Audio system for a beginner under 1lakh

Akshay0

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Hi everyone, we just purchased a sony Oled in my parent’s place, it was a tv upgrade after a very long time. And I would really appreciate a sound upgrade as well as the tv speakers are not that great.
Use case: connect to the tv, I also have a playstation so would like to play games with surround sound. I suppose playstation is a blueray player as well maybe will get into buying my favorite movies in bluray format. And I was also thinking about upgrading my music to a turntable very soon but its not that much of a priority if its going to increase costs (in terms of having multiple sources for connection)

I might sound a little dumb because I’m very new to the audiophile world apologies.

Would like a decent 5.1 system. Or a 7.1 if its fits into the budget, but I don’t think that possible; but ai don’t mind upgrading later on, but don’t want to get stuck with a 5.1 amp with no path to upgrade. But I also realise 7.1 amps are very expensive.

So for around 80k to 1lakh what kind system would you recommend for me? I also don’t mind getting a 2.1 channel speakers for now and upgrading later to a 5.1 or a 7.1 channel if my expenses can be curbed down to 50-70k. I also would like some context as to what I should be looking for. I really like the aesthetic of the standing speakers for the front, but I don’t know if its dumb to want that and ill be better off with book shelves speakers
 
I would just say, visit hi-fi offline stores and take audition. Then depending on your liking and budget you can even buy online. Sometimes there are grt chances of getting very good deals at these offline sellers.
 
So for around 80k to 1lakh what kind system would you recommend for me? I also don’t mind getting a 2.1 channel speakers for now and upgrading later to a 5.1 or a 7.1 channel if my expenses can be curbed down to 50-70k. I also would like some context as to what I should be looking for. I really like the aesthetic of the standing speakers for the front, but I don’t know if its dumb to want that and ill be better off with book shelves speakers


Hi Akshay, get the combo linked above and call it a day.

The Marantz M1 is one of the finest amplifiers one can find below Rs 1L based on SQ alone. That it's a Streamer/DAC/Amp All-In-One (AIO) makes it even more compelling, not to mention it has HDMI, Wi-Fi, BLuetooth, Airplay, App Control, Sub-Out and most importantly DIRAC Live Room Correction, which makes setting up the system a breeze for a beginner.

The fact that it is being bundled with Floorstanders from Mission is simply ridiculous and makes it one of, if not the finest bargain in Hi Fi.
 
Hi everyone, we just purchased a sony Oled in my parent’s place, it was a tv upgrade after a very long time. And I would really appreciate a sound upgrade as well as the tv speakers are not that great.
Use case: connect to the tv, I also have a playstation so would like to play games with surround sound. I suppose playstation is a blueray player as well maybe will get into buying my favorite movies in bluray format. And I was also thinking about upgrading my music to a turntable very soon but its not that much of a priority if its going to increase costs (in terms of having multiple sources for connection)

I might sound a little dumb because I’m very new to the audiophile world apologies.

Would like a decent 5.1 system. Or a 7.1 if its fits into the budget, but I don’t think that possible; but ai don’t mind upgrading later on, but don’t want to get stuck with a 5.1 amp with no path to upgrade. But I also realise 7.1 amps are very expensive.

So for around 80k to 1lakh what kind system would you recommend for me? I also don’t mind getting a 2.1 channel speakers for now and upgrading later to a 5.1 or a 7.1 channel if my expenses can be curbed down to 50-70k. I also would like some context as to what I should be looking for. I really like the aesthetic of the standing speakers for the front, but I don’t know if its dumb to want that and ill be better off with book shelves speakers
i may have jumped the gun there Akshay.

To clarify why i suggested the Marantz M1 + Mission LX-4 bundle, it will be nigh impossible to get a decent 5.1 experience for less than 2L in the year 2025. A good 2.1 setup with room correction will sound much better and be more "immersive" and "3D" than a ho-hum 5.1/7.1 surround.

P.s:- I'm running a 5.2.4 setup with Quad S-5(front LR), Quad SC-2(Centre), Dynaudio Excite X14 (Surround LR), Wharfedale SCM-80 (In-Ceiling Atmos x 4) and REL T9i (Subwoofers x 2) with a Marantz SR6013 (7.2.4 Channel AVR).

However, 99% of the time, I run it in 2.0 mode i.e. only the Quad S-5 with a better Amplifier (Kinki Studio EX-M1+) and DAC (Gustard R26) because it sounds better for Music whereas it is immersive enough for movies.
 
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Hi everyone, we just purchased a sony Oled in my parent’s place, it was a tv upgrade after a very long time. And I would really appreciate a sound upgrade as well as the tv speakers are not that great.
Use case: connect to the tv, I also have a playstation so would like to play games with surround sound. I suppose playstation is a blueray player as well maybe will get into buying my favorite movies in bluray format. And I was also thinking about upgrading my music to a turntable very soon but its not that much of a priority if its going to increase costs (in terms of having multiple sources for connection)

I might sound a little dumb because I’m very new to the audiophile world apologies.

Would like a decent 5.1 system. Or a 7.1 if its fits into the budget, but I don’t think that possible; but ai don’t mind upgrading later on, but don’t want to get stuck with a 5.1 amp with no path to upgrade. But I also realise 7.1 amps are very expensive.

So for around 80k to 1lakh what kind system would you recommend for me? I also don’t mind getting a 2.1 channel speakers for now and upgrading later to a 5.1 or a 7.1 channel if my expenses can be curbed down to 50-70k. I also would like some context as to what I should be looking for. I really like the aesthetic of the standing speakers for the front, but I don’t know if its dumb to want that and ill be better off with book shelves speakers
For your budget, optimal solution is Samsung 990 series sound bar.

A Discrete 5.1 wouldn't be much. But you may look at TAGA harmony 5.1 + Entry level Marantz/Denon.
 
Hi everyone, we just purchased a sony Oled in my parent’s place, it was a tv upgrade after a very long time. And I would really appreciate a sound upgrade as well as the tv speakers are not that great.
Use case: connect to the tv, I also have a playstation so would like to play games with surround sound. I suppose playstation is a blueray player as well maybe will get into buying my favorite movies in bluray format. And I was also thinking about upgrading my music to a turntable very soon but its not that much of a priority if its going to increase costs (in terms of having multiple sources for connection)

I might sound a little dumb because I’m very new to the audiophile world apologies.

Would like a decent 5.1 system. Or a 7.1 if its fits into the budget, but I don’t think that possible; but ai don’t mind upgrading later on, but don’t want to get stuck with a 5.1 amp with no path to upgrade. But I also realise 7.1 amps are very expensive.

So for around 80k to 1lakh what kind system would you recommend for me? I also don’t mind getting a 2.1 channel speakers for now and upgrading later to a 5.1 or a 7.1 channel if my expenses can be curbed down to 50-70k. I also would like some context as to what I should be looking for. I really like the aesthetic of the standing speakers for the front, but I don’t know if its dumb to want that and ill be better off with book shelves speakers
If you are not in a hurry and open to preowned then pls check the Hifivision classified section from time to time and chances are you may end up with something really good vfm if the condition of the gear is also good.
 

Hi Akshay, get the combo linked above and call it a day.

The Marantz M1 is one of the finest amplifiers one can find below Rs 1L based on SQ alone. That it's a Streamer/DAC/Amp All-In-One (AIO) makes it even more compelling, not to mention it has HDMI, Wi-Fi, BLuetooth, Airplay, App Control, Sub-Out and most importantly DIRAC Live Room Correction, which makes setting up the system a breeze for a beginner.

The fact that it is being bundled with Floorstanders from Mission is simply ridiculous and makes it one of, if not the finest bargain in Hi Fi.
Hey, I took you advice and got this, I looked at a lot of other options, but they were all either a compromise or sound quality would take a hit, and I figured for my budget getting a really good amp and 2.0 channel was the best idea like you suggested. I visited a few audio stores, and things got more confusing and expensive. The only thing that worried me was the fact that even analog input is converted to digital in m1 (for turntable use) but Im not sure if I will even notice the difference as a novice. I just wanted to say thanks!!
 
If you are not in a hurry and open to preowned then pls check the Hifivision classified section from time to time and chances are you may end up with something really good vfm if the condition of the gear is also good.
I wasn’t ready to risk anything buying second hand especially considering Im pretty new to the space, I usually don’t have a problem, I buy refurbished electronics, but I just didn’t want to face any problem that I wouldn’t know the solution for. Especially also I really can’t spot a good deal because Im not very experienced. But thank you!
 
Hey, I took you advice and got this, I looked at a lot of other options, but they were all either a compromise or sound quality would take a hit, and I figured for my budget getting a really good amp and 2.0 channel was the best idea like you suggested. I visited a few audio stores, and things got more confusing and expensive.
Congrats Akshay, I'm stoked for you! Hope you're liking your system so far.

Setting up your first system ever may be a bit tricky, especially on the speaker placement bit, so i'd advise watching a few videos on speaker placement to get the optimal sound possible from your system.

There's a really good one posted on the "new record day" channel on youtube. Have at it in your own time.

If you don't want to bother too much with speaker placement or are constrained due to furniture /wife/what have you., get the DIRAC license for the M1.
The only thing that worried me was the fact that even analog input is converted to digital in m1 (for turntable use) but Im not sure if I will even notice the difference as a novice.
Once you engage room correction on the M1, losses from the Analog to Digital conversion, if any, will be promptly forgotten! :)
 
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