New Stereo System

[jonathanlin]

I'm new to audio and stereo systems. Does anyone have audio equipment suggestions for a beginner?

 

Possibly looking for a pair of speakers to begin with

[aussievintage]

59 minutes ago, jonathanlin said:

I'm new to audio and stereo systems. Does anyone have audio equipment suggestions for a beginner?

 

Possibly looking for a pair of speakers to begin with

 

 

Generic suggestion:  do not overspend.   People on the net often enjoy spending other's money.   A good beginner system will actually be quite cheap these days.

 

You might like to specify what type of theing you want.   Streamer? Turntable? Radio?  Integrated or separate preamp poweramp, bookshelf or floorstanding speakers?  Size of room?  Type of preferred music?

[jonathanlin]

Appreciate the response.

 

Its a small room about 4m x 4m, looking for a floor standing speakers, turntable and amplifier.

[aussievintage]

13 minutes ago, jonathanlin said:

Appreciate the response.

 

Its a small room about 4m x 4m, looking for a floor standing speakers, turntable and amplifier.

 

Right.  So you might need a phono preamp with the turntable.  Some turntables have one built in, many do not. 

 

You don't need a superpowerful amp for a small room, but power needed also depends on the efficiency of the speakers you choose. 

 

The term amplifier, as you used it, I would take to mean an integrated system.  The means, in addition to a power amp section,  it will have a section for control of the volume, and to switch input sources, if you add other things like a streamer, radio tuner, etc. Might also have tone controls.  Might even also have a phono preamp.  The alternative is all separate boxes. Separate phono preamp, separate preamp, separate power amp.

 

So, what is your budget?  Nothing wrong with "as cheap as possible" as a budget. Maybe you can get there for under a $1000 for a modest but enjoyable system - especially if you buy from Amazon or Aliexpress.  However, if you want to spend  ten times that, then that changes things.

[Al.M]

Would go used gear less than 10 years old, like Rotel integrated amp with wifi inbuilt or similar for around $400, Focal or B&W 2-3 way driver floor speakers for $300-1000 similar.

 

keep an eye out and research them for reviews or come back here.

[cafe67]

Budget? 

 

Also 4m x4m is smallish , maybe consider standmount speakers to work with your room. 

[blakey72]

Yeah I think standmounts would be better. Something like these is a great start. Need to know what others have asked though. New/used and budget? Maybe an amp like this and turntable such as  this or this. 

[crisis]

I would definitely spend your money on the amp, source and then speakers. In my limited experience good speakers can withstand serious amplifier upgrades. Its hard to find bad speakers , or most equipment, now so a decent pair with a good amp.

[Irek]

Depends on the budget,

https://addictedtoaudio.com.au/products/focal-kanta-n-1-standmount-speakers-pair-with-stands

https://www.selby.com.au/brands/marantz/marantz-model-m1-wireless-streaming-amplifier.html?srsltid=AfmBOopl_ENtTisXwR6uA_p3-4FHzOrv9T7v70CSlmHr66qS8DeHx_cK

https://rel.net/product-category/powered-subwoofers/?srsltid=AfmBOoo3_kAha57Fph3gQeSs0qNCr6QHU_iM5uXIC8XdTkGKScd-ZvW_

 

Turntables are complicated, unless you already have plenty of vinyls. 

[crisis]

2 hours ago, Irek said:

Turntables are complicated, unless you already have plenty of vinyls. 

100%. If you don't already have a record collection forget a turntable.

[muon*]

These would be good value for a starter system.

 

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/thornleigh/speakers/richter-wizard-mark-ii-floor-standing-speakers/1326570063

 

Don't let the low price fool you, the original Retail was about $1200 in the late 80's.

Edited November 23, 2024 by muon*