"Adagio" wrote in message
...
My current stereo (not deserving of the term hi-fi!)system is now
over 15 years old and was a pretty cheap package then. I should like
to upgrade preferably in phases. Initially I plan to replace the
amplifier and speakers. My budget is around gbp 1000.

The room is approx 5x4 metres.
I need minimum 4 line inputs (no phono) of which at least 1 tape loop.
Headphone out
1 speaker pair
Remote control would not be used if there were one.

Any suggestions from the obviously knowledgable poster in this group
most welcome, preferably supported by reasoned argument.

With a budget of £1000 (or indeed with any budget) I would buy used. There
is Ebay, with a constant stream of equipment, and/or dealers who sell on
their part-exchanges. Hi-Fi equipment has been of a very high quality for at
east twenty years, so anything you are likely to buy used will sound as good
as something new provided obviously, it's in good condition. Buying from a
dealer will allow you to take it back if it doesn't work properly. As to
brands, QUAD is always good and reliable, but doesn't have a headphone
output, so you may want to look at Audiolab and A&R Cambridge (ARCAM).

As to 'speakers, these are so personal as to be difficult to advise, but if
I were buying for myself, I would go for something traditionally British
like Rogers, Harbeth, Spendor, KEF and B&W.

I would stay away from anything too esoteric (like valves) as quality is
variable and reliability is much less than modern Solid State. Likewise
electrostatic 'speakers I would avoid buying used, as within your budget
they're likely to be pretty old.

What I wouldn't do with your budget especially is buy new unless I had an
aversion to used, as the value for money is so much better when buying used.

S.

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