Radek the noob, wants to learn HiFi

[Radek]

Hello all there,

Here is my intro - I am Radek, middle aged IT pro. I stay in Pune with my wife and two kids.

I was happy with my old Philips 'micro theatre' system (Rs 15K worth) when one day it broke down. It was few months back and I finally started thinking about replacing it with new one. Well there is Bose showroom in one of the mall here. But then I heard BOSE is not the last word on audio. I remember reading somewhere that you can build your own Audio system by putting together separate component. I thought that will be fun, hobby project. But I have no experience of this, so I asked Audio expert from Team BHP, Navin, who directed me to this forum.

Coming here, I quickly realised that my original idea of putting few thousand more rupees and get a nice system for 25K is not going to work as even single component will cost more than this. So while I collect money to come up with decent budget, I plan to read and learn a lot.

So guys, can you please help me by pointing to relevant threads where I can learn basic things like -

*Anatomy to Hi-Fi system, what are typical components that goes into a typial system
*Glossary to special terms - e.g. I know amplifier, but what is pre-amp, power amp, integrated stereo amp etc
*Some technical concepts like how you match power rating of amp to speaker etc

 

[corElement]

Take a computer mouse and lets compare.

Mouse = Amplifies your motions into cursor movements = Amplifier
Mouse Driver = Controls the behaviour of the mouse = Preamp

Cheap mouse that does not need a driver = integrated stereo amp where preamp and amp are put into a package.

Expensive mouse that does not work without a driver = Pure amplifier which has to be paired with a preamplifier for it to be controlled.

You match power rating by determining the quality of the amplification devices and the speaker build. To start you off look for ohms or the omega symbol. Ohms = unit for impedance = how much power a speaker draws. However this is also dependent on how sensitive the drivers in a speaker are, each driver / the cones are different sensitivities. Highly sensitive drivers are around 91-110 and avg is around 80-90 and poor is under 80.

You don't need to worry about this to be honest just tell us what youre interested in and youll automatically be corrected by the forum members.

 

[Flash]

Hello all there,

Here is my intro - I am Radek, middle aged IT pro. I stay in Pune with my wife and two kids.

Wecome to the forum Radek ,

Nice to see another Puneite,

*Anatomy to Hi-Fi system, what are typical components that goes into a typical system

Typical is a very ambigious term.
If is an audiophile stereo budget system

1. Speakers
2. Integrated Amplifier
3. CD player
4. Speaker cables
5. Interconnects

Optional components that add on to the chain purely dependant on budget

Preamplifier (replaces integrated amp)
Power Amplifier
Dac's
Power Conditioner
Turtable
etc etc

*Glossary to special terms - e.g. I know amplifier, but what is pre-amp, power amp, integrated stereo amp etc

In a nutshell

Preamplifier - is the brain of the system it has various inputs to connect a Cd player, tuner and other sources. It houses the volume control, gain, channel separation etc etc etc

Power Amplifier - This is the heart of a system. it is responsible for the amplification

Integrated Amplifier - is a unit that is housed in a single chassis that houses both the Amp and the Preamp and thats why it is called Integrated

 

[Radek]

Thanks for your input. This gives me push start to learn. I am going to start with an audio system for my bedroom. Simple CD player + amp + speaker. I will start experimenting with old CD player and speakers of discarded home theatre. I will have to get new/used amp though. Once I understand more, I will start putting better components.

Thanks again.

 

[nagurum1974]

Take a computer mouse and lets compare.

Mouse = Amplifies your motions into cursor movements = Amplifier
Mouse Driver = Controls the behaviour of the mouse = Preamp

Cheap mouse that does not need a driver = integrated stereo amp where preamp and amp are put into a package.

Expensive mouse that does not work without a driver = Pure amplifier which has to be paired with a preamplifier for it to be controlled.

You match power rating by determining the quality of the amplification devices and the speaker build. To start you off look for ohms or the omega symbol. Ohms = unit for impedance = how much power a speaker draws. However this is also dependent on how sensitive the drivers in a speaker are, each driver / the cones are different sensitivities. Highly sensitive drivers are around 91-110 and avg is around 80-90 and poor is under 80.






.
You don't need to worry about this to be honest just tell us what youre interested in and youll automatically be corrected by the forum members.

very nice and easy way explained well.

 

[spirovious]

Welcome to HFV.

 

[Flash]

I will start experimenting with old CD player and speakers of discarded home theatre. I will have to get new/used amp though. Once I understand more, I will start putting better components.

Thanks again.

That is a very wise way to go forward with the pursuit of Audio Bliss