Affordable HiFi in production today

[MVV]

If you are seriously interested in good sound on a budget the Sonus one (streaming) takes some beating and if you want a bit more power get two and use them as a stereo pair.

 

[fegs]

I'm going to throw Wharfedale speakers into the mix

 

[Darren L]

I honestly don't think that any component at £1K can be considered 'budget' or 'affordable', at least not to the 'ordinary working man'

 

[Nytechy]

And a dog, and smoke and drink. Essentials even for the poverty stricken.

What do you think they should have..?

 

[Robert M]

The rega io was hit with £50 increase, so its not the bargain it once was. Now €500

 

[Miss Ariel]

Depends on how affordable is defined, the average person on the street is probably going to consider the majority of 'budget' hifi expensive.

Even something like the superb Rega IO I think your normal person in the street would think expensive.And a bit minimal.
I might be wrong but I would say a big screen TV purchase would be about as far as most people would go in terms of home entertainment and some Sonus.

I think their are dark days in the future for the industry especially with cheap streaming solutions - soundbars.Also inflation projected to hit 9 % by Autumn.
Specialist Audio gear is probably the last thing people on avearage incomes would consider.
Also people in their 20's - 30's just look at a 1 box solution.

The last Hi Fi show I went to was the HI- FI News Windsor Show in 2018 and it was well attended but I didn't see anyone below 40.Most people where in their 50's.
The same at a Naim Statement hotel evening put on by my local dealer.All men and all in their 50's - 60's.

 

[Gervais Cote]

Even something like the superb Rega IO I think your normal person in the street would think expensive.And a bit minimal.
I might be wrong but I would say a big screen TV purchase would be about as far as most people would go in terms of home entertainment and some Sonus.

I think their are dark days in the future for the industry especially with cheap streaming solutions - soundbars.Also inflation projected to hit 9 % by Autumn.
Specialist Audio gear is probably the last thing people on avearage incomes would consider.
Also people in their 20's - 30's just look at a 1 box solution.

The last Hi Fi show I went to was the HI- FI News Windsor Show in 2018 and it was well attended but I didn't see anyone below 40.Most people where in their 50's.
The same at a Naim Statement hotel evening put on by my local dealer.All men and all in their 50's - 60's.

Same here at the Montreal audio show of March, 90% of the attendees were men from late 40’s to 70’s for the high end stuff.

 

[Johnjo]

Even something like the superb Rega IO I think your normal person in the street would think expensive.

Probably because their washing machine or fridge freezer cost less. You don’t get much metal for your money in hifi.

 

[Yomanze]

Nice kit but nothing ‘budget’ about a £1,000 CD player.

As others have mentioned, Rotel, NAD, Rega make some great value kit.

For me, “budget” new is around £1k tops. Also, store price of the CDPs can be £800 and lower than RRP. The 2010 series sounds like expensive gear that can cost well over a grand.

Second-hand, you can find units for £350 to £750 easily, especially the integrated amps, so I don’t see the issue here?

 

[colasblue]

There you go

https://www.genelec.com/home-listening/g-one-f-one-stereo-system

Few people would ever need more than the G1/F!. You can also connect it to any digital source with an optical SP/Dif out such as a CDP or PC.

If they do want more there's a whole range of pro equipment capable of any level of performance.

 

[GT]

And a dog, and smoke and drink. Essentials even for the poverty stricken.

I'm amazed at how many people have dogs these days. I am also amazed at how many cafes let dogs inside. In our local Cafe Nero about once a week there is some altercation between 2 dogs plus a load of noise. For me with sensitive ears it's like someone is drilling holes in my head. When did it become acceptable to let animals in to an environment that serves food and drink?

 

[notevenclose]

When did it become acceptable to let animals in to an environment that serves food and drink?

Some bloke called Noah's to blame.

 

[GT]

Even something like the superb Rega IO I think your normal person in the street would think expensive.And a bit minimal.
I might be wrong but I would say a big screen TV purchase would be about as far as most people would go in terms of home entertainment and some Sonus.

Definitely wouldn't be Sonus. That is far too up market for most. People who buy Sonus would have bought a Technics racking system from John Lewis about 30 years ago...

I think their are dark days in the future for the industry especially with cheap streaming solutions - soundbars.Also inflation projected to hit 9 % by Autumn.
Specialist Audio gear is probably the last thing people on avearage incomes would consider.
Also people in their 20's - 30's just look at a 1 box solution.

People in their 20-30s just use their smart phone, or possibly connect it to a bluetooth speaker when they are with a bunch of their friends. I don't know any one younger than 40 who has anything remotely like a Hi-Fi system any more...

 

[notevenclose]

I don't know any one younger than 40 who has anything remotely like a Hi-Fi system any more...

Very much a minority, but not a total lost cause. My accountant's son has recently kitted himself out with a new Rega Planar3, vintage A&R A60 and speakers, and my great-nephew was in a hifi dealer on Saturday. Dunno what he bought yet.

 

[linnfomaniac83]

Definitely wouldn't be Sonus. That is far too up market for most. People who buy Sonus would have bought a Technics racking system from John Lewis about 30 years ago...



People in their 20-30s just use their smart phone, or possibly connect it to a bluetooth speaker when they are with a bunch of their friends. I don't know any one younger than 40 who has anything remotely like a Hi-Fi system any more...

I’m in my 30’s… my mate who’s in his 20’s has just bought Linn Keltiks!

 

[Ian G]

I'm amazed at how many people have dogs these days. I am also amazed at how many cafes let dogs inside. In our local Cafe Nero about once a week there is some altercation between 2 dogs plus a load of noise. For me with sensitive ears it's like someone is drilling holes in my head. When did it become acceptable to let animals in to an environment that serves food and drink?

And why would it not be acceptable ? I'd happily eat somewhere that allows dogs rather than cyclists, I find their sinewy licra clad bodies put me off my noodles.

 

[Gerard124]

Are there any other cartridge bargains along the lines of the Audio Technica AT-VM95E?

 

[Mr Pig]

What do you think they should have..?

More sense? I'm amazed by people on limited incomes who seem to be incapable of doing very simple sums to work out the true cost of their lifestyle choices. When we were bringing up three kids and renovating our house on a tight budget I knew how much a dog would cost to run so we didn't have one. But we always had a car.

So you smoke, drink and have two dogs but you can't afford clothes or a holiday for the kids? Give me a break.

I am also amazed at how many cafes let dogs inside.

If I had a cafe I'd let dogs in. They are generally less annoying than children and they let kids in everywhere!

 

[Gerard124]

I'd kinda hoped this would be an interesting kit thread.

Dogs, kids, lycra in cafes I hadn't expected

 

[Jezzer]

For me, “budget” new is around £1k tops. Also, store price of the CDPs can be £800 and lower than RRP. The 2010 series sounds like expensive gear that can cost well over a grand.

Second-hand, you can find units for £350 to £750 easily, especially the integrated amps, so I don’t see the issue here?

And that’s why you’re a regular contributor to a hifi forum! Most normal people don’t consider £1,000 to be a budget item (even with a £200 discount).