Home Audio Setup

[anachronix]

Hi All,

This really is my first post here (apart from the introductions) and I am looking for suggestions on setting up a proper home audio system.

I dont really have a product in mind or biased to any brand. I can go upto a lakh in terms of budget for the final setup.

As a first step, I want to purchase a good AVR and I could buy them from US as my wife is on a short trip and has luggage space to carry one home. Read some reviews about the Yamaha Aventage 1020, however its costing close to 50K (if I do the conversion) and I am not sure if its ok to spend a big chunk of the money on the AVR alone or even if the 1020 is good for the purpose that I am looking for.

I need suggestions on the speakers as well, I like a little bit of bass and crisp music from the speakers. The genre of music is usually soft rock, rock or heavy metal and christian worship songs.

Looking forward to your help mates, thanks

 

[koushik]

If you are looking to set a audio setup, an AVR will not serve the purpose. You will need a proper stereo amplifier.

I am assuming that your budget (of 1 lac) is from source to speaker. In that case, what is your preferred source? A CD player or computer based audio?

Are you open to used product? At that budget range it is highly recommended to go for used stuffs.

Have you taken any audition? Are you familiar with hifi brands like Marantz, Cambridge Audio, NAD etc .. ?

The order of acquisition should be speakers first, then amplifier, and the source.

I would recommend you to go slow. Go for audition and listen to as many setups as possible. And then post your experience over here with us.

Good luck in your hunt!

 

[[email protected]]

Hi Anachronix,

Since your wife is on a short trip, its advisable to bring AVR/AMP first & search for speakers latter as its not possible for her to carry hefty speaker packages along with. Pls not that AVR/AMP costing 50 k in US will almost be around 1 lac or above in India, u can save a hell money & can easily invest in speakers (why to pay dealer margin & shipping xtra??)

Please note:

For 2 channel audio: Buy a good amp + BD player with DAC (like oppo 103/105) or a normal blu ray player + Digital to Analogue converter (expensive way) from US

If movie + music: Buy a good avr (since she's in US, there are excellent avr's available like Rotel, integra, sherwood, emotiva, anthem etc ) and buy a decent blu ray player (with or wthout professional DAC, depend on ur budget) from US & search in India for matching speakers. If avr is from brands like yamaha, marantz, pioneer etc, u dont have to carry the same for demo as many dealers keep it.

All these are opinions and judgements based on my past experience. You should do only what really make you happy & not what others convey to you.

 

[noknor]

I am also in the process of setting up my first hifi system, I will share my experience if it might help you.
You have a very good budget, I am on a very smaller budget.

Identify if you want to listen to only music or videos/music.
If it is only music then you want an integrated amp or pre/pro amp combo.
If it is for both audio and video you would need an avr.

My suggestion here, since it is your first setup, try to get used/demo components. This way you will get familiar and accustomed to the music and you will be able to identify what kind of music signature you like. This will take quite some time to identify what kind of sound you want to hear from your hifi.
Once you get that fixed, then you can dispose of the older components and buy brand new ones.

Since this is your first setup, like me, I believe you would not have much in terms of music collections. The general way these days is to play music from digital files, using a computer or any streamer and send the output to the amplifier. This way you can have a clutter free collection of music that is easily searchable.

One thing that I would like to mention about getting things from the USA is warranty and power conversion. Please have this at the back of your mind.

 

[tcpip]

See if this page helps. I wrote it some 3+ years ago, but it's turned out to be useful for a few friends.

And of course, if any FM want to suggest corrections and additions, I will be most grateful.

 

[GeorgeO]

Yes but sometimes you get some good brands than run on both 220/110 like Emotiva or Sherbourn for HT pre pros. Warranty is an issue but I have bought all of my gear from the US and havent really had a problem so far.

 

[tcpip]

Yes but sometimes you get some good brands than run on both 220/110 like Emotiva or Sherbourn for HT pre pros.\

Yes, I am seeing a lot of equipment (not amplifiers, but signal-level stuff) coming with outboard SMPS power supplies like laptop PSUs. These are able to take any mains voltage. My Popcorn Hour is in that category. It's a relief.

 

[anachronix]

Now this gets me confused, I wanted a setup that could bring the right balance with playing Audio and also the occasional home theatre requirements. The budget, yes its from source to speaker.

I have a Sony W672 TV that can stream AV from my phone over Wi-Fi and thats how the morning music has been going live. I dont want my computer/laptop to be integrated with this home audio setup.

I need to start auditioning AVR setups, any pointers to specific brands that are available in India with good service support.

If you are looking to set a audio setup...

My preference is Movie + Music, so I think I will stick to AVR setup. I want to go for brands that will have support here just in case if anything goes bad...

If movie + music: Buy a good avr (since she's in US, there are excellent avr's available like Rotel, integra, sherwood, emotiva, anthem etc ) and buy a decent blu ray player (with or wthout professional DAC, depend on ur budget) from US & search in India for matching speakers. If avr is from brands like yamaha, marantz, pioneer etc, u dont have to carry the same for demo as many dealers keep it.

Absolutely, I want certain pointers to look and then audition them at available stores before I decide to buy them

All these are opinions and judgements based on my past experience. You should do only what really make you happy & not what others convey to you.

Yes, I have been regularly purchasing products from USA. Will definitely keep that in mind!

One thing that I would like to mention about getting things from the USA is warranty and power conversion. Please have this at the back of your mind.

 

[[email protected]]

Its nothing unnatural that people give verdicts without understanding what exactly you require in a quest to prove their knowledge level, no harms! (pointing the finger only to myself, not to anyone else)

The point is:

Try to evaluate & identify your requirement first. If its audio, what performance you expect from an avr ?? Only quality of music ?? if so then what quality.. warm, neutral, attacking, sophisticated.. do u wanaa future proof system..or just a tech enthusiast (like streaming, wifi updates etc) ?? or a blend of quality + tech + little bit future proofing & good service (you hardly find all these qualities in one without compromises).

When I bought my system, I was very much puzzled.. was never satisfied with its performance & always had a complaint.. That was due to my lack of knowledge, I admit. When I tried to understand how & what makes these equipments perform, it was beginning of a new world altogether. You wont believe, I went & kissed my speakers because of utter rejoice, satisfaction & the way it performed (Yeah, I did) despite of a low budget speaker. Please note that the quality of output depends on n number of factors starting from the ac power you give to the cable you use & positioning too, within your budget. Its tad difficult to get a demo of brands like Sherwood, integra, emotiva etc, but you will get it when searched in a systematic way, if time permits. I repeat, do not buy a stuff based on reviews as your choice might be different.

The possibilities upfront are:

1) Try to judge what type of sound you like from demo whether its Yamaha, Marantz, Denon or any brands (all they have niche sound signature) & then compare the features ( I bought denon avr because of its usb support despite of the fact that the sound signature of Marantz pleased me)

2) OR give a blind gunshot based on reviews & comparison n buy your favorite stuff. If you like the sound, consider yourself as damn lucky, else use it for time being & start searching for your sound signature. The advantage would be, even if you sell your avr, you will get a better price than what youve bought from US (its India & dealers literally slit your throat). Any way you are lucky !

I bet, no one likes pure recorded sound as its very unpleasant & harsh without adding vibrance to it. Ive experienced it during recording session in studios & its really disgusting (search for & you will find its true). As far as service are concerned, I must say forget it. Any authorized service center will treat your avr just as an equipment & return it with hell lot of scratch n that hurts like hell. If its all about satisfying your mind, Yamaha, Marantz, Denon, Pioneer etc a name to few, Phew!

What sound signature Ive experienced In all the demos are:

Yamaha, Marantz: Warm
Denon & Pioneer: Very attacking
NAD + etc: Cannot say that its neutral, but a mixture of everything with few features.

You may also consider the fact that companies like NAD (Modular Design Construction, in their advanced series) emotiva, Rotel, Lexicon etc cover future proofing so that in case required, you can just change a single board for newer technologies rather than changing the entire system which adds peace of mind.