Frequently asked questions about general hi-fi stuff including various types of equipment, technical concepts and advice for getting the best results.
Mostly its overall condition, control functionality and service history. It might sound obvious, but the physical condition of a piece of second-hand hi-fi gear tells us a lot about how it’s been looked after. Gear that has been well cared for is almost always a better bet than gear that’s been neglected, other things being […]
What should I look for when buying second-hand hi-fi gear? Read More »
Yes, though this answer depends on what one considers decent and affordable! Those looking for new high-performance machines for under $1,000 will find very little of interest. High-performance turntabling can’t be done for $1K new, spend a little more though and things start to improve. If you broaden your horizons to include pre-owned equipment, then
Are there any decent, affordable new turntables? Read More »
Power can be a real issue in older houses, so here are a few suggestions. The first might seem obvious, but have everything checked and tested by a qualified electrician. This can identify and rectify wiring and ground issues, broken outlets etc. Power outlet testers like this one allow end-users to identify miswired outlets, ground
What do you recommend in terms of power supplies for hi-fi gear in older premises? Read More »
Anywhere from 200 to 2000 hours, depending on the cartridge design and stylus profile. I’ve written about this elsewhere, but the increased contact area of line contact gems leads to lower contact pressure, less friction, lower wear and better sound. The best line-contact types can last 2000 hours or more, but line-contact styli are more
Eventually yes, if you want to keep it running. Watches, power tools, motorcycles and electronic equipment all eventually need to be overhauled and/or restored, and this applies to everything built by human hands. This is not to say YOU need to have your equipment overhauled, but eventually, someone will, assuming they see the value in
Very simply, this type of equipment is often almost worthless after just a few years and therefore not worth repairing. If you add in poor serviceability and poor audio performance, compared to even modest hi-fi stereo gear, you end up with very few reasons to repair this stuff and why mjuch of it is simply
They definitely are in the case of analog FM, but there are four key considerations. The first and most obvious one is the contingency that broadcasters continue to use the analog 88 – 108 MHz FM band in Australia and elsewhere. Once these broadcasts cease, that’s it. The second is less obvious and that’s source
Are analog AM/FM tuners still a viable hi-fi source? Read More »
