In article , Simon Farr
wrote:
Im looking for a HIFI that i can connect my freeview box to - i dont
want surround sound/home cinema so my ideal system would be as follows:

- Optical audio-in (to connect to my optical-out on my freeview box) -
Radio + CD - 2 Speakers (rather than sub and satalites) - DVD player and
DAB tunner would be excellent but prehaps out of my price range

I have a Denon M31 with M51 speakers and have got to say it sounds soooo
good! it really is one of the best systems ive ever bought - it doesnt
have an optical audio-in socket though otherwise it would now have pride
of place with my new TV in our conservatory.

If you are happy with your current amp/speakers and with stereo, I'd
suggest you consider using a standard DAC.

I have a Freeview digital receiver, a DVD recorder, and a CD player. I feed
the (co-axial) digital outputs from all three via a home-made switchbox,
and then connect the chosen output into a Meridian 263 DAC. I then connect
the audio output from the DAC to one on the inputs on my stereo preamp. The
systems works fine and allows me to use my choice of audio amps and
speakers.

The above means the results are stereo, but from what you say this is what
you require.

You would need to find a DAC that accepts optical if this is your
preferrence. However these can be bought second-hand to keep down the cost.

If the DAC only has one (optical) input you can buy a switch later on if
required when/if you want to add digital sources like a DVD player and/or
DAB tuner. If buying a DAC, check that it can accept data rates other than
the 44.1ls/s CD standard.

I dont REALLY want to pay over £200 for a decent setup but if i was
gonna get DAB/DVD with it i might be able to spend a bit more - really
though im looking to spend the minimum i can whilst still getting a
quality system.

In your situation I suspect that buying a DAC is more cost-effective than
replacing an amp you like with a receiver or similar. Have a look at some
of the ads in the back of magazines like Hi Fi World. Hi Fi News, etc. as
some of these list secondhand items like DACs.

FWIW I personally have a preference for Meridian DACs, but you should find
that some other types are just fine.

Slainte,

Jim

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