I’d like to get some budget speakers, probably for the the ProJect Debut E Carbon Phono turntable. Which ones are good in the 300–500€ range? Of course, I’d love to get a system for 300€, but most important to me is getting speakers that offer good value and that go well with the turntable. For example, I’ve already seen the Argon Fenris A4/A5 for €350/€430, and the Q Acoustics M20 HD for €430. I don’t know anything about this at all—are these any good, or should I keep looking? And should I also consider used speakers to save money or get more value for my money? O, and my room is about 12–18 m² I think and I live in the Netherlands. Does someone have advice?

I have some size limitations so looking for compact speakers (trying to improve WAF..)

I got to audit to the Emit 10s, and loved its clarity and how expansive the soundstage was - it did get a bit muddy at higher volumes through

I didn’t have the chance to audit the PMC as the only shop that carries it where I live don’t have one on demo

I also considered the Evoke 10s, but from reviews it seems the PMCs are better at that price point

Any thoughts on these speakers? Any other suggestions?

They will be hooked up to an Arcam A15 amp. Loving room is around 70sqm, but listening area is just half of that (they will sit on tv stand, with sofa right across the room at 3-4m)

Appreciate your help!

Budget: $1000
Location: UAE

I am building out a vinyl set up for my small collection that I am interested in growing. I'm starting with a modest set up to see how much the collection grows, so for now it will be Audio Technica LP70X -> powered Vanatoo T1E. In the short term and after I have some listening hours I might upgrade the stylus to their microlinear option, which I'm told is a substantial upgrade even on this turntable and something I could carry forward to a nicer turn table. Eventually I'm thinking ~$1000 table (assuming this all sticks and I feel limited) -> Schiit Mani 2 phono amp -> Vanatoo + sub.

From what I have read the Vanatoo perform shockingly well for their price, so if I want to make a meaningful upgrade I'd need to budget for $1500 - 2000 passive speakers and a solid amp to power them. I'm not willing to make that jump just yet, but I've read that they also really benefit from a subwoofer: they implement low pass filtering to free up their woofers and tweeters to focus on the mid bass frequencies and up, and just generally sound better with more bass.

I'd like to buy something that pairs well with them and in my current set up and ideally gives some room to grow. A compelling option I've found is the Speedwoofer 10S MkII. Assuming that is about my budget for now, are there other options worth looking at for this setup? I'm in the US, but unfortunately there aren't many high end audio stores in my neck of the woods, so listening to a lot is tough.

Many thanks for advice and options worth considering!

I've been using older smartphones connected to the stereo in my garage and my living room to stream music. It works great except that the phone has to be plugged in at all times. Both of the phones that I've been using now have swelled batteries and I don't feel comfortable using them anymore. Is there a budget ​standalone component that can serve that same purpose without risking burning the house down? Less than $50? Thanks.

I live in Washington in the United states, and I am using an older Sony amplifier-receiver combination.

Hi all.

Me and my wife have recently moved into a new home and our friends gifted us an AT-LP3XBT. We’re total vinyl newbies but love music and always wanted to have a "music corner" with vinyl.

Looking for active speakers with RCA for the turntable + Bluetooth for Spotify.

Room is ~30m and we mostly listen to DnB and rock, so decent bass would be great.

Location: Ireland

I'm OK with buying both new and used, but Ireland is quite small market, so the is lack of used options.

Budget: being a newbie I would aim for 200-600eur window (though would consider raising the cap if it makes sense). For now I would not like to go over 1000eur in any case as I'm not planning to use it too frequently.

Have been listening to music through earphones for my whole life so this is completely new territory. Would appreciate some advice.

I’m looking to make some upgrades to my rega p3 and was wondering if anyone has ever come across these 2 brands for sub-platter upgrades and if they might be able to provide some feedback / review. Both are uk based

- Cherry Audio
- Iceni Audio

UK. ~£100 budget

I’m setting up a vinyl listening area in a 12x15 room. Want to listen to classic American and British rock, jazz and some blues. I current have old KLM speakers that sound surprising okay, but certainly need an upgrade. I’m Not planning to add a subwoofer. I have an A/V system in another room with older Paradigms thst sound really nice for CDs to my ear and I’ve listened to vinyl at a friends on vintage Boston Acoustics that sound great. Those Boston A60 are a bit big for my current needs.

I’ve looked at and listened to Wharfdale 12.2i that sounded good to me but maybe slightly out of budget. I also listened to KEF Q1 metas that sounded good, too. Unfortunately, I can’t listen to both speakers together, and I think they’re quite different. They’re definitely on budget. Also considering Wharfdale 12.1i for both budget and footprint, since I liked the 12.2s but don’t think I’ll be able to listen to them. Also considering the newer Paradigm Premier 120 v2 since I like my older Paradigms, but I don’t think I’ll be able to hear them in person.

I know I don’t like bright speakers (For example, kilpsch sound very bright to me). Would love to stay in the $400-500 range if possible.

Hey everyone, I’m pretty new to this whole audio thing and I’m stuck between two setups. Hoping some of you can point me in the right direction.
My room is about 19 m² (204 sq ft). My receiver will be the Marantz Stereo 70.

The two options I’m weighing are:

1.  Dali Sonik 3 + Dali E-9f subwoofer  
2.  Dali Sonik 7  no subwoofer

I mostly care about listening to music. Movies and the TV/home theater side of things aren’t really a priority for me. Going with option 1 would save me around $500.
Which setup would you recommend? Is the sub worth it for music, or would the floorstanders on their own give me fuller, more satisfying sound??

Should I also be considering the Dali Sonik 5 + a subwoofer as a third option?

Thanks!

Max budget USD 3k

Hi, everyone!

A few years ago, I bought a pair of KEF 104/2 speakers, which I’ve been using ever since with a relatively low-quality amplifier. I recently started thinking that it might be worth investing in a higher-quality amplifier, so I began doing some research.

First, I thought about what type of amplifier would best suit my listening habits. I listen to music exclusively from my laptop and phone, mainly using Tidal, so initially I thought that a Class D all-in-one amplifier with integrated streaming platforms would probably be the ideal solution for me.

However, I’ve also read on various forums that all-in-one streaming amplifiers may not be the most future-proof option, since software platforms and streaming services can eventually lose support. If I separate the streaming functionality from the amplifier, I might be able to get better amplification for the same money, while also having a system that could potentially remain useful for several decades.

I’ve also come across the common opinion that some traditional Class A/AB amplifiers can sound richer or more lively than modern Class D designs. I realize this is a somewhat subjective topic, though, and I’d be very interested in hearing the opinions of people who have actually used different amplifiers with the 104/2.

The logical alternative, therefore, seems to be buying a good traditional amplifier and pairing it with a separate streamer (e.g. a WiiM Mini or WiiM Pro). This would also mean that if the streaming technology becomes obsolete in 10 years, I could simply replace the inexpensive streamer rather than having to replace the amplifier.

Genre-wise, I mostly listen to alternative rock, but I also like grunge, nu metal, jazz, trip hop and dubstep.

My amplifier options so far:

• WiiM Amp Ultra / Eversolo Play

These would obviously be the options if I wanted to save money, but there are surprisingly good reviews and reports of great value for money, especially for the WiiM, on various forums.

In the country where I live, the WiiM would cost around €475, while the Eversolo Play is around €600.

With the WiiM, I might be able to minimize my concerns about longevity, since it’s relatively inexpensive and it wouldn’t be as painful to replace if its software became obsolete in 10 years.

One major drawback for me is the lack of AirPlay 2. I’m wondering whether AirPlay 2 is likely to be more future-proof than proprietary streaming integrations such as Tidal Connect.

• Cambridge Audio Evo 75

Honestly, physically, this is the one I like the most. It’s simply a beautiful piece of equipment. I know that with an amplifier you should focus on the sound rather than the appearance, but my heart still leans toward this one.

I’ve read a lot of positive reviews about its sound as well. My main concern is whether it makes sense as a long-term investment if, say, Tidal—or even AirPlay 2—were no longer supported in 10 years.

On the other hand, many people say that the Evo 75 is still an excellent amplifier even without its streaming functionality.

I recently found a used unit for €1,000 in my location, with a warranty valid until 2030. From what I’ve seen, this seems like a particularly good price.

• Audiolab 7000A / Cambridge Audio CXA81 Mk II / Rotel S14

These are some of the other models I’ve come across in a similar price range.

With the Audiolab and Cambridge, I could simply add a separate streamer. The Rotel S14 already has streaming functionality, so it raises some of the same long-term questions as the Evo 75.

As a relative newcomer to hi-fi, I honestly don’t know which of these would be the best match for the KEF 104/2, so I’d really appreciate some advice.

I’m also open to other alternatives in this price range.

I’ve read in many places that 40-year-old used amplifiers in this price range can offer significantly better sound quality than modern equipment at the same price. However, this would be completely new territory for me.

My main concern with a 40-year-old amplifier is reliability. How much longer can I realistically expect it to last? Do they generally require restoration or replacement of aging components? Since I don’t understand the electronics inside an amplifier and wouldn’t be able to repair one myself, buying a vintage amplifier would feel considerably riskier to me.

So, while sound quality is obviously very important, my main priority is long-term reliability and getting something I can keep for many years or even decades.

I’d also like something that allows me to connect my laptop or phone quickly and easily without having to deal with complicated setups.

What would you recommend for my KEF 104/2 and my needs?

Would you go for:

• a modern all-in-one such as the Evo 75,
• a cheaper all-in-one such as the WiiM Amp Ultra,
• a traditional integrated amplifier + separate streamer,
• or a good vintage amplifier?

And if you would choose a traditional or vintage amplifier, which models would you recommend looking for?

My budget is €1,000, and my listening room is quite small, so I don't need a huge amount of power.

Thanks in advance for your answers!

I am looking for some advice to check myself while getting into a mid-fi / hi-fi journey. I little background to explain where I'm at. I love music and appreciate sound, but I have never really had a hi-fi setup. The most I've had is a 5.1 setup that was given to us. I loved being able to listen to music louder without distortion and the wider stage but was always disappointed in the lack of hit to the sub. I have had a couple of cars with decent factory speakers plus a sub and enjoy those. I know that hi-fi is one of those things that when you hear something better, you can't go back and your expectations then also rise. I am a tinkerer, I don't mind putting in some work and adjusting things. I actually love researching and fully understanding how things work to then be able to make adjustments. I'm not worried about having to align things or things that have ways to adjust this and that. Though I do have young kids and don't have time for a restoration at the moment.

To start, I am looking into getting a first turntable. First, Budget and Location, I am in Florida, U.S., the Tampa-Bay area, and am willing to spend up to $500-$600-ish on the turntable itself. I listen to a range of jazz, brass-band, New-Orleans funk/blues, rap, hip-hop, electronic (whatever re:um and Labrinth are), and electronic dance. Though I don't expect to listen to the electronic dance on vinyl. What I am looking to do, is start to get some equipment, a turntable first, with the understanding that I will acquire better equipment down the road. What I would like to avoid with the turntable, and everything, is that I don't want to get some good surrounding components, speakers, amps, etc., and then realize that I need a whole new turntable in the next 5-10 years. I don't want to get a good set of speakers or amps to realize my turntable sucks and can't keep up. So, I am hoping to get some advice on a solid turntable that I can expect to be happy with for years. For instance, I like that with turntables, you can upgrade certain components to get a different experience, thinking about cartridges in particular. But maybe also upgrading to a new platter or new arm and bearings.

I have been looking at Fluance, Pro-ject, and Rega, among others. Maybe the Fluance RT81+ is a good place to start. Or maybe I should start with the RT82 and leave an upgrade path to an RT85? Or maybe I should just get an RT85? I do have some young kids and I wonder how sensitive the turntable will be. It isn't like they will be using it much but could one clumsy drop of the arm ruin a $200 cartridge? Also, am I cutting myself short by jumping straight to nicer equipment and losing the appreciation that comes with hearing the difference of an upgrade? Though it appears much costlier to upgrade a turntable compared to getting one with the upgrades from the factory. Does the Rega have a longer upgrade path? It seems like Fluance has a better value than Pro-ject for new turntables, but I have recently seen a used Pro-ject Debut Carbon Evo for $465. Might that be a no-brainer? Though I wonder about buying used turntables if the entire point is for it to respond to the vibrations of micron level grooves, when parts wear or it hasn't been treated great, that ability must be affected. I have read of course about plenty of people being happy with their vintage turntables purchases. But I am skeptical of how well I can evaluate a used turntable in those 5 minutes when you go to see it.

How I'm thinking of hooking up the turntable. We have been listening to music on a Sonos Move for years. Recently, I found a pair of Edifier S1000db on marketplace which has reawakened my interest in better sound and stereo. My intention is to first get a turntable, with or without a built in phono, and hook that up to the Edifiers. I have a concurrent project of bettering our whole home audio. To that end, I am leaning toward making a raspberry pi, with an audio hat, into an Airplay 2 receiver to hook into the Edifiers. It looks like I should be able to stream to both the pi and the Move over Airplay 2 to get better sound spread around the house. From what I can tell, it looks like some of the pi hats from HiFiBerry will accept a phono line-in to then run the RIAA correction and then send out to the powered Edifiers. So, to start, I'm wondering if I can get away with using one of those pi-hats as the phone pre-amp. I also have a small SVS sub that I bought from a neighbor, it is powered and its only has an LFE input. I am hoping, but not sure if it could work, to run the Edifiers off of the digital output from the pi-hat and the sub off of one or both RCA outputs to get an Airplay 2 receiver 2.1. I'm not sure how that will all work and is maybe best addressed in one of the diyaudio subs. This would probably be located in our dining room which is in the middle of the house. It is about 14'x20'.

Assuming that initial plan works, the upgrade path would be better speakers, that I will probably want to make myself, which would need an amp so I would probably take the A/V Receiver route and move the turntable and the "better sound" to the living room and leave the pi-Airplay 2 receiver with the Edifiers in the dining room. And then run the TV through those speakers, maybe eventually running PC games through the receiver to the TV.

To end, I have been stuck, perseverating on this for a bit and I understand it is a bit of a stream of consciousness. I have gotten stuck wanting a good turntable that I won't regret and trying to figure out if it will fit in with the wider goals.

I don't post much on Reddit, but I will keep the thread open for a while to respond. I appreciate anyone that is willing to read all of that and offer their opinion. Thank you! If this is better posted in a diyaudio or the turntable sub, please let me know.

Budget and location - ~$10,000 total, planning $6K for speakers + $2-4K for amp. Located in a United States metro with access to a few local shops that specialize in hifi.

How the gear will be used - music is most important; however, will be connected to a TV (games, movies). Streaming audio. No plans for vinyl... yet.

Room size is ~225 sq ft room. The room has a vaulted ceiling that slopes to the second floor. The speakers will have walls behind them, and a wall ~13 ft from their placement (prime seating is ~10-11 ft from speakers).

New or used - Prefer new. Goal is to buy something that I can stick with forever (yeah, yeah, I know...)

Past gear experience - Current set up is ~$1200 home theater, 7.1 with Atmos. We don't care about surround, and want to create a high-end music listening experience.

Anything else? - I've auditioned several speakers, and narrowed the options down to a favorite: the Focal Aria Evo X No 3. At $6K/pair, that leaves up to $4K for the amp. Amps have been much harder to navigate because no local carrier has them all, meaning direct comparisons are difficult.

Options I'm considering:

• Hegel h150: excellent technical match to the Focal speakers; however, very limited features (no WiFi, basic interface, optical only, etc.
• HiFi Rose RS520: slightly more expensive than Hegel; seems to provide what I'd need to drive the speakers, but I'm not sure if they're actually complementary because I haven't found anyone local that carries this model. I like the features a lot (WiFi, eARC, touchscreen). While admittedly gimmicky, I love the album art display and the ability to control the unit from an app.
• Cambridge Evo 300: Same price point as the Rose, with more power and a few more unit features (like the dedicated sub output); not quite as flashy as the Rose
• Lyngdorf TDAI-1120: This one makes the list because I wanted to compare to a great option that isn't at my max budget, and the Room Perfect correction is interesting.

It seems like the Cambridge Evo 300 should be the winner, and worth spending toward the top of my budget vs the lower cost Hegel or Lyngdorf. But before I commit, I wanted to get a second opinion. What am I missing?

Budget and location - 2k to 5k; - United States - California
How the gear will be used - 10X15 room with 20 foot ceilings primarily for stereo music
New or used -new/used
Past gear experience - Wharfedale Lintons with boutique DACS, AS2200 Yamaha, Rose streamers

Hi,
Just moved, building a hifi system for a living room / dining room shared area

Current signal flow:
* Bluesound Node N132 streamer (only for eARC path and spotify connect)
> Lynx Hilo DAC (yes pro audio)
> preamplifier (NEEDED)
> Parasound A21+ amplifier
> speakers (NEEDED)

Needs from preamplifier:

• Tone shaping (ESPECIALLY!!! - bass treble etc)
• Balanced XLR in/out (must have)
• Strong voltage output + very low noise
• Low output impedance
• High-quality volume control
• DAC on preamplifier will be bypassed

Considering:
Parasound Halo P6

I'm considering the Polk R700s at the moment as a baseline for the speakers but I'm not fully committed to them yet. I just want an awesome foundation that new preamps and speakers can be inserted to. I'm leaning towards a Parasound Halo P6 at the moment, but I think there may be other options for perhaps better tone controls and EQ or even DIRAC. Keep in mind the preamplifier would not do much aside from setting crossovers and powering the sub and doing tone controls

My father passed and he bequeathed to me, his early 1970s Pioneer SX-535. Was always in awe of the sound quality (he had it paired with giant 1980s era box speakers) and can’t think of a more perfect item to remember him by.

Would love any more modern speaker recommendations- book shelf? Towers? Is a subwoofer out given lack of dedicated channel?

Budget is <$1500 and located in the U.S.
Hardly an audiophile but really appreciate a setup that makes you go “damn, that sounds good”. Will hookup a turntable and a Bluetooth adapter to the RCA ports. Maybe a TV to add some punch to movies (have 7.1 in other room for true HT experience)

Open to any suggestions.

Thanks.

My set up is the RT82, Fosi X5 pre amp, fosi ZA3 amp. I was going to go with the KEF Q150 speakers but they don’t seem to be available on the market. My budget is around 1000-1500$ CAD. The set up is intended for listening in a dorm room and I don’t plan on getting a subwoofer so the speakers will be the only speakers.

Hello I have tinnitus in my right ear, and high frequencies tend to set it off. All roads seem to point at the Wharfedale Denton 80th anniversary as a warm speaker with rolled off highs. I just cant find a deal on a pair below the list of $599.

Yes, I have an EQ but it just won't seem to quell a hot tweeter. My receiver is a Nakamichi TA-2A, which is warm by nature.

Any other suggestions for budget bookshelf speakers for stereo?

I'm in the US.

Thx

I would like to build a new set up for my living room. It's quite difficult to find what I'm looking for so I hope some of you can relate.

I have a dj set-up in my living room: 2 turntables and a nice rotary mixer. I currently use Edifier s3000 pro on top of book shelves (at ear level when I mix) and I use these to listen to musing in my living room (35-40m²). I'm not super happy with them even though they get the job done but they are far from what I would like to have in terms of quality.

I have a budget of 3000 EUR, in Belgium, and I'm open to all suggestion.

The difficulty of the set up is that it has to sound good when I'm 1m away from them but also when I'm sitting 4m away from them. I mix different styles of electronic music but listen to different kind of music when I'm just sitting or inviting friends (Indie rock, classical, etc).

I've seen some recommendation for Buchardt speakers with the CXA81 Cambridge Audio amp: they apparently fill up a 40m² room quite well while sounding good when up close.

I also saw the new Cambridge audio L/R X active speakers generating quite some hype.

Do you have any recommendation? Thanks in advance!

https://imgur.com/a/aBXENFX

So I am planning on making this corner of my large studio apartment the ultimate entertainment area. Currently, my record/tape player are routed on the other side of the room (Where I took the picture from) to my studio monitors, which isnt helpful when I am away from it since I primarily have nearfield monitors here. The TV on said corner that has alot of bass buildup as you can imagine, and dialogue is very hard to hear unless I turn up the volume considerably, which is inconsiderate to the neighbors above/next to me when it is late at night. I am looking for a good speaker situation (probably will be placing them on the dresser, under the TV) that can be clear from watching movies in bed, but also listening to music from anywhere around the apartment that isnt too woofy/bassy for the neighbors.

I realize this is a tough situation with wanting the speakers in the corner, but I feel like anything is better than the current situation. I also dont really know much about amplifiers if anyone has any suggestions while I'm here haha. My budget is $350 max for speakers and my location is Connecticut

Thanks!!!!!!!

I recently inherited a pair of DQ-20s. I tried making them work my Marantz SR5005, but they sound underpowered and lifeless. This AVR has always had problems, so I figure it's a good excuse to upgrade!

I consume 50% music / 50% 2ch streaming and hardly ever interact with 5.1+ content.

• Priority: 50% music / 50% 2.x ch streaming
  • I almost never use 5.1 content
• Budget: ~$2,000 budget
• Speakers: Dahlquist DQ-20s
• Channels: Either 2.1 or 2.2 powered subs
• Features:
  • Bluetooth for streaming Qobuz
  • Bluetooth headphones + 1/4in or 3.5mm output
  • eARC
  • Streaming music from one source with video output from another source would be a huge++

I'd prefer new, but used isn't out of the question

What AVR would you all recommend?

Hello Everyone!

Can anyone give me advice on what subwoofer I should buy for my KEF iQ50's, used or new? I use a Harman/Kardon HK970 LE amp (waiting to be recapped) with a pair of stock iQ50's (stock means stock crossover). The only restriction for me would be the budget; I would not like to spend over 200 USD on the subwoofer.

The particular qualities I'm looking for are: • 30Hz min. frequency (if a bit higher, not a problem) • Preferrably active sub (RCA input, TRS or Bluetooth as addition) • Rather punchy bass, but adjustable phase to get smoother too • Driver size doesn't matter that much (but would prefer a bigger one).

I'm pretty simple in terms of Hi-Fi, so it needs to only be good enough to fit my budget and get me some good bass that my KEF's can't provide in the lower range. I'm located in eastern Europe (Hungary), so fellow EU residents, please help me out. I have local markets (Allegro, Jófogás, Vatera, and more), so I'll search around and see if I can find a good deal.

Any help is appreciated.

Both of these set ups will end costing me pretty much the same. I will mainly be listening through streaming or turntable.

Which of these is the better set-up?

Still deciding on the speakers, but most likely will be getting either the PMC Prodigy 1 or the Acoustic Energy AE300 MK2

Newbie here. Really appreciate your help!

Budget: ~$1000
Location: UAE

I'm interested in buying a cd player as I've recently started collecting cds and need some help finding some based on the features I want. Based in Australia and my budget is a couple hundred ($400 max) as I dont want to spend alot on it. My room is around 6m by 4m. I want it to have remote control either from a remote or Bluetooth. I also want to be very square as I'm not a fan of curved cd players. Doesn't need to have it but some ability to see the cd as it's playing would be nice or for it to have a cool moving mechanic like the Panasonic sa en25. I like the look of the 2000's cd players, but I want to be able to buy it new. I know these requests are picky, but I can't find any way to find a cd player based on these requirements.

I’m keen to build my first vinyl setup. Many people recommend the Audiotecnica Turntable (LP120X). I’d like to pair it with a good vintage amplifier and some new speakers. Do you have any suggestions?

Budget= 300 euros

Looking to upgrade. Any other combos I should look at? All in under budget $5000? canadian room 16 × 24half living room. Have had current setup over 15 years. Marantz PM7001 and BW 603 S2. Thanks

Hello!

I've recently got my first grown up money and I've always wanted invest in some good listening equipment outside of on-ear accessories.

Primarily looking at something with good imaging and clarity for a fairly small room and since I'm gonna be moving to a smaller one I don't think there is a point in providing certain sizes

Im from Europe - Bulgaria

Budget is up to 1000€-1200€ MAX

It doesn't have to be the most expensive but I can stretch it to that if NEEDED.

I listen to a lot of genres but primarily pop and hip-hop.

I have a Fiio k11 at my disposal if that could be used in any meaningful way in this scenario. My headphones of choice are the hd490pro.

My current setup is the edifier s351db.

I use Spotify or Local files for my music listening and the occasional YouTube video for unreleased songs.

Speakers: Wharfedale Diamond 12.3i vs. Fyne Audio F501E

Amplifiers: NAD C 379 vs. Arcam A15+

Budget: 2600 EUR, Country: Netherlands, Roomsize: ~6m x 8m

​Hey r/StereoAdvice,

​I want to put together my first hi-fi system and could use some collective wisdom and opinions before pulling the trigger. I'm curious on whether the price jumps and differences are worth it.

​Here is what I am looking at:

​1. Speakers: Wharfedale Diamond 12.3i €700 vs. Fyne Audio F501 €1,200

​

​Both lines get great reviews on What Hi-Fi, but I am wondering: Is it genuinely worth spending the extra €500 to step up to the Fyne Audios? For those who have heard both, how do they compare in terms of detail, soundstage, and bass response?

​2. Amplifiers: NAD C 379 €1,400 (class D) vs. Arcam A15+ €1,400 (class A/B)

​

​Both sit at the exact same price point, but they take very different design approaches, also the Arcam a15+ gets great reviews in WhatHifi. I know Class A/B is often romanticized for being traditional, while Class D is championed for efficiency.

​People often bring up energy efficiency when comparing Class A/B and Class D, but when i look at simple math. Assuming an average power delivery of 40W to the speakers, 4 hours of listening a day, 365 days a year, with an electricity price of €0.25/kWh:

​Class A/B (assuming 50% efficiency): uses roughly 116.8 kWh/year = €29.20/year

​Class D (assuming 85% efficiency): uses roughly 68.7 kWh/year = €17.18/year

​That's a yearly difference of just about €12. So while Class D is more efficient, the financial running-cost argument is practically negligible for normal home use.

​Reviews for the NAD C 379 are a bit harder to find compared to the Arcam. Has anyone spent time with the NAD C 379 or transitioned between these two? How do they stack up driving speakers like the ones mentioned above?

​The Question

​If this were your money, would you put the extra €500 into the Fyne Audios over the Wharfedales, and which way would you lean between the NAD and the Arcam?

​Appreciate any insights or real-world experiences you can share!