New to this Hi-Fi business

Hxc

Hxc

Hxc

Soldato
Joined
29 Oct 2004
Posts
12,501
Location
London
Hey all.

Just got a few questions before I go all out buying things and stuff.

I'm quite confused by everything so I want to go nice and simple to start..

How much money would I realistically have to put aside to get a decent enough hi fi system for general music playing?

How is the bass on things like this? I'm used to a 5.1 pc system which has a fairly powerful, albeit unrealistic, bass.

I don't really have very much space in my room and therefore won't be able to hook them up to my PC with the speakers in frount of my head..meaning I'll end up having to keep my current speakers for PC usage, unless I can chuck a shelf up and use them up there, but then comes the problem of where to put the amp.... not too sure on this.

And of course, what would you reccomend as entry level stuff? (have read the sticky, but am considering buying second hand, if this is "okay" for this sort of thing...)

Cheers
 
As I was saying, I was asking that, but I'd say in the region of 200-250 max.... If good quality kit can be had for less I'm happy to go with that but I don't want to miss out on better stuff if I can get it.
 
Everyone has their own "quality level" .... and you don't know what it is, until you go to say a dealer, and listen to a range of kit. At some point you will say, it's just not getting much better for the amount of extra money it costs... This will be your current natural point where you will be happy.
Everyone is different, and also your point changes with time, as you become accustom to better kit.
Go with an open mind and have a listen to selection of your music, and music you have not perhaps heard before the shop will have.

Then report back what you have found. :)
 
I was looking at getting an amp and some speakers to start, I can use a good CD player I have left from a while ago.

The only problem I feel I might have going into shops that do proper Hi-Fi equipment is my age, I'm only just about to turn 16. I am serious about this and always have been but when I've been to shops looking for kit that isn't the standard stuff they have never paid much attention to me, which I presume is due to my age.

Cheers for the advice all.
 
sorry didnt read your first post fully, tbh your budegt wont let you get a decent setup unless you go second hand. i would go to a dealer and try get a listen of some setups twice your budget and try pick them up second hand. if you ask to listen to something which isnt to expensive i dont see why the dealer would say no.
 
go round a few shops n demo some setups then hit the bay for 2nd hand kit its one of the few things on there that is usually still a good buy
 
I would say spend no less than £400 (new) total for system -£200 amp, £200 speakers.
£250 won't get much if you want everything. Although £250 might get you second hand stuff of ok quality.
 
I was planning on going second hand to be honest ;)

I'll have to go and see if there are any dealers in the local area, and whether they will take me seriously

I was looking at what was available second hand and have seen the Cambrige Audio A5 for about half the brand new price.... Wasn't sure about speakers though. I don't really have a clue what to look for

Cheers
 
Last edited:
I've got a CA A5 and a pair of Warfdale diamond 9's set up together and they sound great, got both from the bay for around £150
 
I was looking at that exact setup, might substitute the Wharfdales for something more expensive if I can get something better within my budget, but I'll be trying to find a place to listen to them locally.... I'm not sure where to go in norwich

In price range I am looking at the amps: CA A5 or NAD 320

Speakers: Wharfdale 9.1s, KEF Cresta 10s...anything else to look out for?
 
Last edited:
Do a bit of research and buy 2nd hand. You can get the best gear for 1/4 of the price. An Arcam apha amp you can ebay from about £150 and floorstanding speakers you can get dirt cheap if you pick them up. I personally would never buy new, they are worse than pc's for dropping like a stone when you take them out of the shop.
 
I don't have the space in my room for floorstanders, I'm going to have to put speakers on a shelf as it is.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom