Hi-Fi using a PC only

[basshead]

Fully appreciate your saying with regards to actives but I don't want to splash out on a set of actives, only to be stuck with them 18 months down the line; not being able to upgrade individual components as and when money allows.

fair enough, sounds like you want to be able to change/upgarde components. many people seem to get pleasure out of doing so, where the 'hi fi' its self becomes a hobby as well as what is being played on it.

in which case maybe consider buying 2nd hand... then you dont lose much in resale. so upgrading/changing doesnt lose you money on what you already bought, it can even bring you a profit.