Advice for Hi-Fi newbie

[Fry]

Hi,
Hope somebody more knowledgeable than myself can give me some advice, I
bought myself a new Hi-Fi the other day at Richer Sounds (UK). I just
needed an amp and speakers to connect to my PC for playing CDs/MP3s/DVDs
in my bedroom. I mostly listen to rock music, but also Jazz, Electronica
and other stuff when the mood strikes me.

I went in with the intention of buying a NAD C320BEE amp (£180) and a
pair of Mission M71i speakers (£60), but on the recommendation of the
salesman I ended up walking out with a Cambridge Audio Azur 540A (£180)
and a pair of Gale Gold Monitor MK2 speakers (£80).

I just wanted to check that the salesman was actually giving me good
advice, or if he was just selling me what he wanted to sell instead of
what I wanted to buy. He said the cambridge amp would be better suited
to my needs and with the lower end Mission speakers you're only really
paying for the name, not the quality you get with the more expensive ones...

If I want I can take them back if I'm not happy; I'm quite happy, though
I'm not too sure if I like the speakers too much, but for the price I
don't know if I can really do any better...

Any advice greatly appreciated.

[Michael McKelvy]

"Fry" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
> Hope somebody more knowledgeable than myself can give me some advice, I
> bought myself a new Hi-Fi the other day at Richer Sounds (UK). I just
> needed an amp and speakers to connect to my PC for playing CDs/MP3s/DVDs
> in my bedroom. I mostly listen to rock music, but also Jazz, Electronica
> and other stuff when the mood strikes me.
>
> I went in with the intention of buying a NAD C320BEE amp (£180) and a pair
> of Mission M71i speakers (£60), but on the recommendation of the salesman
> I ended up walking out with a Cambridge Audio Azur 540A (£180) and a pair
> of Gale Gold Monitor MK2 speakers (£80).
>
> I just wanted to check that the salesman was actually giving me good
> advice, or if he was just selling me what he wanted to sell instead of
> what I wanted to buy. He said the cambridge amp would be better suited

Could be some of both. Sales people tend to sell what they get spiff money
for, especially to people who are not very knowledgeable. This doesn't mean
the amp is bad or better than the NAD, very likely they are both fine.

As for the speakers, if you like what he sold you, then I see no problem.
Were you able to compare both brands before you purchased?

> to my needs and with the lower end Mission speakers you're only really
> paying for the name, not the quality you get with the more expensive
> ones...
>
> If I want I can take them back if I'm not happy; I'm quite happy, though
> I'm not too sure if I like the speakers too much, but for the price I
> don't know if I can really do any better...
>

Do some comparison listening, preferably without a salesperson in the room.

Take enough time to satisfy yourself with your choice and then decide.

> Any advice greatly appreciated.

[Joseph Oberlander]

>>>>I went in with the intention of buying a NAD C320BEE amp (£180) and a
>>>>pair of Mission M71i speakers (£60), but on the recommendation of the
>>>>salesman I ended up walking out with a Cambridge Audio Azur 540A (£180)
>>>>and a pair of Gale Gold Monitor MK2 speakers (£80).

Me? I'd get the NAD amp myself, though at this price range,
it's not the last receiver you'll ever buy. As for speakers,
I don't like either. I'd get as large a pair of bookshelf
speakers as I could find, or some used or demo towers.

For this sort of thing, and considering where you live,
I'd look at KEF and Tannoy, especially their older lines
from 1-4 years ago(Mercury - the old "M" line, not the MX)
are great sounding for the money. 100 pounds should get
you a decent small tower, in fact.

[Alex Rodriguez]

In article >, says...
>Hi,
>Hope somebody more knowledgeable than myself can give me some advice, I
>bought myself a new Hi-Fi the other day at Richer Sounds (UK). I just
>needed an amp and speakers to connect to my PC for playing CDs/MP3s/DVDs
>in my bedroom. I mostly listen to rock music, but also Jazz, Electronica
>and other stuff when the mood strikes me.
>I went in with the intention of buying a NAD C320BEE amp (£180) and a
>pair of Mission M71i speakers (£60), but on the recommendation of the
>salesman I ended up walking out with a Cambridge Audio Azur 540A (£180)
>and a pair of Gale Gold Monitor MK2 speakers (£80).
>I just wanted to check that the salesman was actually giving me good
>advice, or if he was just selling me what he wanted to sell instead of
>what I wanted to buy. He said the cambridge amp would be better suited
>to my needs and with the lower end Mission speakers you're only really
>paying for the name, not the quality you get with the more expensive ones...
>If I want I can take them back if I'm not happy; I'm quite happy, though
>I'm not too sure if I like the speakers too much, but for the price I
>don't know if I can really do any better...
>Any advice greatly appreciated.

Did you listen to both set ups to compare them? Did the one you buy sound
better to you than the one you were initially thinking of buying? If yes,
then you made the right decision. All the really matters is what sounds
good to you.
----------------
Alex