Go for a decent system that will give you hours of sonic enjoyment
We all love music it’s a natural thing.
Whether it be pop, classical, rock, jazz, or any other genres, there are many mediums from where we listen to our favourite music. It could be from your computer, television, iPods and MP3 players, or from more costlier hi-fi systems.
Hi-fi stands for “high fidelity” and it revolves around the idea of creating the most accurate reproduction of sound from a stereo (2-channel) recording (which could be vinyl records, compact discs (CDs) or computer files like MP3, WMA and high-resolution files like FLAC. Basically, this means that the recording, when played through a decent system, should sound just like the artists are performing right in front of you. Easier said than done of course, but you’d be surprised how close you can get to that goal with the right selection of audio gear.
For those interested in moving up a notch in the way they listen to music, there are several tips that could help you get started smoothly.
As mentioned there are many ways you can listen to music, but in order to achieve a decent sound reproduction, you really need to move away from those computer speakers or mini components (which are more suitable for the bedroom) to hi-fi separates. This means that you’ll first need a source player (whether it’s a record player, CD player or even your Macbook. These players deliver a low-level signal that needs to be amplified by an amplifier or pre-amplifier and power amplifier combo) and fed to the loudspeakers, which turn those electrical signals into audible sound by means of vibration.
The major obstacle for those wishing to own a hi-fi (or audiophile) system is the budget. While the most expensive high-end systems could cost up to Bt10 million (yes Bt10 million that’s no typo), Bt1-million systems are common in Thailand. Do not panic, as those are considered really high-end, and for much less (for example Bt50,000) you can get a decent-sounding and musical system that will give you countless hours of sonic enjoyment.
It’s just that when you start to get used to the sound and want to hear more detail, stronger punch or wider soundstage, you would then starting to study possibilities of system upgrades. Just like customising a car.
So let’s start with that Bt50,000 budget that can get you an above-average home stereo system.
Having a record or CD collection (anyone still has cassette tapes?) determines what kind of source equipment you should be going after. Today the record industry is making a strong comeback, becoming a hit among hipsters and the elder generation as well.
While an entry-level record player with decent quality (such as the Rega PL-1) could set you back by just Bt15,000, it is interesting to note that prices could go up much higher for improved sound quality, such as Rega’s own P6 priced at around Bt50,000.
However, some prefer vintage record players, which is also widely available in the market, and easily accessible via the internet. Prices start at just Bt3,000-4,000 for refurbished Japanese turntables from the 70s and 80s, which still sound great. But for more high-end stuff, prices could go up much higher, not only because of its original pricing but due to the rarity of such items. Brands like Garrard and Thorens fetch amazing prices in the vintage market.
For CD players, there is a wide range of products available, from a few thousand bucks to over a million. Cambridge Audio, Marantz and NAD are the popular names in the entry-level market, and they cost less than Bt20,000 (the cheapest NAD model retails at just Bt8,900). The same brands also offer budget amplifiers with the corresponding series to the CD players, and many times they are offered with a nice discount if purchased together.
Many consider the loudspeaker as the most important equipment in the system and would set aside as much as 50 per cent of the total budget for a pair of lovely-sounding air-movers. There is a wide range of speakers you can go for, but the main concern is to consider the size of the room. If you have a small room (for example smaller than 3x4 metres), a pair of stand-mounted bookshelf speakers would be adequate (big speakers in a small room will suffer from boomy bass). Larger rooms can take up larger speakers so be careful when choosing.
Also, check the specifications and make sure that the amplifier is powerful enough to drive the speakers. Speakers with low sensitivity (below 88dB) are harder to drive and need more powerful amplifiers that aren’t available in budget pricing neighbourhood. So with a small amplifier, go for speakers with high sensitivity.
The tone of the system when played together is hard to predict, and you really have to hear it personally and decide whether you fancy it or not. Visiting hi-fi shows can also help give you a sense of different sound characters (just take along a CD and play it in different systems), and there are usually audio clinics for newcomers by gurus.
Next week: The Listening Room