Good Budget Hifi

[MurphmanL]

As the title suggests, have rounded down to these few.
Am just thinking of giving my 100W Acoustic Solutions surround system the boot because it takes up too much room!

I am a little unsure of Hifi knowledge so I'm relying on you Hifi wizzes that probably have massive speakers etc, anywhoo heres the selection to choose from:

Real Budget Model, Bush

Venturer Model, has 5 CD Changer


Liking the Look of this Goodmans Surround Jobby

And Finally this powerful but ugly Hifi

Im also looking for one of them (if any) that may allow me to connect it to a dvd player or games console for increased sound goodness
I am tempted by the Goodmans as it has surround sound, although a snazzy LED display would be nice too
The main reason of me downgrading my system is space, and the Acoustics simply have too many cables for my liking, so guys, what'll it be?

[Gunbuster]

I would say goodmans is the best of the budget brands, but generally they do not take to wear and tear so well. I had a 3 cd changer (AIWA) ages ago and it was rubbish, it would ramdomly refuse to play discs. I bought a nice single disc Denon micro-hifi and it is a lot better (and a lot more expnsive). Goodmans are one of Alba's brands: http://www.goodmans.co.uk/albaplc_new/html/Products.htm

Goodmans are fine and either of those would be ok, but I would rather have a micro hifi from Sony, JVC or Sharp. Aiwa are a Sony company now so they to are an option.
Argos have some £150 ones half price at the moment for £74. I don't know how to link to Argos so just go to the micro hifi section.

[Zak33]

well, as Argos are mentioned (and rightly too)

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st...clickfrom=name



Always find JVC does ok stuff for small hifi

and at Argos its £75

[MurphmanL]

But the JVC is just soooo small
Very tempting but I want to make a BIG impression with something big!
Im strongly urged toward the surround sound GOodmans, but is there anyway to hook an xbox/dvd player to one of these?

[Gunbuster]

Small and good is better than big and cheap to be honest. I highly doubt the Surround sound credibility of the Goodman's, it doesn't mention Dolby or even connections, e.g. its a gimmick.

[Gunbuster]

Also that Goodmans is 10 watts per speaker front and 5 watts per back speaker. The JVC Mini is 60watts each. Even the 5CD micro hifi from Goodmans is 20watts each.

[MurphmanL]

right then i have a question, how can i connect external equipment to this hifi? Please tell me it has phono inputs

[Gunbuster]

All of them will have aux inputs. I don't know about the goodmans as they don't have a site. The JVC has http://www.jvc.co.uk/product.php?id=...id=100069&lid=

One thing you could show off in the JVC which I only just noticed is the 5CD MP3 player. Though no audio tapes.

[autopilot]

Sorry but they are all crap really. But I suppose one of them has to be the least worst. How much have you got to spend?

[Howard]

None of your links work, but Dangerous Dom is right.

And so's Gunbuster. Get a small, decent one. You'll be more satisfied in the long run once the "big and impressive" novelty has worn off.

JVC and Panasonic are some of the best mini systems IMHO.

[Jonny M]

Denon UD-M31

But that's £250

[Marcos]

Originally Posted by Zak33

well, as Argos are mentioned (and rightly too)

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st...clickfrom=name



Always find JVC does ok stuff for small hifi

and at Argos its £75

Im going to have to recommend JVC too, i've been to a friend's house and fired it up, really impressed me with how it filled a good size room despite its size. Shame im such a bass head, something small like that would be convenient.

I'd probably seriously consider a Denon too

[Alex]

Have you considered second hand separates? If you get stuff that's 2-3 years old you could well get some real bargains that would completely blow these mini systems out of the water...

A quick eBay search revealed the following potentials:

Cambridge Audio A3i Amplifier Haven't heard this, but Cambridge Audio stuff is usually good, and the A5 is good having heard that.

Denon DCD 825 CD player Denon stuff is usually good. I'm just using this as an example of course, but older CD players can still be quite good, having listened to my housemates 10ish year old Denon CD player. don't know what the reserve on this is though.

TDL Nucleus 2 Speakers I have a set of these as my rear speakers and I think they are actually pretty good for their price range.

Anyway, I dont know how much these will eventually go for, but it is entirely possibly to geta system like this off eBay for under £100 if you keep your eyes open, and something like this would completely do away with almost any midi/mini system. There are things coming along all the time from the likes of Marantz, Denon, and Cambridge Audio which all tend to be pretty good quality, and well worth a look. Just look at some stuff by these brands, and google for reviews to see if they are any good.

'Tis what I'd do at least.

[joshwa]

yep - go for second hand seperates - they go SO cheap it's crazy, like £30 amps, when they cost £120 12 months ago - but they're still just as good. seperates will sound SO much better than any cheap - mid priced hifi anyway.

[autopilot]

Originally Posted by Caged

Denon UD-M31

But that's £250

Yup. I have that one in the bedroom. She's a beauty alright

[Eddy396]

Originally Posted by joshwa

yep - go for second hand seperates - they go SO cheap it's crazy, like £30 amps, when they cost £120 12 months ago - but they're still just as good. seperates will sound SO much better than any cheap - mid priced hifi anyway.

What he said. Try ebay or 2nd hand shops. If you go ebay make sure they have 50+ good feedback on other similar stuff...

Or buy cheapo stuff from richer sounds will still be 100 x better than a £500 technics with 10000 flashing lights.