Hi-Setup Spec needed.

bryanlaycock

bryanlaycock

bryanlaycock

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Hi-Fi Setup Spec needed.

Hi, i know very little about hi-fi equipment, im looking to use my comp for playing the music (main use). Ive decided i dont really need 5.1 as i never use anything to get the benefit from it. So i was wondering what amp + 2 speakers i could get, i quite fancy floor standing speakers but thats not essential. im not wanting to spend a massive amount and i dont my second hand recomendations. my current speakers are logitech z5400's so something equal to or better quality would be nice Thanks
 
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You need to set a total costs budget for this, otherwise you will get suggested equipment in the range of thousands.

I would advise either some cambridge audio 640 ~ £150 second hand

or if you want better Arcam A65+ ~ 220 second hand, maybe less if you lucky on the bay.

You should go listen to some of this equipments first so you know what kind of a sounds you like. go to the lollipop people for cambridge audio, and somewhere like like more upmarket can be found on avforums.

Av forums also have lots of reviews and things you will find helpful!

(ps i do have a second hand cambridge audio for sale if you like the sound and are interested, It will be up in members market soon!).
 
well seem as i am new im looking for entry level stuff really, so £250 - £450 visted a hi-fi shop to day as i was amazed at the sound quality compared to my 5.1 system, i actually feel dissapointed listening to mine now :(

ive read the sticky in the hi fi section for a bit of background knowledge! i see the type of music plays quite a big part in choice of components. I listen to a lot of rock and electro rocky stuff, gary numans new stuff for instance, so i want a bit of base :) oh and i like my music loud :P

o what makes models do people reccomend, il be looking for s/h stuff obviously to keep costs down.

thanks for your help! id be lost otherwise
 
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Well as a good start, cambridge audio or NAD amps are good. CD player of choice for whichever, i have read that the cambridge audio cd players are very good with the 6 series. Again I have been told that the cambridge audio amp works well with warfdale speakers but you should listen with the same amp to several speakers to see which brand suits you.

I currently use Arcam A65+ , with Arcam cd82 cd player and some Kef Q1's.

This to me sounds great, and dont forget about the speaker cable, if you are getting all your gear from somewhere see if they will toss you some speaker cable for free/cheap.
 
So what will i need overall? An Amp, speakers + cable, i can do without the cd player for a while and just use my Pc and get one at a later date, then i have more cash for the speakers and amp :)
 
You should really think about your source before you buy anything - do you want to keep the PC as your source?

getting a soundcard with a digital out and using an external DAC can give fantastic results.
 
There's nothing wrong with using mp3s off your pc through an xfi - you can get some really good results. Mp3s won't sound as good a track stright from a cd but if you start compressing using flac from now on i doubt you'll be disapointed.
 
You will also need a 3.5mm to phono cable, i would not spend loads on this if you are going to be playing mp3's through this as you wont see much of an increase in quality with expensive cable.
 
So the list:

Amp
Speakers
3.5mm to phono cable

is that it? seems a bit to simple lol

i might have a browse on an auction site for prices.

which is best to buy first speakers then amp, or amp then speakers? im guessing speakers, then u need to know how much power u need from the amp?
 
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For a stereo system you just can have a choice of the following (PC as a source)

High-end.
Stereo DAC
Stereo Analogue Pre-amp
Stereo Poweramp (or two monoblocs)
or two x stereo poweramps (or four monoblocs) for bi-amping

Low-end.
Stereo Analogue integrated amplifier

Then speakers to match. I'm using the bottom of the range Rotel stereo integrated amplifier with some spare B&W 601 speakers I had lying around.

I really depends on your budget, CA/Rotel/NAD are in the low-end (CA) to low end budget (Rotel/NAD) but you can go high as you like.

Just need cables from soundcard, X-Fi 3.5mm stereo to RCA stereo. Then speaker cable from amp to speakers. If you go into seperates (DAC/pre-amp/poweramps) then you'll need extra RCA cables.

My Hi-Fi system is a DAC/Pre-amp/2 x stereo poweramps.

Please don't look at "power" ratings. A 25W Naim amp will sound better than a 100W Sony.
 
Thanks well i have £350-£450 to spend, to be honest im after a entry level kinda system with the pc as a source. Then i can build up from there and learn as i go on :)
 
Squiffy has reccomended the brand rotel as a starter amp, had a look on the auction site and theres to many to look at! what models should i look out for?
 
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NAD 320BEE would be my choice of amp. If you wanted to buy new this is very cheap and very good at what it does. Most of the hi-fi shops in Newcastle recomended this one in my price range (i.e. cheap lol).

Edit: I see you're from Newcastle lol. Get down to the hi-fi shops near the Gate and see if they can do anything for you. I got my amp/cd/speakers from Global Hi-Fi and they were really helpful.

I've had my setup for 2 years (I think) and it's still perfect. Plus I spent about £650 on everything and I got 1 years interest free credit. I took the kit home the same day and payed it off a year later, no interest/penalties, it was perfect.
 
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Yeah NAD is one step up from Rotel, seen that NAD 320BEE for £170, which is a bit of a bargain. Put the rest into speakers, cables. If you're going to put the speakers on a desk get some anti-slip matting so it doesn't vibrate the desk. Use some myself, and stops the speakers moving around also.
 
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