Buying a Stereo
Welcome to the world of Home Stereo!
Sadly when one thinks of home audio equipment, the first thing that comes to mind is usually the annoying neighbor in the apartment upstairs. We have negative memories of his booming, reverberating bass, and the difficulty of sleeping with his thunderous racket overhead.
The truth is, not only is he annoying, but he’s missing the point of what good home audio is all about. Ideally, the last thing your home stereo should do is annoy, either you or anyone else. The goal of this article is to get you started in this endeavor. While I can’t answer every conceivable question, I can share with you strategies that will help you choose the correct equipment, regardless of your budget, listening tastes, or surroundings. And you don’t have to break the bank (or the noise clause in your lease) to have top-notch quality. Prepare yourself to learn more than you ever thought there was to learn about the humble home stereo. After reading the articles on this site, you’ll be able to approach your purchases with confidence and knowledge.
Collecting information is always the first step in acquiring wisdom. The next and most important step is sharing the wisdom with others interested in the subject. That’s what we’re going to do here.
First Steps
To choose the right home stereo equipment, there are five key questions that need honest answers:
Determine how much money you have to invest in your system.
Decide whether you are seeking “audiophile quality” or the modern equivalent of the boom-box.
Are you an “audio enthusiast” who wants all the bells and whistles, or is FM Stereo the highest in sonic fidelity for you?
What types of music do you usually listen to? Are you strictly jazz or do you love thrash-metal? Somewhere in between?
Lastly, how long do you think you’ll own the equipment you purchase tomorrow?
Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be on your way to making an informed buying decision.
(To help you while you ponder these questions, I have included a file download area which includes budget spreadsheets, downloadable “how-tos,” and other resources that can make your task a little bit easier.)
Audio equipment comes in a wide range of prices, quality, and performance, from the least expensive mass-produced CD players, tuner/amplifiers and all-in-one systems, to precision-crafted “reference” separate components costing several thousand dollars. The key is to obtain the best possible sound quality at the most reasonable price.
From Anthony Armstrong,
Sadly when one thinks of home audio equipment, the first thing that comes to mind is usually the annoying neighbor in the apartment upstairs. We have negative memories of his booming, reverberating bass, and the difficulty of sleeping with his thunderous racket overhead.
The truth is, not only is he annoying, but he’s missing the point of what good home audio is all about. Ideally, the last thing your home stereo should do is annoy, either you or anyone else. The goal of this article is to get you started in this endeavor. While I can’t answer every conceivable question, I can share with you strategies that will help you choose the correct equipment, regardless of your budget, listening tastes, or surroundings. And you don’t have to break the bank (or the noise clause in your lease) to have top-notch quality. Prepare yourself to learn more than you ever thought there was to learn about the humble home stereo. After reading the articles on this site, you’ll be able to approach your purchases with confidence and knowledge.
Collecting information is always the first step in acquiring wisdom. The next and most important step is sharing the wisdom with others interested in the subject. That’s what we’re going to do here.
First Steps
To choose the right home stereo equipment, there are five key questions that need honest answers:
Determine how much money you have to invest in your system.
Decide whether you are seeking “audiophile quality” or the modern equivalent of the boom-box.
Are you an “audio enthusiast” who wants all the bells and whistles, or is FM Stereo the highest in sonic fidelity for you?
What types of music do you usually listen to? Are you strictly jazz or do you love thrash-metal? Somewhere in between?
Lastly, how long do you think you’ll own the equipment you purchase tomorrow?
Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be on your way to making an informed buying decision.
(To help you while you ponder these questions, I have included a file download area which includes budget spreadsheets, downloadable “how-tos,” and other resources that can make your task a little bit easier.)
Audio equipment comes in a wide range of prices, quality, and performance, from the least expensive mass-produced CD players, tuner/amplifiers and all-in-one systems, to precision-crafted “reference” separate components costing several thousand dollars. The key is to obtain the best possible sound quality at the most reasonable price.
From Anthony Armstrong,
