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Looking for a great system with streaming and CD smarts? Our editor has you covered
Getting your first hi-fi system, especially if you want a CD player as well as streaming smarts but are scared by full fat separates, is tricky. Hi-fi matching is an art as well as science for a reason, after all.
Which is why if you’re looking for a simple setup that keeps your number of boxes to a minimum but still meets the above criteria, we have some good news. We’ve spotted two fantastic deals on Richer Sounds that let you get the exact same system our editor uses every day, with £240 right now.
Specifically, if you jump over to Richer Sounds and you can grab the five-star, multi-Award-winning Technics SA-C600 system for £759 (save £140) and the five-star Q Acoustics 3030i standmount speakers for £229.
This is a stellar combo of two five-star products that will deliver a lively, but engaging and sound with excellent dynamics – hence why he still uses it.
Seeking a five-star Bluetooth deck? Pro-Ject has you covered…
The Pro-Ject T1 Evo BT is a sparkling choice if you’re seeking for convenience and performance at a tasty price. Designed to be an accessible option for getting your vinyl spinning as part of Pro-Ject’s Evo T1 line of wallet-friendly decks, it’s a user-friendly Bluetooth deck that’s easy to set up and a pleasure to use.
Sound-wise, it’s something of a smoothie. As we wrote in our review, it’s a “smooth and undemanding” performer that handles voices expertly, giving the central performance on Portishead’s Dummy “a natural, full-bodied authenticity”.
Detail levels are strong, with instruments carefully sketched out with a deft sonic hand, while the Pro-Ject’s bass reproduction is deep, bold and impressively controlled. Whether you’re beaming it to a wireless speaker or using it within a traditional hi-fi setup, we have no trouble recommending the five-star T1 Evo BT during Amazon’s Big Deal Days event.
And there’s a pretty good level up option on sale
If you’re looking for a streaming amp with a little more muscle and personality than the WiiM Amp Pro mentioned above, we’d strongly recommend looking at the Roksan Attessa Streaming Amplifier, which is available for £1099 at Richer Sounds (save £200).
The amp isn’t a sonic all-rounder, but for the right type of music fan that values a bombastic sound full of personality and a lively, easy-going presentation it’s a great fit. It’s also got full streaming smarts and enough power to drive more demanding speakers than the WiiM, which will be important for buyers that plan to evolve their system.
As we said in our review:
“It may not be an all-rounder but, despite the chinks in its sonic armour, we find the Roksan Attessa streaming amplifier to be very likeable and enjoyable. You can tap your foot along to the music and, if so inclined, sing along to your playlists, which isn’t always the case with products we test.”
The WiiM Amp Pro is a really good price and ideal choice for hi-fi newbies
Just add speakers systems are a great entry point to hi-fi that we often point newbies towards. This is because they offer a convenient all in one solution, with the added flexibility of being able to pick which speakers you want.
That means you can upgrade or tweak your setup as you go and is a gentle entry point to the world of separates where matching is much more intimidating and complex.
And if that sounds appealing, then we have some good news: the recommended affordable option in our best hi-fi systems guide, the WiiM Amp Pro is down to £320 on Amazon (£80 off its regular price).
Though we gave it four-stars, trust us when we say this is the best option you’ll find for less than £500. We know, because we’ve tried and failed to find anything better.
Just make sure to match them with some price appropriate speakers. We’d recommend something akin to the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 or recently reviewed, five-star Dali Kupid, if you’re short on space.
A pair of earbuds from a British hi-fi legend
Headphone deals are coming in fast but for now, we’ve not spotted any truly amazing ones on a big name, five-star player. Instead the top saving we’ve spotted is on the four-star Cambridge Audio Melomania M100.
Though they still aren’t class leading, for the money they’re a very solid option right now. This is especially true if you want a balanced all rounder capable of delivering a balanced, clean and spacious sound, but don’t want to spend more than £100.
As we said in our review: “The Melomania M100 are well-designed wireless earbuds with fun and flagship-bothering features that are worth considering at this price.”
Meet the team updating this page
Kashfir Kabir
Audio expert Kash is our hi-fi head-honcho. With a decade and a half of experience she’s reviewed everything from affordable DACs to uber-expensive floorstanding speakers and has a holistic knowledge of all things hi-fi as a result. She’ll be on hand throughout all of this year’s Big Deal Days event using that knowledge to find the best deals on headphones, turntables, speakers amps and more. Making sure you get the best sounding hi-fi at a great price.
Andy Madden is What Hi-Fi?’s second in command and one of our resident headphone experts. This year alone he’s reviewed, or second listened, nearly all the big names you’ll find in our best wireless headphones and best wireless earbuds guide. He’ll be working throughout the Big Deal Days event hunting for the top deals on these in-particular.
Harry McKerrell
Self described “Golden Child” of the What Hi-Fi? reviews team, Harry McKerrell is our hi-fi senior staff writer. Delusions of grandeur aside, he’s one of our top audio reviewers having started off with headphones before graduating to standmount speakers, amps and more this year. He’s got his ear to the ground for all the latest and greatest deals on the top products we recommend and will be helping update this page as and when he spots them.
A quick tip
The truth is, Amazon shopping events always bring a lot of bogus deals. Why bogus? There’s two main reasons.
First, because the price isn’t always the best its ever been. That’s why we check the recent price history of any “deal” before we recommend it. Second, and more relevant for the purposes of this tip, because there are some audio products that aren’t worth your money no matter how heavily discounted they are.
Which is why we always recommend going into any shopping event with a clear hitlist of products you’ve already shortlisted and done your research. The best way to do this is to start off with one of our buying guides. These are pages we constantly update with our up to date buying advice on all the products we’ve tested in any given category.
So looking there you’ll find a nice, quick list of options we’ve fully reviewed and recommend even when they’re not on deal. To help make it even easier, we’ve included a link to some of the big ones we think you’ll find helpful.
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