Stereos/Hi Fi's

[missrandom]

Hi, I am looking to replace my stereo, but I want a really powerful one with a good sound. I've seen a lovely sounding sony (giga juke), but its only got 100w total output, and thats not really loud enough for me. Ideally I'd really want one with a harddrive (80gb on the sony giga juke).
Does anyone have any recomendations please?
thanks

[Postdog]

Not loud enough ! - have you got neighbours....?

[missrandom]

lol, they are good, but I dont have it really loud very often and its usually in the day! Maybe it would sound louder at home, but I am not so sure.

[ChuckFickens]

If thats 100W RMS that should be more than enough for any home!!

You could always widen your choices by getting a hard drive media enclosure/player and connecting that to any stereo you may buy, this would also give you the option to easily pickup you entire music collection and take it to somebody else's.

http://tinyurl.com/lwb9a

[Postdog]

I was half taking the pee, but I have one a lot less powerful than that, and if I have it full on, it shakes the house.

[missrandom]

I dont understand why I'm not finding it very loud then? My current stereo is really, really loud and it only an Aiwa thats 15 years old! Thanks Chuck. I think I might go to Bang and Olufsen, I know they're expensive but hopefully not too much!

[ChuckFickens]

they are expensive, but they do look soooo nice :)

The problem with the sony will not have so much to do with the power output but more to do with the physical size of the speakers. It matters not how much power you put into small speakers they just can't move enough air to make a really loud sound.

I'd consider separates, get your self decent amp and CD player and spend more money on a really decent set of speakers and you'll have a system that'll blow you away

[missrandom]

ooh, i like the sound of that! Yeah I just looked at bang and olufsen and they seem to be around a grand, I only want to spend between �500 - �750. I think I'll go to a specialist shop, and buy it seperatley. Or maybe I'll just get the sony and hope its loud enough, oh I dont know, I love my music! cheers x

[fo3nix]

You pay for the name and design with Bang and Olufsen. The sound isn't that great (no better than far cheaper brands). The same goes for Bose.

I'd do as the above suggests: get yourself some separates. Technics, Denon, those kind of brands. Shop around at some decent hifi shops that know what they're talking about, then perhaps buy online if you find it much cheaper.

[ChuckFickens]

Speakers speakers speakers is all I'll say.

Decent speakers will make any system sound a whole lot better.

The other advantage of separates is in the future you then have the option of upgrading a bit at a time instead of having to buy an entire new stereo.

Love my music too :)

[Jugglering]

Yep, definitely go for separates - that way you will be able to get the best CD player, the best amp, the best speakers, the best tuner etc for your sort of music. I would recommend you go to an independent store (somewhere like Audio Excellence) and steer well clear of the washing machine salesrooms !. For your price range, look at Denon (good on Tuners), Nad (their amps are fabby again), Cambridge Audio (their CD players are great value with a lovely sound), B&W or Naim speakers are wonderful..... I could go on for ever lol..... A lot will depend on the sort of music you like to listen to btw.... you would do well to pick up a few hi-fi mags and read up on the suggestions they often give about different *combinations*. You may even find that you can get a great bargain at somewhere like Richer Sounds once you know what you want.

I too don't understand why your 100W isn't blasting your eardrums ! Are your speakers working ? Have you got your amp turned on ;)

[Jugglering]

Oh,,ps.... don't forget to invest in decent speaker cable too ! I've just rewired all mine and the difference it made was tremendous.

[missrandom]

ah thanks thats great. I shall do my research then! I cant understand either.......must have faulty ears! cheers

[ACtheTROLL]

let's just forget the stereo for a minute ....
like it loud....was loud .... no longer loud enough .....
perhaps instead of a new stereo you should get your ears seen to before you go completely deaf

[Jugglering]

AC is quite correct - I totally ruined my hearing by standing next to the speakers at the big concerts back then.... plus when I left a gig my ears would always be *ringing*.... I never knew that meant I had damaged my hearing !

[missrandom]

ha ha, I think you've misunderstood me, my current stereo id definately loud enough, but its on it's way out, the radio doesn't work and it only plays cd's when it feels like it. That said my ears aren't great:-)

[whiffey]

Everything Jugglering, fo3nix, and Chuck said.

I have a system - old now - of separates, e.g. an Arcam amp, Philips CD drive, Wharefedale speakers, high quality cable, no more than 40w per channel, but I barely dare take it above half volume. The speakers are on stands, and on the ground floor with underfloor space to enhance the bass and resonance. It is a very old system, but I have heard nothing modern to surpass it without going to silly prices. For a bit of balance in your hunt, try visiting the websites of a few top-end British manafacturers, such as Linn (Glasgow) and Ruark (Southend-on Sea). The prices will amaze you ! For the very rich and fortunate.

You will find it hard to achieve the same sound quality if you are in an upstairs flat, because you are on a solid floor with no under-floorboard cavity. When I lived in a flat, my system sounded very different (nowhere near as good) from now.

What I would suggest is finding a store that stocks older equipment from the 'golden' age of hi-fi separates. There is one in Croydon, where you can pick up very high quality second-hand separates for around �100 and they will out-perform today's juke-boxes and add a bit of design panache to your room.

Happy listening !

[missrandom]

we have a richer sounds near us in kingston, so i'm definately going there soon

[missrandom]

no, kingston upon thames. couldnt see it on their list but drove past it yesterday.