Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

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…

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

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

"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

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

"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

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

Dear Alex
Richer Sounds is the most successful retailer (based on volume of sales vs.
size of store) of any product in the UK. They pride themselves on providing
the best sound per £ of any Hi-Fi retailer. I do not believe a word written
in What Hi-Fi and advise you to visit ant Hi-Fi shops and listen to what
they offer for your budget. Five star awards are always (supposedly) based
on value for money so does today's 5* product for £150 beat yesterdays 5*
product at £300 ? Use mags as a guide but listen to the systems, you may
not agree what is best and don't fall for the biggest discount/ most highly
acclaimed rubbish.

Good luck
Richard
New Ash Green Hi-Fi Club
"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.

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

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

Dear Alex
Richer Sounds is the most successful retailer (based on volume of sales vs.
size of store) of any product in the UK. They pride themselves on providing
the best sound per £ of any Hi-Fi retailer. I do not believe a word written
in What Hi-Fi and advise you to visit ant Hi-Fi shops and listen to what
they offer for your budget. Five star awards are always (supposedly) based
on value for money so does today's 5* product for £150 beat yesterdays 5*
product at £300 ? Use mags as a guide but listen to the systems, you may
not agree what is best and don't fall for the biggest discount/ most highly
acclaimed rubbish.

Good luck
Richard
New Ash Green Hi-Fi Club
"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.

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

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

Alex wrote:
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.

snip

I was in EXACTLY the same position as you about 18 months ago and asked the
same question. One reply said to forget the magazines and listen to the
equipement. Thats exactly what I did and I got a great sounding system for
£650 at Richer Sounds.

I too had the idea of buying one of the systems out of what HiFI but my mind
was soon changed at a listening session. I hated the sound of the HiFi in
What HiFi! I ended up buying a Cambridge audio A500 amp and Cambridge Audio
D500SE CD Player. Much better to my ears than the tinny What HiFi
recomendation.

That system lasted me for a year until the bug to upgrade got me. I got all
Arcam gear and thought the sound was great - until a month later when I
realised I wasn't listening to as much stuff! I also thought I needed big
floorstanders as I liked bass - 3 pairs of What iFi awards floorstanders
later, I purchased some standmounters that sounded super in my small room.

I currently have the Roksan Mk 3 amp and CD player with Quad 11L speakers.
An awsome sounding trio that cost £1700 (more like £2500 after I went
through all the Arcam gear that I hate)

All of my current gear is well regarded in What HiFi BUT the best tip I can
give you is DO NOT BUY WITHOUT LISTENING!

MrBitsy.

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

Alex wrote:
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.

snip

I was in EXACTLY the same position as you about 18 months ago and asked the
same question. One reply said to forget the magazines and listen to the
equipement. Thats exactly what I did and I got a great sounding system for
£650 at Richer Sounds.

I too had the idea of buying one of the systems out of what HiFI but my mind
was soon changed at a listening session. I hated the sound of the HiFi in
What HiFi! I ended up buying a Cambridge audio A500 amp and Cambridge Audio
D500SE CD Player. Much better to my ears than the tinny What HiFi
recomendation.

That system lasted me for a year until the bug to upgrade got me. I got all
Arcam gear and thought the sound was great - until a month later when I
realised I wasn't listening to as much stuff! I also thought I needed big
floorstanders as I liked bass - 3 pairs of What iFi awards floorstanders
later, I purchased some standmounters that sounded super in my small room.

I currently have the Roksan Mk 3 amp and CD player with Quad 11L speakers.
An awsome sounding trio that cost £1700 (more like £2500 after I went
through all the Arcam gear that I hate)

All of my current gear is well regarded in What HiFi BUT the best tip I can
give you is DO NOT BUY WITHOUT LISTENING!

MrBitsy.

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

Alex a écrit :



- 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.

Hello Alex,

Considering the above parameters may I suggest you the following :

1. Purchase immediately second hand "good" elements for a maximum amount
of 1/4 of your today budget.
2. Put the rest of your budget in bank at 4.5 - 5% per year.
3. Continue to save money for your project.
4. During this time you should borrow music from your neighbourhood
media libraries to educate your ear.

Finally let say that in 2 or 3 years you will have a nice amount of
money to purchase a very good music system.

*Bonus* : you will also have good music to listen on !

Friendly,
Lionel

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

Alex a écrit :



- 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.

Hello Alex,

Considering the above parameters may I suggest you the following :

1. Purchase immediately second hand "good" elements for a maximum amount
of 1/4 of your today budget.
2. Put the rest of your budget in bank at 4.5 - 5% per year.
3. Continue to save money for your project.
4. During this time you should borrow music from your neighbourhood
media libraries to educate your ear.

Finally let say that in 2 or 3 years you will have a nice amount of
money to purchase a very good music system.

*Bonus* : you will also have good music to listen on !

Friendly,
Lionel

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

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):

Book a session at your local Richer Sounds or similar (i.e. NOT a
"high-end" audio shop) to listen to a selection of speakers. These,
and where you put them in your room, make by far the most difference.

Spend around £100 on an amp, rather less on a CD player. (Richer
sounds use the "Cambridge Audio" name now. It's not the old Cambridge
Audio stuff, but it's pretty good, and inexpensive).

Don't believe a word of what they tell you about interconnects. Go to
Maplins or your local electrical shop and buy something multi-stranded
and as thick as will go into the terminals for the speakers.

Enjoy your music.
Remember, moving your listening position a few inches makes much more
difference than changing cables. Finding the best room position for
your speakers makes much more difference than just about anything
else.

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

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):

Book a session at your local Richer Sounds or similar (i.e. NOT a
"high-end" audio shop) to listen to a selection of speakers. These,
and where you put them in your room, make by far the most difference.

Spend around £100 on an amp, rather less on a CD player. (Richer
sounds use the "Cambridge Audio" name now. It's not the old Cambridge
Audio stuff, but it's pretty good, and inexpensive).

Don't believe a word of what they tell you about interconnects. Go to
Maplins or your local electrical shop and buy something multi-stranded
and as thick as will go into the terminals for the speakers.

Enjoy your music.
Remember, moving your listening position a few inches makes much more
difference than changing cables. Finding the best room position for
your speakers makes much more difference than just about anything
else.

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

Laurence Payne wrote:
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):

Book a session at your local Richer Sounds or similar (i.e. NOT a
"high-end" audio shop) to listen to a selection of speakers. These,
and where you put them in your room, make by far the most difference.

Spend around £100 on an amp, rather less on a CD player. (Richer
sounds use the "Cambridge Audio" name now. It's not the old Cambridge
Audio stuff, but it's pretty good, and inexpensive).

Don't believe a word of what they tell you about interconnects. Go to
Maplins or your local electrical shop and buy something multi-stranded
and as thick as will go into the terminals for the speakers.

With the greatest respect, that is not good advice. I have tried several
different interconnects on my system and they do affect the sound at the
speakers. One set of costly interconnects flooded my system with bass.

Whatever the technical aspects of this are - interconnects are important and
should be listened on your test system. Richer sounds will have a selection
for you to try in a listening session.


Enjoy your music.
Remember, moving your listening position a few inches makes much more
difference than changing cables. Finding the best room position for
your speakers makes much more difference than just about anything
else.

I can agree to that strongly. Try your speakers in as many different
positions as possible, a few inches really can make a huge difference (and
then try the different interconnects )
;-)

--
MrBitsy

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

Laurence Payne wrote:
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):

Book a session at your local Richer Sounds or similar (i.e. NOT a
"high-end" audio shop) to listen to a selection of speakers. These,
and where you put them in your room, make by far the most difference.

Spend around £100 on an amp, rather less on a CD player. (Richer
sounds use the "Cambridge Audio" name now. It's not the old Cambridge
Audio stuff, but it's pretty good, and inexpensive).

Don't believe a word of what they tell you about interconnects. Go to
Maplins or your local electrical shop and buy something multi-stranded
and as thick as will go into the terminals for the speakers.

With the greatest respect, that is not good advice. I have tried several
different interconnects on my system and they do affect the sound at the
speakers. One set of costly interconnects flooded my system with bass.

Whatever the technical aspects of this are - interconnects are important and
should be listened on your test system. Richer sounds will have a selection
for you to try in a listening session.


Enjoy your music.
Remember, moving your listening position a few inches makes much more
difference than changing cables. Finding the best room position for
your speakers makes much more difference than just about anything
else.

I can agree to that strongly. Try your speakers in as many different
positions as possible, a few inches really can make a huge difference (and
then try the different interconnects )
;-)

--
MrBitsy

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

Laurence Payne a écrit :


Enjoy your music.
Remember, moving your listening position a few inches makes much more
difference than changing cables. Finding the best room position for
your speakers makes much more difference than just about anything
else.

....But doesn't help copper mines and high-end audio industry, to kick
out of moroseness !
;-)

Lionel

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

Laurence Payne a écrit :


Enjoy your music.
Remember, moving your listening position a few inches makes much more
difference than changing cables. Finding the best room position for
your speakers makes much more difference than just about anything
else.

....But doesn't help copper mines and high-end audio industry, to kick
out of moroseness !
;-)

Lionel

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

To get an idea of the difference, understand that Marantz and NAD
amplifiers
use circuit boards made out of paper!

So?

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

To get an idea of the difference, understand that Marantz and NAD
amplifiers
use circuit boards made out of paper!

So?

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

Whatever the technical aspects of this are - interconnects are important
and
should be listened on your test system. Richer sounds will have a
selection
for you to try in a listening session.

Simple rules for interconnects -as short as possible, as heavy as possible,
and construction quality for consistency.

If you can solder **well** then make your own, neutrik connectors, any high
quality cable (van damme, canare, belden whatever). Otherwise buy the
cheapest of the heavy ones, and unscrew the plugs before buying to see the
quality of workmanship on the joint.

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

Whatever the technical aspects of this are - interconnects are important
and
should be listened on your test system. Richer sounds will have a
selection
for you to try in a listening session.

Simple rules for interconnects -as short as possible, as heavy as possible,
and construction quality for consistency.

If you can solder **well** then make your own, neutrik connectors, any high
quality cable (van damme, canare, belden whatever). Otherwise buy the
cheapest of the heavy ones, and unscrew the plugs before buying to see the
quality of workmanship on the joint.

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

Hi,

In message , Tim S Kemp
writes
To get an idea of the difference, understand that Marantz and NAD
amplifiers
use circuit boards made out of paper!

So?

I personally know of two NAD amplifiers that have gone up in flames when
the PCBs caught fire. I couldn't say what caused this to happen or how
common it is, but when it happened to a colleague, he called NAD from
work to moan about it, only to be told 'Oh yes... they sometimes do
that'. His face was a picture, and the NAD support guy got a case of
earache that day.

--
Regards,
Glenn Booth

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

Hi,

In message , Tim S Kemp
writes
To get an idea of the difference, understand that Marantz and NAD
amplifiers
use circuit boards made out of paper!

So?

I personally know of two NAD amplifiers that have gone up in flames when
the PCBs caught fire. I couldn't say what caused this to happen or how
common it is, but when it happened to a colleague, he called NAD from
work to moan about it, only to be told 'Oh yes... they sometimes do
that'. His face was a picture, and the NAD support guy got a case of
earache that day.

--
Regards,
Glenn Booth

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

"MrBitsy" wrote in message
...
Laurence Payne wrote:
[snip]
With the greatest respect, that is not good advice. I have tried several
different interconnects on my system and they do affect the sound at the
speakers. One set of costly interconnects flooded my system with bass.

Many costly interconnects deliberately modify the sound. MIT is one of the
worst offenders.

Simple, low cost interconnects cause very little modification, with the
exception of the very cheap ones sometimes included with the components
themselves.

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

"MrBitsy" wrote in message
...
Laurence Payne wrote:
[snip]
With the greatest respect, that is not good advice. I have tried several
different interconnects on my system and they do affect the sound at the
speakers. One set of costly interconnects flooded my system with bass.

Many costly interconnects deliberately modify the sound. MIT is one of the
worst offenders.

Simple, low cost interconnects cause very little modification, with the
exception of the very cheap ones sometimes included with the components
themselves.

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

"Glenn Booth" wrote in message
...
Hi,

In message , Tim S Kemp
writes
To get an idea of the difference, understand that Marantz and NAD
amplifiers
use circuit boards made out of paper!

So?

I personally know of two NAD amplifiers that have gone up in flames when
the PCBs caught fire. I couldn't say what caused this to happen or how
common it is, but when it happened to a colleague, he called NAD from
work to moan about it, only to be told 'Oh yes... they sometimes do
that'. His face was a picture, and the NAD support guy got a case of
earache that day.

Yes. They use an elaborate system of thermal fusing, but it doesn't always
work with the proximity of so much combusible material.

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

"Glenn Booth" wrote in message
...
Hi,

In message , Tim S Kemp
writes
To get an idea of the difference, understand that Marantz and NAD
amplifiers
use circuit boards made out of paper!

So?

I personally know of two NAD amplifiers that have gone up in flames when
the PCBs caught fire. I couldn't say what caused this to happen or how
common it is, but when it happened to a colleague, he called NAD from
work to moan about it, only to be told 'Oh yes... they sometimes do
that'. His face was a picture, and the NAD support guy got a case of
earache that day.

Yes. They use an elaborate system of thermal fusing, but it doesn't always
work with the proximity of so much combusible material.

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

On Thu, 18 Sep 2003 17:33:08 +0100, "MrBitsy"
wrote:

Laurence Payne wrote:
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):

Book a session at your local Richer Sounds or similar (i.e. NOT a
"high-end" audio shop) to listen to a selection of speakers. These,
and where you put them in your room, make by far the most difference.

Spend around £100 on an amp, rather less on a CD player. (Richer
sounds use the "Cambridge Audio" name now. It's not the old Cambridge
Audio stuff, but it's pretty good, and inexpensive).

Don't believe a word of what they tell you about interconnects. Go to
Maplins or your local electrical shop and buy something multi-stranded
and as thick as will go into the terminals for the speakers.

With the greatest respect, that is not good advice. I have tried several
different interconnects on my system and they do affect the sound at the
speakers. One set of costly interconnects flooded my system with bass.

With the greatest respect, that was *excellent* advice. If you really
believe in 'cable sound', I have a standing offer of £1,000 to
*anyone* who can tell apart any two cables under double-blind
conditions, the only proviso being that they measure +/- 0.1dB from
20-20kHz at the speaker terminals. This is trivially easy for all but
the most pathological cables.

BTW, your assertion that a set of interconnects 'flooded you system
with bass' is fundamentally impossible.

Whatever the technical aspects of this are - interconnects are important and
should be listened on your test system. Richer sounds will have a selection
for you to try in a listening session.

Indeed they will - buy the cheapest that seem solidly constructed.
--

Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

On Thu, 18 Sep 2003 17:33:08 +0100, "MrBitsy"
wrote:

Laurence Payne wrote:
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):

Book a session at your local Richer Sounds or similar (i.e. NOT a
"high-end" audio shop) to listen to a selection of speakers. These,
and where you put them in your room, make by far the most difference.

Spend around £100 on an amp, rather less on a CD player. (Richer
sounds use the "Cambridge Audio" name now. It's not the old Cambridge
Audio stuff, but it's pretty good, and inexpensive).

Don't believe a word of what they tell you about interconnects. Go to
Maplins or your local electrical shop and buy something multi-stranded
and as thick as will go into the terminals for the speakers.

With the greatest respect, that is not good advice. I have tried several
different interconnects on my system and they do affect the sound at the
speakers. One set of costly interconnects flooded my system with bass.

With the greatest respect, that was *excellent* advice. If you really
believe in 'cable sound', I have a standing offer of £1,000 to
*anyone* who can tell apart any two cables under double-blind
conditions, the only proviso being that they measure +/- 0.1dB from
20-20kHz at the speaker terminals. This is trivially easy for all but
the most pathological cables.

BTW, your assertion that a set of interconnects 'flooded you system
with bass' is fundamentally impossible.

Whatever the technical aspects of this are - interconnects are important and
should be listened on your test system. Richer sounds will have a selection
for you to try in a listening session.

Indeed they will - buy the cheapest that seem solidly constructed.
--

Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

"Stewart Pinkerton" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 18 Sep 2003 17:33:08 +0100, "MrBitsy"
wrote:
[snip]

BTW, your assertion that a set of interconnects 'flooded you system
with bass' is fundamentally impossible.

Not impossible if you intepret his subjective experience, rather than take
it literally. When treble is knocked out, some individuals perceive the
result as increased bass. Apparently, their brain has some kind of a
broad-band energy weighting scheme which fails to differentiate.

Also, there are some pathological cables out there -- the ones with little
terminator boxes. These are quite capable of the effect.
[snip]

Indeed they will - buy the cheapest that seem solidly constructed.
--
I'm inclined to agree with you, but not absolutely sure. Have you examined
the work of your countryman, Macolm Hawksford?

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

"Stewart Pinkerton" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 18 Sep 2003 17:33:08 +0100, "MrBitsy"
wrote:
[snip]

BTW, your assertion that a set of interconnects 'flooded you system
with bass' is fundamentally impossible.

Not impossible if you intepret his subjective experience, rather than take
it literally. When treble is knocked out, some individuals perceive the
result as increased bass. Apparently, their brain has some kind of a
broad-band energy weighting scheme which fails to differentiate.

Also, there are some pathological cables out there -- the ones with little
terminator boxes. These are quite capable of the effect.
[snip]

Indeed they will - buy the cheapest that seem solidly constructed.
--
I'm inclined to agree with you, but not absolutely sure. Have you examined
the work of your countryman, Macolm Hawksford?

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

In article ,
MrBitsy wrote:
With the greatest respect, that is not good advice. I have tried several
different interconnects on my system and they do affect the sound at the
speakers. One set of costly interconnects flooded my system with bass.

That's because some 'designer' leads deliberately set out to alter things
- and a non specific application lead which alters the tonal balance like
this is crap - designed to remove money from the wallets of fools.

There's nothing magical about making an interconnect that has a poor
frequency response - only bad engineering.

--
*I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message.

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

In article ,
MrBitsy wrote:
With the greatest respect, that is not good advice. I have tried several
different interconnects on my system and they do affect the sound at the
speakers. One set of costly interconnects flooded my system with bass.

That's because some 'designer' leads deliberately set out to alter things
- and a non specific application lead which alters the tonal balance like
this is crap - designed to remove money from the wallets of fools.

There's nothing magical about making an interconnect that has a poor
frequency response - only bad engineering.

--
*I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message.

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

Stewart Pinkerton wrote:

On Thu, 18 Sep 2003 17:33:08 +0100, "MrBitsy"
wrote:


Laurence Payne wrote:

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):

Book a session at your local Richer Sounds or similar (i.e. NOT a
"high-end" audio shop) to listen to a selection of speakers. These,
and where you put them in your room, make by far the most difference.

Spend around £100 on an amp, rather less on a CD player. (Richer
sounds use the "Cambridge Audio" name now. It's not the old Cambridge
Audio stuff, but it's pretty good, and inexpensive).

Don't believe a word of what they tell you about interconnects. Go to
Maplins or your local electrical shop and buy something multi-stranded
and as thick as will go into the terminals for the speakers.

With the greatest respect, that is not good advice. I have tried several
different interconnects on my system and they do affect the sound at the
speakers. One set of costly interconnects flooded my system with bass.


With the greatest respect, that was *excellent* advice. If you really
believe in 'cable sound', I have a standing offer of £1,000 to
*anyone* who can tell apart any two cables under double-blind
conditions, the only proviso being that they measure +/- 0.1dB from
20-20kHz at the speaker terminals. This is trivially easy for all but
the most pathological cables.

BTW, your assertion that a set of interconnects 'flooded you system
with bass' is fundamentally impossible.


Whatever the technical aspects of this are - interconnects are
important and
should be listened on your test system. Richer sounds will have a
selection
for you to try in a listening session.


Indeed they will - buy the cheapest that seem solidly constructed.



Isn't that how you got married?

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

Stewart Pinkerton wrote:

On Thu, 18 Sep 2003 17:33:08 +0100, "MrBitsy"
wrote:


Laurence Payne wrote:

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):

Book a session at your local Richer Sounds or similar (i.e. NOT a
"high-end" audio shop) to listen to a selection of speakers. These,
and where you put them in your room, make by far the most difference.

Spend around £100 on an amp, rather less on a CD player. (Richer
sounds use the "Cambridge Audio" name now. It's not the old Cambridge
Audio stuff, but it's pretty good, and inexpensive).

Don't believe a word of what they tell you about interconnects. Go to
Maplins or your local electrical shop and buy something multi-stranded
and as thick as will go into the terminals for the speakers.

With the greatest respect, that is not good advice. I have tried several
different interconnects on my system and they do affect the sound at the
speakers. One set of costly interconnects flooded my system with bass.


With the greatest respect, that was *excellent* advice. If you really
believe in 'cable sound', I have a standing offer of £1,000 to
*anyone* who can tell apart any two cables under double-blind
conditions, the only proviso being that they measure +/- 0.1dB from
20-20kHz at the speaker terminals. This is trivially easy for all but
the most pathological cables.

BTW, your assertion that a set of interconnects 'flooded you system
with bass' is fundamentally impossible.


Whatever the technical aspects of this are - interconnects are
important and
should be listened on your test system. Richer sounds will have a
selection
for you to try in a listening session.


Indeed they will - buy the cheapest that seem solidly constructed.



Isn't that how you got married?

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

trotsky a écrit :
Stewart Pinkerton wrote:

On Thu, 18 Sep 2003 17:33:08 +0100, "MrBitsy"
wrote:


Laurence Payne wrote:

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):

Book a session at your local Richer Sounds or similar (i.e. NOT a
"high-end" audio shop) to listen to a selection of speakers. These,
and where you put them in your room, make by far the most difference.

Spend around £100 on an amp, rather less on a CD player. (Richer
sounds use the "Cambridge Audio" name now. It's not the old Cambridge
Audio stuff, but it's pretty good, and inexpensive).

Don't believe a word of what they tell you about interconnects. Go to
Maplins or your local electrical shop and buy something multi-stranded
and as thick as will go into the terminals for the speakers.

With the greatest respect, that is not good advice. I have tried several
different interconnects on my system and they do affect the sound at the
speakers. One set of costly interconnects flooded my system with bass.


With the greatest respect, that was *excellent* advice. If you really
believe in 'cable sound', I have a standing offer of £1,000 to
*anyone* who can tell apart any two cables under double-blind
conditions, the only proviso being that they measure +/- 0.1dB from
20-20kHz at the speaker terminals. This is trivially easy for all but
the most pathological cables.

BTW, your assertion that a set of interconnects 'flooded you system
with bass' is fundamentally impossible.


Whatever the technical aspects of this are - interconnects are
important and
should be listened on your test system. Richer sounds will have a
selection
for you to try in a listening session.


Indeed they will - buy the cheapest that seem solidly constructed.




Isn't that how you got married?


Starting from Pinkerton's statement there's also a good joke to make
with your speakers rather than his wife. ;o)

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

trotsky a écrit :
Stewart Pinkerton wrote:

On Thu, 18 Sep 2003 17:33:08 +0100, "MrBitsy"
wrote:


Laurence Payne wrote:

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):

Book a session at your local Richer Sounds or similar (i.e. NOT a
"high-end" audio shop) to listen to a selection of speakers. These,
and where you put them in your room, make by far the most difference.

Spend around £100 on an amp, rather less on a CD player. (Richer
sounds use the "Cambridge Audio" name now. It's not the old Cambridge
Audio stuff, but it's pretty good, and inexpensive).

Don't believe a word of what they tell you about interconnects. Go to
Maplins or your local electrical shop and buy something multi-stranded
and as thick as will go into the terminals for the speakers.

With the greatest respect, that is not good advice. I have tried several
different interconnects on my system and they do affect the sound at the
speakers. One set of costly interconnects flooded my system with bass.


With the greatest respect, that was *excellent* advice. If you really
believe in 'cable sound', I have a standing offer of £1,000 to
*anyone* who can tell apart any two cables under double-blind
conditions, the only proviso being that they measure +/- 0.1dB from
20-20kHz at the speaker terminals. This is trivially easy for all but
the most pathological cables.

BTW, your assertion that a set of interconnects 'flooded you system
with bass' is fundamentally impossible.


Whatever the technical aspects of this are - interconnects are
important and
should be listened on your test system. Richer sounds will have a
selection
for you to try in a listening session.


Indeed they will - buy the cheapest that seem solidly constructed.




Isn't that how you got married?


Starting from Pinkerton's statement there's also a good joke to make
with your speakers rather than his wife. ;o)

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

On Fri, 19 Sep 2003 12:44:40 +0200, Lionel
lionel{dot}chapuis{at}free{dot}fr wrote:

trotsky a écrit :
Stewart Pinkerton wrote:

On Thu, 18 Sep 2003 17:33:08 +0100, "MrBitsy"
wrote:


Laurence Payne wrote:

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):

Book a session at your local Richer Sounds or similar (i.e. NOT a
"high-end" audio shop) to listen to a selection of speakers. These,
and where you put them in your room, make by far the most difference.

Spend around £100 on an amp, rather less on a CD player. (Richer
sounds use the "Cambridge Audio" name now. It's not the old Cambridge
Audio stuff, but it's pretty good, and inexpensive).

Don't believe a word of what they tell you about interconnects. Go to
Maplins or your local electrical shop and buy something multi-stranded
and as thick as will go into the terminals for the speakers.

With the greatest respect, that is not good advice. I have tried several
different interconnects on my system and they do affect the sound at the
speakers. One set of costly interconnects flooded my system with bass.


With the greatest respect, that was *excellent* advice. If you really
believe in 'cable sound', I have a standing offer of £1,000 to
*anyone* who can tell apart any two cables under double-blind
conditions, the only proviso being that they measure +/- 0.1dB from
20-20kHz at the speaker terminals. This is trivially easy for all but
the most pathological cables.

BTW, your assertion that a set of interconnects 'flooded you system
with bass' is fundamentally impossible.


Whatever the technical aspects of this are - interconnects are
important and
should be listened on your test system. Richer sounds will have a
selection
for you to try in a listening session.


Indeed they will - buy the cheapest that seem solidly constructed.




Isn't that how you got married?


Starting from Pinkerton's statement there's also a good joke to make
with your speakers rather than his wife. ;o)

Or your air conditioner.

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

On Fri, 19 Sep 2003 12:44:40 +0200, Lionel
lionel{dot}chapuis{at}free{dot}fr wrote:

trotsky a écrit :
Stewart Pinkerton wrote:

On Thu, 18 Sep 2003 17:33:08 +0100, "MrBitsy"
wrote:


Laurence Payne wrote:

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):

Book a session at your local Richer Sounds or similar (i.e. NOT a
"high-end" audio shop) to listen to a selection of speakers. These,
and where you put them in your room, make by far the most difference.

Spend around £100 on an amp, rather less on a CD player. (Richer
sounds use the "Cambridge Audio" name now. It's not the old Cambridge
Audio stuff, but it's pretty good, and inexpensive).

Don't believe a word of what they tell you about interconnects. Go to
Maplins or your local electrical shop and buy something multi-stranded
and as thick as will go into the terminals for the speakers.

With the greatest respect, that is not good advice. I have tried several
different interconnects on my system and they do affect the sound at the
speakers. One set of costly interconnects flooded my system with bass.


With the greatest respect, that was *excellent* advice. If you really
believe in 'cable sound', I have a standing offer of £1,000 to
*anyone* who can tell apart any two cables under double-blind
conditions, the only proviso being that they measure +/- 0.1dB from
20-20kHz at the speaker terminals. This is trivially easy for all but
the most pathological cables.

BTW, your assertion that a set of interconnects 'flooded you system
with bass' is fundamentally impossible.


Whatever the technical aspects of this are - interconnects are
important and
should be listened on your test system. Richer sounds will have a
selection
for you to try in a listening session.


Indeed they will - buy the cheapest that seem solidly constructed.




Isn't that how you got married?


Starting from Pinkerton's statement there's also a good joke to make
with your speakers rather than his wife. ;o)

Or your air conditioner.

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

dave weil a écrit :
On Fri, 19 Sep 2003 12:44:40 +0200, Lionel
lionel{dot}chapuis{at}free{dot}fr wrote:


trotsky a écrit :

Stewart Pinkerton wrote:


On Thu, 18 Sep 2003 17:33:08 +0100, "MrBitsy"
wrote:



Laurence Payne wrote:


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):

Book a session at your local Richer Sounds or similar (i.e. NOT a
"high-end" audio shop) to listen to a selection of speakers. These,
and where you put them in your room, make by far the most difference.

Spend around £100 on an amp, rather less on a CD player. (Richer
sounds use the "Cambridge Audio" name now. It's not the old Cambridge
Audio stuff, but it's pretty good, and inexpensive).

Don't believe a word of what they tell you about interconnects. Go to
Maplins or your local electrical shop and buy something multi-stranded
and as thick as will go into the terminals for the speakers.

With the greatest respect, that is not good advice. I have tried several
different interconnects on my system and they do affect the sound at the
speakers. One set of costly interconnects flooded my system with bass.


With the greatest respect, that was *excellent* advice. If you really
believe in 'cable sound', I have a standing offer of £1,000 to
*anyone* who can tell apart any two cables under double-blind
conditions, the only proviso being that they measure +/- 0.1dB from
20-20kHz at the speaker terminals. This is trivially easy for all but
the most pathological cables.

BTW, your assertion that a set of interconnects 'flooded you system
with bass' is fundamentally impossible.



Whatever the technical aspects of this are - interconnects are

important and

should be listened on your test system. Richer sounds will have a

selection

for you to try in a listening session.


Indeed they will - buy the cheapest that seem solidly constructed.




Isn't that how you got married?


Starting from Pinkerton's statement there's also a good joke to make
with your speakers rather than his wife. ;o)


Or your air conditioner.

Do you know what would be Krueger answer to the above ?
I guess you know !
This is the difference between him and me...
:o)

--
"Keep the bugs off your glass and the bears off your ass"
Bad Plus

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

dave weil a écrit :
On Fri, 19 Sep 2003 12:44:40 +0200, Lionel
lionel{dot}chapuis{at}free{dot}fr wrote:


trotsky a écrit :

Stewart Pinkerton wrote:


On Thu, 18 Sep 2003 17:33:08 +0100, "MrBitsy"
wrote:



Laurence Payne wrote:


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):

Book a session at your local Richer Sounds or similar (i.e. NOT a
"high-end" audio shop) to listen to a selection of speakers. These,
and where you put them in your room, make by far the most difference.

Spend around £100 on an amp, rather less on a CD player. (Richer
sounds use the "Cambridge Audio" name now. It's not the old Cambridge
Audio stuff, but it's pretty good, and inexpensive).

Don't believe a word of what they tell you about interconnects. Go to
Maplins or your local electrical shop and buy something multi-stranded
and as thick as will go into the terminals for the speakers.

With the greatest respect, that is not good advice. I have tried several
different interconnects on my system and they do affect the sound at the
speakers. One set of costly interconnects flooded my system with bass.


With the greatest respect, that was *excellent* advice. If you really
believe in 'cable sound', I have a standing offer of £1,000 to
*anyone* who can tell apart any two cables under double-blind
conditions, the only proviso being that they measure +/- 0.1dB from
20-20kHz at the speaker terminals. This is trivially easy for all but
the most pathological cables.

BTW, your assertion that a set of interconnects 'flooded you system
with bass' is fundamentally impossible.



Whatever the technical aspects of this are - interconnects are

important and

should be listened on your test system. Richer sounds will have a

selection

for you to try in a listening session.


Indeed they will - buy the cheapest that seem solidly constructed.




Isn't that how you got married?


Starting from Pinkerton's statement there's also a good joke to make
with your speakers rather than his wife. ;o)


Or your air conditioner.

Do you know what would be Krueger answer to the above ?
I guess you know !
This is the difference between him and me...
:o)

--
"Keep the bugs off your glass and the bears off your ass"
Bad Plus

Advice needed on new Hi-Fi system
 

On Fri, 19 Sep 2003 14:46:12 +0200, Lionel
wrote:

dave weil a écrit :
On Fri, 19 Sep 2003 12:44:40 +0200, Lionel
lionel{dot}chapuis{at}free{dot}fr wrote:


trotsky a écrit :

Stewart Pinkerton wrote:


On Thu, 18 Sep 2003 17:33:08 +0100, "MrBitsy"
wrote:



Laurence Payne wrote:


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):

Book a session at your local Richer Sounds or similar (i.e. NOT a
"high-end" audio shop) to listen to a selection of speakers. These,
and where you put them in your room, make by far the most difference.

Spend around £100 on an amp, rather less on a CD player. (Richer
sounds use the "Cambridge Audio" name now. It's not the old Cambridge
Audio stuff, but it's pretty good, and inexpensive).

Don't believe a word of what they tell you about interconnects. Go to
Maplins or your local electrical shop and buy something multi-stranded
and as thick as will go into the terminals for the speakers.

With the greatest respect, that is not good advice. I have tried several
different interconnects on my system and they do affect the sound at the
speakers. One set of costly interconnects flooded my system with bass.


With the greatest respect, that was *excellent* advice. If you really
believe in 'cable sound', I have a standing offer of £1,000 to
*anyone* who can tell apart any two cables under double-blind
conditions, the only proviso being that they measure +/- 0.1dB from
20-20kHz at the speaker terminals. This is trivially easy for all but
the most pathological cables.

BTW, your assertion that a set of interconnects 'flooded you system
with bass' is fundamentally impossible.



Whatever the technical aspects of this are - interconnects are

important and

should be listened on your test system. Richer sounds will have a

selection

for you to try in a listening session.


Indeed they will - buy the cheapest that seem solidly constructed.




Isn't that how you got married?


Starting from Pinkerton's statement there's also a good joke to make
with your speakers rather than his wife. ;o)


Or your air conditioner.

Do you know what would be Krueger answer to the above ?

No I don't.

I guess you know !

I guess you're wrong then.

This is the difference between him and me...
:o)
No, the difference is that you've got a better command of the English
language than he does.