New system for £500ish - advice sought

[md644]

I might be a bit out of my league here, looking at the kit mentioned in some of the other threads, but here goes...

Looking to buy a new hi-fi to replace/upgrade my old system - Yamaha RX-300 receiver, Technics SPL770 CDP, Mission 761 speakers on fairly basic stands. The sound is a bit bright and thin, could do with more detail and bass. I listen to pop/rock/electronic music mostly, sometimes a dash of classical; I don't listen to the radio very much so I only really need an amp and CDP.

Originally I considered some of the "micro" separates systems (Teac, Denon), my wife even commented on how nice the Teac looked when she saw one in Comet (not where I'd buy from, but that's another story).

Then it occurred to me that I could probably get something better sounding for around the same money (£500ish) if I went for separates, and am now considering something like the Nad C521BEE CDP/A520 amp, or the Cambridge Audio Azur 540 v2 series. I haven't listened to anything yet, and know that's what I'll need to do to make any choice.

The problem comes when considering speakers, for practical reasons I'd prefer floorstanders (nothing huge, something like the KEF Cresta 30/Mission M73i perhaps) but not sure if they'd be suitable in my room (4mx3m approx), as they'll probably need to be quite close to the wall. If not floorstanders I'd need to look at something like the Mordaunt Short 902's (and better stands) perhaps?

Also - anything else I should consider shortlisting in the price range? (might be able to stretch to the Azur 640 for example).

As I said above, I know when it comes down to it I need to go to my local hi-fi dealer with a stack of familiar CD's and have a listen to some kit, I'm struggling a little to work out what's suitable before I do that as I'm a bit out of date with the current hifi scene....

[summerWhine]

I have not heard the the a540 but if richer sounds are bundling the 540 amp and cd player with a pair of 902's for £400 which can't be bad. I have heard the NADs and they are fine for the money. Other speakers to consider are the Mission M32i's which give a nice warm sound for about £120 - my mate has a pair of these and they are good for budget speakers.

BTW I am biased towards NADs as I have the 352/542 combination - listen to a system in the shop and if you like it buy it!

[steve998]

I agree that NAD / Cambridge Audio are good options (However i bought a Denon 'all in one' and very good it sounds to!)

I found that ALL of the floor standers that i tested £150 - £300 were far too compromised. I found that spending £250 on some standmount speakers and £50 on stands gave better vfm on QUALITY than buying budget floor standers.

I tested some KEF, Mission and Acoustic Energy floorstanders (cant remember model names ...sorry)

I found all of floorstanders muddles and compromised, great for a wow factor with dance music bass, but timing and precision were no where near as good as standmounts.

I decided on buying B&W 601s3 standmount speakers. You can always add an active sub at a later date when founds allow if required (plus the standmounts can be placed closer to the walls with the sub 'integrated' with the speakers /room)