Building a Hi-Fi System from Scratch: Where to Start

If you’re like many on-the-verge audiophiles, you’ve considered a Hi-Fi system for some time. You may have even narrowed down your choice of speakers and the supporting electronics cast that goes into creating high-fidelity sound. 

And, like many newcomers looking to invest in high-performance audio, the choices can feel overwhelming. From preamps to amps, turntables, and loudspeakers, the selections are virtually limitless.

That’s where Natural Sound comes in. As dedicated music enthusiasts for over 45 years, we bring passionate expertise to Boston, MA, and the surrounding areas. Here, you won’t find a hard sales pitch. Instead, you’re welcomed by people who want to share their enthusiasm and help you find the right audio gear for you and your budget. 

So, for those just starting on the never-ending journey that the love of music will take you, we thought we’d share some of the essentials. Let’s begin at the beginning.

SEE ALSO: The Heart of Your Audio System: A Home Audio Amplifier

In Totality

Consider this metaphor: turkey is a standard fare in many holiday traditions. Alone, it’s a tasty food but nothing more. Add the cranberries, mashed potatoes, gravy, and other accompaniments, and it becomes a feast.

The same is true for a Hi-Fi system. While the speakers are the central stars, the supporting cast of characters is equally important. Like a feast, it’s a balancing act that requires special attention to the inner workings and how all the various equipment integrates.

Space & Budget

Knowing where you’ll put your Hi-Fi system helps determine the size and type of speaker. Today’s manufacturers offer floorstanding, standmount, and bookshelf speakers that offer incredible sound and can fit into different-sized spaces.

You can build a nice-sounding Hi-Fi system for a very reasonable price, and you can also spend six figures (and more) at the high end. Knowing your budget is essential.

The Speakers

High-performance speakers have several things in common. They’ve gone through R&D and were built by those with advanced engineering skills from high-quality materials.

You’ll also find that every brand has specific characteristics. Some provide a warm, natural tone, while others bring out the crisp, bright highs. While many audiophiles will argue which tonal quality reigns supreme, the listening experience is subjective. For this reason, we recommend stopping by our showrooms and listening. Buying a speaker without listening to it is like buying a car without driving it. You may get lucky and love it. Or not. 

The Amp

Your amp powers your speakers. Integrated amps offer a good starting point as they contain both your preamp and power amp, providing a simpler setup. Choosing an amp that can meet your speaker’s nominal impedance rating is essential.

The Source

Playing vinyl requires a turntable while streaming services need a network music player. Now that you have your equipment, you’ll need to consider the proper placement—a story for another time.

At Natural Sound, we’re excited to share our love of music. There’s nothing better than seeing a smile spread across a person’s face when hearing hi-fi music for the first time. To learn more about building a hi-fi system or to schedule a complimentary consultation, contact Natural Sound today.