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Fastest way to correct hifi system?

Just wonder what you think is the fastest and most hasslefree route to buy a hifi system which one are satiesfied with longterm? Call the nearest hifidealer and tell your soundsignature preferences, roomsize and the amount you will use, or read magazinereviews and internetforums etc. for months or years trying to find the perfect system money can buy? Or just go to the nearest town and listen to as many system combinations in your pricebracket as possible and try to figure out what is the best for you? 
sakelig
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
Also in agreement with your point @czarivey 

minorl
1,014 posts
 

I don't agree with the advice to buy all from one brand. 

In my opinion, to know what you must spend you must first know what you like as far as music is concerned.  Are you listening to music ( by that I mean sitting and actually listening for hours?) or do you listen to music as back ground music while you are doing something else.  It may not seem that this is important, but actually, it is. 

If you want to try to reproduce stereophonic sound from concerts in your home, and have the artist step out of the speakers and set up their equipment and play in your room, then you are sitting in front of a right and left speaker.   You can tell (if the recording is correctly done) where the artists are on stage, where the lead singer is standing, how wide and deep the stage is, etc.

If you are listening as back ground music doing something else, you won't hear this, nor will you care.

This distinction can help to determine how much money you should spend on equipment.

Same is true for quality of reproduction of musical instruments.  I was a classical violinist, clarinet, sax, oboe, and other instruments.  I know what musical instruments actually sound like.  If I don't hear that from recordings or audio equipment, then I'm not "there" and I have to keep upgrading until I get "there".  Otherwise, I can't sit and listen.  It drives me out of the room if it doesn't sound right.

This also helps determine how much you might have to spend.

If you establish a budget first before knowing what sound you like, you will be upgrading till the cows come home.  Know what sound you like first, then go research and listen to the equipment that gets you "there".

Then, establish a price point budget for the equipment.

Go listen to equipment in high end audio stores.  bring the music that you really like with you.

Go to audio societies and club meetings and meet people and listen to their and your friend's equipment.  Know what sound you want and like before you go shopping.

don't let anyone tell you what you like.

You are going to buy equipment, set it up, listen for awhile and realize that you aren't quite "there" yet.  Then upgrade one piece at a time.

I can almost guarantee that you will not end up with equipment from the same manufacturer.  But, you will end up with equipment and sound that suits you.

take your time, go research, go listen (extensively), listen for yourself and enjoy the ride.

enjoy

asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,268 posts
 
...and don't forget, when auditioning ANYTHING to bring your own selection of music with you.  Don't take 'pot luck' that the seller or the vendor will have something you're familiar with.  Burn a CD with some favorites if you can, or a thumb drive.  If they won't play it, Walk.

Your $ and your tastes come first.  And pay attention to the space you're auditioning in as well.  Yours will likely not be the same, and will make a difference in perception.

And have fun...it should be fun.  If faced with attitude, find a better one...
andy8400
57 posts
 
Opinion #1: Your choices should be directly related to the size of the room you intend to listen as well as whether that room can be controlled (acoustic treatment, for example). My room is small and it has presented many special challenges.

#2: I agree with the commenter who suggested that you do not need to match components by brand (unless you'd like to for aesthetic reasons).

#3: Start with speakers. Although no two components including electronics sound the same, The differences are greatest in speakers since they are mechanical as well as electrical. Same/next for phono cartridges. With exceptions, smaller speakers may be more satisfying in a smaller room.

4: What will you listen to? If, for instance, you will share your system with surround sound movies, you might want to add a subwoofer that can be switched out for jazz, for instance. Use your ears. A previous poster was correct when suggested that you listen for more than 5 minutes. What sounds flashy and exciting can often result in ear fatigue long term.

Anyhow, just some thoughts. Have fun and good luck with your decisions.

boxer12
8,654 posts
 
You're a better man than me if you can build a system "you're satisfied with long term". My wife once asked me "doesn't it sound good enough". Made me laugh. If you buy high quality components to begin with though, you can tweek them (without replacing them) & get great improvements without spending a bundle.   
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