Hi everyone!

Awesome website! I've been surfing around for three full days. I am finally really getting into this hi-fi art! I've always loved good sound , but I've never been able to afford good equipment. Well, the time has come! :-D

So here's the story and the questions.

I recently saved up some money and bought an E-MU 0404 USB and a pair of good cans - Sennheiser HD595. I use the combo with a Dell laptop and I am very satisfied so far.

The only problem of course is that I have to sit by the laptop while listening to music and I can't share the pleasure with other people in the room. Also, since the cans are open, everyone else in the room can hear them too and since they cannot listen properly it's sorta annoying

So the logical solution is to buy an entry level hi-fi system of course :-)

Here's the plan:

1. Source: Squeezebox Duet (http://www.slimdevices.com/pi_duet.html). Alternatively the laptop through the 0404 USB or even the Duet through the 0404 usb.
2. Amp: Marantz PM 4001 / 4001 OSE (http://www.marantz.com/new/index.cfm?fusea...mp&type=amp)
3. Speakers: Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 (http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/1105wharfedale/)

Now the questions:

1. I have a chance of getting the 4001 OSE for the same money as the normal version (about 300 euro, here in Germany). Obviously, I should go for it, right? But since it involves some complications, I was wondering: would I (a newbee) hear the difference? Also, is the Marantz worth the money when compared to something like the Denon PMA-500AE? The price of the latter here is almost half here... I am planning to audition the regular 4001 and the Denon at a shop nearby tomorrow, but I just want to hear some opinions. Just for clarification: I listen really to all kinds of music... From classical jazz to the softer pieces by Metallica. It is mostly rock and jazz however.
2. Do you think the Wharfedales are good for these amps? Any alternatives?
3. Is the Squeezebox a good source? Would it sound better if connected through the 0404 usb (thereby utilizing the allegedly better DAC)?

Thanks a lot in advance and sorry for the LONG post!

If you're planning on auditioning the amplifier in the shop on loudspeakers, it's extremely unlikely to sound anything like the same as it would in your own home, unless the listening room at the shop has identical dimensions and exactly the same combination of hard and soft surfaces in exactly the same places.

I'd recommend taking your Sennheiser HD595s along with you to listen via the headphone socket as well.

Cheers, Slipstreem.

I would reallocate your budget. Spend only $150 on amplification (can get decent if you look), use the E-MU (v good if it is convenient to use computer) and spend the rest on the speakers. You can get a good system this way with the right choice of speakers. They are the most important thing and a matter of taste, make sure to consider various options first. You will get a much better result than with your current choice of speaker or anything in that price range.

To stream or not to stream, that’s the question.

Streaming audio using devices like the Squeezebox is an excellent solution.
These boxes has no moving parts inside so noiseless and that’s what you need in your listening area.
To play your own music, you need a server (PC or NAS) and it must be on.
So often these boxes are combined with a NAS because:
- low power consumption ( 7 – 15 watt)
- can be placed anywhere so outside the listening area (HDs and fans could make a lot of noise)
- can serve multiple clients
The screen of these boxes are in general very small, something I don’t like.
A alternative is a laptop but as it is inside the listening area it must be a very quit one.
The average laptop soundcard is in general ‘average’, a good USB DAC can solve this.

Squeezebox has a good reputation as far as sound quality is concerned.
Squeezecenter is a bit of a paradox, it is open source but it will serve Squeezeboxes only.
If you want a more universal solution, look for UPnP AV clients.

As you do have E-MU 0404 USB already you can simply try
Laptop > E-MU 0404 USB > amp

A balanced vs a single source amp, Squeezebox vs E-MU, it all might yield audible differences but the most crucial element is the speakers. They do most of the damage in general.
So best results are probably obtained by spending as much as you can afford on speakers.

If you are on a tight budget you might give Audio Engine http://www.audioengineusa.com/ a try.
I never have heard them but hanging around on the internet a bit to often, I have the feeling they deliver excellent value for money