Advice on buying sound sytem required

[Rage]

O.k I'm buying a stereo sytem (seperates) and was wondering the best place to go and what to get.

I have been looking at richer sounds website at some of these deals;

http://www.richersounds.co.uk/index.php?f=hifisystem.htm

opinions please... personally I like the look of the one at the bottom of the page :054: ...but obviously it's about sound quality, not looks!

Opinions please..

[BengDogg]

Tbh ive never been into the whole seperates lark, i like a good stereo in my car cos i can play it loud, but at home i have neighbours and others to consider so sheer volume isnt that important to me, They do look cool but the money is crazy when you consider that £750 is similar to the amount my home gym cost

[Matt Jones]

You'd be better making up your own - so you get a sound & features that are pleasing to you personally

The rule of thumb is Source / amp / speakers - I.e get the best quality Source (CD etc) you can afford , followed by the best amp you can then afford , then the best speakers you can afford (in that order ) Most people think that the speakers are most important - but this is not true

Avoid things like Graphic eqaulizers - the simpler an amp looks , generally the cleaner it will sound

look around expensive hi-fi shops and get demos of your system
- and then when you've found your components - tell them you are going away to consider your options and never go back !
Instead go to Richer Sounds or if they are still trading , Hyper-fi ( I used them when I was into audio - but that was the early 90's ! I haven'thad a proper hi-fi for years so I cant point you in the direction of any brands/ models as I'm not too sure! (been out of it for too long!)

[Rage]

Gripdogg- yes mate I also have a rather nice sound system in the car, that had priority over my home system!

I live in an isolated area so sound isn't a problem.. especially as I have got the third floor in the house all to myself :023:

Matt Jones- Thanks for your input mate. I know that your probably correct as you speak from knowledge, but i always thought it was best to get the best amp then worry about other components!

So you would not reccomend getting one of those separates packages from Richer Sounds?

I think i'm gonna buy a copy of What Hi-Fi and have a look in that for reviews, ads etc. I was rushing inot buying a system (was gonna get it this weekend) but it sounds like it would be wiser to take my time and explore all options before purchasing?

Roughly how much money will get a good sound sounding system? I was speaking to my older brother (he's at uni so can't help) and he reckons after spending a certain amount of money (say 400) that the sound quality will not really be noticably better, so it would be a waste of money spending any more than that...

[Matt Jones]

As I said - that it the rule of thumb ( source , amp ,speakers) but obviously it is like a chain (i.e only as good as its weakest link ) obviously on crap link will ruin your sound really

I think the reasoning behind that way of thinking is that all serious Hi-fi amps are based around the idea of being neutral (i.e they will just amplify - not alter the sound ) so really your source will be where your sound quality comes from - any mid - upper priced amp is going to aim for neutrallity (if thats a word!) so the amp ( as long as you don't go bargain basement ) won't make a hell of a difference to the final quality , or at least not as much as a decent CD player will

You are correct in what you say though - that "rule" only works if you assume a decent level of components throughout - even though speakers come last , you'll still get a crap sound if you use £20 maplin speakers !

Keep in mind that Richer sounds probably put those systems together out of the stock they have most of !! Thats why I think you may be able to put an accoustically better package together yourself

But to be honest we are probably going into far more detail than you need here - Audiophiles are very strange people - a bit obsessed with perfection - once you spend over a few hundred quid it is unlikely you'll get something that sounds "bad" -it just depends how "good" you want it





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