Putting together a high-end audio system in 2024 for $2,500 has never been easier and is highly motivated at the moment on my part as a form of rebellion in response to an onslaught of new products from some of the largest brands in the industry that feel remarkably out of touch with the economy and mainstream listening trends.
All of us support genuine progress when it comes to sound reproduction in the home — but when the focus becomes $80,000 to $750,000 loudspeakers and $40,000 power amplifiers — you have really lost the plot.
It feels like a lot of people in the marketing departments are trying to protect their jobs right now.
Music listeners want better sound quality and the smallest number of components possible that will get them to their desired destination. They also don’t want to go broke in the process.
Products like the Q Acoustics M40 Bluetooth Speakers may not be perfect, but offer so much performance and flexibility for under $1,000 — that it is very hard not to be seduced by their overall value.
Having spent more time listening to my personal pair, I would add the following to my in-depth review which covers their performance rather extensively.
From a connectivity perspective, I don’t think omitting an HDMI ARC port was the best long-term choice; especially because the target audience is likely to use these loudspeakers for both music and movies.
The TOSLINK optical connection works perfectly fine with my LG and Samsung TVs, but HDMI ARC would have been preferable in terms of compatibility with specific surround formats.
Not adding an internal MM phono stage to keep the price below $999 USD was likely the right choice; my recent experience with other Bluetooth loudspeakers that do offer that feature has been less than ideal and I would prefer to use a higher quality external MM/MC phono preamplifier instead.
The M40 are very good Bluetooth loudspeakers at lower listening levels, but their performance takes a rather significant step forward when you raise the volume and find the sweet spot that works best in your particular space.
The bass response is also considerably stronger and better defined at higher listening levels.
That change also means keeping some distance from the wall; these are Bluetooth speakers that can overload your space.
The tonal balance of the M40 is on the warmer side and there is a noticeable difference in the midrange and lower treble when it comes to detail retrieval and clarity — especially compared to the Q Acoustics 5020 and 5040 loudspeakers.
Can one change that by switching to a network player that is directly connected to Wi-Fi?
The Bluetooth performance is very good, but I suspected that the WiiM Audio Pro Plus connected through its analog outputs (and connected to my home router with Ethernet cable) would make this loudspeaker even better.
And I was correct.
WiiM Pro Plus
Is it possible for a $219 network player to really deliver a high-end digital playback experience?
In the case of the WiiM Pro Plus — the better answer is that one can elevate its performance long-term with a better DAC or amplifier on the other end and you are unlikely to feel that it can be bettered without spending a lot more money.
You can check out my detailed review here for those looking for some in-depth answers.
The WiiM Pro Plus offers upgraded DAC and ADC technology. It features an AKM 4493SEQ premium DAC with support up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM, DSD512, with PCM/DSD automatic switching. Meanwhile, its TI Burr-Brown Audio PCM1861 ADC supports up to 192kHz/24-bit from the digital outputs.
Very much like the Bluesound NODE, the WiiM Pro Plus offers compatibility with AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Deezer, TuneIn, iHeartRadio; the Pro Plus also sports a 10-band digital EQ and graphic EQ.
The Pro Plus is also compatible with Siri, Alexa, and Google. This allows easy control of music selection, volume adjustments, and playback. The WiiM Pro Plus comes with a voice-compatible remote control.
In addition, Roon Ready and Parametric EQ features are expected to be added to the Pro Plus via firmware update.
Sonic Upgrade?
The connectivity options make this upgrade a logical choice, but it would only make sense if the sound quality improved rather substantially for $219 USD.
The tonal balance and presentation of the WiiM Pro Plus leans the other way compared to the M40 and that proved to be a good compromise with a lot of music.
The network player offers a leaner, more incisive sounding presentation and with a lot more upper midrange and lower treble detail.
Vocals were reproduced with greater clarity and more accurate sounding timbre.
None of those changes were a negative, but I did notice that the sub bass and mid bass lost some of their impact; bass notes were better defined and quicker but not as resolute.
The soundstage also became somewhat larger from a width perspective, but the improvements in depth and height were minimal.
Vinyl Nirvana
if one is new to the world of vinyl playback, there are no shortage of options below $1,000 that could make sense in the context of this system built around the M40 loudspeakers.
The goal was to keep this system priced below $2,500 and that does provide some leeway when it comes to turntable, cartridge, and phono pre-amplifier.
Why spend more on the analog playback instead of a better network player?
The M40 responded rather positively to the insertion of vinyl playback with the Pro-Ject Debut Pro and U-Turn Audio Orbit Theory Turntables and the uptick in performance was not small.
Brian Mitchell and I discussed both of these turntables on a recent episode of the eCoustics Podcast which you can find here.
The U-Turn Orbit Theory comes with the option of an internal MM phono pre-amplifier and a stock Ortofon 2M Blue MM Cartridge. One can also upgrade to the Ortofon 2M Bronze which I happen to feel is one of the best cartridges on the market below $500.
The Pro-Ject Debut Pro comes with a pre-installed Sumiko Rainier and is a wonderfully communicative deck — certainly my pick for the best turntable below $1,000 right now.
You will need an external phono pre-amplifier with this set-up and two of the better options would be the Andover Audio SpinStage (read our review) and the Rega Fono MM MK5.
Andover Audio SpinStage
Vinyl me this…vinyl me that. Who is afraid of the big, black bat?
Couldn’t resist. And nor should some of you when it comes to the Andover Audio SpinStage Phono Preamplifier.
The Andover Audio SpinStage has two key features not commonly found in budget phono preamplifiers. First, by adding a separate MC gain stage with ultra-low-noise discrete transistors in a type of transconductance topology usually found only in more expensive designs, the SpinStage benefits from providing the necessary gain without added noise.
Second, the addition of an Auxiliary input restores the input used by the SpinStage when it’s connected to an amplifier that has only a few inputs. For example, a system that includes a CD player or other device may need the input used by the SpinStage.
$250 for a rather high quality MM/MC phono preamplifier? You can read my full review here.
Rega Fono MM MK5
Those who are paying attention will almost immediately notice that the Rega Fono MM MK5 is not new. It’s actually approaching its second anniversary in the lineup.
Don’t let that sway you.
You have to tip your hat to the folks at Rega. While the top turntables in their lineup are not exactly inexpensive, they remain committed to those of us who have their feet firmly planted in the entry-level and mid-tier high-end categories. The Rega Fono MM MK5 Phono Preamp is a great example of that.
If you have not had the chance to read our review of the excellent entry-level Rega io Integrated Amplifier, I suggest that you go there next to have a better understanding of what this British hi-fi brand stands for.
The aesthetic design of the Fono MM was as important as the quality of its electrical capabilities, so it benefits from the same updated aluminium case as the Rega Neo and Fono MC amplifier, giving it a design which offers a familiar feel and moreover brings it in line with its illustrious bigger brothers.
The RIAA equalization has been split into two stages to minimise interaction. Polyester capacitors have been used in the signal path and polypropylene capacitors are used in the RIAA equalization circuits.
The Rege Fono MM MK5 is for MM carts only and offers 41.4 dB of gain which is perfectly fine for carts over 3 mV; think Nagaoka, Grado, Sumiko, Ortofon, and Audio-Technica.
How does it sound?
Fleet of foot. Engaging. Full of texture and tone. It adds some warmth to the sound but there is so much more vitality to the sound with the right cartridge.
Final Thoughts…
Selecting the Rega Fono MM MK5 will push this system price marginally over our $2,500 target but not enough to be deal breaker. You could do a lot worse for your money at a time when high-end companies seem to think that the market is clamouring for $30,000 turntables and $80,000 loudspeakers.
Both turntable options are solid choices and whilst the Pro-Ject might deliver superior build quality and a sense of drive that I find immensely alluring — the U-Turn table built in the suburbs of Boston is a solid value from a company that has sold over 200,000 tables from rather humble beginnings. Great group of people as well.
Either combination will deliver transparent, detailed, and highly engaging sound through the Q Acoustics M40 and leave you with a budget for more music.
You don’t have to spend a fortune on high-end audio to elevate your music listening experience. All of these brands clearly understand that the market has changed and that gives one a real sense of hope for the future.
Where to Buy
- Q Acoustics M40 – $999/pair at Amazon
- WiiM Pro Plus – $219 at Amazon
- Pro-Ject Debut Pro – $999 at Amazon
- U-turn Orbit Theory – $999 at uturnaudio.com
- Andover SpinStage – $249 at Amazon
- Rega MM MK5 – $445 at Amazon
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