Want to get into high fidelity but have no Hi-Fi equipment yet? Then you will need to equip yourself from scratch and build a complete Hi-Fi setup. To help you along the way, here are a few questions to ask yourself before buying a Hi-Fi system. They will help you understand your needs better and narrow down your choice.
Question 1: What Hi-Fi equipment do I need?
1.1. The audio source
1.2. Audio signal amplification electronics
1.3. Hi-Fi speakers
1.4. Cables
Question 2: What are my criteria (sound, design…)?
Question 3: Do I have the space for a Hi-Fi system?
Question 4: What budget should I set aside for a Hi-Fi system?
Question 5: Can I get everything I need from maPlatine.com?
1. What Hi-Fi equipment do I need?
To build a complete Hi-Fi system, several Hi-Fi components are essential.
1.1. The audio source
The audio source is the device that plays the music. It is the first link in your high-fidelity chain.
You can choose it according to the music format you listen to. For example, if you love vinyl records, you will need a turntable to enjoy them. If you collect CDs, you will need a CD player. To listen to digital music, you can also opt for a streamer, for example.
1.2. Audio signal amplification electronics
Next, a Hi-Fi system needs audio signal amplification electronics. The signals coming from your various audio sources are very weak and inaudible unless they are first processed and amplified.
1.2.1. Phono preamplifier
A phono preamplifier is essential for listening to a vinyl record. This Hi-Fi component processes and corrects the audio signal sent by the turntable, or more precisely by the phono cartridge.
Hi-Fi cartridges produce a very weak audio signal, practically inaudible without a phono preamp.
The phono preamplifier also reverses the RIAA curve applied when the record was cut (to find out more, read our practical guide to phono preamplifiers).
If there is a turntable in your Hi-Fi system, the phono preamplifier sits between your turntable and the next amplification stage. To connect the turntable to the phono preamp, you will need a phono cable.
1.2.2. Preamplifier
A preamplifier also processes and preamplifies the audio signal from a Hi-Fi source (CD player, tuner...).
Having a separate preamp (e.g. the Gold Note PH-10 phono preamplifier) in your high-fidelity system can therefore improve the sound. It is, however, more expensive, as you will then need to add a power amplifier to amplify the audio signal.
In a Hi-Fi setup, the preamplifier comes after the audio source and before the amplifier. To connect your Hi-Fi components together, you will need interconnect cables or digital cables.
1.2.3. Amplifier
There are two types of amplifier: power amplifiers and integrated amplifiers. Both serve the same purpose: amplifying the audio signal sent upstream by the audio source and the preamplifier (and/or phono preamplifier).
As mentioned above, a power amplifier, such as the Musical Fidelity M6s PRX power amp, simply amplifies the sound processed by the preamplifier.
So-called "integrated" amplifiers combine a preamplifier and an amplifier in one unit, making them a more affordable solution.
An integrated amp can have several inputs, so you can connect different Hi-Fi sources.
Some integrated amplifiers even have a phono input (built-in phono preamplifier), so you can connect a turntable to the amplifier with a phono cable. If you are new to vinyl, the Musical Fidelity B1xi integrated amplifier, for example, is a very good choice!
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Your integrated amplifier doesn't have a phono input? Don't worry: you will simply need one more Hi-Fi component to connect your turntable, namely a phono preamplifier placed between your record player and your amp.
1.3. Hi-Fi speakers
To enjoy your whole Hi-Fi setup, you will of course need speakers, since they are what reproduce the sound delivered by all the components mentioned above.
Hi-Fi speakers complete a high-fidelity chain, so they should never be neglected in your Hi-Fi system!
1.4. Cables
They tend to be forgotten, but audio cables are an integral part of a Hi-Fi system. A Hi-Fi system can include several types of cable: phono cables, interconnects, speaker cables, digital cables...
Take a look at our buying guides to learn the difference between a phono cable and an interconnect cable, the different types of cables and their role, or why it's worth investing in audio cables...
2. What are my criteria (sound, design…)?
As the saying goes, there's no accounting for taste... Everyone has different criteria, each more or less important to them.
Before buying a complete Hi-Fi system, it's therefore important to define a few criteria, such as the type of sound you are looking for, the music you listen to, the look of the Hi-Fi components, and possible improvements later on (future Hi-Fi system upgrades)...
Depending on these criteria, some Hi-Fi components will be closer to what you are looking for than others. For the most accurate advice based on your criteria, don't hesitate to contact our technicians. They can help you build your high-fidelity system.
You can also find our tips on choosing a turntable, a CD player, a phono preamplifier, an amplifier or Hi-Fi speakers.
3. Do I have the space for a Hi-Fi system?
Before buying a complete Hi-Fi system, you also need to consider how much space it will take up.
For the best possible sound from your Hi-Fi system, placing it in a room that is too small is not recommended. And if you don't have furniture suited to your whole high-fidelity system, there is Hi-Fi furniture specifically designed to bring all your Hi-Fi components together in one place, such as the Norstone Esse Hi-Fi Vinyl rack.
Next comes the question of where to put your Hi-Fi speakers. They are usually placed on either side of the Hi-Fi system. When choosing your Hi-Fi speakers, you will need to take the size of your room into account: speakers should be in proportion to the room to deliver quality sound.
4. What budget should I set aside for a Hi-Fi system?
When you want to buy a high-fidelity system, you obviously need to set a budget.
As a rule of thumb, it's often said that 40% of your budget should go to the Hi-Fi source. In audio, the source comes first in a Hi-Fi setup! You can then allocate around 30% to the amplifier and 30% to the Hi-Fi speakers.
Whatever you choose, your Hi-Fi system should be balanced, with a certain coherence between its components. For the speakers to deliver good sound, the audio source must of course be of good quality, since that is where the signal comes from. And you will also need an amplifier powerful enough to drive your speakers. One word to sum up a high-fidelity system? Balance!
5. Can I get everything I need from maPlatine.com?
On maPlatine.com you will find a wide choice of products and everything you need to build a Hi-Fi system from A to Z: turntables, CD players, DACs and streamers, integrated amplifiers, phono preamplifiers, headphone amplifiers, Hi-Fi speakers, Hi-Fi cables and more. You can put together your entire Hi-Fi system on our website.
To help you choose, we also offer ready-to-listen packages if you want to get into analogue but have no suitable equipment. For those who already have a Hi-Fi source, we also offer amp & speaker packages to complete their high-fidelity system.
All our packages have been designed and put together to give you the best possible sound. All the products in each package are fully compatible with one another. Completely ready to use, these packages are an ideal way to get started in high fidelity!
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We hope this guide has answered your questions before buying your high-fidelity system. For more personalised advice, our technicians are available by phone (0 810 810 121, or +33 2 99 65 41 63 from outside France) or by email (contact@maplatine.com).
