Would you like to get into the world of high fidelity, but you don't own any Hi-Fi equipment yet? Then you will need to start from scratch and put together 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 better understand your needs 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 enough space for a Hi-Fi system?
Question 4: How much should I budget for a Hi-Fi system?
Question 5: Can I buy everything I need on 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 therefore the first link in your high-fidelity chain.
Your choice can be guided by the music format you listen to. For example, if you love vinyl records, you will need a turntable to enjoy them. If you are more of a CD collector, you will need a CD player. To listen to digital music, you can also opt for a streamer, for instance.
1.2. Audio signal amplification electronics
The next essential part of any Hi-Fi system is audio signal amplification electronics. The signals coming from your various audio sources are very weak and would be inaudible if they were not processed and amplified first.
1.2.1. Phono preamplifier
A phono preamplifier is essential for playing vinyl records. 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 that is almost inaudible without a phono preamp.
The phono preamplifier also reverses the RIAA curve engraved on your record (to find out more, read our technical guide to phono preamplifiers).
If your Hi-Fi system includes a turntable, the phono preamplifier sits between your record player and the next amplification component. To connect the turntable to the phono preamp, you will need a phono cable.
1.2.2. Preamplifier
A preamplifier also processes and pre-amplifies 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 sound quality. It is, however, a more expensive option, since you will then need to add a power amplifier to amplify the audio signal.
In a Hi-Fi setup, the preamplifier sits after the audio source and before the amplifier. To connect your Hi-Fi components to one another, you will need interconnect cables or digital cables.
1.2.3. Amplifier
There are two types of amplifiers: 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 a single unit, which makes them a more affordable solution.
An integrated amp can feature several inputs, allowing you to connect different Hi-Fi sources.
Some integrated amplifiers even include a phono input (built-in phono preamplifier), so you can connect a turntable directly to the amplifier with a phono cable. If you are new to vinyl, the Musical Fidelity B1xi integrated amplifier is an excellent 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. In that case, a phono preamplifier must be placed between your record player and your amp.
The Pro-Ject Tube Box DS3 B phono preamplifier is a valve phono stage (two E88CC/6922 double triodes) compatible with MM cartridges as well as high- and low-output MC cartridges. Its gain is adjustable from 40 to 65 dB, its MC load can be set from 10 to 1,000 Ω from the front panel, and it offers both RCA and balanced XLR outputs.
1.3. Hi-Fi speakers
To enjoy your whole Hi-Fi setup, you obviously need speakers, since they are what deliver the sound produced by all the components mentioned above.
Hi-Fi speakers complete a high-fidelity chain, so they should never be overlooked in your Hi-Fi system!
The Focal Aria Evo X N°2 floorstanding speakers are a 3-way design made in France, featuring an aluminium/magnesium inverted-dome tweeter, a 16.5 cm midrange driver and two 16.5 cm woofers with flax cones.
1.4. Cables
They are easy to forget, but audio cables are an integral part of any Hi-Fi chain. A Hi-Fi system can include several types of cables: phono cables, interconnect cables, speaker cables, digital cables...
Take a look at our buying guides to learn the difference between a phono cable and an interconnect cable, to discover the different types of cables and their role, or to understand 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 carrying more or less weight.
Before buying a complete Hi-Fi system, it is therefore important to define a few criteria, such as the type of sound reproduction you are looking for, the music you listen to, the look of the Hi-Fi components, and any potential improvements down the line (future Hi-Fi system upgrades)...
Depending on these criteria, some Hi-Fi components will be a better match for what you are looking for than others. For the most accurate advice tailored to your criteria, feel free to contact our technicians. They will be happy to help you build your high-fidelity system.
You can also find our advice on how to choose a turntable, a CD player, a phono preamplifier, an amplifier or Hi-Fi speakers.
3. Do I have enough 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.
To get the best possible sound from your Hi-Fi system, it is not recommended to install it in a room that is too small. Also, if you don't have a suitable piece of furniture for your entire high-fidelity system, there are Hi-Fi racks specifically designed to keep all your Hi-Fi components in one place, such as the Norstone Esse Hi-Fi Vinyl rack.
Next comes the question of where to place your Hi-Fi speakers. They are usually positioned 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 must be proportionate to the room to deliver quality sound.
4. How much should I budget for a Hi-Fi system?
When you want to buy a high-fidelity system, you naturally need to set a budget.
To give you a rough idea, it is often said that 40% of your budget should go to the Hi-Fi source. In audio, the source comes first in any 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 consistency between its components. For your Hi-Fi speakers to deliver good sound, the audio source must of course be of good quality, since it is the one producing the signal in the first place. 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 buy everything I need on maPlatine.com?
On maPlatine.com, you will find a wide range 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 therefore put together your entire Hi-Fi system on our website.
To help you choose, we also offer ready-to-listen bundles if you want to get into analogue listening but have no suitable equipment. For those who already own a Hi-Fi source, we also offer amp & speaker bundles to complete their high-fidelity system.
All our bundles have been carefully designed and put together to give you the best possible listening experience. Every product in these bundles is fully compatible with the others. Completely ready to use, these bundles are the 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. If you would like more personalised advice, our technicians are available by phone (+33 (0)2 99 65 41 63) or by email (contact@maplatine.com).
