Beginner's Guide to Building Your First Audiophile System

High Res Music Streaming for FREE!!!!

Test Track Playlist:
Satanic Panic Playlist:
Leg Warmers Playlist

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Recommended Speaker List

Around $100 (These prices will fluctuate between $75 - $150)
Pioneer AJ First Gen - Laid Back

Around $200

Around $400

Around $500

Around $600
Polk Reserve R100 - Neutral

Recommended Amp List

Under $100

Around $130

Around $250

Around $400

Recommended DACs

Subs

#hifi #audiophile #stereo

0:00 Start
0:25 Intro
1:39 Sources
2:34 The DAC
5:06 The Turntable
7:20 The CD player/Transport
9:14 Streamers
10:43 Amps
14:25 Powered Speakers

[SyzygyNoon]

Nobody came into this world knowing how to build a hifi system, but most of us take the winding path to middle-age just to figure out quality audio is a thing.

[thomasalexand]

Fantastic video. In the UK we have a famous chef. About two decades ago she had a television series on how to cook. People were critical that she devoted one programme on basics such as how to boil an egg. "Everyone knows how to boil an egg!" said some critics. No - everyone doesn't. I knew a guy in his twenties who couldn't make a cup of tea and relied on his mother. Videos such as yours are invaluable.

[Shakawkaw]

I like the way you talk and teach. Straight to the point, you allude to relevant material but don't get stuck on it, and there's none of this 'play it up for the camera' disingenuous persona-ing. It's refreshing.

[danstein]

St. Randy of Audiophilla, Thou art just in he eyes of the Stereo Gods. May they bless you, your children, and your children’s children. They will bestow you with rains in the appropriate season and correct speaker polarity. May they provide you with good health, bless you with great reviews, and smite malicious commentators.

[toddwalker]

Having 80's stereo knowledge, this clarified a few things that I was a little fuzzy on. My setup was complicated by running everything through an old digital Akai equalizer, which sweetens everything. Thanks for the video!

[BBBILLY]

in the 70s I had records, in the 80s I had a car, walkman and boom box and switched to cassette tapes, in the 90s I bought all my music a 3rd time on CD. Then had a child. 21 years of no music for me except on my phone. In 2022 I was confused as hell. Thanks for making it easier for me to understand how to play 50 years of music from record to cell phones on a set of Klipsch bookshelf speakers.

[hankschnepf]

As a 70's analog guy this helped so much. I took the "extremely cheap" road ... probably not for everybody but works fine for these aging ears. Already had some Klipsch RB 61's, old BluRay player, an iPad and subscribe to Amazon Music. Wound up buying Aiyima D05 ($170) and Apple lighting to camera adapter ($30). Hooked up the iPad to camera adapter to PC USB cable into the Aiyima (24/192 output) . Also have optical connections between the BluRay and the Aiyima. Will be adding my powered sub soon to complete 2.1 system. Leaves me with RCA inputs for Turntable if I decide to add that. I wasn't looking for perfection but this is totally fine for my ears. Would have never considered Aiyima until Randy's review of the Aiyima D03. Thanks Randy!!!

[Felicianov]

This was awesome. Appreciate this! Wish this was available when I first started this journey. The upcoming stereo community and my friends will appreciate this content. Thank you!

[drss]

Hi Randy,
Just here to let you know that i really appreciate your videos and replies to a few questions i had. Based on your advice i now have my PC feeding tidal mqa to the Aiyima T8 dac/pre amp to the wharfedale wh-d10 sub to Aiyima A07 and on to the wharfedale 12.2 speakers. And it sounds AMAZING. I find myself forgetting time and listening to entire albums of music - never mind the sound of movies!
For anyone curious about the appr. cost (T8=130, A07=90, D10=300, 12.2=320 and misc medium quality cables=60)
Thank you cheapaudioman!

[JohnScheppler]

Great video and information helping people get set up to enjoy their music with better gear. Thanks, Professor Randy from Sith Audio University.

[hmrowland]

Thanks for computer to DAC to amp...no one else has said that. Connecting gear is an appreciated addition to YT vids.

[mikecampbell]

I enjoyed the video even though I bought my first system in 1975. I was in the Navy and had my first real spending money. I bought a Sony TA 1130 integrated amp, an AR manual turntable and a pair of BIC Venturi speakers. The BICs weren't the greatest speakers out there, but they were the best for listening to Black Sabbath, which was most of my listening.

[boballard]

Well done Randy! Great info for the basics. You’re the Everyman of Audio!

[AndyBHome]

It's amazing how complicated it seems when you have to explain it all, and yet it seems so simple when you know it.

This is a great primer. Thanks cheapaudioman!

[ginom]

This is a Great source of information for anyone just starting out! I'll be sharing this video with my friends. Thank You!

[NeoRimeOnline]

Your channel is blowing up! Very well deserved.

[davdidit]

Love this video. Wish I had seen this a few years ago. Nice to see everything presented so well.

[doc]

I love that classical pic of you holding the Linton speaker. perfect!!!

[FarFarandFarMor]

HI Randy, I know you get A LOT comments and emails but I just wanted to thank you for your reviews and insight ... I just put together a nice little Audiophile system chiefly from your input ...
Emotiva PT1, with the A2 couple with a pair of Q Acoustic 3020is and my NHT twin 6.5 inch down firing Sub ... WOW and double WOW ... the best sounding system I've ever had. Again thanks, and keep up the great work.

[alm]

I'm an old guy so I grew up (and had fun) connecting all the boxes, but I've never been all that attracted to file-based music so now I find streamers (and the content-providing industry) to be the most intimidating part of hifi.