B&W 685 sterio comp rig - Some questions

[bI0HaZ]

Hello, I'm trying to think up a sterio set up for my comp as my next investment. I currently pack a Essence sound card, and listen to most styles of music from Electronica, to Classical and some Jazz in between on my headphones. I'm not sure on how much I would be spending but I would like to get a decent amp for my future B&W 685s. I am currently thinking along the lines of Rotel RA-1062 and dont mind spending a little more for a decent difference.
After some reading I realized I would like a integrated amp but am still not a 100% on all the terms. Is this a cheaper option or the only option? And when using the RA-1062 I will be connecting it with the RCA I'm guessing but how much better would it be if it was digital? That would mean I need to get another piece like a CD player (which I wouldn't mind) and connect the digital S/PDIF out?
Also I would like to connect my turntables up to the set up, and I intend to get a pair of CDJ1000 with a DJM800 mixer sometime. How good are these CDJs for sound quality compared to a $500 CD player?
Please advise me on some nice gear

bI0HaZ

 

[endless402]

get an external DAC, either USB or digital. that should be the first step to improving the sound

any budget for your upgrades?

 

[bI0HaZ]

Thank you for your advice. What kind of DAC do you recommend? I'm not sure on how much I am going to spend but I dont mind going up to around $3000 within reason.

bI0HaZ

 

[tom hankins]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bI0HaZ /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thank you for your advice. What kind of DAC do you recommend? I'm not sure on how much I am going to spend but I dont mind going up to around $3000 within reason. bI0HaZ

Here are several hundred DACs for sale. Stereo is spelled with an e not i.

AudiogoN: Digital: DA Converters: For Sale

 

[iriverdude]

Yes you'll need a stereo DAC. Why settle with B&W & Rotel, plenty of other makes around.

 

[bI0HaZ]

Sorry my spelling isn't the best.

And is it not recommended to use the RCA out on my sound card? How much different it is to use the DAC?

bI0HaZ

 

[bI0HaZ]

Well I have always liked the look of B&W, but have no real experience listening to nice speakers, and have only touched headphones. But I have decided to get speakers as well. So I have no real reason to get the B&W other then enjoying the look of the black 685s.
I understand sound is the most important thing but if you can recommend me something that looks great in black too that would be nice. If it is any other colour it would not match the rest of my gadgets

bI0HaZ

 

[iriverdude]

Don't go by the look of speakers. Black speakers - especially if it's just vinyl wra - generally look from budget range. Consider some speakers to add a bit of colour, everything black will make it look like a student bedsit. All of my ams except the av pre-amp are black, but speakers are real wood veneer in cherry and rosewood. I've got Kef Reference, B&W and Ruark main speakers.

 

[bI0HaZ]

I guess the use of the dark red wood would be nice. And as I had mentioned previously I do see the importance of making sure sound comes first when picking what to buy, and I intend to find something that is recommended by people, to sound good. I will have a listen to some speakers/amps to get exactly what I want. But still if there is one that looks extra nice I would like that.
Can you recommenced me a set of bookshelf speakers? I don't intend to go too far over $3000 for this set up, and my room will be a small apartment. And what amp/dac?

 

[iriverdude]

Hundreds of combinations, I'd visit a few local Hi-Fi shops.

 

[bI0HaZ]

I will be going to see the shops eventually. I'm not sure what they will have here in New Zealand but I also have to head into the city. It's still a few months before I get to Tokyo. I was just looking at getting a few specific items to read about in reviews before going into the the city to check it out.