From: mjv8557@eafs000.boeing.com (Mark J. Vandiver)
Newsgroups: rec.audio.high-end
Subject: Re: Buying Home Audio Components?
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 19:21:01 GMT
Organization: be41t
NNTP-Posting-Host: 129.89.7.4
Originator: tjk@csd4.csd.uwm.edu

kensib@rpi.edu (Brian C. Kensing) writes:

>[This is the kind of question where you write a long answer 
> and post it to the newsgroup. -tjk]

>I am looking to buy high-end home audio equipment for the first
>time.  For the past four years I have been involved in the
>installation of car audio equipment and have a wealth of
>knowledge on the various components, but seem to find myself a
>bit confused when it comes to home audio.  Right now I am
>looking for a pre-amp tuner, amp, and a set of speakers.  I
>would appriciate any advice on what to look for in each of
>these catagories.

>					Thanks,
>					   Brian C. Kensing
>					   (kensib@its.rpi.edu)



First of all, Get the most expensive equipment you can afford, (within
reason) I find that if I purchase a compromise, I end up tossing it for
the better item eventually anyway. Bite the bullit and get the best. I
do and I am still using equipment I purchased 15 years ago. The
compromises I have made typically last only a few years before I
upgrade. Wasted money! This only applies for the best eqipment that you
can hear the difference in. If you can't hear the difference between a
Sears all in one 150.oo Special and a 4000.oo super system. Don't spend
the money! But I know of only a few people who can'y hear at least some
difference.

Put at least 25% of your total stereo budget into speakers. They are
always the weakest link in any system. (nearly always). After all they
are what turns electrical impulses into sound waves. Critical phase!

Put at least 50% into the Amp/preamp. This is the next most critical
phase. Look ahead at what you will eventually want to do with the
system. not just what you want it to do now. You may not deem Surround
Sound or A/V switching important now, but these items are becomming
more and more common place. Almost all TV this year is encoded for
surround. Home theater systems are also becomming the standard for home
systems.  Don't short change yourself just because you don't think you
need it now. I purchased surround this year and I would never go back
again! adds a whole new dimension to your television/movies. Digital
surround mode are also available non-prologic encoded signals as well.
I have the Yamaha DSP A1000 system which has 12 surround modes for
prologic and non-prologic sources. Instead of a wall of sound pounding
you from the front, the sound envelops you and whisps you off into it's
own world. Again, I would not go back to flat soun d again. Granted,
the A1000 is 1500.oo! but it is a A/V switching preamp/amp/ surround
sound generator with 7 channels instead of the typical 5! actually darn
cheap considering! There are many other choices to pick from. Put don't
scrimp here, you'll kick yourself for years afterwards. My previous
preamp I used for 13 years until the knobs started scratching when
turned. Sure I could have fixed it, but I wanted to get surround and to
replace my advent sound space controller that provided simulated rear
channels by adding time delay and reverb. Keep upgradability and future
expansion in mind. it will save you money in the long run.

The last 25% should be spent on a source for music. Most likely that
should be a CD player.  Don't skimp here either and get a cheap CD,
Tape player, and VCR for the price of a excellant CD.  Get one
excellant source instead of 2 or 3 cheap ones. (of course if you can't
hear the difference, get the best that you can hear). SILO specials are
a big mistake. You may save money, but in the long run they won't last
15 years, so you waste more money. Save youself the heartache.

If you do go with an A/V system, Super VHS VCR's are well worth the
extra 200.oo. When I copy something and a super tape in slow speed (EP)
I get as good a picture as a non super tape in SP (fast speed) I'm
talking originals, not copies. Also if an A/V system is what you want
get an all in one CD/LD/ player. They play CD's, LD's, mini CD's, Video
singles ...  and some now come with the new Kodak PhotoCD format as
well. Money well spent! I love mine!  I even found video rental store
that rents LD's.

One last thing! do not forget the interrconnects! These gold plated
interrconnects may seem supperflous, but I can at least see the
difference. And I can definately hear the difference between zip chord
for speakers .vs. 6 guage MonsterCable speaker cable. 4 guage battery
cable is not the same thing. They use low oxidized copper for the wire,
different wire guages within the stranded cable to effiently translate
the various frequency components at their optimum level. a 1.50 a foot
is not that bad to improve the sound of a stereo. In fact, once you've
spent 1000.oo on speakers, it's the cheapest way to improve the sound
of a system. Granted, you are not going to hear the difference in
100.oo a pair speakers with a 200.oo system.  these start to take
effect in the 2000.00 and above range of system prices. Again, I
purchased Dahlquist DQ-10's with sub woofers 15 years ago for about
1700.oo. I still use them daily! the speakers I had before that only
lasted 2 years JCPennys MCS system. TRASH!  I am now looking at Martin
Logan mylar speakers. 2000.oo a pair, but given I got 15 years out of
the last ones, and I am still going to use them for surround speakers
once replaced, the price is actually quite cheap! Also I am effectively
paying less today for speakers that are better that what I could get 15
years ago! what a bargin!

I hope that this helps you in your quest for information. remember,
Bite the bullit, get the best! You only cry once when you buy the best,
when you write the check!  WHen you don't, you cry evertime you use it!
IMO

			Mark