New speaker/ Amp help! need opinions got around £400 to spend....

[boxrick]

Ive been looking at getting a new speaker system this will be for a small room, i was originally going to go for a 5,1 system but have been convinced that a better 2 speaker system with decent reciever would sound better.
Currently using a logitech z5300 set....

So basically im going to either use my mums old amp :-

Musical Fidelity Elektra E100

which is from like 1992 or something i dont know too much about it .... but was expensive at the time apparently.

Or purchase a

Denon AVR 1707

for about £190


For speakers:

Kef q5
http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...EF-Q5-DK-APPLE

or some
Q ACOUSTICS 1050 SPEAKERS

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...roduct_ID/2853


However can anyone recommend me anything different, maybe even a decent sounding 5.1 system anything! I need opinions!

[99Flake]

Whatever you do don't get the Denon if you are looking to have just a stereo setup. Obviously if you were thinking of going 5.1 at a later date then it would make more sense as you wouldn't need to change it but for pure stereo spend the same amount on a stereo amp for far better results.

As for the Musical Fidelity, a little bit of research shows them to start having faults at that age, some starting to sound muddled as components wear/dry joints appear.

If I had £400 I would look on AV Forums for a 2nd hand item from someone like Arcam/Rotel/Nad/Cyrus and add a pair of used speakers from someone like Mission/B & W/Kef.

If you want new then I would only really consider the Azur range from Cambridge Audio. The 540/640a's are wonderful pieces of kit, the 640 especially brilliant and worth the £50 premium. I would also say you would be hard pushed to find a 2nd hand integrated amp that will perform as well in your budget (considering cost of speakers after the amp).

Problem lies in the question of what do you listen to? Different manufacturers sound better for certain music. For example I would never recommend an Arcam for dance music but would for classical and Jazz. They are too laid back and smooth for fast paced music.

Also what are you using as a source? Your sound is only ever as good as your source, so remember there is no point spending loads if you only feed the system MP3's all the time.

Just a couple more bits of info and I'm sure we can help you find your perfect musical partner!

[Toshywoshy]

Don't get shot of the Musical Fidelity just cos its old. Their older stuff has a lovely sound. Not sure of the specs of the E100 - some of the older stuff was pure Class A so would run hot, but the upside is great sound quality. Downside is if it is Class A then you would probably need efficient speakers.

On the subject of speakers have a look at sevenoaks clearance - theres a set of B&W 603 S3's for under £400 (Edinburgh and Reading) which would do you. When you get a bit more cash you could get some matching rears and a centre for a cracking AV set up with stereo to match (with a 5.1 amp obviously). The Edinburgh shop is excellent for a bit of negotiating so you might get a bit more off.

[daniel_owen_uk]

You have a slightly better budget than I did, but I looked through AV Forums for sale section and managed to pickup a Denon 1507 & Tannoy EFX5.1 for £270 (2 months old with warranty).

There are some really good bargains to be had.