In a time before stereo sound was widely available, former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan told the British public “You have never had it so good.” His words could equally well be directed to buyers of hi-fi equipment today; not only has our industry seen phenomenal technological advances since Harold delivered his famous verdict, it has also achieved an unprecedented level of diversity.
The market is flush with great turntables, CD players and streamers, while amplifier and speaker design is also at a peak. And once you take inflation into account, it is all now available for far less than its equivalent kit would have been in Harold’s day.
Wonderful though this may be, it also presents the serious hi-fi buyer with a bit of a problem: how on earth do I put together a system from all the great stuff that is available? That, as ever, is where we come in.
Fresh from completing the task of choosing the winners of our 2023 Awards, we have created 10 systems – five hi-fi-and five AV – in each case taking an Award-winner as our starting point to help you do your choosing.
A key rule of thumb here is that products that are the best of their kind do not always work best with each other. That is why not all of the products featured on the following pages are Award-winners – they do all, however, complement each other beautifully.
First up, then, our hi-fi systems. From affordable CD and streamer combos to a premium turntable-based set-up, we think we have covered all bases. Just remember; if you are looking for great talent, look for great teamwork.
SYSTEM 1 A DISCREET ALL-ROUNDER LG OLED42C3
This story is from the February 2024 edition of What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2024 edition of What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
YG Acoustics Carmel 3
On paper, the Carmel 3 from Colorado-based speaker specialist YG Acoustics has a credibility problem. They cost a huge amount of money but are small, rather plain-looking two-way floorstanders.
SME Model 20 Mk 2/Series V
SME launched the Model 20 turntable back in 1992. The partnering tonearm on our review sample, the now legendary Series V, dates back even further to 1986.
TOP FIVE LAUNCHES
Five products to look out for this month
Real slim shady...
FOR Slim profile, superb dispersion, soundstage AGAINST Can get a little expensive
THE BIG PICTURE
This projector-based home cinema set-up aims to please
MOVIES ON THE MOVE
Great pictures and quality sound-wherever you are
DREAM CINEMA
An incredible high-end home cinema experience, at a price
GAMING GEM
Serious gamers will be well served by this serious rig
CINEMATIC STUNNER
A truly immersive system for both gaming and movie nights
SOUNDBAR SUPERSTAR
The benefits of a surround set-up, without the fuss