Cheap starter system

Posted by: Tony Smith on 18 March 2002

A friend wants to buy a hi-fi rather than a midi system but only has £450 to spend.

I'm going to take him to Grahams to listen to some stuff. I will ask them to give us a demo of new and second hand but does anyone have any recommendations?

He wants CD/tuner/amp/speakers and agreed to buy cabling from a separate budget.

As far as second-hand kit is concerned his only concerns are that all the boxes are not different sizes and finishes because he would not be able to stand the grief from his other half. Tho I think this could be negotiable if the sound blows him away. He is in a postion to buy immediately but in no real rush. Obviously the demo at Grahams will be restricted by their stock levels.

Any ideas gratefully received.

Cheers

Tony

Posted on: 18 March 2002 by Steve G
Your friend should be able to put something decent together for £450.

From Richer Sounds you could get:

Audio Innovations Alto CD and Amp for £300, Mission M71 (in Beech) for £89, Apollo Pro12 stands for £20, 10m of Cable Talk 3.1 for £25, Cambridge Audio Pearl Interconnect for £15. Total of £449.

If you take away the cables and stands there should be enough for a cheap tuner in the budget.

Not that Richer Sounds will actually have any of it in stock of course... wink

Regards
Steve

Posted on: 18 March 2002 by Andrew Randle
£450 is going to be difficult, even if 2nd hand Naim is chosen. I'm not sure on the price of a Nait 1, but might be lucky enough to find one cheap enough.

For a cheap tuner, look for a NAD at Richer Sounds. Same again for the CD player (NAD).

Oh, hang on, NAD do an all in one CD/tuner/amp that could be within the price range. This is the NAD L40 (photo below).

For loudspeakers, Mission m71 (£120) are great little loudspeakers and will partner NAD kit well.

Also your friend will need some loudspeaker stands (which make all the difference), maybe 2nd hand stands will give best bang-for-buck. Some good cheap loudspeaker cable will make a big difference (and no interconnect required for the NAD L40!!!).

Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"

Posted on: 18 March 2002 by dvdkeogh
The Audio Innovations Combo include a Tuner, I think in the CD player...

Dave

Posted on: 18 March 2002 by Paul Ranson
It's a shame that Linn Classiks are too expensive, I see the raw thing at £800 and a bundle with a pair of Kans(not those ones...) at £999.

I've never heard of these people before.

Paul

Posted on: 19 March 2002 by Tony Smith
Not surprisingly Grahams said they didn't cater for the amount my friend wants to spend.

Can anyone suggest a good alternative in central London where we can listen to the stuff as well.

Many thanks

Tony

Posted on: 19 March 2002 by Andrew Randle
Probably Hi-Fi Experience on Tottenham Court Road. They are probably likely to stock the NAD L40 (which by the way costs £400) and the Mission m71 loudspeakers.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"