How do I start?


I'm a newbie in this arena, but would like to get started. Probably like most people, I'm on a tight budget. I decided I'm going to just start by buying piece by piece. I've got a cheap 27" TV and a cheap DVD player already. My plan is to buy something each year for my system. My question to you experts is what should I buy first? I don't necessarily mean brands (but if you want to recommend some that's fine too) rather should I start with getting a receiver, speakers, etc.? I'm thinking about $1000-$1500 is my starting budget. Thanks in advance for any help,

sah22
sah223e58
I'd say speakers are as good a place as any to start. Be forwarned, once you make your first purchase there can be no turnig back. Ha ha ha ......ha ha ha ha ha....... ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.......etc... :^)
Listen.
Even though this site is dedicated to selling stuff to each other, you can't invalidate the advice of knowledgeable professionals in audio retailers. Talk to them, listen to what products they have to offer, and begin to learn what type of sound you prefer. The more you know about your own listening preferences the easier it will be to narrow your choices of equipment. There are lots of brands to choose from, here are a few to help you start...Rotel, NAD, Parasound, Vandersteen, Paradigm. Most importantly make sure you enloy yourself, if this experience becomes a chore, step back and reevaluate.
One piece a year for speakers, power/control and cables? Ouch! Buy a chance to hear some music today. $1500 can get you a decent used starter system. You can upgrade from there. I think Glen is right on. I would start with your room and where the speakers will be placed and where the listening position will be. These interaction are IMHO the most important for a sucessfull system. It will also narrow the field to a workable size. Perhaps you can give us details as to your listneing room, types of music you prefer and the volume you hope to achieve. We might be able to provide you will some options that are specific to your needs. Good luck.
sah, you may want to go the receiver route to begin with instead of getting all seperates.
1. I would get the speakers first, get something that you'll keep over time. Just get the front channel speakers to begin with. In my opinion the speakers are the foundation.
2. Then go for the receiver (making sure it can drive the speakers that you got).
3. Then add the surrounds, the center and the sub.
4. You can connect the whole thing together with less expensive cables and IC's to begin with.
5. Until you really get the receiver upgraded to an amp and preamp processor, there really is no need to go nuts on cables.

If I was starting, this is what I would do.

my 2 cents.
-aj
You've got some good advice already especially mine :^). Seriously, there is a way to build a nice little system to start out with. You can indeed start small with a complete system and then add on to it a little bit every year. There are a couple manufacturers that make 1-box units that do it all. Classe and Linn make very nice little pieces that have cd, fm tuner, pre-amp and amp all built into one. Add a nice little pair of monitors (book shelve speakers) and your there. I almost put the Linn Classik in my bedroom with a small pair of B&W speakers once, but the thought of downsizing my current system was unbearable.