Need help on choice of components for stereo hi-fi

[trinanjan]

Hi!
This is a mail, which I just wrote to the What Hi-fi magazine.


The letter:
Hi!
I plan to buy a hi-fi built around the following components:

Onkyo DV SP-502 Universal DVD-A/SACD player (I own one, recommended by AV Max, India)
Rotel RA-03/Cambridge Audio AZUR 640A amplifier
KEF iQ5


I am on a limited budget and don’t want to compromise on the speakers.
I have some queries.

1. Will using that universal disc player instead of a dedicated CD player degrade the sound quality by much?
2. In the last issue of What Hi-fi, you recommended the Rotel RA-03 to partner the KEF floor-standers. Will switching to the cheaper and slightly lower powered Cambridge 640A restrict the KEFs?
3. Suggest some good, value for money cables for my setup. I do not have the money to buy high-end cables. But I want to avoid generic no-brand cables.


I have a medium sized bedroom and wish to place my system there. I have decided to skimp a little on the cd player and the amplifier so that I can afford the KEFs.
Is that too much of a compromise? Or should I settle with cheaper speakers (Wharfedale diamond 9.1s) and go for a dedicated Cd player? I listen to lots of Western Classical Music. Please help.

Yours’ sincerely,
Trinanjan Bhanja.
Trinanjan_bhanja@yahoo.com

I want your views on the same. I feel that advice on a great forum like this will help me a lot. Kindly acknowledge.

 

[highfihoney]

dont cut corners on speakers.

cables are 100% hype & make no difference in sound quality,you will get the same results by using off the shelf cables like monster & radio shack as you will by using top of the line audioquest or vampire wire(been there & done that) exotic cables are a waste.

save your cash & invest it in the best speaker/amplifier combo you can afford,speakers & amplifiers are the most important components in a 2 channel rig,you can skimp on the source components like cd players but if you skimp on the amps & speakers it will affect performance.

 

[zumbo]

The dvd player will work perfect for cd's. No need what-so-ever for a dedicated cd player.

AR cables are top-quality for a great price. I prefer the PROII line. I find the cable I need, then look at:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=br_ss_hs/104-7000372-4327124?search-alias=aps&keywords=acoustic research cables

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?&category=search&query=^brand.sql&q-1=ACOUSTIC RESEARCH&start=0

http://www.ebay.com/

If an equal or better price for a specific cable can be found at bluejeanscable, then I recommend them.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/

 

[Leprkon]

Belkin makes some pretty nice cables in several price ranges..

http://www.thetwistergroup.com/category/cable-zone.html


but Z is right... it's pretty tough to top the AR line for value and quality.

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/PR100