What amp and speakers?

[LSmith4285]

I am thinking about replacing my all in one CD/Radio/Tape system but I am thinking I just need an amp and speakers any maybe a tuner. Almost all of my music is played on the PC or on my phone via the current all in one so I don't really need a CD player etc.

So I am wondering what people would recommend in the £500 bracket? Just an amp and speakers, I can worry about a tuner later if I decide I need one.

Any recommendations would be gratefully received.

[g8ina]

How bout the Onkyo AV system ? Not bad at music CDs and already to go when you decide to go 5.1.

Richers sounds, search onkyo

[finlay666]

If you go down the AV route you will probably get a tuner build in for FM/AM and depending on the device possibly even things like network play

[LSmith4285]

Thanks for the quick responses guys. I will check out the Onkyo stuff. I am planning on going down the AV route, I already have a 5.1 system so this will purely be for 2.0 music.

The more I look the more I realise how long it has been since I have looked as the market has definitely changed with a push toward combined stereo with 5.1.

[GheeTsar]

Depends what kind of fidelity you are after - if you are purely going to be listening to 2 channel sound, then a 2 channel amp /speakers will sound much better than an AV amp, which are typically tuned for 5.1 movie soundtracks rather than pure music.

[kalniel]

Depends what kind of fidelity you are after - if you are purely going to be listening to 2 channel sound, then a 2 channel amp /speakers will sound much better than an AV amp, which are typically tuned for 5.1 movie soundtracks rather than pure music.

And rather than create my own thread, are there any good 2 channel amps that can take hdmi input? (same budget as OP, preferably with FM and DAB). I'm after a primarily music playing system, but will be using it for TV sound somewhere down the line.

[GheeTsar]

And rather than create my own thread, are there any good 2 channel amps that can take hdmi input? (same budget as OP, preferably with FM and DAB). I'm after a primarily music playing system, but will be using it for TV sound somewhere down the line.

I have never heard of a two channel amp with HDMI input. You could use a DAC to convert the digital input into an analogue format, but then I'm not even sure if there are any of those with HDMI inputs - there wouldn't be any advantage over TOSLINK/SPDIF connectors and then you may have to contend with HDCP. There are some DACs that can take data over USB too; works well with PCs but not so good with TVs.

[TheAnimus]

Not that I've seen, one or two that take SPDIF or you can get the external DACs

[kalniel]

Ah well, RCA phono TV out/ amp in would have to do, just hope it wouldn't play ahead of the TV decoding.

[abaxas]

£500 is going to get some beast of a hifi if you go 2nd hand.

In terms of computer > hifi connections. I use

http://www.trendsaudio.com/index.php...mid=28&lang=en

Which is a lovely little dac/usb convertor that only does 44.1/48 at 16. Perfect for music.

then the 420 quid you have left will get you a great amp and speakers. However I would overspend on the speakers as they are something you tend to keep longer.

How about some dynaudio audience 52s?

Amp wise, the world is your oyster for 100-200 quid.


Final question... what sort of music do you listen to?

[abaxas]

Hmmm..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-SUGDEN...item25646b12bc

Bit left field and you'll need someone who's good with a soldering iron (for when it breaks).

But it will blow your mind with the right speakers.

[LSmith4285]

I am definitely looking for a 2 channel amp, mainly listen to dance, house and trance type music.

This is going to be for the girlfriends birthday as she wants a good stereo so second hand is out of the equation.

So what do you think guys? Spend more on the speakers? We are unlikely to change it anytime soon, our existing stereo is 10-15 years old.

[abaxas]

I am definitely looking for a 2 channel amp, mainly listen to dance, house and trance type music.

This is going to be for the girlfriends birthday as she wants a good stereo so second hand is out of the equation.

So what do you think guys? Spend more on the speakers? We are unlikely to change it anytime soon, our existing stereo is 10-15 years old.

Maybe you should ask the question?

Buy £500 on new hifi now and it;'s worth 250 when you get it home.
Buy £500 of 2nd hand hifi and get £1000+ of new.

If it has to be new, why not check out for exdem at your local hifi place?

[convertyoutube]

Amp and speaker should always equal power because using an amplifier with twice the power rating of the speaker (or more) is inviting a trip to the repair shop.

[jimborae]

Also consider buying second hand from somewhere like avforums and then you'll get even better value for money. But make sure you listen first if possible.

[megancheung]

New amp: Denon AVR-3805 (usually in 5 channel stereo mode--plays L and R channels in both front and rear speakers, a L+R mix in the center)
Speakers: Klipsch Quintet IIs with a KSW10 subwoofer (recently replaced the amp--the old one had significant high frequency distortion that caused buzzing)
Speaker wires: Electronics store 14 gauge copper specials. Rears are some sort of cheap Monster Cables.