I want to show you a no-snake-oil approach to building an affordable, good sounding hi-fi system.
When I was 16, I built many audio systems from parts I bought off eBay and Audiogon that cost less than $1000, sometimes even using parts seen in big box stores.
I was young and I know it’s not perfect and we all have to start somewhere! Those B&W speakers are actually older than I am! I will never forget my first time listening to that setup because wow, did it sound sweet!
Music is such a rich and rewarding activity to get into. Just like painting a highly detailed work of art is a treat for the eyes, listening to a highly detailed clear track of music can be for the ears. Now we are not all rich enough to afford to the $100K+ systems that are flaunted by the wealthiest of audiophiles, so instead let’s look at ways to get great sounding audio for under $1000.
The Source
- First, you will need a source. This is key, because no matter how expensive the system, it can’t make poor source material sound good. I prefer FLAC audio files played from a laptop or other PC. I also like a good quality track played from my phone or iPod. There are definitely others, but these are the two I commonly use.
Digital/Analog Converter (DAC), Preamplifier and Amplifier
- Now that source needs to feed into something to amplify it and for a budget system, flexibility can be a good thing. That’s why I would choose to use an Audio/Video Receiver or AVR as they are better known. They can do many other things then just amplify your music, but for this article, we are going to focus on the fact that most have a built in DAC, pre-amp and amp which is a nice money saver. These are quite common in most big box stores, but they are not all made the same.
Shopping For an AVR
- My advice would be to stick to a well-known brand. Here is a great tip to know if the AVR you are looking at is of good quality. Look at the speaker terminals. Spring-type terminals generally indicate a lower end unit. On flip side, a 5-way binding post speaker terminal usually indicates a higher end unit.
- In addition to the binding posts, look at the overall construction of the unit, is it heavy? It’s a common audiophile tradition (or curse!) to judge a piece of gear by its weight. The heavier and beefier the piece of gear, the better quality it may be.
A spring-type speaker binding terminal
(Image credit Sparkfun)
A 5-way binding post speaker terminal
(Image credit Denon)
The Speakers
- Okay, so you have your source picked out and an AVR, now you need a key part, the speakers! Speakers come in many shapes, sizes, colors and types. But since this is your first setup, let’s start with the basics, a 2-way bookshelf. The same suggestions I mentioned about the AVR in regards to the speaker terminals and weight, can also apply the quality of speakers you’re looking to buy. However, try not buy speakers with your eyes, buy with your ears. You may prefer a $500 pair of speakers over a $5000 pair and I may prefer the opposite. It all depends on what you are hearing and what you like.
Things to remember…
- Don’t forget interconnects, you will need a cable to connect the source to the AVR and another set to link the AVR to the speakers.
- Expensive cables can sometimes make a difference but it is often related to the quality of your components. Pricey interconnects won’t make cheap gear sound better.
Always remember to have fun with hifi. Try out new speakers you just found on sale. Dust off that old amp your dad gave you. Sound is meant to be enjoyed, so take your time, tweak your system and always enjoy the music.
Indiana Lang
Indiana LangIndiana Lang is 26 years old and lives in Apopka, Florida with his wife Miranda. He is currently the owner of Emptor Audio, based out of Orlando. Originally from Wausau, Wisconsin he moved to Orlando at the age of 10 and started working in the AV industry at the age of 17, while still in high school. Within a few short years he quickly gained experience in the industry doing inside sales, pre-wires and custom installation working for some of the largest AV companies in Orlando. Indiana currently holds over 20 industry relevant certifications with major companies like Crestron, Lutron, Savant, Control4, CEDIA, Atlona, QSC and URC; as well as being a member of industry specific groups such as CEDIA, Infocomm and Azione.
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Great article. One thing to add, the used market is a great way to get a decent HiFi rig for cheap.
It definitely is! Although for this article I am trying to just cover the basic knowledge of Hifi, I am hoping to do a buying guide in the near future.
Nice insights for getting into the wonderful world of audio. Good music can change your outlook and put a little light into a dark world. Its great to see another generation embracing audio beyond a $2 pair of ear buds. Keep up the good work!
I feel sorry for all the kids that might not ever have a pair of good (large) powerful speakers. I know the trend is book shelf speakers with a sub (which is ok) but to fully immerse yourself in sound I believe the best sounding systems are with large speakers. Lol..take a younger person into a good audio showroom and set them down in front of a pair of "Klipschorns" and see what they think. I'm just sayin :)
Nice - I have always believed that a high end sound system is a "quality of life" issue.
I would only add that heavy-weight speaker cable (12 or 14 gauge - the lower the number the heavier) will let more of the sound reach the speakers than the light-weight 16 gauge wire often thrown in with equipment - and it you're getting equipment with binding posts, putting banana plugs on the ends of the wires will help avoid shorts from stray strands of wire going where they shouldn't.
I always use banana plugs and 12 gauge wire, it's a must. However this article was meant to short and simple, I am hoping to write another one soon!
sort your sources and amplification before the speakers.
they are the end of the system.
garbage in, garbage out.
and don't forget good setup, a well setup system of modest equipment can easily out-oerform a poorly setup megabuck system.
Very true!
I stopped taking this article seriously when an AVR was recommended. With so many decent entry level integrated amplifiers out there, especially with DACs built in, using an AVR is terrible advice for 2 channel music. The other sections are equally lazy and laughable. Was this written by a Best Buy salesperson?
Nick, this article was written for people interested in a very budget minded system that can also be used for TV/movie use as well. Not a dedicated 2 channel setup. There are better brands and products out there, but to keep it simple and affordable an AVR is often the best way to go, especially when first diving into audio.
Indiania, the title of the article is "Buying your first HiFi." To me this means a stereo or 2-channel setup for music reproduction. The first image of your (I assume) system in the article is a vintage integrated amplifier, a turntable, and 2-way bookshelves. There is no HDTV or video sources. A decent multi-channel rig is much more difficult (if not impossible) to procure on a $1,000 budget. So why start down that road if you want to get serious about music listening?
For many reasons I disagree that starting with an AVR is the best way to go. Especially when you state that the weight of the unit and the connectors used is a good way to judge quality. If you are implying that the larger power supply means better sound, then I agree. If so, why waste a limited budget on video DACs, HDMI, digital crossovers, etc., that provide no benefit to stereo playback? I can see a stereo receiver, but who listens to the radio anymore? Better to spend the limited budget on a better preamp/amp section and a galvanically isolated USB DAC to filter out the noise from your suggested laptop based source.
In my opinion you are doing new enthusiast readers a disservice by recommending they start with a multichannel AVR. That was the point of my original response. But hey, you're 22 so you probably know more than I do.
When I started getting into hifi in the 70's (YIKES!)...a stereo receiver was about all a college kid could afford. I recommend receivers to newbies for several reasons;1) a "single piece" solution is less complicated to set up, 2) many Millennials stream their music and receivers are usually Bluetooth ready, 3) built in amplification (honestly, anything with more than 50wpc is more than sufficient to listen to music), 4) usually come with a very competent DAC (some will even do quad DSD), 5) headphone jack, 6) allow for some expansion if you want to investigate surround sound (SACD and DVD-A), & 7) price vs. performance. Today's receivers are infinitely better made and sounding than anything I heard in my college days and cost much less, too.
In all fairness, I got into separates while looking for a receiver replacement. Emotiva offers a 7 channel amp and a pre/pro for what I was willing to spend on a mid-receiver (around $800) and I took it and never looked back. Part of my decision was due to the fact that my musical interests had grown and I wanted to move up to the "next level"...and in this hobby, there will always be a next level. But, we all have to start somewhere. Keep it simple. (Besides, a good pre/pro can cost more than a receiver and just the prospect of choosing an outboard DAC can drive you mad with choices!) ;)