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Post by ChrisB on Jul 30, 2014 19:25:39 GMT
If someone who had never owned a proper hi-fi asked you for advice on how to select a system for themselves, I wonder what hard earned bits of vital intelligence you would give them? Any tips for auditioning, selecting and putting together something good?
For this thread, we'll assume that our hypothetical HiFi Virgin wants to buy new gear only!
Perhaps we'll do something similar to this for secondhand gear and then maybe the upgrading process when this thread looks like it's run it's course.
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Post by John on Jul 30, 2014 19:28:46 GMT
Is their a budget rule
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Post by pre65 on Jul 30, 2014 19:39:02 GMT
One would need quite a bit more info before posting an answer. 
And personal preferences. ie what source is most important ie vinyl - CD - computer files - radio - DVDs (films).
Size of room.
Budget.
Does SHMBO have any say. 
Any constraints ? ie not having cables all over the floor.
To be honest, ruling out used gear is not helping.
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Post by ChrisB on Jul 30, 2014 19:41:31 GMT
I'm thinking more of principles than actual recommendations.
For example:
Don't build a system by simply picking from a list of best buys - you need to listen properly to everything you are considering buying.
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Post by John on Jul 30, 2014 19:55:55 GMT
Take your time, and hear different approaches towards systems
Keep to your budget
Hear the system in your own room if you can
Listen to music you know and love
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Post by Chris on Jul 30, 2014 20:06:12 GMT
Join a forum,ask lots of questions,listen to lots of kit and,as we are buying new,take your time making a decision as hifi equipment lasts a long time.
oh,and don't believe da hype!
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Post by MartinT on Jul 30, 2014 20:08:49 GMT
Start from their favourite music and work from there. What do they want from a system - they probably won't be able to verbalise it so perhaps a brief explanation of the sound characteristics would help. Try and avoid bass/treble etc. descriptions and get them to really listen to the detail and rhythms in the music.
If you have some good recordings on a decent portable player, let them have a listen and ask them what they liked about it.
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Post by John on Jul 30, 2014 20:26:44 GMT
Perhaps one of the biggest lesson is understanding the sound you after and for me this is something that has been redefined over the years. The better the sense you can get on this the better the chances of getting it right
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Post by ChrisB on Jul 30, 2014 20:31:30 GMT
Don't let pricing structures fool you into thinking one item is better than another.
Until you have a truly capable system, don't even think about cables, beyond a simple, basic set of wires.
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Post by ChrisB on Jul 30, 2014 21:45:02 GMT
Once you've bought the kit and tried it out, the biggest leap forward in performance you will make is by finding the ideal position for your speakers, so that they function in harmony with your room.
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Post by MartinT on Jul 31, 2014 5:34:55 GMT
...together with treating your room, even minimally, to reduce flutter echo and improve clarity.
Finger snapping and speaking as you move around the room tells you lots.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 31, 2014 7:23:38 GMT
My advice would be don't buy new !
Buy a complete set up from Ebay or similar as cheap as you can.
Hear it working first
If new is essential
Think about position of the kit and how it will be fed, get a decent unswitched socket or 2 in, do not use 4 ways on 4 ways.
Look at support as it has to be put somewhere anyway
Look to where the speakers are going and see if you have limitations - which may force a decision or 2.
Work out where all the cables will go
None of this is 'hifi as it is known' of course so it may well put them right off - too complicated.
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Post by MartinT on Jul 31, 2014 7:26:56 GMT
I would do the same now that I know what I like, Mike. The used market has some amazing bargains - witness that lovely FR arm of yours.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 31, 2014 7:29:40 GMT
and that ridiculously low priced Chord and those amazing Pioneer CD players.
I wonder where Isobariks at around £500 fit in the picture
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Post by danielquinn on Jul 31, 2014 7:47:22 GMT
No matter what language people use the differences between well matched competent equipment are not that big. Don't ever buy a piece of equipment expecting it to be as good as described and decide for yourself if the small differences are valuable to you. And set up is everything.
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Post by dvh on Jul 31, 2014 8:14:12 GMT
Try to avoid getting on the upgrade treadmill. A crucial step here is making sure that the chosen speakers work in the room in which they'll be used; the same speakers can be wonderful in one room and a disaster in another, and if they are the latter, you can waste a lot of time and money 'improving' the rest of the system without eliminating the main problem.
A lot depends on whether the person in question is the 'fit and forget' type, or a tinkerer/box swapper. If the former, he/she should spend more time choosing the right system; if the latter, the journey will be more important than the destination, so there's not such a pressing need to get it right first time.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 31, 2014 11:50:57 GMT
'Course there are the fundamental questions to ask
What do you want to achieve ?
How much time do you expect to spend listening ?
What sort of budget ?
Do you want to start lower end, see how it goes and then maybe upgrade ?
What will your major or only source be ?
Any more ?
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Post by ChrisB on Jul 31, 2014 19:07:44 GMT
Opinions from magazines, forums and dealers are just that - opinions. They are useful as a guide to what someone else likes, but not necessarily what you will like. Listen to equipment and trust your own reactions to what you hear.
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Post by John on Jul 31, 2014 19:13:31 GMT
I would also try and visit a few forum members who share similar taste in music as you do. A great way to meet people and hear some different approaches
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Post by MartinT on Jul 31, 2014 19:30:55 GMT
The last two comments are key: use reviews in print and forums only for creating a shortlist. Visit forum members or dealers who have what you're looking for.
Also - try hard to loan the equipment for trial at home.
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