First system for living-room/kitchen for EUR1K-EUR1.5K

[Ostap]

Hi Everyone,
I would like to ask your help in selecting the items for my first hifi system- unfortunately my budget is limited to 1-1.5KEUR. (I guess for guys in the US the suggested budget would be 1KUSD, cause as per what I see, here in Europe we have 1.5-2x in terms of prices vs the US).
I have browsed and read and watched on internet I think a lot... but the more I do the more I get "into the woods" - so your help will be so much appreciated!
THE CHALLENGE:
Room and speakers placement:
I can only put the system in my living-room/kitchen.
The building is old and has thick brick walls. The room in total is 19sqmeters (including the appendix of some 3sqm, that you can see on the photo); quite tall ceiling ( at least 3meters).
The room has all kinds of furniture there and the only imaginable place I see for the speakers is besides the couch- as I have indicated on the photos- not ideal, but I have what I have.
Also, I cannot afford to move speakers away from the wall for ~1m; they will have to be quite close to the wall behind.
Speaker:
Really no concrete idea about which exactly; as per my investigation so far, I guess:
-as mentioned above, they will be close to the wall- so probably should be front ported.
-probably should be "brighter" as the room is full of random furniture.
Should I go for bookshelf speakers or something larger, considering the size of the room?
Subwoofer- know what it is but not sure when it is needed and when not; I guess it depends which speakers I go for.
AMP:
absolutely no idea- relying on you on which will go with other components best.
DAC and Streamer:
I will using the system only with digital sources (e.g. TIDAL), no turn tables, no cd, etc.
Again- don't really have an idea what exactly I need here. but I would like to have an option to use hifi streaming (Tidal), but also to have possibility connect quickly something casual, like spotify or put the sound from the youtube on the phone via bluetooth for example.
Other considerations:
I would like to also be able to connect the tv (you can see it on the photo a bit)- via the cable or bleutooth.... I guess you don't get hifi from tv anyhow (or maybe you can).
It would be great if I can connect electric guitar- not a deal-breaker, but would be good to have.

Hopefully I described everything to consider and I am not missing anything; maybe something of the above doesn't make sense- sorry, everyone has to start somewhere

Ultimately, if you can put the components that match best - that would be the gem!

I will go around the brick-and-mortar shops also to see how it all work and maybe get some wisdom from sales reps.

Thank you in advance!

 

[jayvis]

Hi Everyone,
I would like to ask your help in selecting the items for my first hifi system- unfortunately my budget is limited to 1-1.5KEUR. (I guess for guys in the US the suggested budget would be 1KUSD, cause as per what I see, here in Europe we have 1.5-2x in terms of prices vs the US).
I have browsed and read and watched on internet I think a lot... but the more I do the more I get "into the woods" - so your help will be so much appreciated!
THE CHALLENGE:
Room and speakers placement:
I can only put the system in my living-room/kitchen.
The building is old and has thick brick walls. The room in total is 19sqmeters (including the appendix of some 3sqm, that you can see on the photo); quite tall ceiling ( at least 3meters).
The room has all kinds of furniture there and the only imaginable place I see for the speakers is besides the couch- as I have indicated on the photos- not ideal, but I have what I have.
Also, I cannot afford to move speakers away from the wall for ~1m; they will have to be quite close to the wall behind.
Speaker:
Really no concrete idea about which exactly; as per my investigation so far, I guess:
-as mentioned above, they will be close to the wall- so probably should be front ported.
-probably should be "brighter" as the room is full of random furniture.
Should I go for bookshelf speakers or something larger, considering the size of the room?
Subwoofer- know what it is but not sure when it is needed and when not; I guess it depends which speakers I go for.
AMP:
absolutely no idea- relying on you on which will go with other components best.
DAC and Streamer:
I will using the system only with digital sources (e.g. TIDAL), no turn tables, no cd, etc.
Again- don't really have an idea what exactly I need here. but I would like to have an option to use hifi streaming (Tidal), but also to have possibility connect quickly something casual, like spotify or put the sound from the youtube on the phone via bluetooth for example.
Other considerations:
I would like to also be able to connect the tv (you can see it on the photo a bit)- via the cable or bleutooth.... I guess you don't get hifi from tv anyhow (or maybe you can).
It would be great if I can connect electric guitar- not a deal-breaker, but would be good to have.

Hopefully I described everything to consider and I am not missing anything; maybe something of the above doesn't make sense- sorry, everyone has to start somewhere

Ultimately, if you can put the components that match best - that would be the gem!

I will go around the brick-and-mortar shops also to see how it all work and maybe get some wisdom from sales reps.

Thank you in advance!

Since this will be your first system, I recommend that you look at something new so that you don't have to go through the variables involved with buying used vintage type gear. I suggest something as simple as possible that won't take up much room in your limited space. The Bluesound PowerNode Edge would provide you with a very small and inconspicuous integrated amplifier that has streaming capability built in. This one box will do everything that you mentioned. It can drive one pair of speakers, a subwoofer, and has an HDMI eARC connection for your TV. My niece has the PowerNode Edge with Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M speakers that she's enjoying as her first audio system. There are a lot of new inexpensive bookshelf speakers that will work with it, and I suggest that you visit any audio stores that you can to hear what's available, or to at least familiarize yourself with some speaker brands that you might be interested in. I think you could put together a nice simple system that falls within your budget.

 

[Ostap]

Thank you so much! Maybe I will indeed go with your advise- could you please give your thought on the below? Yesterday I took day-off at work and went to different shops ( which is 3 that have systems in my price range ). And I quickly realized that I cannot go fancy with 1-1.5kUER....
So from what I saw and considered:
I have tried Denon PMA-900HNE(730uer) with Wharfedale EVO 4.2(860uer)- sounded good, though it was the very first system I have listened to hifi so I didn't know what to expect.
Bluesound PowerNode Edge(560uer) with Dynaudio Emit 20 (740uer)- also nice speakers, but I did feel the difference once they were connected to better amp.
With amps it is a bit tricky cause noone had Bluesound Powernode (730eur), so I was listening the speakers with NAD C700- which is definatelly out of my price range.
If there is a noticable difference between powernode and powernode edge- I can go with the more expensive one.
I have also tried NAD C700 with Gato Audio fm-15(1keur- was told they are on big discount as they are from showroom sale)- very nice as well, did appear to sound more "confidently", not sure whether it is indeed the case or I just got biased with all that "more expensive on big discount" logic.... I haven't seen much coverage of them in terms of reviews though and they seems not to be produced anymore.
For suggested Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M ii (630uer) - noone had them in the showroom, but the review on internet appear very encouraging.
Financially I can pull any of the combination. Maybe I am overthinking all this but would really appreciate your advise on what can the best combination (or just "go with the initial suggestion" ).
Thanks in advance.

 

[jayvis]

Thank you so much! Maybe I will indeed go with your advise- could you please give your thought on the below? Yesterday I took day-off at work and went to different shops ( which is 3 that have systems in my price range ). And I quickly realized that I cannot go fancy with 1-1.5kUER....
So from what I saw and considered:
I have tried Denon PMA-900HNE(730uer) with Wharfedale EVO 4.2(860uer)- sounded good, though it was the very first system I have listened to hifi so I didn't know what to expect.
Bluesound PowerNode Edge(560uer) with Dynaudio Emit 20 (740uer)- also nice speakers, but I did feel the difference once they were connected to better amp.
With amps it is a bit tricky cause noone had Bluesound Powernode (730eur), so I was listening the speakers with NAD C700- which is definatelly out of my price range.
If there is a noticable difference between powernode and powernode edge- I can go with the more expensive one.
I have also tried NAD C700 with Gato Audio fm-15(1keur- was told they are on big discount as they are from showroom sale)- very nice as well, did appear to sound more "confidently", not sure whether it is indeed the case or I just got biased with all that "more expensive on big discount" logic.... I haven't seen much coverage of them in terms of reviews though and they seems not to be produced anymore.
For suggested Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M ii (630uer) - noone had them in the showroom, but the review on internet appear very encouraging.
Financially I can pull any of the combination. Maybe I am overthinking all this but would really appreciate your advise on what can the best combination (or just "go with the initial suggestion" ).
Thanks in advance.

The Dynaudio Emit 20 speakers are 4 Ohm and need more power than typical 8 Ohm speakers to hear their full dynamics. The PowerNode Edge will deliver 80 watts per channel into a 4 Ohm load, while the PowerNode can deliver 220 watts. So, the PowerNode would be the best choice for 4 Ohm speakers. In fact, it would be my choice between the two for any speakers you might choose. It's just a better piece as far as amplification goes. The NAD C700 would be closer to the PowerNode when comparing amps, but the PowerNode actually has a little more dynamic power available (130W vs. 120W) at 8 Ohms for less money. I think the NAD would be a good amp to use to compare different speakers, if that's all your shop has available that has similar specs to the PowerNode. The Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M II are 8 Ohm speakers, very efficient and easy to drive. As a note, some on-line retailers are offering the soon to be discontinued Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M speakers at nearly 50% off. I've heard both the RP-600M and RP-600M II and couldn't hear any difference between them.

 

[Ostap]

The Dynaudio Emit 20 speakers are 4 Ohm and need more power than typical 8 Ohm speakers to hear their full dynamics. The PowerNode Edge will deliver 80 watts per channel into a 4 Ohm load, while the PowerNode can deliver 220 watts. So, the PowerNode would be the best choice for 4 Ohm speakers. In fact, it would be my choice between the two for any speakers you might choose. It's just a better piece as far as amplification goes. The NAD C700 would be closer to the PowerNode when comparing amps, but the PowerNode actually has a little more dynamic power available (130W vs. 120W) at 8 Ohms for less money. I think the NAD would be a good amp to use to compare different speakers, if that's all your shop has available that has similar specs to the PowerNode. The Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M II are 8 Ohm speakers, very efficient and easy to drive. As a note, some on-line retailers are offering the soon to be discontinued Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M speakers at nearly 50% off. I've heard both the RP-600M and RP-600M II and couldn't hear any difference between them.

Thanks again for the reply.
Yeah, I think as a final I will go for PowerNode with Klipsch. Other consideration is that I have music on nearly all the time in my flat- so won't have it on high-ish volumes all the time, and with higher sensitivity of Klitsch ( as per my reading on this) I should have better experience on lower volumes.

 

[jayvis]

Thanks again for the reply.
Yeah, I think as a final I will go for PowerNode with Klipsch. Other consideration is that I have music on nearly all the time in my flat- so won't have it on high-ish volumes all the time, and with higher sensitivity of Klitsch ( as per my reading on this) I should have better experience on lower volumes.

Let us know how it works out for you.

 

[Ostap]

Hi,
thanks for all your suggestions- they were very helpful; sorry for late reply.
Bought a very beginners system some quite some time ago:
Bluesound PowerNode Edge + ELAC Debut B5.2 (cause they were on big discount);
Enjoying it big times!
I do have however a feeling that the sound is kinda less "processed" vs what you would get on some more casual but higher-ish active speakers (like there was SONOS One SL in one bar, which sounded very nice imo) - not that I don't like it, its just a bit "colder".
But the biggest thing is the positioning. Once I am out of the "triangle"- the experience changes so drastically... and in general, the sound doesn't "fill the room"- e.g. I have TV connected as well through HDMI and it is hard to heart properly if you are kinda around the room and have it on a background.
So overall- very happy with purchase, but maybe would go next time with something like Dali Oberon 1 ( had those recommended for my room as well) - maybe they would make the difference how it feels in the room.
Thanks again to all.