Ever so basic questions...

[admin_exported]

I'm fresh and innocent in the AV world knowing almost nothing but I want to do a few things.

I would like to have a decent sound system in multiple rooms.

I currently have and use an awful midi hifi thing for CDs, digital radio through the TV, the TV/DVD for films, a PC upstairs packed full of mp3s (played through an ok pair of computer speakers with sub) and a new empty laptop.

I think I want to buy an old integrated amp after seeing a NAD c350 and a Cambridge a1 mk3 second hand the other day but after looking into it all I really don't know.

The things I am definitely looking for are:

1) Speakers for TV

2) Decent sound for music in other downstairs rooms (whether CD, mp3 or radio)

I know this is a ridiculously open question but I'm sure you experienced guys can provide some advice.

I might settle for 2 separate systems, one keeping what I have upstairs on the PC and speakers and a new system downstairs combining TV, radio, laptop (maybe some clever way of accessing mp3s via router/network?).

Please fire away but go easy on this newbie.

Thanks, Buggslife.

 

[John Duncan]

Actually, this is a better place for it - I'll delete the other thread...

But again - what's your budget?

 

[Anonymous]

What he said. But it sounds like the Sonos system (www.sonos.com) would be a great starting point for your needs. It's not relevant as a surround audio solution, but perhaps once we've an idea of budget we can incorporate another component (or components) to address that.

 

[Anonymous]

You move quickly John, I just replied in your other thread but I realised I had put it in the wrong place.

Ok, my budget is sketchy but I can say for sure it is very low. Plenty of other hobbies to drain my cash.

I'm hoping to pick up as much as possible second hand, old but trusted gear.

If it's an int amp I need I reckon less than £100, maybe less than £60. The Cambridge A1 mk3 was going for £40.

As for other kit, I don't know what I need but all in I can maybe spend say £300 through picking up bits here and there. Depending on what I end up needing this could flex a bit - I suppose it might need to since I'll still need speakers.

Whilst my budget is low, fortunately my expectations are also not too high - I'm happy to mop up what you guys thought sounded great 15 years ago!

 

[Anonymous]

Ah. Sonos is out, then. Well, given you're willing to pick up second-hand stereo amps to power any speakers, the core to getting this to work within your budget is to invest in something able to get your music from your laptop down to your hi-fi systems, preferably while retaining some form of control over proceedings. Sonos does it best (in my view) but Squeezebox is certainly worth looking at, too. The Squeezebox Duet starter bundle costs £289 (you can read more about it in our latest issue) and I'd urge you to look at it.

Still too much? I guess the next-best affordable option would be to use several Apple Airport Expresses as media streamers - but do you use iTunes to store your music, or something else?

 

[Anonymous]

Am I missing something?

If he's on a budget then a 3.5mm to Phone lead will run his music from PC to amp.

All sorts of Amps can be bought for 20/40 quid that would at least do the job. They'd not sound great to you guys, but I think this fella just wants a system that works.

He could make do with a 30 quid amp some 50 quid speakers and a few quids worth of decent cabling. That'd be one room sorted.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks, I'll start looking into that bundle and similar kit. The squeezebox duet looks fantastic, but that doesn't give me anything to actually play music from...no amp, no speakers...bit of a luxury, but one I will now consider splashing out on.

At the moment I just use media jukebox for mp3s - do I need to think about sound cards for the desktop PC or laptop?

Hmmm, if I do buy an old amp how can I drive more than 2 speakers....?

 

[Anonymous]

Hey Carlos, that's the kind of thinking I was looking for. It sounds as though I'd have to choose between a cheap system for each room or some fancy way of linking everything up (for some real cash).

Any tips on how to pick up old speakers? Are there certain brands that are more likely to be ok? Is there any way of knowing condition/quality without trying? What sort of price is good (I know this is very hard to answer)? For example, if I'm walking along at a car boot sale...

 

[Anonymous]

I just sold a set of Wharfedale Diamond Pros for £2.20 on ebay! (plus 15 quid postage...)

You really do have options lots of options and the below are suggested for using up the least amount of cash and ignore Hi-Fi doctrine.

It sounds like you need two sets of speakers regradless, so look @ these for example http://tiny.cc/QkMTp anything by Wharfedale, Eltax, Tannoy will do if you can find them for under 50 quid a set. Make sure connectors look good and tweeters and bass cone are not dented, otherwise you can pretty much ignore cabinet condition FOR YOUR PURPOSES.

Two old amps would suffice of course, one in each room. Again check the auction site http://tiny.cc/Z38T6, none of these are STUNNING amps, but they'll work for you.... HOWEVER one amp might be OK because some old amps will allow you to run more than one set of speakers in some cases and even if it can't or you don't want two.... buy one of these type objects http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?moduleno=97929 and a load of LONG speaker cable.

It's by no means ideal... it's by no means Hi Fidelity, but you'll have music into the speakers via the amp and music into the amp via a CD Player, Tape Deck, Turntable, TV, Aux input or PC using one of these http://tiny.cc/oGqfp


Hope that helps.

 

[davejberry]

Carlosfandangosuperwidewheels:
Am I missing something?

If he's on a budget then a 3.5mm to Phone lead will run his music from PC to amp.

All sorts of Amps can be bought for 20/40 quid that would at least do the job. They'd not sound great to you guys, but I think this fella just wants a system that works.

He could make do with a 30 quid amp some 50 quid speakers and a few quids worth of decent cabling. That'd be one room sorted.

I agree, sometimes 'budget system' means just that.

Buy an amp and speakers new or second hand based on what 'sound' you want (stereo or multi channel).

In addition, the mp3s upstairs could be accessed downstairs using the laptop and a simple 'peer to peer' home network if there isn't a router available; running a cat 5 cable between the two assuming they have network cards (buying them if not) or using wireless adaptors. Windows has all the necessary software included. Then, as mentioned a 3.5mm to stereo rca cable will connect the laptop to the amp.

It's not the best but its better than the current set up. No point on spending thousands if all your music is mp3 at 128kbps

 

[idc]

buggslife:

I currently have and use an awful midi hifi thing for CDs, digital radio through the TV, the TV/DVD for films, a PC upstairs packed full of mp3s (played through an ok pair of computer speakers with sub) and a new empty laptop........

I might settle for 2 separate systems, one keeping what I have upstairs on the PC and speakers and a new system downstairs combining TV, radio, laptop (maybe some clever way of accessing mp3s via router/network?).

Hi Buggslife. it seems to me that two separate systems is the way to go. If you are OK with your OK PC speakers and sub then concentrate on downstairs.

Have you got a wireless router? I was thinking with the new laptop you could then access internet radio and music streaming services. Has the new laptop got enough memory to put your mp3s on it? Then you have the laptop/PC acting as backup for each other. So far the only spend is a wireless router and you can have your music and more downstairs.

If you then buy one of the amp/speaker combinations you have already mentioned you can then connect the TV to the amp with phonos to get sound through the speakers and you can connect the laptop to the amp with a 3.5mm jack to phonos. I dont now how your room is setup and how practical that is.

You will not get brilliant quality sound, but it does seem the cheapest and most feasable option.

 

[Anonymous]

I read about these active desktop M-Audio Studiophile AV40 active speakers on another forum ... they cost less than £90 ...

would be ideal to connect to a laptop or pc for spotify and internet radio

I will definately get a pair soon