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wickedweasel

micros/minis to recommend (hi-fis, not skirts)

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since most forumers here seem interested mainly in high-end audiophilic products, this will prob be one of the most lonely and ignored section/thread in sgheadphone but i'll juz try my luck.

 

i'm currently using a pcdp as my main player and am looking to upgrade to a better source. As i juz started working, a dedicated cdp (such as those from marantz, denon etc) seems extravagant at the moment, so i'm thinking of buying a mini/micro hifi system. since i'm a radio listener and will be using headphones, such a smallish system (without those booming speakers) seem to fit my needs.

 

unlike for high end audio products, i guess nobody would waste their time sussing out the pros and cons of different micro/mini hifis. But perhaps fellow forumers could help by reviewing briefly the systems they have or had (eg. brand, price, model etc). Surely , surely, surely, not everyone here started off with a high end cdp?

 

thank you in advance for any replies.

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Harvey Norman, Best denki, etc. Btw, the cdps that you'd mentioned are not high end. Don't be surprised by the fact that good sounding mini/compo could (would, IMHO) cost more than a reasonably good sounding entry level Marantz CD5400/5100 model.

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hi Mackie, u've hit on an issue tt i struggled with. I've a $500 (give or take) budget to work with n i dunno whether to go with a more complete (with tuner etc) mini-compo or a dedicated cdp. I did check out echoloft for potential second-hand cdps but din find any i really like. i also considered keeping my pcdp and add an amp instead but from what i've read, it seems this would not be a huge improvement (of cos i might be mistaken).

 

Hence i tot the best, n prob easiest way, was to buy a compo. If u feel otherwise, i'd be keen to hear ur advice.

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The latest Marantz CD5100 cdp costs only $350. Marantz usually have pretty good headphone-out circuitry and therefore, you can plug in your cans direct if you don't have a headamp. With balance of $150, you can get any cheap mini for radio. I have a cheap Enzer mini which sounds crab with cd but its tuner function is very sensitve and good. U can also choose to buy one from yahoo classifieds/auctions. Afterall, radio is not a priority right?

 

Here is a summary of my thoughts:

 

1. Marantz CD5100 + cheap mini compo for radio listening

 

2. Marantz CD5100 + Xiangsheng 708B or Original Master headamps (new $250/used $200 or below respectively)

 

3. Present pcdp + PA2V2 and other portable headamps + mini compo

 

My suggestion? Go slow and steady but objectively.

 

Buy a Marantz or any dedicated cdp you like and live with it for a while. Once you get used to the sound, add an amp but hear for improvement. If it ain't there, skip the amp for now and get a cheap mini compo for radio and a portable amp for your pcdp.

 

As time goes by undertaking this course of action, you would eventually end up with a home based cdp+headamp system (the amp will come in later, I promise), a mini compo for radio/casual cd playback and a portable system.

Edited by Mackie

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check out mini hifi from denon, yamaha and marantz ...

 

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The latest Marantz CD5100 cdp costs only $350. Marantz usually have pretty good headphone-out circuitry and therefore, you can plug in your cans direct if you don't have a headamp. With balance of $150, you can get any cheap mini for radio. I have a cheap Enzer mini which sounds crab with cd but its tuner function is very sensitve and good. U can also choose to buy one from yahoo classifieds/auctions. Afterall, radio is not a priority right?

 

 

 

but wouldn't one need to buy speakers and amp in addition to the Marantz CD5100 right? advice? =)

 

i'm in the same situation as the thread starter. =)

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