Wife had good day at the casino…

[cwall99]

I had a thread started Monday with me trying to decide speaker vs amp, etc.
Because of the excellent responses I feel I have come up with a plan I can afford, with some tweaks as required.
My original budget had me topping out at $700 for speakers, I already had purchased a WiiM Pro (all music streaming with Apple, using iPad and toslink, I will not use any other input), and a Fosi Za3 arriving today,
Now, because it’s Christmas and my wife is tired of my whining, I have elevated my budget to $1600.
So, after burning myself out reading through the forum, vendor ad’s, and the like, I am leaning towards the following setup:
WiiM Pro to
Marantz 4240 to
2ea Fosi za3 Mono to
Wharfedale 12.4

I realize so much of this is subjective to the listener, but unfortunately I live in an area where there are no dealers of any caliber to be able to listen and learn from any closer than 3 hours, so this forum is my best shot at getting usable and trustworthy information.
I’m 71yo and this will be most likely my last audio purchase, I’m a good music listener but certainly not an audiophile by any means and I’m looking for a system that is good to very good, not great!
So, am I on the right track here? I’m pretty ok I think with the speakers but maybe the amp is questionable? If there is/are better amp options (I can’t afford a/b amps, has to stay D), I have some wiggle room there, especially since I haven’t even received the. Fosi, it’s on the truck for today.
Again, TIA for any and all advice and info.

I bought a Wiim Pro for my sister-in-law as a starter, and, probably for her, ultimate stereo.

Fun little device. Plenty of power at 50 wpc, plus all the streaming stuff.

I was surprised at how good it sounds. I mean, it's gonna win any SQ awards, but it's a very capable device. Any issues she might have with the SQ can probably be blamed on the speakers.

Speakers aren't bad (the Cheap Audio Man on YouTube has raved about these speakers for years ... and their price (about $100 USD for the pair). They just aren't great.

In other words, it's a great rig for someone who really isn't into audio, but who is looking for a way to stream tunes.

99% of the interface is through the app you need on your phone. That's a little odd.

 

[twiiii]

Having owned Bozak speakers with line array of tweeters since 1962 I knew I wanted line arrays. Working for a Mac dealer and having heard ML-4's and 2's and XR 7 and 5 series speakersI knew I wanted Mcintosh woofers. So when I heard the XRT 28's and XRT 30's I knew I would want either one some day. Well after saving money for almost 10 years my favorite dealer called me and said he had my speakers and had matched a price I had given him 6 months earlier. I was hoping my two spare channels of one of my two MC 207's would suffice. They didn't so I ended up buying a pair of MC 830's instead of a preowned MC 452. Over 700 watts per channel at 4 ohms of guaranteed dynamic power. Plus I could lift them. I never could or would want to lift a MC 452. I very seldom use more than 100 watts indicated on the meters, but my Tektronix 465 Scope proved to me a long time ago when using 240's in mono that I needed 275's in mono or 4 3500's to bi-amp. Well even with a great discount because I worked for a Mac dealer being a college student I just couldn't swing the deal. And when I could a year later the MC 3500's were no longer being produced.

So remember to always have an entertainment savings account and put a 1 or 2% of your pay away each week. Then when a deal comes along you have been waiting for comes along you might be able to make a deal. Fortunately I have been dealing with Audio Classics in NY, and Pearl Audio on Oregon, and B'jorns in San Antonio since the 80's so they are all willing to work with me. Plus Audio Classics has the best service department and I have known Frank Gow and Steve almost all my adult life. Its a shame Frank is gone now. They are one of the very very few brick and mortar stores left with a great service department and great salesmen that really care about their customers happiness. . Ryan the service Manager is a great guy and taught me how to keep my disc players working saving me a bunch of money over the years. My Mcintosh electronics and speakers have brought me many years of happiness since 1963. MA 230 and MR 67 is where I started, with Frazier. Stephens and Altec speakers. Then I discovered Bozak in 64, and Thorens and Ortofon. Along with Professional Ampex Tape machines. Being a gopher at a Radio Station with a great Broadcast engineer was a big boost in learning about sound equipment. So was the designer at the local Hi fi store who guided me in the beginning. But the Owner took me on and I ended up working there for over 38 years. The radio station for 8 years. Studying engineering in college helped, too. But practical on the job training was helped me the most. I was always going to some technical school or seminars as time passed. I was a Syn Aud-Com three time graduate, too. Altec design schools also. JBL and Mcintosh seminars were fun as was learning how to use Crown TEF analyzer. Doing proof of performance measurements and study of sound systems taught me a lot and opened my eyes to why some sound systems that sound acceptale weren't and others that weren't great were acceptable. Designing systems to be used out doors is a totally different can of worms as compared to designing systems for large interior spaces. Small room acoustics can be very tricky. But we should all know that by now. THE WAY WE TRAINED OUR EARS TO LISTEN OVER THE YEARS GREATLY INFLUENCES OUR PREFERENCES, TOO.

 

[C Hart]

A little late to the party but I would also recommend spending more on speakers than amp/preamp. Fosi is solid but consider Aiyima. If you use your phone with Bluetooth to stream you can skip the Wiim and save some money.

There are many great speakers for relatively little money now. I would get the most accurate stand speakers you can find for the budget and a subwoofer to extend them. I recently took a look at AsciLabs speakers which are a tremendous value. I also am a big booster of Dayton subs which are cheap and excellent.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

May I make a suggestion? Play Frank Sinatra's Luck Be A Lady for their maiden voyage.

 

[Gavriel]

I had a thread started Monday with me trying to decide speaker vs amp, etc.
Because of the excellent responses I feel I have come up with a plan I can afford, with some tweaks as required.
My original budget had me topping out at $700 for speakers, I already had purchased a WiiM Pro (all music streaming with Apple, using iPad and toslink, I will not use any other input), and a Fosi Za3 arriving today,
Now, because it’s Christmas and my wife is tired of my whining, I have elevated my budget to $1600.
So, after burning myself out reading through the forum, vendor ad’s, and the like, I am leaning towards the following setup:
WiiM Pro to
Marantz 4240 to
2ea Fosi za3 Mono to
Wharfedale 12.4
When I need to unwind from all this research, I’ve been checking out the Velvet Spin Casino Australia Velvetspins Casino website. It’s cleanly laid out, easy to navigate, and doesn’t feel cluttered or overwhelming, which I appreciate. It’s been a simple way to relax and take a break without overthinking things—something I probably should do more often.
I realize so much of this is subjective to the listener, but unfortunately I live in an area where there are no dealers of any caliber to be able to listen and learn from any closer than 3 hours, so this forum is my best shot at getting usable and trustworthy information.
I’m 71yo and this will be most likely my last audio purchase, I’m a good music listener but certainly not an audiophile by any means and I’m looking for a system that is good to very good, not great!
So, am I on the right track here? I’m pretty ok I think with the speakers but maybe the amp is questionable? If there is/are better amp options (I can’t afford a/b amps, has to stay D), I have some wiggle room there, especially since I haven’t even received the. Fosi, it’s on the truck for today.
Again, TIA for any and all advice and info.

At 71 and aiming for “good to very good” rather than chasing perfection, this setup should serve you very well. Tweak later if you feel the itch, but you’re not making any obvious mistakes here.

 

[odcics2]

My McIntosh MAC1500 receiver drives my Vandersteen 2Ce Signature II speakers off the 4 ohm taps without a problem. 12x16 room.

 

[LarryKing2]

Having owned Bozak speakers with line array of tweeters since 1962 I knew I wanted line arrays. Working for a Mac dealer and having heard ML-4's and 2's and XR 7 and 5 series speakersI knew I wanted Mcintosh woofers. So when I heard the XRT 28's and XRT 30's I knew I would want either one some day. Well after saving money for almost 10 years my favorite dealer called me and said he had my speakers and had matched a price I had given him 6 months earlier. I was hoping my two spare channels of one of my two MC 207's would suffice. They didn't so I ended up buying a pair of MC 830's instead of a preowned MC 452. Over 700 watts per channel at 4 ohms of guaranteed dynamic power. Plus I could lift them. I never could or would want to lift a MC 452. I very seldom use more than 100 watts indicated on the meters, but my Tektronix 465 Scope proved to me a long time ago when using 240's in mono that I needed 275's in mono or 4 3500's to bi-amp. Well even with a great discount because I worked for a Mac dealer being a college student I just couldn't swing the deal. And when I could a year later the MC 3500's were no longer being produced.

So remember to always have an entertainment savings account and put a 1 or 2% of your pay away each week. Then when a deal comes along you have been waiting for comes along you might be able to make a deal. Fortunately I have been dealing with Audio Classics in NY, and Pearl Audio on Oregon, and B'jorns in San Antonio since the 80's so they are all willing to work with me. Plus Audio Classics has the best service department and I have known Frank Gow and Steve almost all my adult life. Its a shame Frank is gone now. They are one of the very very few brick and mortar stores left with a great service department and great salesmen that really care about their customers happiness. . Ryan the service Manager is a great guy and taught me how to keep my disc players working saving me a bunch of money over the years. My Mcintosh electronics and speakers have brought me many years of happiness since 1963. MA 230 and MR 67 is where I started, with Frazier. Stephens and Altec speakers. Then I discovered Bozak in 64, and Thorens and Ortofon. Along with Professional Ampex Tape machines. Being a gopher at a Radio Station with a great Broadcast engineer was a big boost in learning about sound equipment. So was the designer at the local Hi fi store who guided me in the beginning. But the Owner took me on and I ended up working there for over 38 years. The radio station for 8 years. Studying engineering in college helped, too. But practical on the job training was helped me the most. I was always going to some technical school or seminars as time passed. I was a Syn Aud-Com three time graduate, too. Altec design schools also. JBL and Mcintosh seminars were fun as was learning how to use Crown TEF analyzer. Doing proof of performance measurements and study of sound systems taught me a lot and opened my eyes to why some sound systems that sound acceptale weren't and others that weren't great were acceptable. Designing systems to be used out doors is a totally different can of worms as compared to designing systems for large interior spaces. Small room acoustics can be very tricky. But we should all know that by now. THE WAY WE TRAINED OUR EARS TO LISTEN OVER THE YEARS GREATLY INFLUENCES OUR PREFERENCES, TOO.

i think you’re on a pretty sensible track: wharfedale 12.4 plus the za3 monos should get you “good to very good” without turning the whole thing into a science project. the only part i’d watch is the marantz 4240 as a control center, since vintage units can be a gamble unless it’s already been serviced. if you’re all-in on toslink from the ipad, make sure the wiim’s output level and the marantz input sensitivity play nice so you’re not stuck riding the volume. also, i’ve seen a few odd spammy replies in audio threads that looked like they were pointing to gambling directories such as https://lightningdicegame.com https://monopolylivegame.org and https://boom-city.org and it always throws me off when people wedge that into gear talk. if you can, put a little of the budget toward stands/placement and room tweaks, because that’s the part you’ll actually hear every day.

Always sweet when the spouse hits big. What machine/game? My record's a modest $800 on Wheel of Fortune once, but she outdid you. Share the deets!