£500 budget - New or Second Hand Hi Fi?

Question

I'm looking into buying a new Hi Fi and my budget is around £400 to £500 here in the UK.

Am I better to look at a brand new system from one of the japanese names (sony, pioneer etc) or would it be worth my while trawling through ebay and picking some higher quality stuff second hand from the likes of Marantz, Denon or Cambridge Audio?

I'm not interested in twinkly lights and "super xbass mea bombbastic sound system", I'd rather have simple, clean neat and great sound without messing about with signal processors and crud like that.

Any advice please? Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

try here... £500 will get you a lot... http://richersounds.com

Answer 2

I second Richer Sounds, were I get my stuff. You could also try Sevenoaks if you want stuff straight out of the latest pages in what hifi, they will be able to put you together a system for £500.

But £500 will get you a very decent Budget system were ever you go. Going somewhere with a testing room is key, what might sound good to one person might not to another a lot of it does come down to personal taste and obviously the type of music you listen to.

Answer 3

Personally I would buy a brand new system. The reason for this is because if it brokedown in the first few months you can take it back to where you got it from and get it fixed or replaced for free of charge (garentee). If you brought it off ebay you dont have this option and are out of pocket. You can easily pick up a good system from a shop like Dixons or Currys.

Answer 4

The best place to go for a new Hi-Fi in the UK is Richer Sounds. I bought a separates system there a while ago and they went out of their way to be helpful. They have demonstration rooms where you are able to sit and drink coffee while a member of staff will demonstrate different amp, speaker and cd player combinations for you to have a listen to before you decide what you want. The staff are very knowledgable about the products they sell and aren't at all pushy. In fact when I bought my system the guy asked me what kind of music I usually listen to before recommending which amp to go for.
Don't just take my word for it, have a look at some of the testimonials on their website.

Answer 5

For that kind of money, you will get a pretty decent, brand new setup form Cambridge Audio. Most of their kit is highly recommended, too.

(By the way, Marantz and Denon are both Japanese manufacturers...)

Answer 6

a lot of deals on hand at decrease than 1000. i like the small diesels like Renault and Peugeot. low-value to tax (mine is £35 per 12 months) and that they have stable engines. in simple terms make constructive the bodywork is nice via fact welding etc is particularly costly.

Answer 7

Try clearance bargains @eBay UK. I`ve bought from them, all items are new and ex catalogue stock.Might as well have a look.

Answer 8

£500 = Ps3?

Answer 9

New, Currys are most helpful in selling you exactly what you are looking for.