Help! What hi-fi do I need?

[admin_exported]

Hi, 
My bf moved out, and took his hi-fi with him. All I knew was how to plug my laptop into it or stick a cd in and use the remote! I do recall the silver units being cambridge audio, no idea about the speakers.
Now I'm absolutely stuck as to what to get... The problem is I don't quite understand what's what except for the speakers.  I know there were 2 silver unit things, one being a cd player, and the other - not sure - was it an amp? Sorry if it this sounds really thick - but what exactly is an amp? 
I'd really appreciate any advice on what to get, i basically want something that I can plug into my laptop to play music off there, and would like to get an ipod dock eventually (when i get an ipod! - am waiting for the next iphone to be launched). So what exactly do I need? And what would I expect to spend for something mid-range? I was guessing around £500.
TIA
Nik

 

[fatboyslimfast]

Hi Ms Noodle, and welcome to the forums!

If you want something easy to use, with all the inputs you need, then something like the Denon M37DAB with optional iPod dock (comes in at around £380 all-in) would do the job perfectly. I believe it's been reviewed Here (Clicky)

You could go for separate Amplifier (amp - which takes the really small signal from the laptop/ipod and makes it strong enough to make the speakers do something) and speakers, but I reckon the Denon would be best at your price range, and for what you want it for. You may also need a 3.5mm Jack to Phono cable to connect your laptop to the Denon (these are available for around £20).

Hope this helps...

 

[The_Lhc]

NikNakNoodle:Hi,

Hi!
My bf moved out, Prepare to be overwhelmed by offers of support. There are some very lonely people here... Oh btw, what flavour of NikNak exactly?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Or you could just go for a pair of Epoz Aktimate Mini speakers - they have the amplifiers built-in, so you can just connect up to your laptop, and also have a built-in iPod dock.

Epoz Aktimate Mini review here...

 

[timwileman]

if you go down the Epoz Aktimate route might be best to invest in some stands-Sound style Z2 are good and at 60 quid it keeps it all in budget

 

[Andrew Everard]

... or you can just use them on shelves...

 

[fatboyslimfast]

Good point. Forgot about them, and are a serious contender. The Denon does have a CD player and DAB radio built in, if that makes a difference.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi,ÿ
Thanks for the advice! I think I'm going to take a look at the Denon one in a shop somewhere if I can... I need to see if it matches the room decor!
N