beginner building up from scratch

B

bobbyb

Audiophyte
I posted the following on AVforums.com:

"Ive looking to build up a home sound system for music only (not movies). I first started looking at home cinema because of affordability of all-in-ones. but for my purposes components seems to be the best option.

My current budget is very limiting, but this should increase as i save more each month. I'm not in a major hurry, so I'm prepared to look around but i'd like to have the basics sometime soon. Given my budget I though that buying the components second hand would be most economical. It also looks like I need to buy one quality second-hand component at a time.

I foresee myself hooking up some cd or dvd-mixing decks in the future, so the option of being able to add on more speakers and other hardware is desirable (but by that time i'd probably have enough cash to buy better components anyway).

I currently live in a flat with wooden floors (which limits the volume I will play the sytem at).
the space I want to install the sound is a room 4m x 6m and an adjoining room 2.m x 3.5m

basically i'm asking:
what components i need to start off getting;
how much scope there is to buy second hand components (receiver, speaker etc) - what i should never consider buying second-hand, what components would be best to buy second-hand, what i need to be aware of;
where i should look for second-hand stuff;
what i should look for

Seeing that I live in South Africa assitance will only proabably be limited to general guidelines. However if anyone knows of other resources to recommend me going to down here, I would be hugely appreciative.

thanks"

I got a reply telling me: "go for a AV/MC pre-amp and add either a 5 channel PAs or individual PAs for the channels you require."

Now I'm not afraid to come across as a total moron, so I think I get the gist of what a pre-amp/processor and PA is, but what is the difference between a 5 channel PA or "individuals for the channels you require"?

So as far as I can make out I need to buy:
a AV/MC pre-amp
PAs
some form of DVD player
speakers

Is this right? Am I missing anything out?

The reason why I feel the need to focus on second-hand gear is due to budget (my entire current budget in local currency matches the price of a new yamaha receiver here), but also because in South Africa we have so few importers of brands (even reasonable specialist audio ones) that I would think the price differential between new and used reasonable brands' components would be highly significant.

Is it advisable to go and but this stuff second-hand? If yes, what should I be looking out for and are there trustworthy brands in each category that I should look to buy second-hand that will still be affordable to the smallest of budgets.
 
Rip Van Woofer

Rip Van Woofer

Audioholic General
Second hand gear is a great way to go on a limited budget. In electronics go for very recent models that will still be up-to-date. It's amazing how some people churn gear and dump perfectly good almost new stuff! Audiogon.com is one worldwide source for used gear. As always, caveat emptor.

I would recommend against separate preamp (or prepro) and power amp on a budget. Separates tend to be a poor value when you consider cost/features and performance because they are made in limited quantities for a particular niche of audiophiles. Good modern receivers are a much better value. Most receivers will have preamp outputs so you can upgrade to more powerful separate amps should you wish, and still use the full preamp/processing features of your receiver.

Despite what you may hear, all competently designed modern electronics (not speakers!) are essentially transparent and indistinguishable in sound. Select on features, price, and whatever intangibles (like styling) are important to you.

Speakers will make or break your system and are the one highly variable component, so put most of your thought and money there. And your room is equally important. You might be able to get good sound with nothing more than some attention to and experimentation with speaker placement and some furniture rearranging, plus some things like drapery and shelves. Don't worry about specialized acoustic treatments until later, if necessary.

Wire is wire. Do not waste money on fancy cables.

Read the Audioholics articles and reviews. Most of your questions will likely be answered!

If South Africa has an equivalent of the USA's "Consumer Reports", which is a private, non-profit objective consumer product testing magazine, consult that.
 
JoeE SP9

JoeE SP9

Senior Audioholic
If you're on a tight budget sometimes less is more. If all you want is music, a used integrated amp and a decent (new) pair of headphones are the minimum. A portable CD player can be used as a line input device. When the budget allows add some speakers. If you buy used speakers get a thorough audition first. There is plenty of nice stuff on the used market here in the US. Athough my buddies and myself have purchased from Audiogon and E-Bay as always caution is the word. I don't know how they impact with S.A.

I don't know what FM is like in S.A. but old tuners are quite cheap almost everywhere. Add a CD player for home and you've done it in steps. Getting decent headphones is important here. The ones that come with most portable devices are pretty bad.

Beware, the advice you receive here will worsen the disease. Most of the participants (especially me) are typhoid Mary's as far as spreading our passion for aud/vid. :cool:
 
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B

bobbyb

Audiophyte
Thanks Rip, Joe

(Just to get some integration on your replies...)
Am I correct to assume that an "integrated amp" and a "modern receiver" are the same thing?

Joe I hear you on your weariness warning - I see a lot of posts about people upgrading their systems. There are other things I'm gonna need to accumulate soon, and although decent sound currently tops the list, I'm concerned it may remain at the top (to the detriment of my other "needs").

I'm sure I'll be posting many more specific questions in the near future.

If any other important info comes to mind, please post away
 
Rock&Roll Ninja

Rock&Roll Ninja

Audioholic Field Marshall
an integrated amp does not have a radio-tuner built in like a receiver.
 
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