Complete beginner system

[gatzi]

I have recently purchased my own house and now i'm looking for my first 'man's stereo system' instead of all this all-in-one stuff

I realise the benefits of this are that I can keeping adding parts as and when I have the cash - and if I want to

Currently I have a Samsung HDTV with Wii/PS2/Sky HD and HDDVD which is great except for the fact that as you probably know a Samsung has incredibly poor sound which seems to get worse the older it gets

I'm looking for an amp and at least 2 speakers (not fussed at all with surround sound) which will be used for TV watching/playing music from the TV (MTV etc) and boosting the general sound when i want it. Superb quality or extreme loudness not a neccesity as budget probably won't allow either

I have a around 200 to spend
I'm a total beginner at this one but I could see me getting quite into it - any suggestions for components/shops would be great
I think there is a richersounds in edinburgh but I cba heading all the way there, so mail order is a bonus

 

[bart2k8]

Hi m8. Don't buy anything until you've listened to it first. You might order something mail order because its had good reviews and look good, set it up at home and it might sound crap. Don't throw your money away m8

 

[lazymatt]

If you've got an HD DVD player it's well worth thinking about multi-channel sound.

Either way, have a look at the Cambridge stuff at Richers. They've generally been really good of late. (in fact they've always been pretty good)

As for speakers, Richers were doing the MS 902i's for £100 and the Tannoy F1 Customs for £89. Either would be good and match a Cambridge amp.

 

[gatzi]

I've got to say the 902i's have been mentioned almost everywhere i looked and perfectly in price range (and also come in black to match and look great)

Some of the basic cambridge/marantz amps also look good
This type of setup suits my lifestyle great, I'm sure the longer I have my kit the more I will want to upgrade

I intend to hit richer sounds this weekend to annoy the shop assitant with some 'auditions' - see getting the lingo already - (maybe i'll take a spice girls CD?? JK) BUT what i really want to know is: should I decide to get an amp in the 100-150 price range is it worth me getting this from ebay for half the price? I'm really not bothered if it's 2nd hand - was looking for advice on thier lifespan really (I presume they last forever? unless it's damaged) On the other hand I would rather get my speakers new which seems logical

Also if I get it on the cheap and decide that I want to upgrade then I can without thought, ofc ebay has it's downsides, you never really know the quality till it turns up

Cheers

 

[gatzi]

Another question - while looking between the cambridge audio amps A1 and A5, if I was to match these amps with a set of 902i's would an A1 be powerful enough for the speakers?

(total noob question I know)

The A1 output wattage is 25 and the speakers say 100 RMS
I don't see how these figues work out :s

If someone could set me straight that would be great

 

[lazymatt]

2nd hand stuff is often a great way to go...can be bit of a minefield, but if you know what you're looking for, you can save yourself £'s. And of course you can often sell the stuff on without making much of a loss.

Don't worry too much about the wattage ratings - 100w is the max handling of the speakers. Generally most amps will drive similarly priced speakers.

 

[sainthunter]

Don't worry too much about the wattage ratings - 100w is the max handling of the speakers. Generally most amps will drive similarly priced speakers.

With the price of a Cambridge Azur amp. at least 2-3 times the price, but the same inputs/facilities as those available on the Accoustic Solutions amp. as advertised in the Argos catalogue at £60, is one going to get 2-3 the quality?

 

[inicholson]

With the price of a Cambridge Azur amp. at least 2-3 times the price, but the same inputs/facilities as those available on the Accoustic Solutions amp. as advertised in the Argos catalogue at £60, is one going to get 2-3 the quality?

Almost certainly! CA stuff is great value for money. Acoustic Solutions isn't really hi-fi (did i offend anyone there?). If in doubt buy both and try them - both Argos and Richers will let you return stuff if you don't like it.

 

[majorwedgy]

I think really that is an entirely personal question I can safely say that I enjoy my music enough to say that it probably would be 2-3 times better in my mind than say if my girlfriend were to listen to them - in which case we would be buying an alba micro system! I am pretty sure richersounds had some 640As in the reduced section on their website for £100 matched with a set of 902is and you will be well and truely sorted

 

[anthonylei]

you should have a look at yamaha AV61 surround sound

 

[rich m]

If you're looking for quality on a budget, i can definitely recommend the Tangent AMP-100 from Richer Sounds, now only £60. Its the best looking amp i have seen by miles, sounds great, and at 40wpc should easily be powerful enough for your needs.
I've also heard good things about Tangent speakers, so the Hifi System 1 deal could be ideal for you. The Evo speakers are glossy in finish and come in a range of colours too.

http://www.richersounds.co.uk/information.php?cda=static&cst=hifisystems