Audio System

[ed54]

Hello!

I'm planning to transfer my Cassettes, LPs to CD, I want to get the best sound quality so I'll buy a complete audio system, I need your recommendations about brands/models of:

1.- Turntable :
a) High-end
b) Decent
c) Minimum

2.- Cartridge/needle :
a) High-end
b) Decent
c) Minimum

3.- Amplifier :
a) High-end
b) Decent
c) Minimum

4.- Speakers :
a) High-end
b) Decent
c) Minimum

5.- CD player :
a) High-end
b) Decent
c) Minimum

6.- Tape decks :
a) High-end
b) Decent
c) Minimum

7.- Device to install in my PC to receive the signals from my audio system (if is needed) :
a) High-end
b) Decent
c) Minimum

8.- Sound board (for PC) :
a) High-end
b) Decent
c) Minimum

9.- Audio Editor program (for PC):
a) High-end
b) Decent
c) Minimum

Is important for me have 3 options for each component, If I did forget something please let me know.

Thanks in advance ,

Ed.

[Sami M]

On which continent are you? That influences on prices on import products etc.

You can get decent and satisfying sound without the high end line. Only in case of carts, phono stage and speakers it's more rewarding to pay more. But if it's only club music you are handling the high end line may bring no extra value.

1.- Turntable
a) High-end - Linn LP12 (some +2.000 $), some say it's the best in the world, some disagree. A classic nevertheless.
b) Decent - Technics mk1200 etc., Goldring, Project, Thorens, Dual, but techs are solid, easy to use and you can sell them afterwards for a good price (250 - 550$,)
c) Minimum - Sony or some similiar brand, some 2nd hand table ( - 100$)

2.- Cartridge/needle
a) High-end - check out the Benz, Dynavector or Ortofon brands for example, and the top carts from Shure V15 and Goldring 1042 (some 300$-)
b) Decent - cheaper models by Goldring(upgradable) or Shure (some 70-100$)
c) Minimum - the cheapest cart you'll find :D some 30$ I guess

3.- Amplifier
a) High-end - Accuphase, Primare 30.1, Krell (2.000$-)
b) Decent - Harman Kardon, Marantz, Sony QS-series (250 - 500$)
c) Minimum - some 2nd hand amp, a cheap Sony, Kenwood or so (50 - 200$)

4.- Speakers
a) High-end - check out finnish top product Gradient Revolution (ab. 5.500$ a pair)
b) Decent - Jamo, Infinity, KEF, B&W in mid price range
c) Minimum - Cerwin Vega or anything from sales

5.- CD player
a) High-end - Primare 30.2, Accuphase, Krell etc. (2.000$-)
b) Decent - Marantz are said to have good sound (ab. 200$)
c) Minimum - any Sony, Pioneer or sale product

6.- Tape decks
a) High-end -Nakamichi
b) Decent - Yamaha, Sony (ab. 250$)
c) Minimum - any 2nd hand item (I bought mine for 40$)

I recommend you check out the product ranges yourself, only you know what you need! If you plan to keep all the equipment, it would maybe be wise to think about the easy of use. So maybe you like to choose the components from the same manufacturer. Marantz would be a solid choice, since they have quite praised models in different price ranges. You could also think of Sony QS or Yamaha, Onkyo.

If you choose the economic way, I'd recommend you buy your amp and table, maybe speakers too in 2nd hand. These products can be easily checked on spot for any malfunctions and are usually very durable in over all.

If you have lots of tapes, it may be wise to get a new tape deck. On the other hand you can get a very good one very cheap on 2nd hand. Remember the influence of the azimuth angle of the tape heads to the output. Even the chepaer decks can be good in playback. It use to be the quality of the recorded sound that you had to pay more for.

Your amp needs to have a phono stage, or you need to have it seperately. The price influences greately in the sound quality in the lower price ranges, there is more hiss and distortion and lackings in different sound areas. But you get good sound allready in the mid price range.

The cartridge and phono stage/amp should be good for a clear undistorted sound. The table should be solid, so as there are no alterations in the spinning speed becouse of poor mechanics. You can't get these very cheap, but on the 200$ you allready can.

There's no limit how much you could pay, but you don't need to loose your arm and leg to get satisfying sound.