Bedroom hifi

I want a hifi in our bedroom for late night chilling, if the girly is watching rubbish on tv. For this environment I want something *smooth and relaxing*, compact, up to 2k ish. Can be new, exdemo, mint used or ever DIY to stretch the value. Front end is in place so budget is for amp & speakers only. Any ideas most welcome...

p.s

Initial thoughts were... compact dynaudio bookshelf speakers, maybe primare amp to match my spare primare dvd/cd transport (can use benchmark for dac too). Maybe even a tiny sub to blend in too.

Other ideas in no order of preference were sudgen? AVI? Copland? Help...!

Thanks!

 

I saw some HHB Circle 5 actives in SoundOnSound a while ago. They are about £400 second hand and have a more gentle sound than most actives. Reminds me of the Spendor sound. Not anywhere near 2k but has to be easily good enough for the bedroom!

 

Secondhand A21 with some Totem Arros and your Primare.

Killer small room combo IMO.

 

Ahh yes, for low SPL the Totem are very nice. Probably need a warm sounding amp though. At the show they sounded a little crisp. Thats not a put down, but they didn't sound smooth and relaxing. I'm sure a good choice of amp would change that.

 

I've have heard them (Arros) with an Sugden A21. Quite impressive really. A little Rega Mira would work too, and would probably speed/tighten up the bass but I doubt it would be half as sweet overall.

 

Years ago The Times on Sunday did a feature on Michael Winner. He had a pair of Briks at the end of his bed!

 

Number One choice has to be a valve amp surely?

 

Not really the sort of thing I would want to fall asleep and leave on. Would you?

 

I like the look of these Totems. I notice they have the lovely dynaudio midbass units. The treble looks metal - anyone know if it's smooth like a soft dome?

http://www.totemacoustic.eu/english/monitor/model-one/model-one_02.html

p.s

Is the Sudgen better than primare's amps?

 

The Totem model I'm on about is the tiny floorstander, the Arro. Your link is the Model One which I currently own. Impressive little speaker but expensive for a monitor and hard-ish to drive (3.2 ohm dips). The Seas tweeter in the Model One is one of the best metal types I've heard but it can still sound bright if you get the source/amplification wrong. The Arro has a soft dome tweeter and is more forgiving and they are also easier to drive. I don't think Sugden amps are any better than Primare but they are class A designs which gives them a smooth, laid back sound that suits the Arro's very well.

I'm sure there are other components to consider but I think you'd have a lot of fun with that system.

Edit - Arro link added - http://www.totemacoustic.eu/english/column/arro/arro_02.html

 

£2000 for bedroom system!!!....R U a mr. Beckham?

 

I think a nice bedroom system would be..

1) wireless squeezebox 3
2) small pair of active speakers.

Couldn't get much more simple than that.
You could (I'm sure, correct me if I'm wrong) use the volume control on the SB, negating need for a pre.

Last thing I'd want in the bedroom is another stack of ruddy boxes..

 

Agree with Chris - a bedroom with a stack of hifi and wires is a definite no no. Hardly conducive to proper bedroom activities - though I guess the cables may come in useful for some bondage

How about a Meridian F80

 

depends on your priorites, my big system is in the bedroom and the mid fi marantz crap in the living room.

 

I did have my tongue firmly in my cheek when I typed that

 

I was also thinking - primare dvd (also cd transport) plus bryston B60. That's just two slim boxes on top of the chest of drawers, so hardly a stack. I'm also allowed to put the spare 42" plasma on the wall too. Having trouble persuading her a small sub is vital though. I may have to hide it under the bed. Now I just need some Barry White tunes for some good lovin' lol

 

uh ... a 42 inch plasma screen ... in the bedroom ... what on earth for?

 

must be a big bedroom...

 

It's a spare as I now live with my girlfriend, hence it has to go somewhere. It looks fine in the corner on a chest.

p.s

It's not hooked up to a camcorder or anything

 

why not?