avexplorer
New Member
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2006
- Messages
- 29
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Jagat,
I have recently got myself a hi-fi setup and the process of acquiring it has certainly been an amazing experience full of FUD(fear/uncertainity/doubt) and excitement. I would try and highlight a few learnings I had in the process, they are not something new, but it is always important to bear in mind.
Know what you want: You should analyse what kind of music you listen to, at what volume-level and for what duration. Are you more of a party animal or a consider music to be very private and personal. The other very important aspect is to know what kind of sound you prefer: analytical or warm or bright.
At the end of the exercise you must have clarity on your priorities.
Research: There ain't any substitute for detailed homework. Even if someone were to state that old cliche of analysis-to-paralysis; I absolutely would recommend a long and detailed phase of analysis. My research went on for 6 months before I finalized the order. The dealers in Bangalore, I'm sure would have hated me whenever I showed up.
Reviews / Recommendations: They should be guidelines and not deciders. Use them to find out if there are any technical gliches in the product. Also use them to shortlist the products for audition.
Audition them: Trust your own ears. Listen to the tracks that you know inside out. Listen to each equipment for atleast 15-20 minutes. Only you will know what is the set that you would want.
Lay emphasis on acoustics: there are quite a few websites that should help you do that
My Preference:
I like a very warm sound that envelops me. The bass should be tight and the highs should be crisp but not piercing. The vocals should be pristine.
1. ARCAM A90 / CD192; this is out of your budget but would eliminate your upgrade woes for quite sometime
2. Cambridge Audio Azur 640(around 70% of ARCAM)
3. NAD or MARANTZ
In the order of preference:
1. ProAc Studio 110 (must listen)
2. EPOS M22
3. Monitor Audio RS-6
______________________________________________________
My HT Setup:
ELECTRONICS: ARCAM: DV 137 / AVR 350
SPEAKERS: ProAC Studio 140 (Front) / ProAc CC1 (Center) / ProAc Studio 110 (Surrounds)
SUB-WOOFER: ProAc ER1
CABLES:
Front: QED Genesis Silver & QED X-Tube (Bi-Amped)
Center: QED X-Tube (Bi-Wired)
Surrounds: QED Silver Anniversary XT (Bi-Wired)
SubWoofer: QED Quenex SE-SW
INTERCONNECTS:
Audio:Merlin Choppin (both Analog & Digital)
Video: QED HDMi
PROJECTOR: Not-decided (The New Optoma HD81 looks enticing)
I have recently got myself a hi-fi setup and the process of acquiring it has certainly been an amazing experience full of FUD(fear/uncertainity/doubt) and excitement. I would try and highlight a few learnings I had in the process, they are not something new, but it is always important to bear in mind.
Know what you want: You should analyse what kind of music you listen to, at what volume-level and for what duration. Are you more of a party animal or a consider music to be very private and personal. The other very important aspect is to know what kind of sound you prefer: analytical or warm or bright.
At the end of the exercise you must have clarity on your priorities.
Research: There ain't any substitute for detailed homework. Even if someone were to state that old cliche of analysis-to-paralysis; I absolutely would recommend a long and detailed phase of analysis. My research went on for 6 months before I finalized the order. The dealers in Bangalore, I'm sure would have hated me whenever I showed up.
Reviews / Recommendations: They should be guidelines and not deciders. Use them to find out if there are any technical gliches in the product. Also use them to shortlist the products for audition.
Audition them: Trust your own ears. Listen to the tracks that you know inside out. Listen to each equipment for atleast 15-20 minutes. Only you will know what is the set that you would want.
Lay emphasis on acoustics: there are quite a few websites that should help you do that
My Preference:
I like a very warm sound that envelops me. The bass should be tight and the highs should be crisp but not piercing. The vocals should be pristine.
In the order of preference:I have raised my budget to 100K so would appreciate if you all can help me with suitable speakers (around 50K)
1. ARCAM A90 / CD192; this is out of your budget but would eliminate your upgrade woes for quite sometime
2. Cambridge Audio Azur 640(around 70% of ARCAM)
3. NAD or MARANTZ
Thanks Sandeep on your recommendation.
Can you recommend me some speakers in the 50-75K range? The speakers can be either floorstanders or bookshelf but they will need to have a front port as they will be placed close to the wall (don't have too much space). The room size is 5x5 metres.
Thanks
In the order of preference:
1. ProAc Studio 110 (must listen)
2. EPOS M22
3. Monitor Audio RS-6
______________________________________________________
My HT Setup:
ELECTRONICS: ARCAM: DV 137 / AVR 350
SPEAKERS: ProAC Studio 140 (Front) / ProAc CC1 (Center) / ProAc Studio 110 (Surrounds)
SUB-WOOFER: ProAc ER1
CABLES:
Front: QED Genesis Silver & QED X-Tube (Bi-Amped)
Center: QED X-Tube (Bi-Wired)
Surrounds: QED Silver Anniversary XT (Bi-Wired)
SubWoofer: QED Quenex SE-SW
INTERCONNECTS:
Audio:Merlin Choppin (both Analog & Digital)
Video: QED HDMi
PROJECTOR: Not-decided (The New Optoma HD81 looks enticing)
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