Whereas it is good to reminisce in regards to the days of vinyl, the actual fact of the matter is that a few of us have moved on. First, there was the emergence of the compact disc (who hasn’t bought a stack of CDs stashed someplace of their home?) however extra not too long ago, customers have began emigrate to music streaming.
For this reason we have determined to construct you a superb hi-fi system that can fulfill anybody with a digital music assortment.
We have taken benefit of some familial synergy with a Marantz CD participant and amplifier duo complementing one another superbly. And we’ve got joined that positive pairing with Award winners from Bluesound and Wharfedale to finish a classy streaming and CD-loving set-up.
The system
CD participant: Marantz CD6007 (£399, $499)
Amplifier: Marantz PM6007 (£449, $599)
Streamer: Bluesound Node (2021) (£549, $549, AU$999)
Audio system: Wharefdale Diamond 12.3 (£499, $798, AU$1699)
Whole: £1896 / $3842
Amplifier: Marantz PM6007 / CD participant: Marantz CD6007
We must always begin with the Marantz pairing. Each of those 6000 sequence choices are perennial Award winners from us, so it’s no big shock to search out them gracing these pages. Marantz hits a constant candy spot at this value degree that rivals are discovering not possible to beat.
The CD 6007 makes use of a brand new DAC chip over its predecessor that enables it to course of high-resolution recordsdata. Not by the CD disc drive, after all. You’ll want to make use of the entrance panel USB Sort A socket to get the recordsdata into the participant. As soon as that’s completed you may play hi-res PCM music as much as 24-bit/192kHz and DSD128. The last-generation mannequin might deal with 48kHz recordsdata at greatest and never DSD. Because of this, along with the Bluesound (on which extra beneath), you’ve bought most digital file choices coated. In addition to compact discs, after all.
In contrast with the older CD6006 UK Version, additionally one in all our Award winners previously, this new machine is a crisper, extra open performer. Stereo imaging has benefited, with the brand new Marantz capable of render a extra expansive and better-focused soundstage. Devices are simpler to find and keep locked in place extra simply when the music turns into extra demanding. Equally, larger-scale dynamics are delivered with extra verve and punch. There’s a lovely sense of composure to tie all of it collectively.
The 6007 amplifier has additionally improved on its predecessor in related methods. Its sonic character is as acquainted as its casework: clean, full-bodied and balanced, with a lovely spaciousness. Like its predecessor, it’s about as agreeable a performer as you may ask for at this value.
The place it pulls away from the PM6006 UK Version is in its larger readability, precision and rhythmic punch. Marantz has traded a few of that smoothness for a bit extra oomph, in addition to tightened up the bass, and the result’s a markedly extra spirited presentation.
As a pairing then, and at this funds, you gained’t discover a duo that work collectively in addition to the Marantz siblings.
Music streamer: Bluesound Node (2021)
Music streamers are, after all, a lot newer tech than CD gamers. Nonetheless, just like the Marantz pair, the Bluesound Node (2021) is a few iterations down the road now. Like the 2 Nodes earlier than it at their time of arrival in 2014 and 2018 respectively, the most recent Node – launched in the summertime of 2021 – enters the surprisingly sparse funds music streamer market with loads of up-to-date, all-round attraction.
The Node has a direct sound and is barely hotter in tone than its most blatant rival, Audiolab’s 6000N Play. And it has a seemingly insatiable urge for food for rhythms.
It’s very a lot the Bluesound character we’ve been accustomed to over current years, and it’s a distinguishable one no matter system we pay attention by.
Feed the Node a rhythm, as we fortunately do with Nas’ The Messageand this Bluesound snaps into motion, throwing itself into the lucid beat uninhibited and tightly knitting it along with the guitar sample. His rap is forthcoming and expressive within the combine and there’s a pure sense of free-flowing dynamics to it and the accompanying instrumental.
Bluesound has adopted this entertaining sonic character since its outset – not simply within the Node however in its Powernode (basically an amplified Node) and wi-fi audio system too – however right here it’s introduced with larger refinement and element than in earlier iterations. Briefly, the newest, third-gen Node is pushing funds music streamers in the fitting route.
Audio system: Wharfedale Diamond 12.3
Which brings us to the ultimate piece on this refined stereo jigsaw. These floorstanding audio system. Suffice to say, these Wharfedales are simply the perfect
sub-£500 floorstanders we’ve come throughout. They offer you every little thing the
greatest bookshelf audio system do, agility, good timing and so forth, however add that authority and punch that good floorstanders ought to lend the sound.
The Diamond 12.3 are masters at juggling these nearly contradictory calls for. They’re clean, even-handed and splendidly refined for the cash. Feed them a poor sign (not from this method, clearly…) and they’re expert at revealing the shortcomings with out shouting about them. They’ll spherical off tough edges and downplay undesirable aggression with out smothering the life out of the music. However, then again, should you give them an excellent supply and suitably succesful amplification, as right here, they carry out beautifully.
Given Trance Frendz by Ólafur Arnalds they ship a stunning layered sound that’s brimming with element and dynamic nuance. These audio system seize the album’s laid-back rhythms in a pleasingly sure-footed method and don’t get tripped up when issues get complicated.
They resolve a considerable amount of info but in addition current it in an organised and managed manner. The Wharfedale’s chief rival is the a number of Award-winning Fyne Audio F302i. These audio system sound extra enthusiastic however are notably much less refined at excessive frequencies and lack the Diamond’s innate sophistication.
We admire the 12.3’s articulate and expressive midrange and the seamless integration between the drive items. We like how Wharfedale has averted extra; there’s sufficient bass weight to fulfill however not a lot that it spoils the steadiness of the presentation. The lows are agile, satisfyingly wealthy and textured with it.
These Diamonds additionally sound good at lower-volume ranges. Too usually we come throughout audio system that come alive solely when pushed onerous, however the 12.3 could be loved at ranges that gained’t wake the children or upset the neighbours late at evening.
Play them louder, although, and these audio system don’t complain. There’s punch and energy when required, but in addition a degree of subtlety that’s uncommon to search out in a floorstander at this value. You’ll be able to add an excellent tonal steadiness and steady stereo imaging to the listing of plus factors, too.
Briefly, the Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 are the proper accompaniment for the veteran Marantz twins and Bluesound’s bang-up-to-date stream ticket.
Verdict
Whether or not you suppose it’s refined in appears to be like or not, this method is definitely a classy pay attention. The Marantz pairing, as we are saying, work effectively collectively – as you’ll anticipate – and the brand new Bluesound streamer provides a punch of rhythmic consistency to proceedings that’s moderately spectacular for its value.
What’s extra, we’re actually completely satisfied to have the ability to advocate a pair of floorstanders at an acceptable value to this method. Till pretty not too long ago, we wouldn’t actually have had a floorstanding possibility that we might again 100 per cent, however Fyne Audio set the cat among the many pigeons on that entrance a couple of quick years in the past, and Wharfedale has risen to that problem with the Diamond 12.3s.
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