Hi-fi can get complex fast, not to mention expensive. If you’re someone who loves music but also likes to tinker, test, and fiddle with different components and sounds, then there is a never-ending list of products, brands, and source material to experiment with.
But what if you just want a simple, easy way to get into hi-fi? Here, we’ll explore three simple setups that will sound great and get you started on your hi-fi journey.
Part 1: Headphone Hi-fi
For hi-fi listening, you need a source capable of playing audio at a high resolution. While physical media like records and CDs may be preferred, streaming has come a long way with high-res formats available from Apple Music, Tidal, and Spotify. For this simple headphone setup, we are going with an interesting option that’s actually portable — the Sony NW-ZX707 Walkman.
It’s a fairly simple and versatile piece of hardware that will work for enjoying your favorite high-fidelity tracks at home, and you can also take it on the go to enjoy in the office, while running errands, or anywhere else you need a moment of Zen.
Its internal battery will last around 12–25 hours, depending on a wide variety of settings and codecs. Running Android OS and equipped with Wi-Fi, this Walkman can connect to all the major streaming platforms.
Its design is sure to draw a bit of attention, as it does harken back to the classic Walkman shape. Its heavy, blocky shape feels solid in the hand, making it even feel like a hi-fi product. Because it’s all about the experience, right?
Now, if you like listening to music SUPER loudly in your headphones, then you may find the Walkman doesn’t reach the volume levels you crave, but in my experience, it’s plenty loud for comfortable listening.
The Headphones
And now, let’s check out the headphones. When it comes to hi-fi listening, Sennheiser is a name that comes up often. For this simple rig, we’re going to use the HD 660S2.
This is a super-light pair of open-back headphones, meaning you can hear most of what’s going on around you, and air can move around in the earcups. This design provides a more natural-sounding listening experience. If you listen in a noisy environment, then you may want to opt for a closed-back pair of headphones like the Meze Strada to enjoy a more immersive listening experience.
The HD 660S2s feature an updated sound over the previous version. Sub bass is boosted for a fun, full listening experience while still maintaining crystal clear sound.
Comfort is also important when considering a pair of headphones, and the HS 660S2s also excel here with their large ear cups and velour earpads.
This combination gives incredible warmth and clear details on tracks such as “Sound and Color” by Alabama Shakes, drawing me into the strings and picking up minute movements in the recording.
This is an incredible rig for someone who doesn’t want to be tied down to a single location when listening to hi-fi music.
Part 2: Bookshelf Rig
Let’s move on to our second setup, which is a different approach — this features a pair of powered bookshelf speakers and a network-connected audio streamer. Once again, we’re going for simplicity — that’s all you need, no amps or preamps required.
For the speakers, we’re going with an often-recommended pair, the Kanto Audio YU6. Currently priced at $580, they’re a very affordable pair of powered bookshelf speakers.
With a stated frequency response of 50–20,000Hz, you won’t get room-shaking low end, but it still packs plenty of full, detailed low end for enjoyable listening. Another benefit of YU6 speakers is that they feature a sub out. This means you can add a sub down the line if you’d like to increase the low-end performance or repurpose the speakers for an immersive home theater.
Sending a signal to the YU6 speakers is a nifty unit from Arcam, the ST25. Focused on simplicity, the Arcam ST25 can stream from your favorite platforms, such as Spotify, Tidal Connect, and Roon. With Wi-Fi, it can also use AirPlay 2, ensuring an easy way to stream music in multiple locations around your home.
While there are more affordable streamers, Arcam has packed some incredible, high-quality hardware into the ST25. Most notable are incredibly detailed DAC components from ESS that deliver a dynamic, distortion-free sound.
It’s sleek and stylish, and the big, bright display makes it easy to see what’s playing.
That’s all you need! If you want to expand beyond YU6 powered bookshelf speakers, then you’ll need an amp (and Arcam has the perfect match for the ST25), but otherwise, this simple system will deliver incredibly clear audio of your favorite recordings from a high-quality streaming service.
Part 3: Upgraded Vinyl
Lastly, let’s take a look at a simple, reliable setup for playing vinyl, starting with the turntable. While the gold standard for getting into vinyl might be the Audio-Technica LP60X, for this option, we went with a more feature-packed turntable, the Technics SL-1500C.
With a substantial chassis fabricated from aluminum, ABS, and glass fiber, the SL-1500C is a solid choice coming in at 21 pounds. It also features a Coreless Direct Motor Drive system for ultra-stable rotation.
Attached to the S-shaped tonearm is a well-regarded Ortofon 2M Red cartridge that features an auto-lifter for even easier listening. Of course, down the line, you can easily upgrade this cartridge as you discover your preferred hardware.
This design — the heavy chassis, the Coreless motor, and S-shaped tonearm — is comprised of upgraded pieces that help to get the most detail out of your records without external factors muddying up the sound.
The SL-1500C also features dual outputs and a line and a phono with an onboard EQ. For the purposes of this setup, we’ll use the phono out to run into our next piece of kit, the Onkyo Icon Series A-50 network-integrated amp.
This beast of an integrated amp pumps out 110 watts per channel at eight ohms, and for our turntable, you don’t need any additional preamps or amplifiers.
Another great feature for vinyl listening is an MM/MC phono stage, meaning it’s even ready for MC cartridges that can require more specialized equipment than the standard phono input.
What’s more, this unit can also play streaming audio from Spotify and Tidal, and it supports Apple AirPlay 2. So if you’d prefer to skip the ritual of vinyl and would rather quickly play something from a streaming program, then the A50 can do that.
Additionally, for dialing in sound to your room, the A-50 packs Dirac Live room correction, a powerful, easy-to-use software for tuning a sound system to a room. Out of the box, the A-50’s Dirac license will tune frequencies from 20Hz to 500Hz, which I would argue are the most important. The full bandwidth license is only a $99 upgrade to truly dial in your speakers to your space.
For speakers, we are going for the beautiful Focal Theva N3. While dual 6.5-inch Slatefiber drivers handle the lows, another one covers the mids, and a 1-inch TNF tweeter provides clear, detailed treble.
With a frequency response of 48Hz to 28kHz, this won’t necessarily deliver room-shaking bass for a home theater, but for accurate instrumentation and reproduction of your favorite recordings, the Theva N3 will deliver incredible audio.
Speakers can be as much a statement piece for your living room as they are an integral part of your hi-fi system, and Focal never disappoints on that front, either. Available in black, dark wood, and light wood, these sleek colorways will look right at home in any space.
A nice set of floor-standing speakers such as the Focal Theva N3 will set you up for the future, too. If you intend to turn your space into a home theater, then these will deliver crisp, clear dialogue.
Wrap-up
Hi-fi doesn’t have to be complicated. Some people enjoy the puzzle and process of changing and tweaking gear, but if you don’t want to fuss with a system, then these three systems are a great way to go.
If you have the room and budget for it, then a large setup with floor speakers will deliver some of the most immersive, performance-like playback around, but you’ll also get plenty of detail and immersion from a great pair of headphones matched with a capable source.
If you have questions or are wondering how all of this can work with your current system, then give your Sales Engineer a call to find the perfect gear.
