Setting up a new stereo system

[Youngspanion]

I'm starting to shop around for a new stereo system for my house and I need some help choosing from the vast array of products and brands that are on the market. I'm basically looking for a receiver and a set of speakers with superior sound. I won't be running the system at a very loud volume, but I do want to be able to hear the instruments clearly enough. It's for the living room and the room is really only about 14 feet by 20 feet. Any suggestions?

thanks

[billjr]

Will it be for just music, or are you also considering using it for video and surround sound? Also, What level of sound quality are you ooking for and how much money do you have to spend?

I got a Denon 3805 a couple of years ago and use it as the main control for my video and music. The unit is a very high quality audio/video digital receiver. The only things I miss from my old Pioneer stereo receiver are the tone knobs. It was much easier to tweek the bass or treble knobs than it is now with a remote and menue to go to.

When researching to buy that receiver, what I found out is that the local big box stores have some pretty good, affordable stuff, but they only carry the lower to middle systems of any brand. Depending on the money you want to spend and the level of Hi Fi you are looking for, you may have to find a more specialized, high end retailer like Tweeters to get the best of any brand. Also, those boxed surround sound sets are usually the lower end products of any brand's systems. They are put together for the quick sale to consumers who decide based primarily on price, and need something to go witht here new surround sound TV.

There are a lot of choices out there, and it can be very confusing, so I started by looking up sytems and reviews online. That pretty much helped me narrow my choices down to just a couple before I went an listened.

[thehurlatron]

If you're looking for nice stuff but not crazy audiophile stuff, check out crutchfield.com you can do some comparative shopping there.

For a notch above what they sell there, do yourself a favor and check out some Pioneer Elite stuff. I have a few year old model of an Elite receiver, and it is awesome for A/V. 7ch + a sub, HDMI switching, room calibration, ect. Good stuff.

The rest of the Elite line is nice, but hard to justify the cost. (DVD players, cd ect)

[Philbiker]

Got a price range in mind? What's the source? Only interested in stereo for music or are you considering surround sound for your movies and TVs as well?

I share thehurlatron's general brand happiness with Pioneer Elite. I think that for a stereo only system they recently released a new Integrated Amp the SX-A6-J, I don't think there's any competition in the price range - it is supposed to be really fantastic.

www.accessories4less.com closes out a lot of really good stuff - particularly look for their Marantz offerings. Also www.saturdayaudio.com has really good deals on some fairly high end stuff, particularly intriguing are their speaker offerings.
www.outlawaudio.com has a fantastic bargain stereo receiver their RR1150 if you're interested in something with a (very) little bit of "audiophile" cache.

I recommend a powered subwoofer, even if you do a stereo only system.

[Chad Michael]

Phil - that RR1150 is a very cool receiver !! Audio GAS!!!!!

Youngspanion:

Are you wanting a surround sound system, or basic stereo system?

What type of music do you listen to?

Rap
Metal
classic rock
country
new age
jazz
classical

For the new age / jazz / classical, I personally have a thing for British loudspeakers (Celestion, KEF)... and I also endorse rational utilization of a powered subwoofer.

[Youngspanion]

I don't have a price range. Yet. I don't know what I'm going to need to spend. I am going to use it for music only. I'm not a movie-surroundsound type of person. I do desire a very good sounding sound system. I listen to Rock,oldies and blues. Right now I'm using a
"SONY STR DE 197" 125 watts x2. OK.

I have an old speaker setup of a sub woofer (not Powered) and 2 satellite speakers. I'm thinking that they may be disposeable now.

[Philbiker]

Audio is such a subjective realm, it's tough to give advice.

Some people absolutely want to hear the speakers and every component. Some want everything to aesthetically match.

Personally, the stereo in my office sounds terriffic to me - I'm using an old Pioneer surround receiver in stereo mode with a passive Radio Shack Optimus 10" sub powered by an even older Phillips early 90s prologic receiver. The key here is my main speakers are Mirage 290i - over a decade old, but very very good sounding, and some high quality sources (Technics DVD-A10 DVD Audio/CD player, Pioneer CLD-M401 LD/CD player, Denon DP7f turntable with circa 1986 Stanton cartridge - clean stylus).

Personally over the years I've learned that my ears can "adjust" to any high quality speakers. For purely music I prefer bookshelf speakers with a small subwoofer to towers. Much more bang for the buck. Make sure you get yourself a high quality source - a good CD/DVD player, and a good main integrated amp. The company I linked above "Accessories for less" has a very good Marantz integrated amp and CD/DVD units right now at a very attractive price. The KEF speakers they sell are very well regarded as well.

Saturday has some really good prices on NAD brand integrated amp and CD units, and a really great price on an NAD DVD player which would also serve as a very good CD player as well, and some higher end DVD/SACD/CD players as well. I've read nothing but good about the Monitor Audio and PSB speakers they sell.

Two great online sources for high quality subwoofers at a low price are "SVS" and "HSU".

Do NOT get hung up on cables. All you need is decent quality stuff, there's no audiophile magic, it's a very simple electrical connection.