Thread: Help with Amplifier/Hi Fi system please

I have been to a few hi fi forums and found the people less than helpful. They tend to be too techy and I don't understand much about amps. I decided to post here, my home
What I am looking for is an amp for around 400 euro / 350 pounds / 580 dollars.

I want something easy to get so popular enough choice. Maybe some of you out there have a system or amp you recommend.

I want, if possible an amp with remote control and chiefly for my ipod but with other useful inputs too.

If for the same prcie you highly recommend a system then I will check that out too. I am unsure if it is worth getting a CD player and Tuner for the same price. I wonder how much that reduces quality of the amp ???

Jai

One of the best places for advice is What Hi Fi Sound & Vision magazine. Each year they select what they consider to be best buys for various hi-fi components at different budget levels.

In the last review for 2008 they recommended the Marantz PM6002 amplifier, in the price range you are interested in. I'm afraid it's what they call a budget range amplifier, but the next one up in quality is much higher in price (Roksan Caspian M Series-1) . This Marantz model has now been superseded by the Marantz PM6003, which retails around £300. It should be widely available.

Here's a link to the What Hi Fi Sound & Vision recommendations, which should enable you to find other decent equipment if you want to add/replace other items later.

Brilliant. I am very happy to hear that Artemis cos in the meantime I have been hunting further on the net and that is the very amp, Marantz PM6003, that I shortlisted as a real good possibility based on other reviews. Good to see that backed up again from another source. It's also available locally so I will go check it out.

As for the rest of your system ...

To complement the Marantz amp, you might look at the Marantz CD6002 CD player which came out the best in that price bracket. (Check there may be a 6003 update)

If you are looking for some new speakers I can recommend the Dali Lektor 2. I have a pair in my study and they're really nice. They take a few days to "warm up" from new. Just leave the system "on"; no harm will come to it. Place four small bits of "blu-tack" under each speaker, to provide an insulation cushion.

Headphones: Grado SR60 (These are open back type, which I prefer to closed back)

Amp to CD internerconnect. I like Chord Company products. Expect to pay about £75 for a cable to match the quality of the CD/Amplifer.

For speaker cable, QED Silver Anniversary should be fine.

Great thank you again... time to visit the bank again. Will share my experiences of the amp if you interested.

Originally Posted by jaibyrne

I have been to a few hi fi forums and found the people less than helpful. They tend to be too techy and I don't understand much about amps. I decided to post here, my home
What I am looking for is an amp for around 400 euro / 350 pounds / 580 dollars.

I want something easy to get so popular enough choice. Maybe some of you out there have a system or amp you recommend.

I want, if possible an amp with remote control and chiefly for my ipod but with other useful inputs too.

If for the same prcie you highly recommend a system then I will check that out too. I am unsure if it is worth getting a CD player and Tuner for the same price. I wonder how much that reduces quality of the amp ???

Jai

Any solid state-amp (not using tubes/valves) from a manufacturer of good repute will do. Its year 2009, value-for-money products abound.

The amp you're going to buy should be able to "drive" your speakers. Since your home is classical music , your amp should have enough power to handle loud and complex orchestral passages (transients). The amp and speakers you should buy will depend on the room you will place it. Big room = big speakers + large watt amps... (more money).

Try to look for the "recommended program" of your speakers' spec sheet. That will give you an idea of how much power on the amp to buy.

Its best to pick a brand where there are is distributor with a certified service crew in your area. In case you get into trouble (knock on wood) they could help you. Ask dealers and vendors about the controls/inputs you will be using.

For CD, a wiser choice since youre operating on a budget, would be a DVD player instead of a dedicated CD player. It gives you flexibility so you could play mp3s and CD/RW home brew discs. Again, buy from a manufacturer of good repute you'll be fine.

You could save money and dedicate it for more music (CD/LPs) if you could get a portable mp3 player that has tuner.

You could save money for the cables/interconnects just by buying the entry level from a cable manufacturer of good repute. Try to experiment the no-brand cables that have "decent" build like the "Ace hardware" RCA against the expensive branded ones. Compare the branded and non-branded, Ill leave the judgement to you

You could save money for the speaker cables by using CAT 5 cables that you use for computer networks. You don't need very fat cables if you have a small room.

The power cables supplied by your amp manufacturer is fine. If the amp you bought does not supply one (IEC mains cable), try to get the non-brand first and compare it with the expensive ones. I'll leave the judgement to you on which to get

Trust yourself, your ears, better judgment, and your wallet too! Never get too tired of testing and comparing until you decide to buy. Lastly, don't buy if you don't hear any difference. Happy listening!!!!