equipmet for hi-fi stereo systems...?

Question

I am thinking all I need for a rich sounding hi-fi home stereo system is
1. speakers
2. CD player
3. amplifiers, possibly tube amplifiers

can you tell me if I need anything else? Also can you tell me details on what types of speakers, amps and cd players I should get for a good quality sound?
thanks

Answer 1

Hi.How much are you willing to spend ? $1000, $10,000 $100,000 .

There are four basic rules to building or improving a HI. FI.System.These rules are always the same,regardless of the size or price of the system.This is the key to understanding how to create a successful system from the hundreds of components available.

1.The Equal Importance Of All Parts---The Balanced Aproach
2.Keeping It Simple And Minimizing Change.
3.View The System As A Whole.
4.Audio Is A Damage Control Job.

In a music system,the recorded information is retrieved from the software [Records,Tape ,Compact Discs ,etc],converted to an electrical signal,and sent to the electronics.The electronics produce a larger copy of that signal,and then send it to the Speakers.The Speakers convert the signal into the sound that you hear. Information is passed down a chain,from one component to the next,and in only this direction.The most important fundamental is that nothing in the chain can improve upon what is sent to it. And,like a chain,all the "links"are equally important.

Contrary to popular belief,the Speakers are of equal importance-not more or less important than any other part of the system.The Source is the Compact Disc Player,or Turntable,or Tuner, or Tape Deck.This is where the information is put into the system.This is often the weak link in a stereo system.From the beginning of the system to the end,nothing can improve the original signal.The very best equipment simply does not degrade the original signal as much as lesser equipment does.Simply put,music reproduction is a damage control job.Because we can't make the sound better than it is on the software,the goal is to degrade it as little as possible.If information is lost or damaged [ distorted,changed,altered ] at the Source,nothing else down the chain can make up for ,or repair it.You simply must put something good into the system to get something good out.

So if you could supply a budget ,i will see what is the best for your money.

Answer 2

You can get "good" sound for a few thousand dollars in speakers and a mid range $1,500 receiver.

If you want to get into the more audiophile range, look into "separates" and panel speakers.

"Separates" are 2 box's that do the same thing as a Receiver. A low-power box has all the jacks and knobs for all your sources and feeds low-level signals to a external amplifier.

The amplifier is the 100 lb beast that adds power to the signals to drive the speakers.

The nice part about separates is that you can swap out the amplifier later. You can find lots of 2-channel amplifiers and later add a 3-channel amp for a home theater system, or you can go with "Monoblocks" where you have a separate amp for each speaker.

"Carver" is a good name, but check out www.outlawaudio.com. This is a company that is making budget-but-good separates sold over the internet.

Speakers: Some very respected names like NHT, Paradigm, B&W, Energy and even Polk have speakers that are detailed and accurate, but wont cost more than your car.

But my audiophile friends are into "panel" speakers. These are large, flat speakers that look like panels that separate cubes in an office. They have a huge radiating surface which mean they can produce great detail and accuracy for music. Some names to look for are Magnapan and Martin Logan.

Note: The audiophile speakers tend to be power-hungry. While a 80-100 watt receiver work fine for mid-range speakers, the more accurate/sensitive speakers want power in the range of 120 - 160 watts per channel. Keep this in mind when trying to pick speaker and amp combinations.

Tube Amps: while people go crazy over the 'warm' tube sound, very few manufacturers make these any more. They are delicate, un-reliable, need 10 minutes to warm up and you can expect to spend $3,000 per speaker for a tube amp. Solid state amps from audiophile companies like Carver, Krell, McIntosh, CinaNova, etc., are what most audiophiles use.

Answer 3

Well.....you have speakers, a CD player and amplifer(s) in your list...but you a missing a pre-amplifier.

Without spending everything you have saved (assuming you don't want to break the bank)...I offer in my humble opinion...

1 - B&W 700 Series speakers (they are studio monitors with a tight, detailed, legendary sound).

2 - My personal CD player is a Proceed, unfortunately Proceed no longer exists as it was. So...I would look into possibly NAD or Adcom (both produce a stable, well-made line of equipment). Or you can try to used market for something higher end...along the lines of Krell or Mark Levinson (http://www.audiogon.com).

3 - Tube amplifiers I wouldn't recommend unless you are truly DEDICATED to audio. There is a certain amount of maintenance involved.

TUBE amps are NEVER to be turned off unless you are doing maintenance. The have a Stand-By switch which cuts 'operating' voltage down to minimum to keep the tubes warm. A cold tube is more likely to malfunction and lose it's vacuum than one that is constantly on and kept warm.

But, if you are dedicated and don't mind the maintenance....I agree with tubes. McIntosh makes some beautiful amplifiers. But so does the Granddaddy of tubes, Audio Research.

If you choose the solid state route....I would look into amplifiers such as Bryston or even the used market for a Threshold. The main difference is the Bryston is a Class AB amplifier...meaning it's front end works in Class A but output is Class B...where the Threshold (most of them) are Class A.

This would mean a different operating condition for the reproduction of the music. Class A is cleaner, but runs hotter. My Threshold is constantly idling at about 165 degrees.

Answer 4

It will largely depend on how much money you have to spend and exactly how good you really need. I would start by going into a stereo store and comparing systems that they have setup and listen to the same thing one at a time to see just how much of a difference you can tell. Don't buy super high end just because it's better. It will be better but to your ear it might not make that much difference from something that is still good but is more moderately priced. Why waist money if you don't need to.

Answer 5

You really need to set a budget. I have seen good systems that cost just a few grand all the way up to a couple hundred thousand.

Once you set a budget, there will be better help in helping you evaluate your equipment, but it will involve you auditioning equipment before you buy. here also is a link to some light recommended reading.

Answer 6

It certainly depend on your budgett. "Sunfire" by Carver is the best equipment. A receiver is around $3000+. Bose speakers are the best IF you have the power to run them. If you want decent sound for less try the Sony Surround Sound Receivers $400 and Cerwin Vega Speakers $250. Pay particular attention to THD Total Harmonic Distortion. .05 or less is good.I have Sony STR-995 @ 770 watts and Cerwin Vegas with a cerwin Vega LW-12 Powered Sub woofer.

Answer 7

It sounds as if you want to do the old school thing, smile! Listen, I think since your going that route as far as components are concerned, make sure that all of them is by the same brand. ie, kenwood, panosonic, fisher, etc. and once you run out of name brand ones then go with another. I have Kenwood, speakers, 12 of them. Kenwood turn table, ampilifer, receiver, equalizer, cd, duel tape cassette; and then a sony vhs. What ever system you start out with finish it. I hope I answered you correctly. Oh by the way, I have a reel to reel also by sony. 72 hours of music. take care.

Answer 8

Go to www.audioasylum.com. You will find tons of recommendations from real audiophiles with small to very large budgets.

Answer 9

hi there!