Discussion
Does anyone know where i can buy good audio stuff online?
If used, even better!
I'm trying to get a system together from scratch, so if anyone has any advice, pearls of the proverbial, etc etc, feel free to comment... I'm looking for a basic setup with a CD player, a pre-amp (needed?), an amp, and three speakers (two mid & tweet and one sub).
How much do you think a basic setup like this would cost with basic stuff (ie not Naim etc)
If used, even better!
I'm trying to get a system together from scratch, so if anyone has any advice, pearls of the proverbial, etc etc, feel free to comment... I'm looking for a basic setup with a CD player, a pre-amp (needed?), an amp, and three speakers (two mid & tweet and one sub).
How much do you think a basic setup like this would cost with basic stuff (ie not Naim etc)
I’d go for a good head unit, new will cost around £175, then a 4 channel amp, available from £80 new depending on make, I had a fury 600w which is good quality for the money (£100) a set of 3way pioneer speakers £100 then a sub £50 ish so for £425 you’d have a nice sounding system. Second hand bits are a worry as there is so much stuff stolen. If you go to a stereo shop you’ll get good advice that’s worth paying a little extra for.
If your looking for a high quality in car hifi that puts hi fidelity above all else, without a high price tag, try Infinity speakers. These are the ONLY thing worth looking at this side of high end Dynaudio. The amplifier will affect the sound quality enormously too. Don't worry about watts and numbers etc, just listen to Phoenix Gold and you will never go back.
Ho ho! No offense meant, but aren't you in danger of becoming a "Max Power" ?!! thought the general philosophy round here was about enjoying the raw experience of the sports car, not about stereo's, carpet, heaters, pipe & slippers?
Having said that, my old Alpine head unit was great, as is the Sony I have now.
C
Having said that, my old Alpine head unit was great, as is the Sony I have now.
C
My stereo is hardly ever used (in fact I only have about 6 cassettes in the car and thats enough) My first car didn't have a stereo and I wouldn't miss this one if it didn't have one.
This leads nicely to the question I asked my Garage. They leant me an Exige as a courtesy car it had a stereo inside which was supposedly a top make (i know nothing about this) and you couldn't hear it above 3k Revs (ie when it was not stationary) I asked the Garage why it had such an expensive sereo (which would just attract thieves) when you couldn't hear it. He laughed said he didn't know either, their theory was so you could listen to it whilst washing the car on Sunday
This leads nicely to the question I asked my Garage. They leant me an Exige as a courtesy car it had a stereo inside which was supposedly a top make (i know nothing about this) and you couldn't hear it above 3k Revs (ie when it was not stationary) I asked the Garage why it had such an expensive sereo (which would just attract thieves) when you couldn't hear it. He laughed said he didn't know either, their theory was so you could listen to it whilst washing the car on Sunday
Errr ooops i should have qualified! I feel like a numpty! 
The system is going to be for my home (room 8h x 14l x 10w)
I'm not looking for something very very high end, just something to get me started and prepare me for the sacrifices a true audiophile must make.
Keep the suggestions coming guys!
Oh, and i just had a CD player and six speakers in the car (NOT a Tiv
)and that's enough.
>> Edited by K G on Tuesday 19th February 21:43
The system is going to be for my home (room 8h x 14l x 10w)
I'm not looking for something very very high end, just something to get me started and prepare me for the sacrifices a true audiophile must make.
Keep the suggestions coming guys!
Oh, and i just had a CD player and six speakers in the car (NOT a Tiv
)and that's enough. >> Edited by K G on Tuesday 19th February 21:43
Try www.hifibitz.net
I've ordered speakers from them before and they gave good service, and they were cheap too, I would advise finding out if they are in stock over the phone or you might be in for a lengthy wait.
You could also try hifi stores in a local town - they may have a Sevenoaks or Richer Sounds (can also order from these online). Richer Sounds is quite cheap too.
I dont know what your budget is like, but NAD, Kenwood and Cambridge Audio all perform well a reasonable price (starting upwards of £50). Best thing if you can is to listen, they will stock CD Players and Interconnects. Richersounds were selling Mission 773 speakers for £200, which I am told is a bargain.
Enjoy!
Paul
I've ordered speakers from them before and they gave good service, and they were cheap too, I would advise finding out if they are in stock over the phone or you might be in for a lengthy wait.
You could also try hifi stores in a local town - they may have a Sevenoaks or Richer Sounds (can also order from these online). Richer Sounds is quite cheap too.
I dont know what your budget is like, but NAD, Kenwood and Cambridge Audio all perform well a reasonable price (starting upwards of £50). Best thing if you can is to listen, they will stock CD Players and Interconnects. Richersounds were selling Mission 773 speakers for £200, which I am told is a bargain.
Enjoy!
Paul
KG, are you in the USA (per your profile)? The situation there will be quite different to ours in the UK. Wherever you are I don't think you really have to spend mega-money for a good starter system, and the specialist Hi-Fi dealers don't throw you out if you tell them you want to work on a modest budget. They will probably respect you a lot more than their zillionaire customers who want everything with bells and whistles and don't know the difference between Kate Bush and George Bush...
I don't know if you can get them in the US, but I am a big fan of B&W speakers - they're made over here.
If you're spending megabucks they have some incredible speakers, but for the modest budget the B&W 600 series represent brilliant sound for the money - I bought a pair of 602 series 2 for £300 - very nice and go well with a subwoofer. Also have the 600 series centre speaker for 5.1 sound.
If you're after a dolby digital/DTS system, I can't recommend the Sony Digital AV amps enough - My STRDB930 is just peachy..
For DVD, Pioneer seem to do the best transports for the money - I have a DV530 which I like a lot..
For pure CD performance, Philips/Marantz represent excellent transports for the sort of money you'd pay..
Let us know how you get on..
(All IMHO of course)
If you're spending megabucks they have some incredible speakers, but for the modest budget the B&W 600 series represent brilliant sound for the money - I bought a pair of 602 series 2 for £300 - very nice and go well with a subwoofer. Also have the 600 series centre speaker for 5.1 sound.
If you're after a dolby digital/DTS system, I can't recommend the Sony Digital AV amps enough - My STRDB930 is just peachy..
For DVD, Pioneer seem to do the best transports for the money - I have a DV530 which I like a lot..
For pure CD performance, Philips/Marantz represent excellent transports for the sort of money you'd pay..
Let us know how you get on..
(All IMHO of course
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