Audiophile 101: How to Set Up a Basic Hi-Fi System | Guide to Life

Hi-Fi is short for "high-fidelity," and means that music is of high enough quality that it's almost flawless. Instead of streaming hi-fi music via Tidal or other services, a lot of people are turning to analog hi-fi systems centered around a turntable. We're focusing on a four-component setup. The products below are featured in our video, but aren't necessarily the exact devices you'll need.

Featured Products:

How to Set Up a Basic Hi-Fi System:
Step 1: Determine what kind of system you want
Step 2: Determine your budget
Step 3: Arrange components to minimize vibration
Step 4: Position your speakers to optimize acoustics
Step 5: Connect everything together

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In some instances, brands have provided access to, or loans of, the products included in this video.

[albertolanda]

I pay YouTube Premium so I don’t have to see any ads

[chinapig]

Video title: Audiophile 101 how to set up a basic Hi Fi system.
Thumbnail: Record deck sat on top of a fucking amplifier :/

[crazyprayingmantis]

Step 1 - Don't sit your turntable on top of your amp. (As seen in this video of what not to do)

Step 2 - Don't have your speakers on the same surface as your turntable.
(Also as seen in this video)

[dukesanddaggers]

I have the exact set up except for the speakers. I’d recommend also adding a WiiM Mini to the amplifier so you can stream music to it. Lets you enjoy best of both worlds 😁

[flyingburritobro]

If you are setting up your first hi fi system please don’t waste your money like this guy on new modern equipment. Vintage audio gear has gone up in the last few years but is still a much better deal and it lasts! I’m still using components daily that I bought 40 years ago. Buy used vintage gear. Receiver 300, turntable direct drive not belt drive 175, speakers 400. This will be a nice system for years. As others mentioned, never put the turntable on the top of the receiver or amp. It will block airflow. Never put speakers on the same surface as the components it will cause skipping and distortion. Create space between the speakers to hear the separation.

[marlonm]

What an excellent video/set up. I hope you still monitor this channel because i have a question for you: I am familiar with those stereo receivers, but i am looking to go old fashion where the amplifier, equalizer were separate. Do you have any recommendation for a good sound set up? Thanks.

[thames_music]

Did they really put an ad directly into the video? First and last time watching this channel.

[nickbakaj]

Im running a Duel 505-2 into a marantz 2215b with a pair of fisher stv 410m speakers

[wyattschirrick]

Do I need a ground cable going from the pre-amp to the amplifier or is grounding to the pre-amp good enough?

[MD-wkgj]

Some good information but I would strongly disagree that streaming or CDs sound better.

Yes, vinyl can have a click or pop at times but if you pay attention to the music you will hear so much more on vinyl and it can be about as close to being in front of the artist as possible on a good pressing.

[slatsTHOMAS]

A question to something i cannot find on the net. In an audio system, i am thinking to take out the original speakers (L/R) and use a Bluetooth hi quality speaker Harman Kardon Onyx. But i dont wnat to use it wireless. Now, i see 2 options, or to connect the speaker on the jack for headphones (it works) or somehow (?) to connect it to the two female RCA L & R.
Is there any difference between these two options for the sound quality????
Thank you,

[davids.]

What input did you use on the cxa 81? You never showed it lol...

[luizgomesmartins]

Lindo conjunto, mas fico apreensivo em deixar o toca discos encima do amplificador...., E as caixas poderia estar mais afastadas, num pedestal por exemplo.
Lindo conjunto de verdade.

[backrack]

I had a couple general questions about proper set up. I have a intergrated amp and power amp, turntable, phone amp, cd player and DAC. I skimmed through something that read that one needs to seperate the analog components from the digital components. How do I do this? I'm using a 3(can add another shelf to make a 4)shelf audio rack. I figured turntable and phono amp on top, followed by both amps stacked, then the cd player and DAC on the third. Is that what is meant by seperate? Or should I buy a separate a whole new audio rack...one for analog and one for digital? Orrr...does it just mean I cant have my analog components plugged into the same power strip/ outlet as my digital components... or all the above. I will also have 2 subwoofers plugged in the power strip as well. I only have one outlet to use and will have to pull tricks to find an outlet on a seperate circuit but it can be done if need be. I have everything ready to go...just waiting on some power cables...and figuring out how to plug everything in lol. Great video..you seem like you know your stuff.. Any advice would be great.

[faizm]

Your sacrificing lots of detail from having the speakers on the same stand as the amplification components

[wasondln]

Turntable and speakers on the same table??? ...

[MylesMusic]

Holy damn, I’ve spent less then the cost of those speakers for my setup! Facebook marketplace and Craigslist, get that shit cheap second hand.

[ericfshook]

So many things WRONG in this video.
This guy is pretending to know what he's talking about.

[TheDragnPotat]

a cambridge CXA61 is an integrated amplifier not a power amplifier so why te pre-amp?

[italianbirdvideos]

Lesson number one: Don't put your turntable on the amp....