Stereo System

Hi All,

I am new entrant to this forum. For pas couple of days I have been going through various informative piece of information on this forum. I am planning to set up my entry level stereo set up. The ratio for Music to Video is 60:40.

As I am new to all the terminology, please help me out to differentiate between Amp, power-amp, pre-amp, av-receviers, speakers with difference between floorstander or bookshelf (features), difference between 2.1 channels and 5.1 channels, cables, DAC etc.

What initially I am looking for is a music system which may have a DVD player, audio cassette player, AM/FM receiver, a good amplifier with good speakers and woofers.

As this is going to be my first – entry level system, my budget is limited to 50-60K,

My city of residence is Ghaziabad/Delhi.

Please help.

Thanks,

B.Mohan

Home Theater: Glossary

AV Glossary

AV Glossary of Terms

Thanks for the links.

Please do suggest a suitable stereo system for 50-60K or separate modules which I can build over a period.

B Mohan

Mohan

first you need to decide, what kind of setup you are looking at...

Is it stereo setup for sure...as it will only have two front speakers, and you will not be able to add more speakers, in the same amplifier after that...

If you are looking to go for an 5.1/7.1 in later stages, in that case, you need to go for an regular reciever, with a pair of speakers, and later on you can add speakers to your setup...

Mohan,

If music is a high priority and HT an afterthought, my personal suggestion would be to spend the money on a good stereo setup and worry about the HT later.

Your speakers and ampifier will continue to be usefull and can be integrated into the HT setup later.

But, before you take advice from anyone, you should visit an AV store and listen to a pair of decent speakers on a budget receiver and a budget stereo integrated. If to your ears, the stereo integrated sounds far superior, then that's the way to go.

When auditioning, remember to take your favourite CDs with you. Remember to pick some CDs which will be demanding for the setup.

For recommendations on speakers and amplification, it will help to know your room size and taste in music.

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Thanks Guys,

I am not sure whether I should go for 2.1 or 5.1/7.1? Initially I would like to start with a good entry level music system which should have provision for add on. Right now my priority is music (60-70%), my room size is 10x11. I would like to go for a decent amplifier – receiver, CD/DVD player and speakers. At present my budget is between 50-70K.

Please provide me with your useful suggestions.

Thanks,

B.Mohan

Hi,

Mohan its quite natural to get confused !! but here what I suggest for you,which might make things less complicated for you !!

In the budget of 70K you can most deffently get a good integrated amp and speakers but squeezing a CD player inside is bit tough but manageable ! the reason is, you can get a solid integrated ( little above entry level) for 35K and for 30K a very very decent sounding tower or stand mount !! rest can be used for speaker cables and interconnects !!

So if you must add the CDP into the equation then I'd say 15K max for CDP,20K for the amp and rest to speakers and cable !! but this will not be that good as the first option but you have to manage !

As with question of "ADD ON" the speakers are the only one which will of use if you purchase an AVR,DVD and plan to buy the rest of the speakers and make Hometheater !! but that doesn't mean that its curtains for the CDP and the Stereo !! you can use still use it for the music listening and use the AVR for movies (thats what Am doing now ),thats also the most preferred choice ! to keep stereo and HTS separate (only using the fronts,that too if its must).

Please do let Us know your views on this ! Then we can suggest on brand specific models and suitable options (Am not suggesting any right now is to avoid further confusion to you).

Regards.

Hi Thanks once again,

You are perfectly right. I can go without the CDP also. Please suggest me different sets of integrated amp and speakers. I will prefer small sized speakers. Do mention separately the CDP also.

Please suggest what all I would be requiring to convert the same to a HTS – AVR, DVD P, additional speakers.

Please suggest the best configuration possible within the current budget for Stereo system as well as HTS with their make/model and approx. price.

Thanks,

B Mohan

Mohan,

Get the best 2ch amp and speakers of your choice, you can afford in your given budget. Later if you want to upgrade to a HT, just buy a good AVR with Pre-Outs. Integrate the 2ch amp with the AVR, balance the rest of the channels using the receiver’s test tones.

Best Regards.

Hi,

Ok fine,one last question before the recommendations begins !! please do let Us know the music taste !! what kinda music you like or prefer and listen usually ( though occasionally you may listen something else as well).

This is very important coz this is what decides the amp and speakers !! Am terribly sorry that I didn't ask in my previous post !!


Regards.