2. amps-preamps
  3. 1136484535

Beginning Audio System

Heya, i've decided that I want to start building my first Hi-Fi audio system. The problem is that I really don't know where to start or what most things are. Things like "pre-amp" and "tube" dont really make much sense to me yet :(
What i'm really after is an Amp with 5.1, probally no more than 60watts, a CD and SACD player, two good speakers for stereo music, a subwoofer and two more speakers to work with the good speakers for when I listen to surround sound. I don't think i'm going to have enough money for the two surround speakers to be of highest quality. I'll porbally connect everything with optical wiring aswel.
My budget is about £500 .. could someone point me in the right direction and explain what the different speaker types and amps are?
Thanks alot
Tom
promocopy

Showing 3 responses by pabelson

pabelson
344 posts
 
How'd THAT get past the moderators????
pabelson
344 posts
 
On your budget, you aren't loking for an "amp"; you are looking for a multichannel receiver. (It includes an amp, and a preamp, and a tuner, all in one package.) Companies like Pioneer and Yamaha make good low-end receivers.

My general advice, for a first system, is to put as much of your budget as possible into speakers. That means sticking to real entry-level receivers and disk players.

As for speakers, you can go two ways: Invest in a good pair of speakers now, and fill out the system with subwoofer, center channel and surrounds (probaly in that order) later. Or go for an entry-level 5.1 set now. I don't know how far your money will go, or what's available in your country, so I can't advise you on specifics.
pabelson
344 posts
 
Here's what I'd recommend to an American newbie with a <$900 budget, all new:

Receiver: Pioneer VSX515-K ($170 at J&R)
DVD Player: Panasonic DVD-S29 ($65 at J&R)
Main Speakers: Paradigm Titans ($229/pr list)
Subwoofer: Paradigm PDR-10 ($379 list)

That's a nice sounding 2.1 system to start. Next add a center (CC-170, $199), then surrounds (Atoms, $199/pr). If you absolutely must have SACD, J&R has some Sony's for $120.

Don't know whether that particular gear is available in Promocopy's corner of the British Empire, but he can probably find equivalents in the same ballpark.
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