[net.audio] Stereo Advice Wanted - More guidelines

wjm@whuxk.UUCP (MITCHELL) (09/26/83)

Several hints for the neophyte wishing to buy his/her first stereo system:
1) If you're looking for a system in the $500 to $700 class you'll get the
best value for your money if you forget about any tape equipment, since the
$$ are better spent on a better receiver, turntable/cartridge, and speakers.
The general rule in this price class used to be 1/3 electronics, 1/3 speakers
and 1/3 turntable/cartridge.  Frankly, now with the drop in the prices of
electronics I'd say a better split is 20% electronics, 30% turntable and
cartridge and 50% speakers.  You really can't get a high-fi pair of speakers
for less than $250 discounted (about $300 list) and you'll rapidly be disgusted
with cheaper ones.  One important point is don't let your salesman throw in
a cheap phono cartridge as part of a "package" or "system" deal.
There are several good inexepensive cartridges around that sell for about $50
discounted like the Shure M97HE and several Audio-Technicas.  That leaves you
with $100 or so (discounted) for the turntable and you can get a decent model
for that price from several of the large Japanese manufacturers.  I'd recommend
as little automation as you can live with - preferably a full manual or model
with auto-arm-lift (and possibly auto shutoff) only.  You're paying for those
"whiz-bang" automation features and you can put the green stamps to better use
getting a better arm and motor.
As for the electronics, you can get about 30 RMS W/channel into 8 ohms which
is adequate for most of the speakers in this price class (unless you like to
listen to acid rock at disco levels) and a reasonable FM tuner in a receiver.
NAD has a nice model (I think its the 7130) in this price class.
2) In general stick to lower priced equipment from reputable companies.  While
these units won't have all the convenience features of the more expensive models
and may not sound quite as good (you do get what you pay for in audio equipment,
as I've said many times on this net), they do share one very important item -
the comapany's name and reputation.  No company that prides itself on making
high-fi equipment is going to put out a budget unit that is a real dog, since
it will adversely affect their reputation.  The following companies (and this
is NOT intended to be an inclusive list - leaving a name off does NOT necessarily
mean the company is no good) make good budget equipment (I have not included
companies that specialize in high-end equipment only) - Yamaha, Sansui, Pioneer,
Technics, NAD, Sony, Sherwood (made in the USA if you prefer to buy American),
Kenwood, Kyocera, Hafler, Shure, Audio-Technica, Boston Acoustics, AR, Ohm,
Koss, and Onkoyo.
3) rabbit!jj's advice about salesmen is very appropriate. Heed it - there are
some reputable salespeople out there, but you'll generally find them at the
more expensive dealers.  There are several "sarks" operating in the NYC area
who are everything jj said and then some (I don't want to mention names on the
net for legal reasons).  However, you may wish to pay a bit more to get more
service - "full service" dealers do have their own service departments and
will help you if you have a problem with a unit - if you buy from a mail order
house its between you and the manufacturer.
One full service dealer I recommend (and I've personally bought several K$ of
equipment over the years from them) is Harvey Sound at 2 W 45th St in NYCity.
Their service department is very good and they will exchange or fix free units
that die within several weeks of purchase (which can happen on both budget and
high end units - I had a $1200 Yamaha tuner die 2 days after I got it - 
Harvey's swapped it for me and the 2nd one has been working perfectly with
only one repair (and realignment) needed in 5 years).
They may not be the cheapest, but given the service they provide their prices
are competitive.
Also a full service dealer will set up the turntable and mount the cartridge
in the tone arm for you.  This is a pain in the <bleep> job and if you go the
mail order route its yours.
I'm not criticizing mail order - it's a good way to get equipment at a low price
but be aware of whats NOT included in the sale.
4) In general stay away from the "one brand" systems being offered by some
manufacturers.  You can get the most sound per $$ by mixing components from
different companies.  Don't worry too much about compatibility if you stick
to reputable companies - their stuff generally works well together.
5)  Enjoy !!!  The proof of the pudding is in the listening in this case!
           Bill Mitchell
           Bell Laboratories
           Whippany, NJ  (whuxk!wjm)
Disclaimer - the opinions expressed here are my personal ones and are
not necessarily shared by my employer, Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated.

jj@rabbit.UUCP (09/27/83)

I would suggest adding Nikko to the list of excellant, inexpensive
equipment.  Their older stuff wasn't so good, but their last two 
product lines have been quite good.  They are also widely discounted.

<The opinion is my own, and not that of my employer, as usual.
I don't think anyone ever doubted that fact in the case of jj,
though.>