range strikes an excellent balance between performance and value for money.
Chord Company C-ScreenX (Photo Credit: Chord Company)
With a recommended average length of 2.5m per pair and in-house termination available at your local Audio T, a full set will cost just £95*. It’s a small investment that can make a noticeable difference in your system’s overall performance.
Tinker Time
Now that we’ve put together what I believe is the ideal system for under £2,000, let’s explore a few simple upgrades that can further enhance your audio quality. These aren’t essential, but if you have some extra budget, they’re well worth considering.
Chord Company C-Line 2RCA-2RCA (Photo Credit: Chord Company)
First up are interconnects. As mentioned in our CD blog last month, I recommend the Chord Company C-Line 2RCA-2RCA, starting at £57.50* for a 0.5m pair. These cables help minimise interference, resulting in a cleaner, more detailed sound and an overall more enjoyable listening experience.
The second upgrade is for the streaming side of things, and while it’s not for everyone, it can make a significant difference. If you’re planning to hardwire your streamer to your router, I highly recommend the English Electric EE1 Network Isolator. Priced at £300* and including a Chord Company C-Stream Ethernet Cable. The EE1 helps reduce noise reaching your streamer, giving an improvement in sound quality you need to hear for yourself.
Finally, let’s go back to basics—adding a subwoofer. The REL TZero MK3 is an excellent starting point at £449*, allowing your system to reach deeper low-end frequencies than you might have thought possible. Despite its impressive performance, it remains compact and unobtrusive, making it easy to integrate into your setup. If you’re looking to add extra depth and impact to your music, this little box is a game-changer.
Conclusion
And with that, the final part of this three-part blog is complete! Each of the sources we’ve explored has its own strengths, but remember—you don’t have to limit yourself to just one. In fact, you can have as many sources as your amplifier allows, giving you the flexibility to enjoy music in different ways.
The options I’ve highlighted are just a small selection from a vast range of possibilities. The best way to find the perfect setup for you is to visit your local Audio T store, where we’ll be happy to chat and help you explore the right choices for your system.
Thank you for reading:
Tiago - Audio T Southampton
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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
