Suggestions for hifi under £400

[eviljohn2]

Hi guys

I'm trying to cobble together some system ideas for a friend of mine for under about £400 (just for components) and keep getting a bit stuck.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I think the entry-level NAD combination would be a good option but I'm really struggling to find some good speakers for about £60.

[Falp]

What kind of combination? 2.0? 5.1? What elements?

Ebay and Classifieds are allways an option...

[eviljohn2]

Just a CD player, an amp and a pair of smallish speakers. Fairly traditional these days I suppose.

I can certainly find something to fit the bill in the second hand market but I'd quite like to see if I can do it new.

[Falp]

I would think of a new CD player and used amp/speakers...

Or a new Denon D-M31 and a good pair of speakers!

[Londondecca]

Have a look at his thread from Zerogain http://www.zerogain.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8982 it is quite old but does highlight that a decent system can be built quite cheaply.

How about the DIT route, something like a (Audiodigit) T-amp with some Mission M71's should sound very nice or maybe some speaker kits from Wilmslow Audio

[eviljohn2]

Thanks for the advice guys - I'd forgotten about the small Denon systems.

I think I'll see about one of these:
http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...roduct_ID/1270

combined with something like the Celestion F10s which are great little speakers.

[Falp]

Originally Posted by eviljohn2

Thanks for the advice guys - I'd forgotten about the small Denon systems.

I think I'll see about one of these:
http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...roduct_ID/1270

combined with something like the Celestion F10s which are great little speakers.

Well.... check my system...

"I would think of a new CD player and used amp/speakers..."

Your best bet probably. The bee player can be bagged new for around £160 and a used bee amp for about £120 and a used pair of say AE Evo 1's. Nice even, neutral setup.

Hi,

I have for sale a DENON M31 Hi Fi system.......including, CD Receiver with RDS, minidisc player and cassette deck....with complete remote control and manuals....in excellent condition...only selling to upgrade to DAB system.....includes speakers...all for £300 ono

COVENTRY

[kbfern]

If you want some good speakers for £60 you won't go wrong with mission M71i's from Richer which at £59 are a real bargain.They are well matched to go with the NAD.

[CJROSS]

Sony ES, John.

http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZsallyinthewood

Gives my Primare a real run for its money.

[gmehje]

Done a fair bit of research in this price bracket for this type of setup. This is what I'll be buying soon and is my recommendation.

Onkyo CS-515DAB CD/DAB micro system - £230 (out any day now) - got 5 Stars What Hi Fi this month.
Quad L-ites speakers - very small and full range - £150 pair (5 Star in What hifi for the ful 5.1 using these speakers). Sound very detailed and open.
Ecosse Cs2.3 cable - 5 Star review as well. c. £20 for 1 metre pair. Or get QED Silver Anniversary XT - I have this on my Mirage system and it's good and cheap.

The Onkyo has sub out so you can add a small sub at a later date if needed. I've listened to this set up and although the bass is not huge and boomy it's there, detailed, clean and robust.

Bang on £400.

Anyone agree or disagree/

g

[CJROSS]

Originally Posted by gmehje

Bang on £400.

Anyone agree or disagree/

g

For £400 that will make a nice racket I would imagine, but for example going second hand on Ebay or the Classifieds here - will blow that little system out of the water. No offence intended. Finally dont take everything Whathifi write as gospel. Your better off asking users on forums like this, you will get a broader cross section of opinion, rather than some daft review where something is voted "best".

[dingwall]

For sheer sound quality:

Sony CDP-XE370
Nad C352
Eltax Monitor 3

IMO

[gmehje]

Hi .

Thanks CJROSS. I agree that you can get some oustanding bargains from ebay and the like which would most likely hammer my suggestions. (although my specfic need is for a very discrete, small, elegant and good sounding system). Sometimes it's just plain daft to buy new.

I agree with your What HiFi comments. I certainly don't blindly follow what their HiFi's 'experts' say - like yourself I suspect I try to listen to as much as possible, speak to as many people as possible and make informed choices that way. Never been too wrong yet!

The review reference for a second system was just trying to give some advice in case people wanna look the reviews up.

Cheers.

g