Top quality Hi-Fi components help.
Discussion
Knowledge required please.
What are the best components to make up a Hi-Fi system?
Age of the equipment is not of concern, so if they were made in the 1970's, or later it is not an issue. If they are 'commercial' equipment, so be it. Not looking for it to all be the same make (unlikely that a great speaker manufacturer will make the best turntable).
Unimportant if it is 100amps or 1000amps, 50 watts or 500watts (but bigger is better, apparently).
Cost not an issue, but a good value-for-money used system is what I am thinking about.
Prefer old tech rather than new.
Over to the PH experts.
What are the best components to make up a Hi-Fi system?
Age of the equipment is not of concern, so if they were made in the 1970's, or later it is not an issue. If they are 'commercial' equipment, so be it. Not looking for it to all be the same make (unlikely that a great speaker manufacturer will make the best turntable).
Unimportant if it is 100amps or 1000amps, 50 watts or 500watts (but bigger is better, apparently).
Cost not an issue, but a good value-for-money used system is what I am thinking about.
Prefer old tech rather than new.
Over to the PH experts.
some of the older gear is actually very very good.
My dad had a pair of Castle Conway IIs for ever since I can remember. He replaced them a few years back with a pair of Linn Ninkas because he wanted to upgrade to a 5.1 speaker system.
As a straight swap, the Castles were vastly superior in stereo, despite the age and perceived value - such a shame he got rid of them.
My dad had a pair of Castle Conway IIs for ever since I can remember. He replaced them a few years back with a pair of Linn Ninkas because he wanted to upgrade to a 5.1 speaker system.
As a straight swap, the Castles were vastly superior in stereo, despite the age and perceived value - such a shame he got rid of them.
the problem with hifi is what sounds great to some ears doesn't appeal to others regardless of cost, to me the only way to get what you want is to listen to loads of kit, the problem with buying used is you can't do that easily, you will always be making a guess as to whether one compoment works well with another. For sure by asking the questions you will eventually be able to make an 'educated'guess but it will still be a guess.
However the good thing about top end hifi is it generally retains it's value, ir buy a pre/power combo and decide you don't like there's a fair chsnce you'll be able to sell it on without losing money (if you buy smart you can actually make money !) so it should a fairly risk free process.
What would I recommend ? as I said it's a very presonal thing but for my money you can't go for wrong quality British gear, I really like Naim Audio I have a CDS CD + preamp running a pair of power amps into Linn speakers (on audition I prefered the Linns over the Naims and indeed others I tried at the time)I managed to buy a pr of Linn Keltiks for a fraction of their RRP on as well known auction site, the seller even dropped them off for me! I felt a bit of a bandit taking them from the guy at the price I paid, and they still sound awesome, good luck with the project but I fear there isn't easy answer and it will be a process of trial and error.
However the good thing about top end hifi is it generally retains it's value, ir buy a pre/power combo and decide you don't like there's a fair chsnce you'll be able to sell it on without losing money (if you buy smart you can actually make money !) so it should a fairly risk free process.
What would I recommend ? as I said it's a very presonal thing but for my money you can't go for wrong quality British gear, I really like Naim Audio I have a CDS CD + preamp running a pair of power amps into Linn speakers (on audition I prefered the Linns over the Naims and indeed others I tried at the time)I managed to buy a pr of Linn Keltiks for a fraction of their RRP on as well known auction site, the seller even dropped them off for me! I felt a bit of a bandit taking them from the guy at the price I paid, and they still sound awesome, good luck with the project but I fear there isn't easy answer and it will be a process of trial and error.
Lack of info. There is no such thing as "the best" you need to consider.
Size of kit , especially speakers (big is better
Size of room , see above. Shape ? Horns, panel speakers or boxes ? Can they be close to the wall?
Amp must be bought to match the speakers. Horns like low watt valve amps or similar, panels need loads of quality watts as do boxes.
Front end, CD, streamer, turntable ??
WAF or are you buying to impress, hide away the electronics or make a statement?
Price, you can get decent sound especially second hand for under £10K or you can easily spend £60K+
I've gone the horn route , Avantgardes, Pass amp, Turntable and CD/DVD but could equally have gone for a pair of Magnapan and or Electrostatics and some serious watts but these need space around them to sing.
Size of kit , especially speakers (big is better
Size of room , see above. Shape ? Horns, panel speakers or boxes ? Can they be close to the wall?
Amp must be bought to match the speakers. Horns like low watt valve amps or similar, panels need loads of quality watts as do boxes.
Front end, CD, streamer, turntable ??
WAF or are you buying to impress, hide away the electronics or make a statement?
Price, you can get decent sound especially second hand for under £10K or you can easily spend £60K+
I've gone the horn route , Avantgardes, Pass amp, Turntable and CD/DVD but could equally have gone for a pair of Magnapan and or Electrostatics and some serious watts but these need space around them to sing.
Agree with P700DEE, it is hard to decide on best because its highly subjective and determined by the listener. Auditioning is vital and preferably in the room where the system will be used.
What's the budget and how big is the room ? Do you plan to listen at 'realistic' volume levels i.e. does the system need to be capable of playing very loud ?
Others may disagree but I think that the speakers are far and away the most important component in the system. Another critical factor is the room and the relative position of the speakers/listener within the room. Competent gear, optimally set up, in a good room will easily outperform the very best components, badly set up, in a poor environment.
What's the budget and how big is the room ? Do you plan to listen at 'realistic' volume levels i.e. does the system need to be capable of playing very loud ?
Others may disagree but I think that the speakers are far and away the most important component in the system. Another critical factor is the room and the relative position of the speakers/listener within the room. Competent gear, optimally set up, in a good room will easily outperform the very best components, badly set up, in a poor environment.
Edited by Crackie on Sunday 29th November 19:45
I have a bunch of Naim kits sat doing nothing in a spare room (kind of fell out of love with the whole "hi-fi" thing).
Anyway, point is I bought it all when my source was CD. These days if I got back into it I expect my source would be computer based, and whilst there's no doubt I could do something with the Naim kit, it's probably not what I'd end up buying if I started from scratch with the mindset "computer source".
What's your source?
Anyway, point is I bought it all when my source was CD. These days if I got back into it I expect my source would be computer based, and whilst there's no doubt I could do something with the Naim kit, it's probably not what I'd end up buying if I started from scratch with the mindset "computer source".
What's your source?
This is where you think me a heathen. I want a better system for my workshop/playroom!
There is no way I will be spending £60k and I will seldom be sitting listening to it in the optimum position in the room. It is about 1750sqft in size with a high ceiling.
I think the starting point are larger speakers with bigger bass speakers. I want a turntable for the old vinyl records, cd player and I also want iphone/ipad connectivity.
I listen to classical, 1960's and 70's stuff and rock. I have no neighbours within 1/2 mile so it can be LOUD. I am not allowed loud in the house!
Image not important and neither is the ability to hear every last note or nuance as that will be at the moment I am bashing hell out of something!!
There is no way I will be spending £60k and I will seldom be sitting listening to it in the optimum position in the room. It is about 1750sqft in size with a high ceiling.
I think the starting point are larger speakers with bigger bass speakers. I want a turntable for the old vinyl records, cd player and I also want iphone/ipad connectivity.
I listen to classical, 1960's and 70's stuff and rock. I have no neighbours within 1/2 mile so it can be LOUD. I am not allowed loud in the house!
Image not important and neither is the ability to hear every last note or nuance as that will be at the moment I am bashing hell out of something!!
I will point back to my post of yesterday.
If I had a dedicated room to sit and listen to music it could double as a bedroom. If I sit doing nothing I tend to fall asleep, no matter how loud the noise around me is...
The comment of 'money no object' was probably misleading. I intend to buy second hand and am in no rush so I can wait for the right item.
Showing my age here.
In the early 1970's I used to attended many dances with some of the best local mobile discos which were fun and sounded good..............until we upped the scale and had the Radio 1 roadshow with DLT, TB, JW.
The difference in sound quality was astonishing especially as it was also louder.
That is what I want to achieve, in a less than ideal building.
If I had a dedicated room to sit and listen to music it could double as a bedroom. If I sit doing nothing I tend to fall asleep, no matter how loud the noise around me is...
The comment of 'money no object' was probably misleading. I intend to buy second hand and am in no rush so I can wait for the right item.
Showing my age here.
In the early 1970's I used to attended many dances with some of the best local mobile discos which were fun and sounded good..............until we upped the scale and had the Radio 1 roadshow with DLT, TB, JW.
The difference in sound quality was astonishing especially as it was also louder.
That is what I want to achieve, in a less than ideal building.
Seems to me you're looking for a decent quality 'disco' setup...
Cerwin Vega with twin 15" bass units fed with 100W good quality watts and a front end of your choice would probably suit your needs better than a polite 'hi-fi' - loud, decent and capable of filling your mini-hangar with sound.
They're far from the last word in subtlety but it looks like you're not looking for subtlety.
Cerwin Vega with twin 15" bass units fed with 100W good quality watts and a front end of your choice would probably suit your needs better than a polite 'hi-fi' - loud, decent and capable of filling your mini-hangar with sound.
They're far from the last word in subtlety but it looks like you're not looking for subtlety.
A pair of these will do the job - http://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/LD-Sy... £2200.
Speakers http://www.ld-systems.com/en/multifunctional-pa-sp...
CD /Pre amp / DAC https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/products/851/851c# £1200
Phono pre amp http://www.sevenoakssoundandvision.co.uk/p-11451-n... £169
Add a second hand Technics SL1200 for about £350
The system will play extremely loud, play CDs, vinyl and have enough additional inputs for other gear in the future. Total about £4000.
Speakers http://www.ld-systems.com/en/multifunctional-pa-sp...
CD /Pre amp / DAC https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/products/851/851c# £1200
Phono pre amp http://www.sevenoakssoundandvision.co.uk/p-11451-n... £169
Add a second hand Technics SL1200 for about £350
The system will play extremely loud, play CDs, vinyl and have enough additional inputs for other gear in the future. Total about £4000.
Or a set of Meridian DSP 5000s if you can find some, digital pre-amp with analogue inputs (Meridian 562v) and you're set up in a big way. DSP 5500s if you can stretch the budget - these will go seriously loud and give music a huge impact.
As they're fully active speakers you won't need a separate amplifier, just sources.
For real impact, add a suitable Velodyne sub
As they're fully active speakers you won't need a separate amplifier, just sources.
For real impact, add a suitable Velodyne sub
DavidJG said:
Or a set of Meridian DSP 5000s if you can find some, digital pre-amp with analogue inputs (Meridian 562v) and you're set up in a big way. DSP 5500s if you can stretch the budget - these will go seriously loud and give music a huge impact.
Meridian rate the DSP5500 at 112dB max output but strangely don't measuring conditions, likely to be at 1m; this would equate to 115dB for a pair at 1m. This would be 109dB at 2m and 103dB at a realistic listening 4m distance.OP Storer is looking for a system to use in a 1750 square foot workshop with high ceiling and likes to listen LOUD. Whilst 103dB is loud, 108dB-110dB is typical in a club, 115dB is a loud live gig.
The Meridians may not be capable of enough output in that room.
That's why I suggested the LD speakers earlier; they're capable of a continuous 115dB at the same 4m listening distance.
Edited by Crackie on Thursday 3rd December 20:23
ianrb said:
red997 said:
Fully active Linn Isobariks, with 6 Naim / Linn mono blocks +Dirak & Bingo active crossover, Linn / Naim Pre
loud, bold and big !
Active speakers with monoblocks? Something amiss there.loud, bold and big !
Therefore the Aktiv Isobariks had no internal crossover network - you connected your preamp to the Akitv Crossover, then the crossover to six power amps, and then each power amp powered one drive unit (or two in the case of the Isobarik).
jamesh764 said:
ianrb said:
red997 said:
Fully active Linn Isobariks, with 6 Naim / Linn mono blocks +Dirak & Bingo active crossover, Linn / Naim Pre
loud, bold and big !
Active speakers with monoblocks? Something amiss there.loud, bold and big !
Therefore the Aktiv Isobariks had no internal crossover network - you connected your preamp to the Akitv Crossover, then the crossover to six power amps, and then each power amp powered one drive unit (or two in the case of the Isobarik).
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