[evosy1978]

Hello,

im after a small stereo system, not too bothered about the size, smaller rather than bigger would be nice. I have a budget of upto about £90. It will be used for my dance music so i prefer it to be able to take loud beats etc. ALso I may want to put other things like tv and dvd player into. Any have any ideas that spring to mind.

Could someone tell me what these mean?

Phono input
Phono output
Optical input
Optical output

Thanks for any help.

[evosy1978]

any ideas anyone.

ta

[skinumb]

Phono is for a vinyl record player. The input characteristics differ from line inputs/outputs, which are the ones you use for CD, tuner, dvd etc. If you're not interested in vinyl then the quality of the phono stage won't matter.

Optical is an output method from a digital device such as a CD player or a DVD player. The digital signal has to be converted to analogue before going into the amp. This is done by the Digital Analogue Converter (DAC). You can bypass the one integrated with your player in order to use an 'off board' DAC (usually an upgrade). The digital signal is transfered to the external DAC using either a coaxial (wire) cable, or a fibre optic (optical glass) cable.

To get the best out of your £90 forget a CD player. Your DVD player do that do that job perfectly well for now. Focus on second hand budget classic amp and bookshelf speakers. Hunt around Ebay, or a hi-fi forum.

rich

[dablk]

I think by Phono you actaully are mean the RCA type inputs on the back of the amp. These are the basic connection for most hifi kit. So if its got 5 phono inputs you can attach 5 different bits of kit...cd/xbox/tv etc... each phono input will have two seperate connections for left and right. They are round connectors generally with white or red inserts to show left and right. manufacturers label these cd/dvd/aux/or whatever.....it does not mean you have to use that exact device with that input as long as you know which is which....except for...

As skinumb says one of these might be an actual oldskool "phono" input which would be for a record player only, as it amplifies the signal massively.

Phono outputs work in reverse and are used to hook up recording devices or possibly power amps.

[nonumb]

Definately have to go second hand for that much. Perhaps look at something like the Cambridge audio A1 or A5 for your amp then for speakers possibly something like eltax monitor 3, gale silver monitors.

I had the A1 with the monitor 3s and its a great starter system.