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* » Component stereo systems: pick your price range So you’ve decided you want to own a good stereo system. One of the first things you’re going to have to decide is how much money you can spend on the project, and what you have a right to expect in return for it. That’s the purpose of this article - to help you set up a realistic sfereo budget and apportion it wisely. Let’s begin with a few definitions. A component high fidelity system starts with speakers which are physically separated from the rest of the system. Its amplifier or amplifier section must have the ability to handle a magnetic phono cartridge and both four and eight-ohm loudspeakers. And it must producer minimum of ten watts power output per channel. The system includes, in addition to speakers, a control section tuner to form a receiver A modular stereo system looks like a component system, except (1) that you usually have to fake the manufacturer’s own loudspeakers, rather than having the option of choosing your own; (2) the control section may not have provision for h-andling magnetic phono pickups or eight-ohm speakers; (3) may combine a cassette or cartridge tape deck with the tuner and amplifier (or control) section; and (4) probably puts out less .then ten #atts per channel. Ft’s also usually less expensive than a minimum stereo component rig. for as little as $200. But most of us want as a minimum a system that plays records and receives FM stereo broadcasts, that involves a minimum of doing-it-ourselve». For $300, a basic package should include an ANTTM stereo receiver delivering at least ten watts per channel. The turntable could be either a changer type or a singleplay automatic with cartridge. To complete the ensemble, the store usually supplies two of its own private label loudspeakers. cartridge you can afford, skimping on the other components with the idea of trading them in later. $600 puts you firmly out of the bargain basement category. For that, you cgn 'buy a 20-watt receiver (or slightly lower-powered amplifier with companion tuner), a beltdrive turntable (either single-play or automatic) with cartridge and a pair of standard bookshelf -speaker systems. For another $200 you can add a Dolbyized casette tape deck to the system. About 40 percent of the price of this basic system goes into the receiver, with the speakers accounting for roughly one-third. The turntable and cartridge represent about one-quarter, the same share as in the starter system. For $1000, you can buy a system with front-loading Dolbyized cassette .deck, a direct drive single-play turntable, a and one or more program (i.e. tuner, turntable or tape deck). The control section may be purchased separately or may come combined with a a stereo compact is a three-piece system consisting of two loudspeakers and a central control unit which includes besides an amplifier section and tuner, a built-in turntable. i i You can save as much as $60 on this basic system by substituting an amplifier for the receiver — either with the idea of adding the tuner later, or of doing wihout stereo FM altogether. On the other hand, if you can afford about $425 for your basic package, you can enjoy the same receiver you’d get in the store package. But with it you’d have a choice of brand-name mini-bookshelf speaker systems and a better-quality turntable. If you’re planning to own the entire system for some years to come, perhaps you’d better consider choosing the turntable and speakers yourself, rather than letting the dealer do it for you, even though it costs $225 more to do so. THE BABYS BOB WELCH CAMEL CLAPTON Let’s also start off with some basic ground rules. One is that in stereo, as in the rest of life, you get what you pay for. There is no such thing as a $200 component which is just as good as one selling for $400. However, since you may not need all of the features of the $400 Unit, you may be able to save money with a minimum loss of fidelity to you. Another is that there is no such thing as “best.” Some equipment does some things better than other equipment - but no panel of experts ever seems to be able to settle on how' to balance the relative strengths and weaknesses of hi-fi equipment in orcfer to make a “best” judgement. Still another: don’t let a tight budget keep you. out of the world Of hi-fi. You can upgrade any component system one part at a time, as you can afford it. receiver with at least 30 watts of power per channel, and still $300 to spend for two loudspeaker systems. By now, the turntable is down to about 20_ percent of the overall price (the same percentage as the cassette deck), while the receiver now represents only 30 percent of the overall package. ALL *7.98 ALBUMS ONLY $ 4.97 Once you break the' $1000 barrier, you’re pretty much on your own. My first investment at this stage would be an audio equalizer ($200—$300), although you might prefer a pair of stereo headphones ($25 —$200). Or you might want a pair of extension speakers for another room, or separate amplifier and preamp plus a dream tuner, instead of the receivers which comprise the eariler systems. Note that in these basic systems, approximately half your money goes for the receiver, approximately 25 percent for the record player and 25 percent for the speakers. You can change that ratio, if you so desire and if you’re particularly fussy about the sound you hear or if you worry about how protective an inexpensive cartridge and tone arm are of your valuable records, you may want to change it. What you get for more money in a turntable and cartridge is longer record life in addition to higher fidelity. In speakers, you get- more bass and leaner treble, smoother mid-range. If you’re thinking of upgrading eventually and you have a large, valuable record collection, you may consider buying the best turntable and • Now, let’s get down to cases. Unless you have at least S300 to spend, you’d better not consider high fidelity components. In general, you’ll get more for your money with a stereo modular or stereo compact in terms of features and program sources, if not in terms of fidelity. It is possible, by haunting radio parts stores specializing in closeouts,, by buying used equipment, by doing some of the work yourself (such as putting together an electronics kit or building your own loudspeaker system from scratch) or by leaving a basic ingredient like FM stereo out of the package, to put together a component rig 632-8038 If your rich uncle’s just died and left you Standard Oil, you might want to consider the Ultimate System; a mere $7475, give or take a few dollars. For that you should be able to buy the following: two $1000 full-range speaker systems; a 5678 MAIN ST. WILLIAMSV1LLE, N.Y. STEREO ADVANTAGE quartz-controlled direct-drive turntable with cartridge ($775); tuner ($400); preamp and amp ($400 each); equalizer ($450); cassette deck —j front-loading —continued on page 6—
