Audio Stereo Component
2009
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What percentage of your budget should you invest in each audio component?
I am thinking of spending around $2 - 3k for a stereo audio setup. from what i understand the best components for this would be 1) turntable (im definitely going vinyl) 2) integrated amplifier 3)speakers.
Personally i was thinking 500 on turntable 500 on amp and 1k on speakers. Is this a good proportion? I have seen some people have 5k in amplifiers and preamplifiers and only have $800 dollar speakers. Where should i attribute my funds?
Hello Andrew NIce to hear your going analog good for you. As far as budgeting, you'll hear a majority of people tell you to invest a greater amount of your budget on the speakers and less on electronics. I can tell you from years of experience designing some of the very finest in hi-end audio video system in most cases I have found this to not be true. Let me give you some analogy's as to why.
First the old saying that your system is only as good as your weakest link is true.
Also the ultimate goal is to achieve a system that reproduces the tonality of instruments and vocals, and have the detail to be convincing your listening to the artist perform in your living room.
System one: Best speakers in the world driven by modest electronics. Granted it may have a full range sound, but the quality of bass and over tonality of the instruments will not be convincing of real music. The system will lack detail and will not be involving and lack the emotional connection to the artist.
System two: The best front in electronics with modest speakers. This system will be surprisingly involving dynamic, it can have wonderful tonality if properly matched to the speakers. It can have a incredible sound-stage if setup right. This system can be very involving and will surprise many how musical it is.
The key is that speakers can only reproduce what they are given, the detail comes from the electronics driving them. Now Im not saying that speakers are not important and in some cases there probably will be a trade off in low bass extension to get a speaker in the lower price point. but I can guarantee in the long run you will be much more satisfied giving up the low bass for the detail and musicality of the system. Also many people would be surprised how good some modest price speakers will sound with good electronics. in fact many people don't give some speakers a chance when in reality they are not hearing a short coming in the speakers but rather its the front end (electronics).
One of the best systems Ive heard to date was a system with $30k in electonics with a $800 pair of speakers. It was incredibly detailed, very musical, and one of the best soundstages Ive ever heard.
Sure they were mini monitors and didn't have low bass extension but was well worth the trade off.
For those that really know hi-fi many will tell you spend more on the front end and less on the speakers this will get you closer to a system that will be more involving and musical.
Yes integrated is the first step in getting closer to higher quality sound, but that does mean in most cases your giving up surround sound.
So in your budget Integrated Amplifier is you best choice. Choose speakers carefully for the room and placement you'll be using them in. Speaker placement is the single most important aspect in getting good sound so get some advise on how to properly place speakers. Or email me I will be happy to give you a detailed explanation.
Turntables ! ahhh a place close to my heart. A reasonably good turntable can get a little pricey, don't spend your money on a cheap turntable you will be find yourself very quickly getting rid of it and wanting to upgrade. If your really going to get into analog you'll want to spend at least $700 to a grand. Keep in mind what you'll need to play vinyl. You need a turntable with a tonearm, a phono cartridge, and a phono stage. You must have a phono stage which amplifies the signal coming from the cartridge and then it goes through a RIAA curve which re-equalizes the signal on the records. All records are recorded with this RIAA curve because the phono cartridge is unable to track uncompressed low bass information and also because the bass frequency's would take up more room on the record so you would have less music on each side of a album.
Some integrated amplifers may have built in phono stages so yet again that will help you significantly in a budget system, but keep in mind it may not be of the highest quality as the phono stage makes a big difference in the quality of sound and detail.
Heres a great in expensive turntable combination. For the money buy a REGA turntable these are by far the best inexpensive turntables in the industry and will compete very well with significantly more expensive turntables. The key though is these are none suspended turntables and require a good stand, or wall mount shelf to eliminate vibration to get back to the turntable. Honestly that is a requirement for all good turntables. There are however some really great sounding inexpensive phono cartridges so that will help you save some money in the beginning. Phono cartridges and phono stages do get significantly better as the price goes up but so this is a area you can upgrade later as your able to. Also its important to match the phono cartridge to the tonearms mass. Ran out of room email me and will send you my complete responce lol hmmmisthatright@yahoo.com
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