Hello group,

I have begun taking an interest in audio equipment after years of pottering
along with my cheap 'n cheerful Aiwa hi-fi. I'm now looking to replace but
am confused by so many choices/opinions/functions on audio equipment. I
have a few questions for the group if you dont mind, beginning with:

After browsing through Argos to get a feel for what's available, prices etc.
I see that some systems appear to consist of seperate units. Are these true
seperates in the sense that you could connect these to other audio seperates
or add new equipment to these systems for future upgrades?

Examples of what I'm talking about are the Goodmans1980 & TechnicsSCHD350
models.

TIA.

"Richard Blackwood" wrote in message ...
Hello group,

I have begun taking an interest in audio equipment after years of pottering
along with my cheap 'n cheerful Aiwa hi-fi. I'm now looking to replace but
am confused by so many choices/opinions/functions on audio equipment.

Arguably, there are really too many choices, especially given that so
much of the gear performs the same functions.

I
have a few questions for the group if you dont mind, beginning with:

After browsing through Argos to get a feel for what's available, prices etc.
I see that some systems appear to consist of seperate units. Are these true
seperates in the sense that you could connect these to other audio seperates
or add new equipment to these systems for future upgrades?

I'm in the US, so can't comment on Argos, which I believe is a UK
store.

Why not ask the Argos sales staff? Or if you're not comfortable in
that store, look for a store with sales staff that is willing to help
you. If Argos is a huge store, you might try a specialty audio store
where the sales staff is more knowledgable. (Nothing against Argos,
which I know nothing about; but the situation in the US is that the
staff in the small specialty audio retailers is usually much more
knowledgable than the staff in the bigger stores.)

You could also look at manufacturer's web sites for info on each item
that interests you. Online user manuals for the gear you like might
also be helpful and should show you what sort of connections the gear
uses, which can tell you whether you can use the components with
different brands of gear.

Another idea: Start reading "What HiFi?" and other audio magazines
every month. That should give you some good ideas about what gear will
suit your needs and budget.

Examples of what I'm talking about are the Goodmans1980 & TechnicsSCHD350
models.

Sorry, can't help there. We don't have Goodmans in the US and years
ago, Panasonic (another Matsu****a brand, like Technics) stopped using
the Technics brand name in the US for home audio gear. But searching
www.Google.com, I see:

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st...hTerms=5128138

I'd say these are probably not real separates, where you could take
any component and mix it with other components. But the only way to
know is to look at the back panels and/or read the manual. Maybe you
can find the manual online?

Same probably goes for the Technics, which I see at the following.
Because the Technics has the bi-amp feature, it's probably designed to
work best (and perhaps only) with the included Technics speakers:

http://www.internethifisdirect.co.uk...hifi-deals.htm

The advantage of systems like these is that all the gear is designed
to work well together, look good together, and be easy to buy and use.
Assuming these systems sound good to you, they may suit you perfectly.

If you really want separate components, then don't look at these
packaged systems. With separate components you may get better sounds,
but you may also get less convenience and a higher price tag.

If I were shopping for separate components, what would I do? First,
I'd look at speakers, which will affect the sound the most. I'd plan
to spend 50% or more of my budget on speakers. Then I'd get a receiver
and a CD/DVD player. You could buy the receiver and the CD/DVD player
from the same maker, so that they'd look good together and might also
be able to share the same remote control.

With some components from certain brands, such as JVC, Pioneer, and
Sony, some components have linking features that let you connect the
components and have the receiver and CD/DVD player function as one
unit, which is a nice convenience.

Looking at "What HiFi?," which I occasionally look at in the US, it
looks to me like their emphasis is on buying each component from a
different brand. That will work, but it's an awkward way to go, IMHO.

TIA.

Hope the above helps!

"Richard Blackwood" wrote in message ...
Hello group,

I have begun taking an interest in audio equipment after years of pottering
along with my cheap 'n cheerful Aiwa hi-fi. I'm now looking to replace but
am confused by so many choices/opinions/functions on audio equipment.

Arguably, there are really too many choices, especially given that so
much of the gear performs the same functions.

I
have a few questions for the group if you dont mind, beginning with:

After browsing through Argos to get a feel for what's available, prices etc.
I see that some systems appear to consist of seperate units. Are these true
seperates in the sense that you could connect these to other audio seperates
or add new equipment to these systems for future upgrades?

I'm in the US, so can't comment on Argos, which I believe is a UK
store.

Why not ask the sales staff? Or if you're not comfortable in that
store, look for a store with sales staff that is willing to help you.

You could also look at manufacturer's web sites for info on each item
that interests you.

Another idea: Start reading "What HiFi?" and other audio magazines
every month. That should give you some good ideas about what gear will
suit your needs and budget.

Examples of what I'm talking about are the Goodmans1980 & TechnicsSCHD350
models.

Sorry, can't help there. We don't have Goodmans in the US and years
ago, Panasonic (another Matsu****a brand, like Technics) stopped using
the Technics brand name in the US.


TIA.

At the end of the day, it really comes down to what your prepared to spend,
and what your music interests are, DVD, CD, Vinyl, 5.1, Stereo, etc.
Do you want production stuff, as in a compact system , or something that's
semi-High End, with separate units, all accessing a Pre-amp, Power Amp
set-up. floor standing speakers or those stupid little satellite things
that hang on a nail on the wall.
bassett


"Neil" wrote in message
om...
"Richard Blackwood" wrote in message
...
Hello group,

I have begun taking an interest in audio equipment after years of
pottering
along with my cheap 'n cheerful Aiwa hi-fi. I'm now looking to replace
but
am confused by so many choices/opinions/functions on audio equipment.

Arguably, there are really too many choices, especially given that so
much of the gear performs the same functions.

I
have a few questions for the group if you dont mind, beginning with:

After browsing through Argos to get a feel for what's available, prices
etc.
I see that some systems appear to consist of seperate units. Are these
true
seperates in the sense that you could connect these to other audio
seperates
or add new equipment to these systems for future upgrades?

I'm in the US, so can't comment on Argos, which I believe is a UK
store.

Why not ask the sales staff? Or if you're not comfortable in that
store, look for a store with sales staff that is willing to help you.

You could also look at manufacturer's web sites for info on each item
that interests you.

Another idea: Start reading "What HiFi?" and other audio magazines
every month. That should give you some good ideas about what gear will
suit your needs and budget.

Examples of what I'm talking about are the Goodmans1980 &
TechnicsSCHD350
models.

Sorry, can't help there. We don't have Goodmans in the US and years
ago, Panasonic (another Matsu****a brand, like Technics) stopped using
the Technics brand name in the US.


TIA.