"Alex" wrote in message
om...
Hi all 
For around 6 years now, I've been using an Aiwa Mini Hi-Fi system to
play my music on. However, although its been pretty good to me (I've
had no complaints up to now), I've been toying with the idea of
upgrading this with a 'separates system'. Now, I have to admit I'm a
bit of a 'newbie' when it comes to Hi-Fi equipment but hopefully after
your help and expertise I will be in a better position to make a final
decision.
I don't trust the magazines in their reviews of midfi components.
"Audiophile" was good at that, but it's gone.
These choices are not bad, but not exceptional either. You are hamstringing
yourself by requiring the amp and the CD player to be the same brand, but
it's a newbie characteristic to want uniformity of appearance, as opposed to
the ultimate in sound or the best at a price point.
IMHO
Sony ES CD players are technically the best, in terms of the performance of
the DAC, and read the widest range of disks. My personal listening
experience confirms this with subjective pleasure. And ES components are
designed in Britain.
The following American companies make very reasonable amplifiers, which have
far higher construction standards than the mass-market imports:
Hafler -- try a P1500:
http://hafler.com/home/
B&K:
www.bkcomp.com
Also in the high construction quality realm is Parasound, whose products are
designed here and manufactured in Taiwan.
Amplifiers made by these companies frequently show up on the used market.
To get an idea of the difference, understand that Marantz and NAD amplifiers
use circuit boards made out of paper!
The amplifiers I've mentioned have glass-expoxy double sided circuit boards
with plated-through eyelets. This vastly improves the reliability. Haflers,
in particular, are rated for professional use. You will not be able to blow
the outputs of a Hafler with rock or metal.
A British manufacturer of equivalent quality is Sugden; there are others. In
fact, the British excel at low power, high quality amplifiers.
In comparison to the importance of the amp and player, I suggest you drop
your budget for interconnects to near zero. You could do very well at Radio
Shack.
Now coincidence or not, it just so happened that What Hi*Fi? has
issued an 'Ultimate Hi-Fi Guide' this month. In this its summarised
virtually all the five star equipment its reviewed over the years
(highlighting best buys, best for bass, best for classical etc). But
in order to gain other opinions and user feedback I've been browsing
the net for any useful bits of information and looking through past
posts on various forums and newgroups - including this one.
It's a lot of information to take in but I would first like to outline
two systems that I've 'ended up' with (purely based on reviews and
user opinions):
The First (and most favourable one I guess):
CD Player: NAD C521BEE
Amplifier: NAD C320BEE
Speakers: Acoustic Energy Aegis Evo One
Interconnects: QED Qunex 2
Speaker Cable: QED Silver Anniversary Biwire
The Second one:
CD Player: Marantz CD5400
Amplifier: Marantz PM7200
Speakers: Acoustic Energy Aegis Evo One
Interconnects: QED Qunex 2
Speaker Cable: QED Silver Anniversary Biwire
Before asking any questions relating to these setups, I would like to
give you a few facts to base your answers on first:
- My budget is around £650 (that's around $975 for you US folk).
- The type of music I mostly listen to is Rock and Metal.
- The approximate dimensions of my room is 3.5m by 2.5m.
- The system will be sitting on either a desk or unit.
Now, with these points in mind I was wondering what would be the best
equipment for my purpose? (It doesn't have to be confined to the above
- but please keep in mind my budget 
). Will either of the two above
setups be able to handle my music ok? And what kind of benefits will
result from buying a slightly more expensive CD Player to what is
listed? That is the NAD C542 (as opposed to the NAD C521BEE) and the
Marantz CD6000-OSE (as opposed to the Marantz CD5400). Is the extra
cost justified?
If possible it would be nice to have optical out for my Minidisc
player (but I guess coaxial wouldn't be the end of the world).
I also have a few more 'general' questions to ask if you don't mind.
Maybe you could shed some light on them.
- With regards to speakers its pretty obvious that 'floorstanders' are
speakers that stand on the floor but What Hi*Fi are using these other
terms as well: 'Standmount' and 'Bookshelf'. What do these actually
mean?
- When purchasing a new system what precedence do you place on
potential components? Should it be CD Player first, then Amp, then
Speakers since the output of the system can only be good as its input?
- Its obvious that speaker cable comes on the roll and either plugs or
connectors are required for it. Is this a simple job to do? Does it
require soldering or something? Also how many plugs are required? I've
been looking at pictures of the cable and I get the impression I need
8 - that's 4 for each cable. Is that right?
Finally with regards to retailers, I'm at a bit of a loss. The only
local Hi-Fi shop that I know of is Richer Sounds and after looking at
their website, they don't appear to sell any of the above. However, I
have found this equipment on various online retailers. Which ones have
a good reputation because to be honest I haven't heard of any of them.
They a
http://www.prcdirect.co.uk/PRC/PRC.storefront
http://www.hifi4less.com
http://www.empiredirect.co.uk
http://www.unbeatable.co.uk
http://www.hifibitz.co.uk
I apologise for all the questions but hopefully you can provide some
answers or at least point me in the right direction. I'm sure with
your guidance I could come up with a terrific system!
Thanks in advance,
Alex