New Build + Nooby

[T34J0K3R]

Hi All,

I'm relatively new to this so please forgive me if I'm being dumb with this post and forgive my lack of knowledge.

I'm currently in the process of building a separated HiFi system. I'm not going to be spending a huge amount. I just want something that works and will work for the foreseeable.

I have very little hardware and knowledge at present. Though I have once installed an Amp and Subwoofer in my car with some assistance, I found the impedance a little hard to understand; in any case, it's irrelevant to this post.

So at present, I have 2 x 702e Mission Floorstanding speakers. Along with a single M7C2 Centre Mission speaker. I was actually given them by a work colleague about a year ago. At the time he said you have 2 options Surround or Stereo Amp.

I've had a look around, and I've decided to go down the Stereo Route.

My intentions are Amp(DAB+FM Radio) + CD Player + Turntable + Cassette(Maybe - Havent found one yet).

The Hardware I'm looking at is:
AMP: Denon DRA800H (Black) £499 - Richersounds
CD - Denon DCD600NE (Black) £239 - Richersounds
Turntable - Denon DP300 £249 -Richersounds

The above mention Richersounds, but I'll shop around.

The Amp is going to be connected to my Gaming Rig, using either HDMI or Optical. The CD, Turntable and potentially Cassette will be connected to the AMP using phono cables.

The Amp will then have some cables going out from the Outputs to both of my floor standing 702e's.

So my questions.
1) Is it worth using the Mission M7C2 Centre speaker, if so how will I connect this to the amp? As its central will, I have to bridge the left and right channels?

2) The 2 Mission 702e's have 4 connections. I'm assuming for HF and LF. How will I connect these to the Amp?

3) My colleague previously mentioned using either Butterfly clips/plugs or Banana Plugs to connect the speakers up. I'm not really sure about this. Any advice would be much appreciated.

4) What Cassette Players would you recommend?

5) Could someone give me some kind of idea about impedance. 4 vs 8, 8 vs 16 etc. What effect does it have on sound, if any at all?

I have no doubt some of my questions may seem stupid and maybe laughable, but I am a total noob.

Any recommendations? Do you think it will sound good? I've not tested the 702e's or the M7C2 yet, I know that they are quite old. So is it even worth using them? Or should I look at something else, they were a freebie though. Advice on the plugs or clips would be much appreciated. I've attached some photos of the hardware at present. I'm guessing that the clips my colleague was talking about are on image 4. Note that I only have the speakers at the moment, so I am more than happy to accept suggestions if what I'm thinking of getting is not good enough.

Thanks,
Ash

 

[oscroft]

I can't really help with equipment choice, but here's a few thoughts on some of your questions...

1) Is it worth using the Mission M7C2 Centre speaker, if so how will I connect this to the amp? As its central will, I have to bridge the left and right channels?

2) The 2 Mission 702e's have 4 connections. I'm assuming for HF and LF. How will I connect these to the Amp?

3) My colleague previously mentioned using either Butterfly clips/plugs or Banana Plugs to connect the speakers up. I'm not really sure about this. Any advice would be much appreciated.

1) No, stereo simply does not have a centre channel or any sensible way to fake one. A centre speaker is only used for home-cinema style surround sound which has a dedicated channel for it.

2) Bi-wiring was an old bit of nonsense that never made any sense (bi-amping is a different thing, but you don't even need to think about that). So just connect a short wire between the HF and LF red terminals and one between the HF and LF black terminals - and then a single pair of cables to the amp will drive both HF and LF. The Missions would have originally had a pair of connectors to fit between them.

3) I use banana plugs for convenience - they plug in easily and reasonably securely, and they make decent connections.

 

[gibbsy]

Some points covered above regarding the centre speaker. Your choice of amp is sound and it will drive the Missions with no problems and again the CD player will do a good job. I do suggest that you listen to the amp at Richer Sounds and perhaps listen to the Marantz pm6007 as well. The Marantz is a very musical amp with a warm rich sound, the Denon is a little more lively and may suit rock music better.

I'll not comment on a TT as I have not bothered with snap, crackle and pop for over 30 years other than so say that ask about the Rega decks.

 

[Deleted member 901590]

I don't make out to be any kind of expert in this but I have had some Mission 702e speakers before, they were brand new in RS around year 2000 for £100. Based on their performance, in my opinion, the amp and sources you are choosing may not be best invested in the speakers.

Many other members on here can give advice on the best equipment and best spread of cost over the components - I'm just saying that I'd consider factoring new or used speaker alternatives to the 702e if you have that much money for the whole setup.

And Missions go for disproportionate resale amounts on famous bidding sites, so that could recoup some funds. My daughter's boyfriend sold a pair of 702e spares/repair with both tweeters broken for £85 last year!

 

[Paul7777x]

I don't make out to be any kind of expert in this but I have had some Mission 702e speakers before, they were brand new in RS around year 2000 for £100. Based on their performance, in my opinion, the amp and sources you are choosing may not be best invested in the speakers.

Many other members on here can give advice on the best equipment and best spread of cost over the components - I'm just saying that I'd consider factoring new or used speaker alternatives to the 702e if you have that much money for the whole setup.

And Missions go for disproportionate resale amounts on famous bidding sites, so that could recoup some funds. My daughter's boyfriend sold a pair of 702e spares/repair with both tweeters broken for £85 last year!

I’m compelled to agree. For your budget I’d sell the missions and buy some better speakers to begin with.

 

[Paul7777x]

Actually, assuming you want to buy new, your suggestions are very well balanced.

The amp does outclass the speakers, but that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy your music, tv and games.

Plus, once your cash supply has recovered, there’s nothing to stop you from upgrading the speakers, and having a very fine hifi indeed.