How Do You Buy HiFi?

Sounds a crazy question but, in this day and age, buying hi-fi is not as easy as it used to be. There's fewer dealers, more product choice and more advice out there...much of it conflicting and confusing. So, what do you do? How do you get the most from your money?

THE VINYL WALL
Wondered what the vinyl is sitting on the shelves behind me? Here's a list in full. Most of the LPs are original pressings. I'll try to source those. If not available, I'll head for the next best release. I've included links in case you'd like to purchase too. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you.

Hans-Joachim Roedelius - Momenti Felici

Mike Oldfield - Islands

Tears for Fears - The Seeds of Love

Yo La Tengo - Stupid Thing

Neil Young - Live At The Cellar Door

[TheAudiophileMan]

You see? I knew I’d forget something! One extra bit of advice? Ask about Home Demos. Whether your dealer is close at hand or too far away, ask about the possibility of hearing your desired product at home, in your own listening room. The personality of a product can completely change when it’s in your own room because the room itself has a great affect on the sound. A home demo might mean you placing a refundable deposit on the item and can be refunded if you’re not eventually interested or chopped off the final buying price.

[Beyondabsence]

Very happy to have found you and your Facebook group Paul. It's a dizzing journey for those that started not long ago. The trickiest part of this whole evaluation process is to actually judge the sound by choosing average quality recordings in the style you enjoy and actually see if that in itself gives you enough satisfaction. I've noticed that demo music is usually of an exceptional recording quality ( way above average) and that everytime I play these recordings at home my modest Focals 716 floorstanding sound so good that I wonder how much of it has to do with the recording itself and with the gear. 50/50? 70/30? LOL. One thing I know, a phenomenal recording, sound and music content, is a delight no matter how modest ones gear is. Thank you again. Gustavo Caldas.
PS: My whole life I've never bought music based on the known high quality of the recording (Audiophile world stuff). That's why many of us want to be satisfied with the sound coming from average to very good albums ( which is the majority of music available).

[Debagio]

Best piece of buying advice I've ever been given:. Always trust your ears. 🙂

[donalddeorio]

I grew up reading stereo review and audio magazines, and the advice they gave was to listen to equipment that was more expensive than your budget. Find out what you like about the sound and then get as much of those qualities at your budget level. That advice has always served me well. I lived in NYC in the 70s and 80s I had lots of audio shops to choose from.

[colinstock]

Years ago now I went to my local hifi dealer to audition the A&R Cambridge A60 this amp had received rave reviews in all the magazines. It sounded really good. I then compared it to the Sansui AU217, which had not been reviewed. The Sansui sounded identical to the A60 but with a more open top end. I bought the Sansui.

[zimand]

When I got back into vinyl I bought my new TT (and phono amp) without going to a dealer, in order to listen my options. I live far away from a big city and a trip was to much. I had to buy it online. Before buying I did what Paul sad, talking to a lot of people. In the end I decided Paul opinions was the way to go. I am very happy with my purchase. Thank you Paul.

[mrkitewine]

I really enjoy auditioning new kit. I like how each person working in the shop has their own preferences, it just reinforces the fact that everyone has their own taste and opinion. When I bought my old Audiolab 8000S back in the 90’s, I also auditioned the Naim Nait 3 and a whole lot of speakers I’d never considered. The main guy who was serving me suggested one amp/speaker combo then his colleague came in and said he preferred a different speaker with the amplifier. It bought it home to me that there is no universally correct decision, and you are allowed to disagree and have your own preference.
I use the dealers knowledge to guide my options; once I have expressed a preference for a particular sound profile the dealer will pick out pieces of kit which he thinks will appeal to me. It is this sort of service that you miss out on with reading reviews and purchasing online.

[sidvicious]

I agree with you always listen to your gear before making a purchase when ever possible. Use people opinions if they are similar to you as part of your research. Having a good local dealer that allows home evaluations is the best. I believe you reviewed my current headphone amp, the Icon Audio Hp8. The advise here is outstanding.

[modbod]

This is by far the best video I've seen in a long time. I've been tying my self in knots reading/listening to reviews on stuff particularly speakers recently especially as I don't have alot of spare money at the moment. I've often wondered if I ate the same food as these top chefs would I experience the same taste sensation and the same goes for the sound of speakers.

[scottspinner]

Good paul. I get fed up with people giving advice when they have little knowledge.

[joelinpa]

Thanks so much! This is very helpful. I recently pulled the trigger for a Music Hall MMF-1.5 and I'm very happy with my choice. I own more 78s than LPs, so in my price range this was the front runner among the turntables that will play 78s. This video validated my selection process.

[ridirefain]

Sage advice here on your end. My starting point is manufacturer's specifications, reviews that offer independent measurements, then a visit to the Hi-Fi shop for an listen. Followed by making arrangements for an audition at home. How it sounds in my den, with the equipment I have, is the only true test of an component's feasibility. If it don't sound good at home, it is not worth buying. No matter how glowing the review or impressive the measurements.

[jimbojet]

Great advice. That’s where I’m at right now. Chatting over the phone with ‘Richer Sounds’ in Cardiff, whose advice to me is to do just as you suggest. To go to the store, When COVID permits and compare and contrast turntables etc in their music ‘listening Lounge’. Meanwhile, I’m listening to you of course. Thank you.

[Extremesam]

Great video Paul. Thank you so much for all the hard work you do and giving us a truly enjoyable channel

[christopherfox]

Always listen before you buy. Another thing to consider is if you’re making an appointment with a dealer and you’re no going to buy something but want to listen, say so. Don’t spend hours in a dealers and then walk out not buying anything. Also, one of my pet hates are people going in to a dealer spending hours listening to products and then go home a buy the same stuff on the internet. My last visit to a dealer, I booked ahead and he had everything setup for me. I spent 3.5hrs listening to products and purchased from the dealer. That’s why there are very few good photographic shops around because people went and looked at the cameras, went home and bought them of Amazon and then expect the dealer to offer advice and support. That’s why dealers go out of business. Find a good dealer and support them.

[tonyjedioftheforest]

Very good advice. This is something that I have done since the 1980’s but with lockdown not now as practical. You though have been a great help lately with your videos and replies to my questions. I recently had a pre amp my Heybrook C2 break down so I needed something cheap off eBay just to put me on while I can get it repaired. I watched one of your videos where you recommended a Cambridge integrated amp, I found one on eBay and purchased. I then thought does it have phono stage built in so contacted the seller who said no so gave me a refund. I then researched further and found a Kenwood that was highly recommended in the late 1980’s/90’s. I sent for one and it was faulty and didn’t sound good so had to mess around returning and waiting for a refund. Again more research for something under £150 and found a good condition Technics SU-V 460 that had good reviews which I bought. I am over the moon with this now but it cost me nearly a month messing around. If I could have gone for a demonstration on any of the items it would have saved time and stress. As I messaged you recently I bought a second turntable a Dual 505-3 off eBay but I was able to audition this before buying. A bonus to this trip out the seller was an audiofile of similar age to me with similar musical tastes. As he collected hi-fi items as a hobby he also kindly let me listen to several other items including the AT95E stylus which I found very educational. Auditions are always the best and only way to buy hi-fi but as you pointed out research first is a good way of narrowing things down.

[AudioElectronicsChicago]

a quick google search will give you a lot of reviews
locally if you live in a big city or if somewhere in the country, it will be online

[jeffreyjoshuarollin]

LOL. When I got back into vinyl, having never really gotten into it when I was a kid - my first stereo had a record player but CDs were all the rage - WotW was one of the first (perhaps THE first) LP I bought for myself - my Dad had it on vinyl and I've always loved it. Is there really a whole lot more stuff out there, though? I see mostly the same names that were around when I used to read What HiFi and dream as teenager - Marantz, Rotel, Audiolab, Yamaha, Wharfedale, KEF...One company I'd never heard of until I decided to buy my own separates system - after using nothing but smartphones and iPads to listen to music for about ten years - is Monitor Audio. I bought their Bronze 2's and now I see MA *everywhere* - and not just because I'm bombarded with adverts for them.

[JustinMurrayfin]

I rely completely on constant referencing of online consensus of product reviews on Amazon & YouTube & then trying to crossreference which products 'complement' each other within certain price brackets.

I understand how subjective many elements are but I appreciate knowledgeable actors stating their preferences.

Full guides (say 3 TTs at 3 price-ranges with 3preamps at each range, etc) at price points, are fantastic but unfortunately, hard to come by... Wink wink ;)

[Baerchenization]

I just buy stuff off Ebay after finding inspiration on the internet + Youtube. Yes, I am an unashamed peasant :) Next, I need someone to tell me what tonearm and stylus to buy :)