Priceless. I love TV ads that try to show us how great an improvement the advertised TVs are.
On-topic: I forget if you’ve offered a diagram of your listening space @pennstac, so my apologies if this is redundant; is there any way you could place the speakers either side of a cabinet or other piece of furniture that would enable them to blend into the room while still providing you with the right sound you’re after?
Speaking of lifestyle systems, the sonos 5 would probably be the “right” answer for an office system with low level listening. Space conscious, recognizable as a product of desire, non ostentatious and sophisticated.
Or B&O’s overpriced invisible wifi panel:
Here’s an idea of my office. The green triangle represents the door. The entry/reception is to the right, and I have a window above the cabinet shown on the right. At present that cabinet contains my amp and the Zen Blue DAC. My speakers are on either side, not an ideal placement. It was just to get an idea how it would be to have sound in my office.
Above the diagram is a hall. To the left, my conference room, then small server room that also has shredding cabinet, microwave, keurig. Followed by storeroom and bathroom.
The cabinet can be easily moved or removed, the desk assembly is a pain to move.
HALL here HALL here HALL here
@mfadio Yes, I have SONOS at home. Unfortunately, as a financial office having any WiFi that shares a connection with the office systems is not permitted. SONOS can’t be made to work using the available Comcast WiFi hotspot. I could pay Comcast out of my pocket to install a fully separate office Guest type system. I am also not allowed to attach non-company hardware to the wired connections in the office. I’d considered trying to use something to create a gateway from the Comcast hotspot to make a local net that I could connect with SONOS. Note that my office’s Comcast broadcast is turned off, the hotspot comes from neighboring Comcast access points. Broadband is only so-so in my location, I get 2 bars on my phone generally.
That ELAC looks like a nice choice. Took a look at the Rogue Sphinx 3; I like integrated amps. If you follow @generic 's pointer to my Vintage Restoration thread, I’ll be using that Sansui. It’s nearing completion with a fully-documented board-level resto and upgrade. The Rogue looks nice. If you want more power, take a look at Integrated Amps | Wyred 4 Sound I have one of the earlier STI-1000 integrated as my main home amp. Wyred4Sound does class D right.
The Sansui is a class A pre-amp with AB power.
I looked at Rega for a long time, then bought a VPI turntable. I don’t regret the choice. I have a Prime Scout. If you want to go down the vintage path, I heartily recommend https://vinylnirvana.com
they helped me keep my AR turntable for a long time and have beautifully restored Thorens and ARs - the particular models come and go.
What source were you planning on using in a traditional set up? USB out of computer to standalone dac?
Was also considering this Marantz, which would add easy WiFi streaming from the iPad: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1169314-REG/marantz_mm8077_7_channel_amplifier.html
Also future proofs me quite a bit.
Not sure I love the one box for everything, though, so could go on 8006 and add a Node for streaming. That adds dac too within the node.
I stream from my iPad Pro Bluetooth 5 to the iFi Zen Blue. Connect to the Comcast hotspot just fine as I’m a Comcast customer. It’s frustrating that SONOS doesn’t work the same way.
Where are you thinking of putting the new speakers? In the same place as the old ones?
Left about 3 ft from hall wall and 1 ft from left wall. Right in front of the door about 1ft from the wall leaving 3 inches or so clearance from the door’s path. Probably some angle in.
Alternative placement for right would be just to the left of the door.
All right, pretty sure we’re there!
Speakers: ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 (Walnut) Bookshelf speakers at Crutchfield
Amp: Marantz PM8006 Stereo integrated amplifier at Crutchfield
Phase two, turntable: Technics SL-1210GR Manual direct drive turntable at Crutchfield