Newly retired, new house, rekindling an old flame (music)

[Barry]

Morning all,

Apologies for the radio silence. I haven't fallen off the edge of the earth – nor have I bought anything. I've just been taking a bit of time to step back and let my head clear.

All the options, all the advice, all the second‑guessing... I realised I was getting nowhere fast. So I pressed pause.

In the meantime, I've been doing what I probably should have been doing all along: just listening to music. I've spent a couple of very enjoyable evenings in downtown Dublin, at two bars that seem to be built around good sound and good taste.

The Big Romance (https://thebigromance.ie) – A lovely little spot on Parnell Street. Dark, intimate, very deliberately curated playlists. They play everything from jazz to classic soul to leftfield electronic, always at a sensible volume – you can actually talk, but the music still gets under your skin. Their cocktail list is excellent too. Felt like listening to a favourite uncle's record collection, if that uncle had impeccable taste.

Fidelity (https://fidelitybar.ie) – Down on Abbey Street, a bit more of a hi-fi bar vibe. They've got a proper soundsystem (I didn't quiz them on the components, but it sounded right), and they spin a lot of hip-hop, funk, and house. Busier, louder, but still warm and engaging. I sat at the back and just soaked it in. Reminded me that music doesn't need to be analysed – just felt.

Neither place cares about your amplifier's damping factor. Neither place judges your budget. Both places just love music. It's been a nice reminder that the whole point of this is the music, not the gear.

I'm slowly coming back to the decision‑making table with a clearer head. Not there yet, but getting closer.

Thanks for sticking with me.

Alistair

What you are doing sounds like a good idea. Are you able to find out what make and model speakers are used? IMHO the speakers are the most important part of the system.

Thanks for the update - many of us are following your journey with interest. Enjoy the music!

[Macca]

What you are doing sounds like a good idea. Are you able to find out what make and model speakers are used? IMHO the speakers are the most important part of the system.
!

First one says their system is custom built, second one just says they have one of the best systems in the country. Not that they want to over-sell it or anything

[Barry]

Aren't all systems "custom built", whether by oneself, or with help from a dealer?

All I asked was if Alistair could see if the speakers were commercially available (as distinct from being specially designed and built), and if commercial the name of the manufacturer. Whether the staff in the two hi-fi cafés know, or are willing to say is a separate matter.

[Alex_UK]

Sounds like an amazing couple of venues there Alistair! I think we need to organise an AoS field trip!

Joking aside, it sounds like you are doing the right thing by taking your time. And enjoying the music!

[Berni217]

Morning all,

Apologies for the radio silence. I haven't fallen off the edge of the earth – nor have I bought anything. I've just been taking a bit of time to step back and let my head clear.

All the options, all the advice, all the second‑guessing... I realised I was getting nowhere fast. So I pressed pause.

In the meantime, I've been doing what I probably should have been doing all along: just listening to music. I've spent a couple of very enjoyable evenings in downtown Dublin, at two bars that seem to be built around good sound and good taste.

The Big Romance (https://thebigromance.ie) – A lovely little spot on Parnell Street. Dark, intimate, very deliberately curated playlists. They play everything from jazz to classic soul to leftfield electronic, always at a sensible volume – you can actually talk, but the music still gets under your skin. Their cocktail list is excellent too. Felt like listening to a favourite uncle's record collection, if that uncle had impeccable taste.

Fidelity (https://fidelitybar.ie) – Down on Abbey Street, a bit more of a hi-fi bar vibe. They've got a proper soundsystem (I didn't quiz them on the components, but it sounded right), and they spin a lot of hip-hop, funk, and house. Busier, louder, but still warm and engaging. I sat at the back and just soaked it in. Reminded me that music doesn't need to be analysed – just felt.

Neither place cares about your amplifier's damping factor. Neither place judges your budget. Both places just love music. It's been a nice reminder that the whole point of this is the music, not the gear.

I'm slowly coming back to the decision‑making table with a clearer head. Not there yet, but getting closer.

Thanks for sticking with me.

Alistair

Hey Alistair,

Your note reminded me the fond memories of evenings spent in Temple Bar when I used to travel regularly to Dublin years ago.

You are doing the right things: take your time, trust your ears and enjoy the music… However the systems in those venues will likely be out of your budget as well as being professionally graded to handle the specific volume and performances levels.

Good luck with the search!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Maelstrom]

Afternoon all.

Quick update – I've taken the advice and booked an audition at HiFihut for this Wednesday afternoon.

I'll be going in with an open mind, but I've asked them to set up something comparable to my Richer Sounds shortlist – likely the Wharfedale Super Lintons with a Rega or other integrated amp in the same bracket. I'm curious to hear how a different room and different electronics change my perception.

I'll report back afterwards. Fingers crossed for clarity, not more confusion.

Alistair

[CageyH]

Hi Alistair,

How did it go?

[Maelstrom]

Morning all,

Following a recommendation from a fellow member, I decided to take a detour on my never-ending journey and pay a visit to HiFi Hut in Dublin. After my less-than-warm welcome at Cloney Audio, I wasn't expecting much. But from the moment I walked in, it was a completely different story.

They have a great setup just off the M50, and the team there were genuinely interested, asking about my room, my tastes (warm, engaging, non-fatiguing), and crucially, my £3-4k budget. They listened. No judgement, no pushing. Just a shared love of music.

I went in with a mission: to see if they could assemble a system from their stock to compete with my Richer Sounds front-runner—the Cambridge Audio EXA100 paired with the Wharfedale Super Lintons. And they did, proposing a really intriguing alternative.

Here's the core system they set up for me:

Streamer: WiiM Pro Plus – still the transparent, unbeatable value champion.

Amplifier: Rega Elex MK4 – 72W, built-in DAC, wonderfully musical and rhythmic.

Then we tried two different speakers with it.

First up: Spendor A2 – Beautifully made, refined, detailed. But in that demo room, they felt a little polite for my taste. Nina Simone's voice was pristine but lacked a bit of chest. Classic rock (Zeppelin, Floyd) sounded clean but slightly restrained. I could admire them, but I didn't feel them.

Then: Wharfedale Super Linton Heritage – And there it was. The same warmth and presence I remembered from Belfast. The Spendors told me what the recording sounded like; the Wharfedales told me how the music felt. They're not as precise, but they're infinitely more engaging. For my taste – classic rock, female vocals, jazz – they're just more fun.

The Rega Elex drove the Lintons beautifully – a touch more nimble and open than the Cambridge EXA100, with a lovely rhythmic drive. That was the deciding factor for me.

So I bought it. The whole system – WiiM, Rega, Lintons (with stands), and QED XT25 speaker cable as Derek recommended.

And here's the best part: Derek is delivering everything this afternoon. He's setting it up in my room and – because I asked – he's going to spend some time advising on acoustic treatment. Rugs, placement, maybe some simple DIY panels. He said with my 5x4m room and bare floors, a few cheap tweaks will get me most of the way.

For anyone in Ireland, I cannot recommend HiFi Hut enough. Ask for Derek – he knows his stuff and is a genuine pleasure to deal with.

By tonight, I'll have music in my house for the first time in years. I'll post photos once it's all in place.

Thanks again to everyone who pointed me in this direction.

Alistair

[Tim]

Hi Alistair,

You've made a sound choice there I feel. I have a WiiM Pro and an Elex Mk4 and I've been a fan of the Rega house sound for some years now, having recently replaced my Brio R with an Elex. I have heard the Linton's as well, good speakers and very good value, so I can't see you being unhappy with that combination, especially if you have been without a system for so long. The Linton's are a very non fatiguing speaker so you can listen to them for hours without them starting to get edgy - perfect for jazz and female vocal.

Happy days then and a great city to live in too. I always pop into Neary's for a pint when I'm in Dublin, can't beat a Neary's Guinness

[Macca]

I thought you might procrastinate some more so well done for making the decision and going for it.

Look forward to seeing the pics of it all set up.