I used to be the type who loved walking around Comet looking at all the latest mini systems with their flashing lights, graphic equalisers and hundreds of toys. Eventually I got my hands on an expensive JVC system. It seemed pretty nice at first but a few things got on my nerves. Most remote controls are quite good - you've got about a 30 degree angle that you can move from side to side of your hi-fi and the control will still work. Not so my JVC - unless the control was pointed precisely at the unit it was no go - at the end of the day, it was a waste of space. I liked the little speakers the rotated when you changed sound modes, but not the metres of thick ribbon  Read the complete review

Added 06-10-2000 One thing I have found after having built a simple home cinema system is that the system should be balanced and that you should not cut back on any part, even down to the speaker cable. An all round good system will sound far better than a great amp with great speakers but with a £20 second hand CD player. Balance is the key especially with home cinema. Spend about 25% on a DVD player, 30% on an amp, 15 % on fronts, 10% on centre, 7.5% on rears and the other 12.5% on connectors and speaker cable. This will ensure a balanced system. Good luck ___________________________________________________________ Hi-Fi separates ...  Read the complete review

Firstly, I should give you a little bit of background. I am (or was) very anti-vinyl. Even back when it was the way you got your new album, I would always tape the record and from then on use that. For many people, vinyl is an all-round experience, but I never really liked it. When I was young, my family had a Dynatron music system with a Garrard record deck. The sound from that, playing a 12" single was immense. However, in the eighties, we were forced to hate records due to the awful quality of the vinyl used and the awful plasticcy tackiness of those "midi record decks". We all went over to CD didn't we? Cut to 1991. I am living ...  Read the complete review

To a lot of people a Hifi system is something that you buy in Curry`s for five hundred quid,probably an all in one unit complete with flashing lights and all the other gizmos,that the manufacturers put on to add to the perceived value of their products. Now these systems are fine for listening to the odd CD or radio, but if you are really into listening to music you`ll want to hear it at it`s best. This is where a good HiFi separates system comes in to it`s own. Less is definitely more. You don`t need flashing lights,graphic equalizers and dubious "surround modes" and the like. The essence of good music reproduction is to keep the signal as ...  Read the complete review

Most people buy hifi equipment using price as the main criteria - particularly 2nd systems. Whilst I agree whith the general consensus that separates ARE better than mini-systems, I have to point out that most people (myself included) are only willing to spend a few hundred quid on sound equipment. I'm fortunate enough to have used good quality kit in my home, but have found that the cost and convenient size of mini-systems is ultimately more attractive. But the sound isn't as good...Unless you replace the speakers. Anyway, if you already have a midi or mini system, you can save yourself the cost of an 'upgrade', and significantly ...  Read the complete review