There are hundreds of questions you will need to find an answer to once you start building your HiFi system. Having this in mind we have written this article which will help you make some things clear. So, let’s begin!

Choose the right amp

An amp is needed if you are planning to buy passive speakers. In case you love listening to AM/FM radio you should get a receiver. On the other hand, if you can love without a radio, then it’s better to get an integrated amplifier. At the same time if you like clean design and compact devices and also if you plan to invest the money you save on something else then we would recommend you select an integrated amp.

New or vintage equipment?

Vintage and modern equipment have their own advantages and disadvantages. In some cases, some amps or receivers built 50 years ago can stand shoulder to shoulder to some modern amps and receivers that are much more expensive.

The main reason for this is that most of the modern audio technology today is more leaning towards having a bunch of features, than focusing on sound quality.

When building your own HiFi system you can get some very good package deals, either online or in the store, where you can get a receiver or an amp, speakers and a turntable for a pretty decent price.

Another option is to get the system at a garage sale or check your parents’ basement or attic and see if anything is interesting. Sites like Craigslist or eBay are a very good option to get everything you need for your HiFi system. However, please be careful if you decide to get your equipment this way because you don’t want to spend too much money on repairs and maintenance. After all, in the end, it may cost more than brand new equipment.

Getting vintage equipment has some disadvantages and the main ones are the size and absence of some modern technology features. For example, connecting your laptop to vintage amps and receivers doesn’t look good, or the fact that you will have to flip that vinyl record every 20 minutes, or adjusting the volume every here and now. A wireless remote is really valuable in these situations.

If you agree, then it would be better to buy brand new equipment and it will be your best option for playing vinyl records. However, you will have to make some drawbacks in terms of sound quality, but you will get more compact equipment.

Floor standing or Bookshelf Speakers?

Everything we have said before can be applied to speakers. Therefore, we have decided to pay attention to the following types of speakers: floor-standing, bookshelf, passive, and active.

If you don’t have too much space, bookshelf speakers will be a better choice for you. In most cases, speakers smaller in size can provide better sound quality so keep that in mind. However, these compact speakers may lack some bass. The main reason for this is their design.

On the other hand, floor-standing speakers have their own disadvantages. The main ones are definitely the size, and of course their price. Because of their size, they will easily dominate the room they are in, they take more space, but they will also deliver better sound quality.

Bookshelf speakers are much more affordable, while the floor-standing ones will easily make you break your budget. Therefore, we always recommend testing the equipment in the local store if possible and decide which type of speakers is the right for you. We are sure that you won’t have any problems bringing your own music and playing it in the store. It will be much easier to decide what sounds good enough for you and what you can afford.

Active or passive speakers?

Passive speakers need an additional power source to reproduce sound. Active ones on the other hand don’t need an external power source. Active speakers also sound better than passive ones mainly because it’s difficult to match the driver’s capabilities of the passive speaker to the amp.

What you need to know though is that active speakers are usually more expensive than passive ones. For that reason, you will be able to replace the passive speakers much easier if you are not satisfied. This makes the system upgrade much easier, while with active speakers you will have to start from scratch.

Since we are talking about speakers here, you need to know that you will need some wire if you decide to buy passive speakers. You don’t have to buy the most expensive one here but of course, don’t go with the cheapest either.

Turn Vintage Equipment into Smart Equipment

The good thing about old, vintage equipment is that you can easily make it smart. With some help from a Chromecast Audio device or a nice Bluetooth dongle, you will be playing your digital music collection in a few minutes. If you are an Apple fan, the AirPort Express Base Station will easily do the same job for you. And finally, it is very simple to connect these to your amp or receiver and you are good to go.
We hope that we have given you some answers and that building your HiFi system doesn’t seem too complicated now. There are many options and in the end choosing the right equipment will be based on your personal preference and budget. Have fun!