Hi all,
New poster, and I'm sure you get these questions all the time. I've had a look through the forums, but as technology and deals change quickly, and I have some specific questions, I hope you'll bear with me! And as a member on other forums (different subjects) I know how annoying it can be to members when people pop up, ask a question, and disappear, so I promise I'll let you know what my final decision is (will be immediately post Xmas when I make the purchase)!
About 15 years ago I had a decent budget separates system, mostly marantz, but then sort of fell out of love with music, but I'm now getting back into it. For the last 5 years I've had no stereo at all, other than an ipod and a (really awful) dock. I'm looking to buy either a mini system (or if possible, a stripped down separates system). My budget is £300 - I really can't go more than say £50 above that. Clarity is more important than volume, and I listen mostly to indie and rock, and a lot of Radio 4.
What I want (or more accurately would like) is the following... (apologies for listing it, but it makes it clearer, at least to me!)
1) Small size
2) Primary source of music will be from an iphone (sorry, know that isn't really hifi) - do I need a dock, or will a cable do, and if so what connector on the amp/system do I need? Also, if docks are included, do they include iphones when they say suitable for ipods, or is that different?
3) I also want a combined DAB/FM tuner
4) CD isn't important (see Q2), but considered as a 'nice to have'
5) Budget must include speakers (I hear the wharfedales are very good, and I've found some sub £300 deals including 9.1's)
6) Remote control essential, which I guess restricts me to one make (especially if separates)
7) 3.5 headphone jack would be good
8) Being able to run itunes from my laptop (i.e. wired, wireless not important) would be nice (if possible, no idea - what connectors would I need?)
9) EBay is an option for getting something really good secondhand, but what do I look for (I know that is a 'how long is a piece of string query)
10) Something good looking would be nice!
From my (admittedly limited) research, and having rabbited on for ages, this..
http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/5586
looks pretty good, but of questions 1 to 10, does it miss any?
Answers welcomed, and I'm really sorry as most of them will be blatantly obvious to you guys, so I am playing the 'help a newbie card'!
Many thanks
Chris
New poster, and I'm sure you get these questions all the time. I've had a look through the forums, but as technology and deals change quickly, and I have some specific questions, I hope you'll bear with me! And as a member on other forums (different subjects) I know how annoying it can be to members when people pop up, ask a question, and disappear, so I promise I'll let you know what my final decision is (will be immediately post Xmas when I make the purchase)!
About 15 years ago I had a decent budget separates system, mostly marantz, but then sort of fell out of love with music, but I'm now getting back into it. For the last 5 years I've had no stereo at all, other than an ipod and a (really awful) dock. I'm looking to buy either a mini system (or if possible, a stripped down separates system). My budget is £300 - I really can't go more than say £50 above that. Clarity is more important than volume, and I listen mostly to indie and rock, and a lot of Radio 4.
What I want (or more accurately would like) is the following... (apologies for listing it, but it makes it clearer, at least to me!)
1) Small size
2) Primary source of music will be from an iphone (sorry, know that isn't really hifi) - do I need a dock, or will a cable do, and if so what connector on the amp/system do I need? Also, if docks are included, do they include iphones when they say suitable for ipods, or is that different?
3) I also want a combined DAB/FM tuner
4) CD isn't important (see Q2), but considered as a 'nice to have'
5) Budget must include speakers (I hear the wharfedales are very good, and I've found some sub £300 deals including 9.1's)
6) Remote control essential, which I guess restricts me to one make (especially if separates)
7) 3.5 headphone jack would be good
8) Being able to run itunes from my laptop (i.e. wired, wireless not important) would be nice (if possible, no idea - what connectors would I need?)
9) EBay is an option for getting something really good secondhand, but what do I look for (I know that is a 'how long is a piece of string query)
10) Something good looking would be nice!
From my (admittedly limited) research, and having rabbited on for ages, this..
http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/5586
looks pretty good, but of questions 1 to 10, does it miss any?
Answers welcomed, and I'm really sorry as most of them will be blatantly obvious to you guys, so I am playing the 'help a newbie card'!
Many thanks
Chris