I want to get a Hi-Fi system for a 24ft by 24 ft living room

[BasicHIFI]

My rather vague inquiry into 'a basic hi fi sytem' met with measured success. Perhaps I was too vague. This time I can talk specifications and room sizes.

For reference, I listened on a Technics rack system in the 1980s. Tapes only, however. As I recall, the sound was adequate and lound enough, but I recall a certain muddiness in the bass. I used to use the graphic equaliser and the loudness switch to good effect to boost the trebles and bass to unrealistic levels.

I think I have located the amplifier and speakers that were used in the system:

http://vintagetechnics.co.uk/integrated/suv303.htm

http://vintagetechnics.co.uk/loudspeakers/sb10.htm

During the late 80s I used to hear CDs through this ;

http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=amp&m=186425

Until recently, my stereo was a Sony all in one similar to this one; The speakers were good.

https://www.willhaben.at/iad/kaufen-und-verkaufen/foto-tv-video-audio/sony-cd-anlage-90er-raritaet-136385641/

I have auditioned the following systems at the dealers premises. In summary, though they seemed tight and controlled in their output, clarity was lacking.

Sony Home Theatre system Model No - DAV-TZ140

http://www.singersl.com/products/index.asp?pcode=SNY_DAV-TZ140&PC=home_theatre_systems

Speakers (unspecifed amp) Dali (cannot remember model - bookshelves, about USD 300 per pair)

http://www.dali-speakers.com/en-US/Loudspeakers-1/ZENSOR-1-AX.aspx

https://www.bose.com/products/speakers/stereo_speakers/acoustimass-5-speaker-system.html#v=am5_v_white

So my question is; What Hi-Fi? Or more to the point, how do I audition a Hi FI system to know that it is approaching Hi Fi quality?.

 

[lindsayt]

Is your room well furnished, or is it an echoey cave?

The sound of all hi-fi is relative. All anyone can ever do is compare one system or component to another, preferably same track, same volume one after the other to determine which sounds better.

For acoustic music inparticular there's also the reference of live concerts. The best systems in the best rooms with the best recordings will sound pretty close to the live event.

You can go to a few dealers if you like. You can also visit the homes of other hi-fi enthusiasts (easiest done by contacting members of forums that allow Private Messenges; PM's). You can also go to hi-fi shows, but bear in mind the poor acoustics and high levels of background noise. Scalford in March is the best show in Europe as the exhibitors are almost all enthusiasts.

Best system for you will depend upon many different things. A large variable will be how single mindedly ambitious you are to get the very best sound quality for the money spent.

 

[Blacksabbath25]

What's your budget , do you want a hi fi that will do films + music or just music do you went to listen to CDs or stream music . If you want to do both films +music then you need to get an AV amp if it's just music then a normal integrated amp with your room size I would say floor standing speakers would be the best bet . Do you want a record player .

 

[Blacksabbath25]

I listen to Just music CDs.

Popular music mostly, and Tiesto.

So should I trust my ears mostly to tell me what is accurate and sounds like real life sound?

yes I would trust your ears because only you will no what sounds good to you . But I recommend you go to your local hi fi dealership and try stuff out but he will ask you what kind of budget you have then they will set up an amp , CD player , speakers for you but take your own CDs with to try on there equipment but try as meany setups as you can so you are happy with the sound and some places if you put a deposit down will let you take the stuff home to try as hi fi can sound different when you get it home . But we on here can only recommend stuff but might not be in your budget or tastes . Let's say you was on a small budget I would recommend marantz pm6005 with matching CD player marantz cd6005 but for both your looking at £600 then you still need speakers and cables . Let us no you budget and then people on here will give you some ideas

 

[BasicHIFI]

Thanks for the answer, but it is looking more and more difficult with the prices here. There are only two known Hi-FI dealerships in the country.

CD-Player - would one of those DVD Players do, since CD quality is basically the same? EG Samsung Model: DVD-C500 ?

I will be pulling out my old speaker drivers and doing some experimenting again, I think.

Shipping a set of Mission 730 speakers from Ebay to my home will cost USD 200

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mission-730-Stereo-Speakers-Heathrow-/331695640219?hash=item4d3a99ce9b:g:5coAAOSw42JWDB9d

There is also the mini-amp. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Power-Mini-HiFi-Audio-Stereo-AMP-Amplifier-2CH-200W-For-ipod-Car-Home-MP3-FM-BK-/311276358186?hash=item4879844a2a:g:EUUAAOSw8cNUSoWq

 

[Blacksabbath25]

Do not no anything about the Samsung DVD player but yes you can use it as a CD player . 1 opinion would be buy a home cinema amp AV and get the best of both worlds for music + DVDs and then use your old speakers that will give you a basic setup but it always comes down to how much you want to spend . There's lots of secondhand yamha AV amps on eBay at a good price and they are good value for money and some of them are quite powerful too but understand if it's an issue getting to this hi fi shops but if it was me that's the way I would do it if money was an issue but if you are not to bothered the AV amp would be a good idea because you can hook it up to you tv as well as playing your music though the AV amp

 

[lindsayt]

Where do you live BasicHifi?

 

[BasicHIFI]

Thanks for all the info. I live in Sri Lanka.

Here's one excellent Hi Fi audio site located in Colombo.

http://www.thelisteningroom.lk/about.php

According to my current plan a serious Hi-Fi set up is a few years down the road. I was rather unimpressed with the clarity of the home theatre unit I listened to a week or so back. Sony DAVTZ140 I mean it was pleasing, but did not compare to my car stereo, for example, a Pioneer .

http://www.parts-express.com/pioneer-deh-150mp-cd-mp3-wma-car-stereo-receiver-with-aux-in--267-1800

That's the one. I wish I could install it in my home but it will may clash with the decor, shall we say.

 

[BasicHIFI]

Bought one similar to this. Actually its the same thing with a different label.

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/TeLi-AK-699D-Hi-Fi-Stereo-Digital-Screen-Amplifier-With-Remote-Control-All-metal-made/316954_996070254.html

I am planning to build my onw speaker cabinets. I will be using woofer drivers I used in a previous system. In case I choose to buy new woofers, I plan to test them out first, but is it possible to test out woofers and get any meaningful info without actually putting them in speaker cabinets first?

 

[BasicHIFI]

Just an update: set up this system out of storage: Sony STR 333 receiver and SS-G333ES speakers.

http://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/sony/str-333.shtml

http://www.thevintageknob.org/sony-SS-G333ES.html

Wide frequency response, effortless amplification, in my opinion. There is a loudness swtich which I am using, listning to 88 db levels at 1 metre. (Android JBL Tools SPL meter).

 

[BasicHIFI]

I listen to Just music CDs.

Popular music mostly.

So should I trust my ears mostly to tell me what is accurate and sounds like real life sound?

 

[BasicHIFI]

The requirement pretty much is 75 dB/W at 1m with audible low bass levels. The speakers have to be at ear level, which means wall-mounted speakers in my case. Hopefully once the appearance of these wall mounted black squares and the wall mounted amplifier rack is okayed by the powers that be, I can start building my own system, I don' think anything else will suffice at the price levels I am looking at. A set of Fostek full ranges and a tube amp seems to be the direction I am heading ultimately. Right now it will be a chip amp of some sort. The price/value combination is so right.

I cannot underestimate the value of proper placement of the speakers especially tweeters, although there was a speaker reviewed in Stereo Review called the DCM Time Window where apparently it did not matter where one stood, one would get a solid stereo image.

Are dipole speakers the answer then? Not much a choice in vertical placement, however, I think as the stereo image is a horizontal thing as far as I know.