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View Full Version : How the hell do you build a complete system for £300



gary
22-07-2008, 19:19
One of my freinds and neighbours has been listening to my hifi Naim 102/180/CDX ProAc Future 0.5 on chord signature cables and is now asking me how to get onto the hifi ladder the problem is he seems to think a budget of around £300 pounds is going to be enough I am at a loss of what to tell him. I don't want to put him off altogether so have suggested Richer Sounds where he may be able to get starter system any other ideas welcome.

alb
22-07-2008, 19:27
Depends what you mean by a complete system. Anyway, £300 is pushing it a bit. I'd help him choose some secondhand bits and pieces(better value than buying new at this level).
But sympathetically explain to him that it won't be quite as good as yours.

gary
22-07-2008, 19:44
alb
I mean a complete sytem ground up I can help him out with cables that I have lying around but thats about all I can do one of my other friends got most of the rest of my old stuff, I think he is pushing it more than just a bit to get anything even reasonable for this kind of money I personally thought he would be better just getting midi system and be done with it but knowing the enjoyment that I get from my hifi now and seeing that same spark of interest in him I thought it might be nice if I could at least try point him in the right direction. He has been well warned that once bitten by the hifi bug his wallet is going to be a lot lighter LOL. His missus is not so keen at this point that may be the problem with budget but secondhand may be the only route open so if you can recommend any half decent kit that he should look out for it would be appreciated

Beechwoods
22-07-2008, 19:52
Second-hand is definitely the way to go. 1 source, 1 amp, 2 speakers... does your neighbour have golden ears? I assume not or they'd already have started on the HiFi ladder many moons ago. They will be looking for a decent separates set up that they can grow with as they learn what they like. If he could find an extra £150 it would make it easier, mind.

Make sure your neighbour doesn't feel like he's a grubby pauper pressing his nose against the shop-window of high-end though. If I had a boombox and wanted to upgrade I wouldn't want to spend more than three or four hundred on a starter system. Maybe it's best to explain that the joy of separates is that you can invest more over time without replacing the whole system...

gary
22-07-2008, 20:14
Beechwoods
I think mine is the first proper hifi my neighbour has ever really heard never mind high end and I agree and have explained that for me it was a very slow proccess of upgrading as funds allowed it is only recently that my own financial situation changed and allowed me to get the kind of hifi I have now so I have very real experience of where he is coming from. I Think financially he probably could afford to spend a little more but is fighting a losing battle with his missus who just doesn't get it, My thoughts were to introduce a better quality sound to her on a budget and see if after living with it for a little while it may change her mind has worked for me in past LOL. The problem is that I am not very familiar with the second hand market for budget systems and would not have a clue what was ok and whats not so any help with this will be appreciated

alb
22-07-2008, 20:55
I'm sure you'll get suggestions on here. It's a while since i bought any hifi components, so i'm a little out of touch.
There are plenty of people out there who are happily listening to equipment that costs less than this.
My wife uses a cheap DVD player, Arcam Alpha 3 amp and Tangent Monitor Nine speakers. Total cost secondhand, around £100. Sounds quite nice, and a lot better than your average midi system. That's only one example.

gary
23-07-2008, 08:24
His PC may be answer for source as £100 dac will no doubt beat £100 CD Player it may even be better than my CDX from what I am reading on other posts but that still leaves amp and speakers though, All suggestions are welcome especially stuff to avoid

Gary

snapper
23-07-2008, 09:16
any other ideas welcome.




You could always try http://www.loud-clear.co.uk/special-offers.shtml

DENON

Sale £99
DVD-2900 DVD Player

Was £800

DENON

Sale £149
AVR-3802 AV Receiver

Was £800

MONITOR AUDIO

Sale £75
B1 Loudspeakers


No idea what it sounds like but you could ask them to set it up for a listen.

shane
23-07-2008, 12:35
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TDL-RTL-3-Floor-Standing-Speakers_W0QQitemZ150267782018QQcmdZViewItem?hash= item150267782018&_trksid=p3286.m14.l1318

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AUDIOLAB-8000A-AMPLIFIER-SERIAL-NO-207D106068_W0QQitemZ290245214212QQcmdZViewItem?has h=item290245214212&_trksid=p3286.m14.l1318

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Marantz-CD-Player_W0QQitemZ300243680256QQcmdZViewItem?hash=it em300243680256&_trksid=p3286.m14.l1318

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/The-Original-Revolver-Turntable_W0QQitemZ160257812392QQcmdZViewItem?hash =item160257812392&_trksid=p3286.m14.l1318

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Denon-TU-260L-All-Time-Classic-Quality-Hifi-Tuner_W0QQitemZ120283414646QQcmdZViewItem?hash=ite m120283414646&_trksid=p3286.m14.l1318

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ARCAM-Alpha-Stereo-Tuner_W0QQitemZ200238886007QQcmdZViewItem?hash=ite m200238886007&_trksid=p3286.m14.l1318

£281.18 including postage. Job done...

gary
23-07-2008, 16:28
Hi David I probably will take him in and introduce him to L&C may be the easiest way at least that way he should get to hear what he is getting

gary
23-07-2008, 16:32
Shane unfortunately bidding has ended the above items Audiolab amp may be good idea I had 8000s for a while and it was a pretty good amp although the audiolab marantz combination is a bit bright I was using tanoy speakers at the time so that would not have helped don't know anything about TDLs though

Mike
23-07-2008, 16:46
Hi,

You could try haveing a look round here: http://www.greenhomeshop.co.uk/shop/

Dave is a member here.


Cheers......

Ali Tait
23-07-2008, 18:42
A good starter amp could be the NAD 3020.It's very good within it's price limitations.I started with one.You can pick them up on the bay for around 70-80 quid.

gary
23-07-2008, 18:44
Hi Mike Thanks I have had a quick look there is only few bits and pieces I recognise and it's a bit far away to go and listen to. Do you have any experience with any of it. I have been told NAD is a good option given the budget poss with AE speakers do you know how any of this compares.

gary
23-07-2008, 18:47
Hi Ali I was in the process of writing above when your post came up thanks thats the 2nd vote today for NAD

gary
23-07-2008, 19:37
David I gave Alan at L&C a call He says Hi to you and Marco. He does not think the stuff he's got at moment is that great for music his thoughts were to try get hold of marantz CD63 matching PM66 Amp and Kef or AE bookshelfs or somthing along those lines

shane
23-07-2008, 19:56
Shane unfortunately bidding has ended the above items Audiolab amp may be good idea I had 8000s for a while and it was a pretty good amp although the audiolab marantz combination is a bit bright I was using tanoy speakers at the time so that would not have helped don't know anything about TDLs though

Sorry, I should have clarified. Bidding had ended on all those items. I just wanted to demonstrate the prices that things actually sold for.

jandl100
24-07-2008, 06:13
Acoustic Energy Aego M sub/sat/amp system - about £100 new + a £20-30 DVD player from the Co-Op - Very nice indeed for the money. :)

StanleyB
24-07-2008, 08:56
Acoustic Energy Aego M sub/sat/amp system - about £100 new + a £20-30 DVD player from the Co-Op - Very nice indeed for the money. :)
And throw in a Beresford TC-7510 DAC in that equation and you got yourself a system that can take on far more expensive kits.

snapper
24-07-2008, 09:08
It might be worth you while having a word with Rory over at Hi Fi Wigwam.

http://www.hifiwigwam.com/view_topic.php?id=29047&forum_id=5

He's got some stuff for sale going very cheap.

greenhomeelectronics
24-07-2008, 10:06
Hi there, I reckon we should be able to put together something decent within that budget. Give us a ring on 01344 300661 and we can have a chat, once I know his requirements a bit better I am sure we can come up with something he will like.
All the best,
Dave.
PS if you call out of hours the phone will divert to my mobile so you can call any time you like, if I'm not available it will go to answer phone and I will get back to you.