How to assemble my Hi-Fi System

[Ram NJ]

Hello All!

I was planning to buy a Sony Mini Hi-Fi at a price range of 30K-40K. The purpose is more of a music than movies/TV. The model that I chose was MHC-V6D.
However, while reading your articles, I understand picking up Sony Hi-Fi is not a good idea. So, I'm also exploring the option of building my own. But I'm completely new to this and I had to read about each of the jorgans for hours to even understand your suggestions.

Do you still advice me to go hunt for components? If so, what is the best combination you would suggest for the above budget?
Or can I go ahead with Sony MHC-V6D?

Note that my living room is small - 220 Sq. Ft only. Please suggest accordingly.

Thanks!
Ram NJ

 

[oracle1974]

Since it is music you will need a decent amp and speakers. a good source is also required but your budget will not permit it. So source will be compromised.

40k is a decent budget if one is open to trying pre-owned items. There are some options available in the for sale section and hifiads.com. hifimart can also be looked at as there is a deal on offer for an amp+cd player+speakers.

You may go through them and short-list them based on your budget and what appeals to you. auditioning the components is a must though. you may audition them with their respective dealers in your city.

Forum members can enlighten you further on the short-listed items.

good luck.

 

[dheerajin]

yes..oracle is right..
to start with and not to get confused go for the hifimart combo options
to reduce the cost further you can eliminate CD player and Opt for marantz amp with DAC and play thru your laptop.

cheers

dheeraj

 

[afj]

if its mainly music youre interested in, then go for a stereo setup. at that price point, youre better off with bookshelves. for speakers you can check out the wharfedales. the bose 301 is also good. yamaha as300 is a good amp that matches with both the above speakers.

what source are you looking at. ideally, you should have a good cd player or a laptop with a good dac. if budget is a constraint, use what you have for now and you can upgrade later on

as for assembling your own system, theres a diy section in the forum where members will help you out

 

[asliarun]

Hello Ram,

My two cents - I actually do not agree on your point that Sony is bad. Sony makes many many components and have also been pioneers in the audio world. They have in fact made a renewed attempt of late to get back into the high end audiophile market.

What you should instead focus on is building your audio system from a set of components instead of buying an all-in-one box. In general, all in one boxes and AVRs are not very good for stereo audio. Most of their budget goes into features (because features sell) instead of quality of sound (i.e. preamp section, power amp section). Similarly, the all in one speakers are made of plastic instead of wood, are not stiff or well braced (are not inert) and hence start vibrating and resonating when they are playing.

The most basic thumb rule is weight. Speakers (and stands) and amps should be heavy and should feel solid and well built. If you rap your knuckles on a speaker cabinet, it should feel as if it is filled up, and should not sound hollow.

The level of granularity to which you can go in terms of components (or "separates" as people like to call it) - is entirely up to you.

Starting setup can be - speakers, stands (if bookshelf speakers) -> speaker cables -> integrated stereo amp -> RCA cable -> source.

A typical budget setup that I have seen in this forum is: Usher S520 speakers -> MX (?) cables -> Topping TP20 amp -> regular RCA cable -> DVD player as source.

For a more conventional but more expensive setup, replace Topping TP20 amp with a NAD or Marantz entry level amp. Of course, this also allows you to change your speakers - but I think other forum members can give better advice. Do note that the Usher speakers are no slouches and can give most other entry level speakers a run for their money.

My other two cents would be to focus on your setup in the order I mentioned -> speakers, then amps, then source. This is a hugely debatable point but I feel strongly about this order for someone who is starting brand new.

When I mentioned granularity, you can start splitting your integrated amp into power amp and pre amp, you can split your source into a source and a DAC.

 

[reubensm]

Ram, hold on to your horses for now. Set up appointments with a few of our forum members in Bangalore, visit them and listen to their rigs. Sony combo systems are not that bad but they are not intended for serious listening. Its alright if you want to play some background music in your college cafeteria but for enjoying your music, you'll need something a bit better. There are multiple options at various price points, get a good idea on what you intend to achieve and then proceed.

 

[Falcon21]

no one can help you with selecting a good music system set up much except for a few speakers & amps models.

best way is to go take a lot many demos and find out for yourself and take as less advise as possible so you don't get confused further

if you must have a 5.1 then you can buy a HTIB and replace front speakers later

and for HTIB yamaha onkyo jbl pioneer can be good start for demos

 

[bbsethdpq]

agree,to reduce the cost further you can eliminate CD player and Opt for marantz amp with DAC and play thru your laptop.thanks

 

[RMCWS]

For your budget of 30-40K,
I will suggest to go for sonodyne amp + speakers (BS) which will be within 30K total. And with the rest 10K, you can opt for a pre used cd player as a source.

Otherwise, you can also opt for pre used gear.

However, if you are flexible with your budget, then options are endless.