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Recommend me a (moderately priced) streamer - Quad Vena?

E

exliontamer

Member
Hello folks,

Hope you are all well.

You are all very knowledgeable here, so I thought I'd ask for some advice.

I'm looking for a streamer to put in my kitchen / dining room. It's not a particularly small room - roughly 5mx5m and I would prefer a separate to an all in one, though I'm all ears if that's what you use. I'd like it to have bluetooth as standard so my girlfriend can use her phone with it etc etc.

I've been thinking of a Quad Vena. I like the small footprint

Has does anyone own one? Have you had good experiences with it, and what speakers would you recommend? I would prefer a wireless speaker, but I'm not sure if the quality will be any good.

Any other suggestions would be most welcome. Absolute top budget for everything roughly £600-700.

Apologies if this topic has been covered 1000 times before and thanks for having me!

Edit: I realise that the Vena isn't a streamer - more an integrated amp with bluetooth - but I would be interested in your thoughts on streamers / bluetooth amps in general. I guess i'm more interested in wireless music from my phone / laptop than internet streaming such as spotify etc.
 
The Marantz offerings are some of the best I've heard IMO

NA6005 / NA8005


http://www.audiblefidelity.co.uk/pr...GUvjP6e3N7HqerNXmrAOy69iEOaigImFIQaAjAN8P8HAQ

http://www.nottinghamhifi.co.uk/mar...jo-EW8_XAEKrYfdO0PM4CEvMjCU8unOBO0aAm7F8P8HAQ

The Pioneer N50A is very good also: http://www.petertyson.co.uk/ebutton...OmCVw6nK6rVT3xRui7OFImCQwH-KzyS7zkaAsnD8P8HAQ

But, if you want a simple system that does everything and just add speakers; then the Marantz MCR611 is about as good as it gets IMO;

http://www.nottinghamhifi.co.uk/mar...kbLr7s7HoaFUy-MGYIzappkj8YE0BYMBWwaAvO68P8HAQ

That, with some Q Acoustics 2020s or 2010s via Richer Sounds, you're laughing!

For an all in one; I'd be looking at Sonos or the B&W A5 or Zeppelin and use either your mobile or tablet as the source/remote control etc:

http://www.hifigear.co.uk/b-w-a5-wi...ZaQ4cSeCBMDkhOC7u0FvYcceq7oJuOioZsaAvdH8P8HAQ
 
Great - thank you - I've only just started looking at this sort of thing, with vinyl being my real love. I did think about a Sonos but i'm not sure I want to go down that road yet.

The Marantz MCR611 looks very interesting - I'll have to give it a listen.

Much appreciated!
 
The Marantz is great, but if you're happy with 2nd hand, try and find the original MCR603 on eBay

It's the same basically, the 611 is just a fancy new outer!

I had my MCR603 running PMC GB1i speakers and then B&W CM5s; it's a great little system with plenty of quality power IMO
 
I can only personally vouch for the Quad Vena because I love it!

That's not what you'll want to read i'm sure. I did no objective comparisons (except with my previous Marantz M-CR603 which is now in it's box in a cupboard) but simply took it home and tried it there.

I use it with Audio Note AX-Two loudspeakers and an Apple/Airplay/iOS 'front end' feeding it's DAC.

Gorgeous tone. Very happy.
 
Yes - I knew the Quad would be a good one - but maybe i'm being swayed by the name, I'll have to find a place to try them both out. Thanks
 
For what it's worth, the Cambridge CXN has also just got a very good review in the French classical music magazine, Diapason. The last sentence: "une merveille" (a marvel).
 
I have grown increasingly skeptical about Diapason's reviews, based on the lack of technical understanding and focus on voodoo (cables, esoteric theories, etc.). I used to look forward to reading their reviews but they have lost their credibility with me.

This doesn't mean that the CXN is a bad product...
 
exliontamer said:
Yes - I knew the Quad would be a good one - but maybe i'm being swayed by the name, I'll have to find a place to try them both out. Thanks
Click to expand...

Don't be swayed by the name. I wasn't. It contains exactly the same Texas Instruments LM3886 amplifier modules as the Arcam A19 and the the same Cirrus Logic CS4398 DAC as used in the Marantz SA6005 and SA8005 CD/SACD players.

Good reviews here ...

http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/info/hi-res-guide/quad-vena-qobuzissime-produces177369 (Qobuz award winner & lots of photos of innards)

and here...

http://www.stoneaudio.co.uk/resources/products/downloads/Vena HFC Oct14.pdf (Hi-Fi Choice 5/5 and group-test winner)

and here ...

http://www.stoneaudio.co.uk/resources/products/downloads/Vena HFW Nov14.pdf (Hi-Fi World 5/5)

An important quote (I think) from the HFC group test conclusion was ...

"First, it's important to point out that none of them, with the exception of the Quad, can step into the shoes of a high-quality conventional integrated amplifier."
 
Personally not impressed with the CA offering; found it to be typical CA sound (upfront, clinical, overly bright etc)

The Yammy Musiccast systems are good; their NX-N500 speakers are well thought of!

As for an all in one (but no CDP); their RN301 'network receiver for c£200) is bloody brilliant IMO
 
I like my Bluesound Node (1. gen.). Supports up to 24/192 and MQA (if that ever becomes relevant). It has been replaced by the Node 2 now with some improvements to connectivity and design (it has Bluetooth). I like their current build of the BluOs app too (iPhone).

There's also the Powernode 2 that adds a 60W amp to the streamer/DAC. I must add that I've only tried my Node with cabled connection to the router though.

http://www.audiostream.com/content/bluesound-node-2#emVgqZTufDcJLsvP.97
 
You should pick a streamer on the quality of software and interface. Nothing else really matters. Mayyyybe looks/form factor.
 
hifilover1979 said:
The Marantz offerings are some of the best I've heard IMO


....
But, if you want a simple system that does everything and just add speakers; then the Marantz MCR611 is about as good as it gets IMO;
Click to expand...

Just so we understand context here. What genuinely good streamers have you heard? e.g. any of the Linn DS or Meridian gear?
 
I had the Marantz's predecessor and thought it was nice but a bit too bland for my tastes - not helped by firmware update issues that Marantz couldn't sort (mine was a one off in that respect). Would be interested in what folks think of the Vena as well.
 
Mr_Sukebe said:
Just so we understand context here. What genuinely good streamers have you heard? e.g. any of the Linn DS or Meridian gear?
Click to expand...

Heard the Linn Majik but not the Meridian stuff sorry, no idea of anyone near me that sells Meridian. Linn is ok IMO, but for me, their prices just don't equate to their products... They're great/lovely... But £2k plus for that is daft IMO

I thought the Naim Unitlite was lovely, but so expensive and really not that much better in sound quality to the Marantz NA6005 and PM6005 combo IMO
 
Mr_Sukebe said:
Just so we understand context here. What genuinely good streamers have you heard? e.g. any of the Linn DS or Meridian gear?
Click to expand...

I think we need to revisit the OP's maximum budget for 'context' at this point. It's £600 - £700 so I don't see it stretching to Linn DS or Meridian gear.
 
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