Conference hips::uk_audioo

    
    Having no idea what L300-L400 is in real money :-), I'll assume
    the exchange rate is about 2 to 1, putting you at about 800$us.
    
    For that amount of money, my recomendation would be to buy a rack
    system that is upgradable.  In other words, find one that has the
    features you like, sounds good to you, looks good to you, etc.,
    but one where all the components have their own power supply and
    plugs, the interconnects are standard RCA plugs, and the speakers
    are connected to the amp with standard speaker wire (bare ends,
    not rca plugs or coax (?? cute thought...).
    
    This will allow you to upgrade those parts that need it the most
    as time and money allow.
    
    And I am sure your british breatheren can point you to good equipment
    on that side of the pond...
    
    grins,
    
    clark.
    

    
    Hi,
    
    I would lean towards a good range of separates myself. The best
    reason for this is that manufacturers like AIWA do cassette decks
    that represent extremely good value for money, but they aren't well
    known for good amplifiers. In the search for value for money, I
    think that you may have to mix 'n' match. It is still possible to
    hunt out great bargains especially with Tuners. I have seen
    advertisements for Panasonic Tuners for �29.00 in Richer Sounds
    (You can find them in London). Richer Sounds is a good place for
    end of line Japanese stuff.
    
    I think a good spread of money would be:
    
    Record Player: �120   Recommend: Dual, REGA, Ariston Q-Deck
    Tape Deck    : �100   Recommend: Aiwa AD-F260, or TEAC (don't know #)
    Tuner        : � 30   Recommend: Cheapo from Richer
    Amp          : �100   Recommend: Sansui AU-G11 (I think) or ROTEL RA820
    Speakers     : � 80   Recommend: Wharfedale Diamonds, Goodmans Maxims
                   ----
                   �430 I think.
    
    That leaves you a bit over budget, but it should be a good system,
    with lots of potential.
    
    ******************ADVERTISEMENT WARNING*****************************
    I am thinking of selling my amplifier by the way.
    
    It is three years old, still looks as new, and sounds superb.
    
    Demonstrations on request.
    
    YAMAHA A-320 selling secondhand for �50.
    ********************************************************************
    
    This amp cost �85 when I bought it, and is probably the best sub
    �105 amplifier around today. It supports inputs for Phono, CD, Tuner,
    Video and Tape.
    
    What I shall try to do is try to put in some precis reviews of the above
    mentioned gear.
    
    Regarding Video :
    
    As long as your Video recorder has a line out jack, it should be pretty
    easy to hook up to any amplifier for taping. I would recommend a HiFi
    Video Recorder, they do have excellent sound, and add a new dimension
    to Films. (See What's lurking in the lounge!)
    
    Cheers.
    
    Mark.

    Well, save your money because I'm going to say the same as the mags.
    Not that I believe their every word, and what follows is my opinion,
    even if it is based on bitter experience.
    
    Firstly, if you want good sound quality, you won't get a turntable,
    cassette, tuner, amp and speakers within your budget; I'm not saying
    there aren't products that offer these things at that price, but
    in your check-in note you did say you wanted something better than
    what you have, didn't you...? If recording from videos is your top
    priority, then my tip would be to go for a cassette player with
    amp and speakers only. If your budget is up to #400, then about
    #130 on a cassette player, #120 on an amp, and #80 on speakers
    would give a nice sounding system, leaving over enough speaker cables,
    stands and maybe a few cassettes. Remember though, garbage in, garbage
    out - the quality of your system from your video sound tracks may
    be severely limited by the video tape and the player. That's why
    I suggest you don't apportion the money evenly, the earlier in the
    signal chain a component is, the more profound is its effect on
    ultimate sound quality. You'll need to find a good dealer who will
    be sympathetic to what you want to do, which means no discounts.
            
    A rack system made up from seperates would be outside your budget,
    if you are going for one of the better ones. On the whole, though,
    buying components from different makes gets you the best deal
    sound-quality-wise, since few manufacturers excel in all areas.
    The major benefit of rack systems is that all components look the
    same.
    
    The only way you'd get all sources within your budget would be to
    go for the cheap rack that looks like seperates but isn't, a la
    Amstrad, or one of the cheap midi systems like Currys or Comet sell.
    These appear to offer a lot, with all the lights and switches, but
    actually deliver very little.
    
    I'll stop before I get on my hobby-horse.
    
    Dave

    
.3�    I'll stop before I get on my hobby-horse.

    No please continue, this is interesting :-).
    
    Ok, granted that I haven't got mega $$$ to spend on this, I appreciate
    what you're saying, but I'd like the *best* I could get for that
    price. It looks as though a Hi_fi vid is essential for good sound
    reproduction, so we'll just concentrate on the audio side for now,
    and leave that bit 'till later.
    
    
    
    				Si
    

    re.4...
    Oh alright then.
    
    First let me say that what Mark's suggested is valid; I just feel
    that the assistance and friendship of a good dealer is essential
    if you want a (relatively) trouble-free journey to high quality
    sound at home, and buying end-of-line stuff at discounts isn't the
    way to gain that relationship. It's OK as a start though. Also the
    other products Mark mentioned are good.
    
    You want me to get on my hobby horse? Just before I drive home?
    
    I could go into a diatribe lasting screens 'n' screens about shops,
    with big wide windows so they can see the innocent punter and his/her
    money coming, that sell rubbish as hifi, and have no interest in 
    reproducing music, just moving boxes. 
    
    But I won't. Not tonight anyway. But watch this notesfile.....
    
    Dave

    I have found B&B Hi Fi to be very friendly and helpful.  I went
    to the branch in Newbury, but they have branches in several towns
    in the area.  I went in and told them what my budget was, what I
    wanted, and we went from there.  I got the impression they wanted to
    put together the best system for me within my budget, and I got
    no obvious sales chat (the sort you can detect a mile off).  I just
    felt confident that I was talking to the experts.  We left the speakers
    till last.  Having chosen the rest, they then suggested three or
    four different pairs, and let me listen to each in turn on a switch
    box, until we'd narrowed it down to the final choice.
    
    All in all, a pleasant, unhurried, experience, and I have a system
    that I'm pleased with.
    
    Jeff.

    Hi again,
    
    My emphasis on getting end of line products would be on parts of
    the system that I (<---- subjective word) believe to be secondary
    to a HiFi. The main component that falls into this category is the
    tuner. For some reason, Tuners do seem to fall into Bargain stores
    more than other HiFi components. I also just listen to the radio
    'casually', and the sound from a cheap tuner with a good aerial
    seems pretty good to me.
    
    I have to agree with Dave about dealers, although, a good dealer
    probably won't stock too much that is suitably cheap.
    
    For dealers in the Reading/Basingstoke area, Try Reading HiFi in
    the Harris Arcade (I think), and Absolute Sound and Video in
    Basingstoke. I think that they are both BADA members.
    
    Over to someone else.
    
    Cheers.
    
    Mark.

    I can't vouch for the dealers listed so far, as I don't live in
    that area. It's encouraging that B&B Hifi came to the speakers last;
    these are at the mercy of what's fed into them, so it makes sense
    to choose them with other components already chosen - they should
    also be the last thing you upgrade, although that's not an absolute
    truth.
    
    Aren't B&B around the back of Heelas in Reading? I seem to remember
    browsing in there during lunch whilst on a course in Fountain House
    - now that's going back a bit.
    
    Dave

    Some more thoughts.
    
    How important is it that you can record on cassettes ?
    
    The reason I ask is that if you buy a HiFi Vid, then that can be
    used as a cassette deck. It has advantages in that they usually
    have a long play time (8 hours on a double speed deck). Presumably
    you will be buying a HiFi Vid on a different ''Cost Centre'', so
    you will still have about �400 to spend on strict audio stuff.
    
    Cheers.
    
    Mark.

    From the phone book (where else?):
    
    	Reading:	36 Minster Street (583730)
    	Bracknell:	Unit 38, The Pavilion, Princess Square (424556)
    	Maidenhead:	18 King Street (73420)
    	Newbury:	62 Northbrook Street (32474)
    	Wokingham:	Unit 3, Toutley Works, Toutley Road (774536)
    
    Jeff.

    To add my bit, ignore all these notes and go and visit a dealer
    that sells Linns and Regas.  They are always good and there aren't
    many of them.  I think Reading HiFi are one of the few, they certainly
    sell Linns.
    
    You may not buy anything, but you will come away with a good idea
    about what you want and what is available.  A good dealer is always
    worth culitivating as well: a friend of mine got some Linn Sara
    speakers that way for about half price -- a saving of 300 knicker
    is not to be sneezed at.
    
    I guess ignoring notes includes this one ...
    
    								jch

    
    I can recommend Reading HiFi, they do sell REGA and LINN. A friend
    bought a system from them, that he is well satisfied with. He IS
    a Digital employee, so perhaps I can ask him to contribute.
    
    My only reservation is that their ''casual'' listening room is that
    the far wall is COVERED with speakers. This is more than a little
    daunting, to say the least.
    
    The other reservation (I did say the only, but I lied!) is that
    when I auditioned the ONIX OA21 amplifier (now sadly out of my price
    range), I heard it through a CD, and liked it. Then I asked if I
    could hear it through a REGA. They connected it up, and it sounded
    really AWFUL. This was because they didn't notice that that ONIX
    had a MC board in it. They didn't have any MM boards, and so I didn't
    buy one.
    
    Apart from that, they are great!!!
    
    ;-)
    
    Mark.

    All of my kit (except the speaker cable) was purchased from Reading
    HiFi and I was very pleased with the service they gave me.  Like
    most small specialist dealers, their stock is limited so don't expect
    to be able to hear everything you may have read about.  I believe
    they can put together a decent system to suit most budgets.
    
    There are many controversial issues around audio systems, including
    the presence of extra loudspeakers in the listening room.  Take
    everything you are told with a pinch of salt.
    
    By the way, my speaker cable came from B&Q in Basingstoke.
    
    Dave M.