Hifi Upgrade

[Raindog]

Afternoon all. I'm looking to do exactly as the title says, upgrade an ancient Technics mini hifi set-up (25 year old st-ch540) which has seved me well up to now, but I want something a little, well, better. Although I wouldn't say I'm an obsessive audiophile, I'm looking for something decent, and would like to add a turntable as there's a nice recod stall in a nearby market where I can make an excuse to escape to of a Sunday morning.

So, looking for: an amp (with ext input or bluetooth), turntable, fm receiver, speakers.

Whats the minimum you recommend I spend, and what components would you advise?

Cheers in advance.

 

[Ivo]

Hi Raindog, have a look on avforums. Maybe join up and post your question on there - they're a decent bunch and there's always someone to help and offer advice.

I've got a Nad stereo amp, a marantz cd player and Kef speakers. If you stick to the good brands you should be fine.

Also if you go to richer sounds you can listen to equipment before you buy it.

 

[Tubey]

Have you tried sawdust mate?

 

[trueblue84]

Afternoon all. I'm looking to do exactly as the title says, upgrade an ancient Technics mini hifi set-up (25 year old st-ch540) which has seved me well up to now, but I want something a little, well, better. Although I wouldn't say I'm an obsessive audiophile, I'm looking for something decent, and would like to add a turntable as there's a nice recod stall in a nearby market where I can make an excuse to escape to of a Sunday morning.

So, looking for: an amp (with ext input or bluetooth), turntable, fm receiver, speakers.

Whats the minimum you recommend I spend, and what components would you advise?

Cheers in advance.

It's an expensive hobby.

The usual rule is spend equally on the components (i.e. don't cheap out in 1 part of the setup. It will hamstring everything else).

 

[Raindog]

Hi Raindog, have a look on avforums. Maybe join up and post your question on there - they're a decent bunch and there's always someone to help and offer advice.

I've got a Nad stereo amp, a marantz cd player and Kef speakers. If you stick to the good brands you should be fine.

Also if you go to richer sounds you can listen to equipment before you buy it.

Cheers. I'm checking in a few places, this being one of many. As for Richer Sounds I'm not UK based so will look for something similar.

Have you tried sawdust mate?

I found violin sawdust to be too trebly and double bass sawdust to be too boomy. What sawdust do you reckon?

It's an expensive hobby.

The usual rule is spend equally on the components (i.e. don't cheap out in 1 part of the setup. It will hamstring everything else).

Yeah, I see how it can get expensive fast. That's why I thought I'd sound out the people here. I glean from the music threads there are some knowledgeable bods on here. I'm looking for something that sounds good, but at the same time isn't concert hall spec. Am I explaining myself well enough?

 

[blue1948]

Afternoon all. I'm looking to do exactly as the title says, upgrade an ancient Technics mini hifi set-up (25 year old st-ch540) which has seved me well up to now, but I want something a little, well, better. Although I wouldn't say I'm an obsessive audiophile, I'm looking for something decent, and would like to add a turntable as there's a nice recod stall in a nearby market where I can make an excuse to escape to of a Sunday morning.

So, looking for: an amp (with ext input or bluetooth), turntable, fm receiver, speakers.

Whats the minimum you recommend I spend, and what components would you advise?

Cheers in advance.

I have been on a few audiophile sites and the best advice is -don't over spend -.First thing the they say is that if you have a small room and a budget of 10000 then you will not need to spend it all .Not my words . Second is you must try your best to listen to what you are thinking of buying as we are all different and what we think we need/want is not the same for any of us .
On the old records just be sure they are not knackered ,I had an old pioneer system and my son who is music mad says it is still the best he has heard but once again it is your ears and your money .
I know you might be bored by now but anyway ,I was working in Kendal (of no importance other than I was not near home ) and I visited two Hi-Fi places that they had everyday for at least a week ,so much that they got to know me by name .So I couldn't decide and asked them both if I could just come in with a CD ,go to the machine and play without speaking so I had a chance to compare the sound .As I say I plumped for the Pioneer but I found it was the speakers that had made me decide later on .

 

[4737carlin]

Where you going to go, if you live in Liverpool try Richer Sounds by the bombed out church, some good stuff in there and a few deals

 

[trueblue84]

Cheers. I'm checking in a few places, this being one of many. As for Richer Sounds I'm not UK based so will look for something similar.



I found violin sawdust to be too trebly and double bass sawdust to be too boomy. What sawdust do you reckon?



Yeah, I see how it can get expensive fast. That's why I thought I'd sound out the people here. I glean from the music threads there are some knowledgeable bods on here. I'm looking for something that sounds good, but at the same time isn't concert hall spec. Am I explaining myself well enough?

where are you putting the stuff? That is an important first question. Is it a big room or small room? On a bookshelf or dedicated av stand? The answers should help determine the right equipment you need as well as the extra costs you don't always think about (i.e. speaker stands).

Get a list of candidates and always try to hear before you buy.

Some good starters:

ELAC debut speakers are very good for the price

Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 review

The Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 are a mature and understated pair of speakers

www.whathifi.com

Audio technica turntables are good.

Turntables

Discover our range of turntables for home and DJ use with our superb immersive sound and robust build quality. Buy online direct from us with free delivery.

www.audio-technica.com

Then, see how much you've got left for the amp/preamp, stands (if needed) and cables.

onkyo do reasonably priced, good equipment.

Onkyo A-9010 review

If you’re looking for a musically captivating budget amplifier you’re in luck – the Onkyo A-9010 is a real treat

www.whathifi.com

 

[Tipp blue]

I see sawdust has been recommended if that doesn't work try turning it off and on again.

 

[Raindog]

where are you putting the stuff? That is an important first question. Is it a big room or small room? On a bookshelf or dedicated av stand? The answers should help determine the right equipment you need as well as the extra costs you don't always think about (i.e. speaker stands).

Get a list of candidates and always try to hear before you buy.

Some good starters:

ELAC debut speakers are very good for the price

Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 review

The Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 are a mature and understated pair of speakers

www.whathifi.com

Audio technica turntables are good.

Turntables

Discover our range of turntables for home and DJ use with our superb immersive sound and robust build quality. Buy online direct from us with free delivery.

www.audio-technica.com

Then, see how much you've got left for the amp/preamp, stands (if needed) and cables.

onkyo do reasonably priced, good equipment.

Onkyo A-9010 review

If you’re looking for a musically captivating budget amplifier you’re in luck – the Onkyo A-9010 is a real treat

www.whathifi.com

Cracking post, cheers. I'll have a good look at this.

 

[Alanbileysfeathercut]

Other than stick it in a bag of rice overnight, nothing.

 

[Raindog]

I have been on a few audiophile sites and the best advice is -don't over spend -.First thing the they say is that if you have a small room and a budget of 10000 then you will not need to spend it all

That's exactly why I'm asking people who know more than me...

And...

'I know you might be bored by now but anyway'

Not at all. Thanks for your input!

 

[blue1948]

Cracking post, cheers. I'll have a good look at this.

Read a lot listen to much more and then think for a while ,why because you had your last set up for a while -this could be your last !

 

[verreauxi]

PS Audio Sprout is one of the best amps out there for the money (IMO). However, most of your sound quality will come from your speakers and their placement, not your components. Invest in good speakers, plenty of good bookshelf ones, and the self-powered ones are great. Check out Fluance Ai40. And if they have a rear bass port don't place them inside a cabinet or too close to shelves/backwall, make sure they are about a 30cm from the wall or so. And if you like satellite/subwoofer set-ups, then one of the best by far is Orb Audio (IMO), which are made in the USA. All this will depend on what kind of budget you have.

 

[gonetomorrow]

I see sawdust has been recommended if that doesn't work try turning it off and on again.

It's a sound policy.