Best home sound system?

dricer

Ok I get it . I'll be more specific!!

2 Speakers in 4 Rooms

1 AMP to power all the speakers

A handheld control unit to control the sound in each room (different music, different sound levels)

Needs to access the internet so I can use Napster to stream the music directly.

NeverAgain_2

dricer wrote: »

I want to play different music in different rooms. I do agree the budget of £500 was a bit naive!

I want to use napster at £10/£12 a month to stream music to it. So far BOSE are looking like the winner.

Be wary of 'building-in' too much equipment - it soon becomes dated.

It will make the house harder to sell, too, although I appreciate you've not moved in yet.

Empty_pockets

I'd recommend Sonos. That would suit your needs.

I think it can be controlled from your smartphone via specific application.

£500 is nowhere near a full set up. I've just ordered a Passive Pre Amp (volume select knob and source select knob) for £300. Thats direct from manufacturer so is a fraction of what the retail price would be.

clivejohnson

Just to go back to the cables debate for a second (only just found this thread) Cables can, and will make a difference. I use a kimber sigature powerkord from my tv to the mains, and silver streak interconnects from amp to tv.

The best way to describe standard mains cables and cheap speaker cables, is trying to squeeze plasticine through a hosepipe, and expecting it to flow freely!:)

Back to the OP's question though, £500 will not even scratch it! Stick a nought on and you will be somewhere there i'm afraid! Bearing in mind, you would have to get someone in to install it professionally, and you will need to get it comissioned as well (i.e. make sure it works safely)

Owain_Moneysaver

dricer wrote: »

Ok I get it . I'll be more specific!!

2 Speakers in 4 Rooms

1 AMP to power all the speakers

A handheld control unit to control the sound in each room (different music, different sound levels)

Needs to access the internet so I can use Napster to stream the music directly.

If you've got 4 different simultaneous music sources, you'll need 4 separate amps.

Fifer

clivejohnson wrote: »

The best way to describe standard mains cables and cheap speaker cables, is trying to squeeze plasticine through a hosepipe, and expecting it to flow freely!:)

Technically, that's a million miles from being the best way to describe it. It's nothing like that I'm afraid. As long as a mains cable has sufficient current capacity (regardless of price), your 'plasticine' will flow like water.

clivejohnson

Fifer wrote: »

Technically, that's a million miles from being the best way to describe it. It's nothing like that I'm afraid. As long as a mains cable has sufficient current capacity (regardless of price), your 'plasticine' will flow like water.

You misunderstand me.

What I was actually saying is that all mains systems in this country are inherintly[sic] dirty. decent cables, as you know, will go some way to "cleaning" your mains system, and improving the sound in the process. Current capacity had nothing to do with it in this instance.

NeverAgain_2

clivejohnson wrote: »

You misunderstand me.

What I was actually saying is that all mains systems in this country are inherintly[sic] dirty. decent cables, as you know, will go some way to "cleaning" your mains system, and improving the sound in the process. Current capacity had nothing to do with it in this instance.

What do you think the power supply/transformer does?

You don't listen to your 'dirty' AC current.

I agree decent interconnects - phono and speaker leads - are worth having.

isotonic_uk

Empty_pockets wrote: »

I'd recommend Sonos. That would suit your needs.

I think it can be controlled from your smartphone via specific application.

£500 is nowhere near a full set up. I've just ordered a Passive Pre Amp (volume select knob and source select knob) for £300. Thats direct from manufacturer so is a fraction of what the retail price would be.

I would second that.... For your budget I would seriously consider a Sonos Z5 player or similar... I have been really impressed with this product, if your looking to stream from Napster this system will work brilliantly.

If later on you buy an improved amp and speaker system then you can easily attach these devices to that...

I am confident if you purchased one though you would continue to add to a Sonos setup...its that good!!!

Whilst I dont have an ipad. I have played around with the Sonos app and the control you have for your music is excellent... I personally have the android and Mac app and both are impressive and usable.

aliEnRIK

NeverAgain wrote: »

What do you think the power supply/transformer does?

You don't listen to your 'dirty' AC current.

Theyve been measured to NOT completely remove all RFI in a fairly decent hifi amp
Thats why I use a balanced mains transformer