There is something special about good music, and for some people hearing it at home on a good audio system is a relaxing pastime. The typical midi all-in-one system delivers well in a dorm room or a bedroom, but struggles to fill a good sized living room. This is where a decent separates audio system comes into its own.
Why a Hi-Fi Separates System?
A Separates Hi-Fi system typically has signal sources (CD player, tuner, Ipod interface) as separate devices. This goes into the preamplifier, which allows source selection and volume, balance and tone controls if necessary, then into a separate power amplifier. Alternatively, an integrated amplifier containing preamplifier and power amplifier in one box can be used for more modest systems.
Since the components are standalone units, this offers the opportunity to mix and match units from different manufacturers. This has the advantage of flexibility - a company that makes great CD players, for instance, may not make the best power amplifiers. It allows the buyer to spend money on just the components they will use - no need to get a radio tuner if it will never be used.
Finally the flexibility of separates means that the budget can be aimed at optimising the main source - of most of the listening is done from CDs then the radio tuner can be a budget model whereas the CD player can be a top of the range model.
The downside is of course that a separates system tends to take up more room than a midi system and if the items come from different manufacturers then they may not visually go together. How much of an issue that is depends on the domestic situation - a buyer who is single and living on their own may have more flexibility that someone who has to take other family members' views into account.
Choosing a Hi-Fi System
Listen to it! Play both music that is familiar and perhaps the occasional foray into unfamiliar music; a good sound system may reveal enjoyment in new genres. A good dealer will carry a range of equipment and know what tends to work well with what.
In general, bias the spend towards the source, which is contrary to popular belief that it is the loudspeakers that make all the difference. An underpowered amplifier fed from an Ipod into great speakers will usually sound much worse that an excellent CD player into a good amplifier driving modest speakers. Again, a good specialist dealer should be able to demonstrate these trade-offs.
There is a large difference in tonal balance between different loudspeakers that makes people think the loudspeakers are the major sonic difference. The actual clarity of the system, i.e. how easy it is to separate the bass line from the vocals and melody, can vary independently of the overall tonal balance. It is worth listening to the system in a room of a similar size and furnished to about the same extent as the room it will be used in. A large heavily furnished room will need a different sound system from a small, sparse box-room.
Finally, when the system is installed in the home, it is worth experimenting with loudspeaker placement, since this can greatly effect the sound presentation due to reflection of sound from the walls and ceiling of the room.
