Starting System

[Girdag]

I'm looking for a good starting system to set up. I currently have a cheap Aiwa CD player with crappy stock speakers. My total budget peaks at around £250, but cheaper is good. I'm looking for a base unit (to work with Rio Karma), speakers (2 sattelites and subwoofer) and possibly an amp if I can afford one.

I am VERY tempted by the Harmen Multimedia Soundsticks for £102.57, leaving about £150 for a base unit. If you can find better speakers for a similar/lower price, and can recommend a good base unit, then please help me out.

 

[Girdag]

Can anyone help?

 

[jpr703]

I'd stay away from computer speakers if you're hoping to upgrade. Save up a little money and buy some good bookshelf speakers and a combo unit (CD and Amp in one box) from NAD or Arcam. Mission bookshelves have a good rep and should be easy to find on your side of the pond.

 

[jpr703]

You could also consider a T-amp. I'm not sure about availablity over there, but they're dirt cheap and will drive a set of efficient bookshelf speakers.

 

[videocrew]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpr703 You could also consider a T-amp. I'm not sure about availablity over there, but they're dirt cheap and will drive a set of efficient bookshelf speakers.

such as Axiom M3Ti's. That's going to be my new computer speaker setup as soon as I get some new main speakers.

 

[BigD]

I'd go with vintage receiver like marantz, HK, etc. There must be some good british vintages around. Very nice reviews on mission budget speakers. Later you can upgrade your source.

 

[Girdag]

One note - I am 16. Its hard enough to convinve my parents to let me spend £80 on Shure E3s, let alone over £250 on a home rig. If bookshelf speakers are significantly better than others, I would be prepared to drop the base unit and use my current one (I figure speakers affect the sound more, and a base unit will be easier to upgrade later), and go for 2 bookshelf speakers and a subwoofer (gotta have that bass)

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EDIT: Heard a lot of good stuff about Altec Lansing. Anyone know anything about them? Apparently these at £110 are a bargain.

 

[ucbEE]

My experience has been that most computer speakers are just not worth the money. Get a T-amp and a set of cheaper bookshelves. Look on eBay too.