inquiry re: entry level audio system

[sumnerbrowne]

Hi WS Community!

How much must one save up to buy an easy-to-set up albeit "respectable"/"decent" audio system? Is Php 50,000 enough? The impression I got from a recent article about an entry level Rega P1 which appeared in Val's column is that one must save up at least Php 92,000. The said amount covers the turntable, the speakers, the amps, etc.

If the magic number is Php 100,000.00, where do you suggest I buy? What specs should I provide the seller?

I presently have a TEAC GF-350. What I like about it is that I no longer have to worry about studying various technical combinations of equipment by different brands. Everything is factory-set. What is not that satisfying about the GF-350 is the sound quality which is a far cry from the demo units presented in Analog 101 last year.

Is there a middle ground? Meaning, excellent sound quality that is factory-set? I'm thinking along the lines of Apple's plug and play system.

Thank you.

sumnerbrowne

[Gau_Ban]

Do you need a CD player and turntable? It is going to be a bit challenging to do it at your budget.

Somebody here reported that the LG DVD players have pretty good sound quality. (I haven't tried them out myself) Best of all they are cheap so we can scrimp there and free up money for other purchases.

Rega P1 18,500
Cambridge Audio 340A Int Amp. 11,800
Cambridge audio 540P phono preamp 3,475
Speakers 8,0000-10,000 (Too many budget options available)
LG DVD player 3,000

About 46,000 Pesos. I don't know if there are cheaper turntables available. That would be the next place to try to economize on. So you can spend more on the loudspeakers.

GB

PS. When I started out the benchmark was for $500-600 for an entry-level system. $800 to $1,000 got you a much nicer sound system.

[dannyb]

well no really plug & play systems but my suggestion would be

2nd hand turntable from hypertriode P25,000.00
2nd hand solidstate integrated from the wiredstate market place P10,000.00
bnew speakers by paradigm, B&W, mordaunt short, etc P15,000.00
total P50,000.00

for P100,000.00 you can probably buy brandnew systems from shops in the sponsors sections here in wiredstate

hope this helps

[Gino]

I have Fostex FE167E bookshelf speakers that will sound nice with a low power SET tube amp. Only P10,000 with stands. You got lots of money left for a good tube amp and a front end.

[AbadSantos 7]

You should also highly consider your room as part of the system

[audiostar]

Hi WS Community!

How much must one save up to buy an easy-to-set up albeit "respectable"/"decent" audio system? Is Php 50,000 enough? The impression I got from a recent article about an entry level Rega P1 which appeared in Val's column is that one must save up at least Php 92,000. The said amount covers the turntable, the speakers, the amps, etc.

If the magic number is Php 100,000.00, where do you suggest I buy? What specs should I provide the seller?

I presently have a TEAC GF-350. What I like about it is that I no longer have to worry about studying various technical combinations of equipment by different brands. Everything is factory-set. What is not that satisfying about the GF-350 is the sound quality which is a far cry from the demo units presented in Analog 101 last year.

Is there a middle ground? Meaning, excellent sound quality that is factory-set? I'm thinking along the lines of Apple's plug and play system.

Thank you.

sumnerbrowne

Welcome to WS I think this is the essence of what Rega is offering as i've mentioned in my article. All its components within the P100,000 range are specifically optimized to match with one another, plug-and-play if you will

[abiedoodles]

sumnerbrowne this thread is inviting you.... viewtopic.php?f=78&t=22968

[spare_2_win]

If your leaning towards the Apple music players as your source, try to audition the B&W Zeppelin. At only 30K++ you would be amazed how good this speaker dock is. In the land of speaker docks, there's just no substitute . . . . . .

Visit this related article.


http://www.macworld.com/article/133092/2008/04/zeppelin.html

[sumnerbrowne]

Thanks a lot, Gau Ban.

I really appreciate the info I've been getting from the Wired State Community. Just need to chew on the wealth of info coming my way to arrive at a well thought-out decision.

Thanks again.

[sumnerbrowne]

Maraming salamat, Gau_Ban, Dannyb, Gino, AbadSantos7, Audiostar, Abiedoodles and Spare_to_win!

I find the variety of inputs, insights and suggestions provided by Wired State members very helpful as I weigh my options for my planned upgrade. Looking forward to learning more from you guys.

Thanks again.

[abiedoodles]

goodluck on your quest

[trauma]

hello summerbrowne.

you ask about a middleground in this hifi jungle and yet you are ready to spend 100k.

at 50k you have a wide assortment of choice.
beginning with the speakers: determine what you need, will it be floorstanders or bookshelves?
many bookshelves like the excellent Acoustic Energy aegis one for sale in another forum is just 5k. at the budget of 50k you have at leat 30K for speakers there and if you decide on the aegis ones then you just spent 10% of your budget on these good bookshelves.
then there is the bigger bookshelves like some polk audios, paradigms, and the B&W 602. the 602 used to sell for 17k used and they perform like floorstanders. At this price level you may want to check out Epos too.
If you are patient you can get good floorstanders cheap in this and another site.

Amps are relatively easier. The cambridge audio A4 being sold in another forum is just 7K slice off your budget but it is a great performer at the price and iam sure wil hold its own with other more expensiv esoteric brands.

Good luck in your quest.

[sumnerbrowne]

Thanks, Trauma.

The variety and richness of inputs, insights and suggestions that have been coming my way are a validation of my decision to sign up with WS. I can't help but appreciate the common thread that runs through every single reply, suggestion and recommendation. To wit: the gentle and subtle reminder that you are never alone in your quest/search/journey/adventure.

Salamat, WS Community.

sumnerbrowne

[trauma]

youre welcome summerbrowne. Welcome to wiredstate.

[Bogart]

Summerbrowne,

My suggestion is for you to go to the dealers and WS members houses and listen to various gears and speakers. Bring your favorite cds and listen to them in your auditions. By doing so, you'll have a better idea what various price ranges and brands have to offer. Lastly, decide based on what you like, not based on what the reviews say or other people say. Learn from them but make the decision your own. Good luck with your journey!

[planarribbon]

sumnerbrowne:

audio, like most sensory experiences, is highly subjective. hence i echo bogart's suggestion that you look around and experience various systems and system combinations. there are as many varieties as there are members in WS, and there are as many price points as well.

spending 100k will not guarantee that you'll get a system that suits your taste better than an 80k, 60k or even 50k system. it only guarantees that you'll have more choices to work with.

from your post, i assume that you put a premium on convenience. you may want to go for solid-state/digital combinations first, and work your way up.

either way, it's a long, exciting journey you've embarked on, and we wish you well.

[sgxp97]

Actually, 10K pesos or even less is enough to asssemble something which would make the sound quality of your TEAC GF-350 'a far cry'. .

[trauma]

Actually, 10K pesos or even less is enough to asssemble something which would make the sound quality of your TEAC GF-350 'a far cry'. .

10K and some patience and good luck.

actually i'd pay attention to the polk audio monitor4 being sold for 3K at the other site and also the sansui pre/power for 4.9K
= 7.9K lang total cash out. ikabit mo lang ang ipod mo or dvd player solve ka na.

[sumnerbrowne]

Maraming salamat, Bogart, Planariboon, SGXP97 and Trauma!