I need a new HiFi but don't have a clue

[Serpico]

I really need to sort out a new hifi (am I still allowed to use that term or has it been superceded. Honestly I feel like the guy trying to buy a gramophone in Not The Nine O Clock News). Unfortunately I have next to no knowledge about such things. Am I better off buying an all in one system or should I put together a system of seperates?

I have a Philips Widescreen tv with built in 5.1 DD and wonder whether it would be worth specifying an amp to replace that as I've heard they're better.

Can you offer any general or spoecific advice?

[Garrett]

It would depend what your budget is, generally you are better of getting separates.

One you can pick and choose which is the best amp, tuner, CD player etc, rather than being stuck with what’s in the system.

Two if something goes wrong in a all in one all your equipment either has to go back and be repaired, or you have to replace the lot.

Three if you want to upgrade at a later date you can do it a piece at a time rather than replacing the whole lot.

Four an all in one system components can cause interference with other components although you may not notice it.

What’s your budget maybe someone could recommend a system for you.

[Serpico]

Thanks fo that Garrett. I'll be putting the purchase on my credit card, and would prefer to not spend as much as a grand. Half that much would be nice as long as it does a good job.

I've had a Technics seperates system before which I adored. When it wore out I plumped for a Kenwood all in one system, which was clunky beyond belief, and it was a blessed relief when it gave up the ghost. With these experiences and Garrett's advice in mind, I'll take the seperates route.


I'm not fussed about a cassette player as I chucked my least couple of dozen working tapes when cars started to come with cd players.

A tuner is a must (was thinking about DAB but the DAB personal stereo I bought gets a lousy signal here in Hull.

My old technics turntable still works, so that's not an urgent buy.

The amp? Should I go the 5.1 route or leave the tv to provide that?

A cd player is a necessity of course. Are decent quality multidisk players within my price range?

Speakers.....I have no idea.

I'm in your capable hands folks.

Thanks for reading.

[Garrett]

I would go for a separate surround processor if you watch a lot of DVD’s as the surround systems in the TV are not as good, and most surround amps come with inbuilt tuners. So if you wanted you could add a DAB later.
Also I prefer stand alone amps for music (though the vast majority though are satisfied with there surround amps for music) so you could add one of them at a later date if you want to improve that side if you mad about music. Or you could go the other way and get a good amp seeing you already have surround and add a separate surround later as there are new surround formats coming out all the time the latest is Dolby Pro IIx.

Watch out not all amps or processors have a phone inputs for record decks so you may have to add a separate phone stage box if you get it wrong.

Sorry not to name any actual pieces of equipment as I’m not up to date on it. I could only recommend you what they do in Hi-Fi mags but if I was goung for a CD player I would be looking at Arcam.
Other members please help out here.


One more thing to take into consideration is the tonal quality. Brightness, warm, neutral.

[overkill]

As Garrett says for a tight(ish) budget go for a good budget receiver, a Denon, or one of the cheaper Sonys are ok, while a multi-format DVD player would solve ALL your digital problems!! A Pioneer DV-565 or the Sony DVP905 are cheap, but good options here. Dab as you can see from some of the forums here doesn't have a great reputation sound wise so it's no loss if you stick to using the receivers FM output. For speakers Richer sounds do some good offers on 5.1 hi-fi speakers, the Mordaunt Short kit for £299 is great value for money.

The only problems you will come across is that AV systems tend (until they get expensive) not to produce great sound in Stereo. But as Garret said worry about that once you've got up and running! You might find that you're quite happy with what you've got. We're not all such fussy b****ds!!

Oh, and nearly forgot, the Denon AV amps normally do have a phono input, but this is a rarity.

[Serpico]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Overkill, do you mean I could/should use a dvd player to play cds as a money saving option? I have a Tosh 520 multi-region and a Philips dvd-recorder. Do you know if they do a decent job of playing cds?

Those speakers you recommend are out of stock Are there any others you'd recommend?

[hornydragon]

if it is possible to locate stereo and AV for same listening position thengo for an AV amp and uograded speakers, adding a dedicated CD player is an option later, If the listening position is different then there are quite a few options best bet is pop to a local dealer with some CD's and a DVD or 2 and ask to listen to £500 Stereo setup IE AMP, CD, TUNER + 2 SPeakers and a £1000 AV system using a similar DVD player to yours.
Then deicde what you like best and where your money goes.
MS premiere are not great for music and generally Satteliute speakers and Subs dont do music as well as full range fronts.
Mission and Kef do some nice stand mount fronts that can easyily have extras added for 5.1 have a look at the M30 series and Monitor Audio Bronze.

[overkill]

Thing is hornyD, the guys on a (reasonably) tight budget. Plus setting up an stereo amp and seperate AV processor is fine for those of us who aren't worried about doing it (thru practice) but it's not fun if you are.

I would agree that a stereo system will beat an AV setup for CD replay, for less money, but's that not what he asked. The original post was asking whether it was worth getting a dedicated AV amp, and whether seperates where better than a midi system. Answer to both questions - yes, & er, um, yes!!!

If you want to get a quality stereo system or go with AV is the question with only a grand (or less) to spend. As Garret said you will need to deciede what matters most. CD replay or DVD/ AV replay. As HornyD says go into a dealer and see which knocks your socks off the most!!


Serpico, yes, you could get a multi format to save money. However, as you already have DVD replay spend your dosh on a CD only player. DVD-V only players CD replay, is, with rare, (and expensive) exceptions not that great. But they do give you 5.1 output. (normally!)

Once you've made up your mind which is more important, then come back and we can give you some suggestions on which bits get everybody going!!

[Serpico]

I guess I watch many more dvds than I listen to cds. So on reflection I'll go for the AV receiver route, with a cd player and speakers.

[hornydragon]

OVERKILL I was talking about either AV and speakers or Stereo and speakers However with Yammy E800 Processor at £150 if you shop around and Maratnz PM7200 amp £300 ish and a decent front pair £300 + Rears and a centre (leave out a sub) £200 comes to £950 with £50 for some basic cables then top of budget and BASIC 5.1 AV
However AV amp £350 and Speakers setup £400 is going to get towards budget but not the CD replay you would get with the other system.GOING S/H you will get far more bang per buck!

[Garrett]

I like the suggestion above with the Yamaha 800 sounds like a good compromise of the two routes. I almost went that route myself having 2 Audiolab 8000’s for the music, but started getting picky about the 800 not having pro-logicII, the £150 sounds a very good price.

As overkill says Denon are suppose to be very nice sounding surround amps but I think I read on a thread the further up the range you go the better sounding they are taking price into consideration, and the 2803 won this years Hi-Fi awards but it is a fair but out of your price range.

[Serpico]

I must confess that I hadn't even considered buying someone else's old gear. Should I just look on ebay, or is there somewhere reliable that specialises in 2nd user AV stuff?

[Garrett]

A lot or reputable high street sell s/h equipment, Sevenoaks and Practical Hi-Fi for example which I would imagine give a 3 months guarantee.
Also there is a s/h forum on this site, although I have never used it.

[hornydragon]

THe forum classifieds are much cheaper and have better facilities than Ebay, Ebay is overpriced IMHO but any good HiFi retailer will take P/X on decent gear in order to encourage upgrading. Bargains to be had!
If you started with a S/H AV amp eg denon 2802 and a pair of speakers well in budget than add the rest as decent gear comes up for sale, REL subs are often on the forum as are AMPS and speakers CD players etc vaery cost effective way of doing it cause if you buy a bit of KIT for £300 S?H and decide after a few weeks it not for you just sell it on for £280, If you were to buy a £300 bit of kit new S/H you are looking at £250 MAX in same time period.

[Serpico]

Thanks again guys. Your assistance is really appreciated.

Are there any other AV amps that I should be considering S/H? Would it be fair to say that if an amp is costing £300 S/H then it should be a stonking bit of kit?