Page 1 of Hifi system ..... or ....... seperates .........?

I am considering purchasing the Technics SC-DV250 hifi system. Is a system like this better than getting seperates?
It claims to have 360W total output - can anyone explain what this means in lamens terms? Does it just mean that the system will be very loud?

Would it be cheaper, to get an equivalent (or better) seperates setup?

I really want to get a system that can play DVD`s as well as music, and I want it to boom............

If anyone has got this system can you post any comments that you may have on it.

Cheers
PiKL

Short answer - get seperates. Dunno how much the Technics costs but you could do a lot better. I presume it does Digital Surround?
Give us a ball park figure for your budget and we`ll come back with some options.
Also, do you have a DVD player already and could you re-use any of your exisiting kit?
These combined amp/DVD player things are pretty damn good for home cinema.

Anyway 360w doesn`t mean much. That`s probably "Music Power" which is a meaningless term, it`s like adding up all the channels e.g. 6 x 60 watts = 360 watts, except it doesn`t. It`s like having 6 blokes in the same room all shouting at the same volume - that doesn`t make it six times louder. Rubbish.
The real power output is rated in RMS or DIN output in watts per channel so the Technics probably does 60 rather than 360 watts.
The power output doesn`t really matter too much unless you`ve got a massive listening room. You still need a decent amp tho, Yamaha, Denon, Kenwood, Sony, NAD all do decent surround amps.
I`d get seperates anyday. The only downside is that you end up with 15 remote controls and enough cabling to rewire Conconde.

Check out www.richersounds.co.uk for some ideas.

Like our friend mr fecker says,stay well away from the hifi system route unless you want muddy,cluttered,and boomy unprecise sound.
Hi fi seperates are much better,more expensive yes,but im always of the thought,`Buy cheap,pay twice`.
If you have to bulid it bit by bit,then at least get a good amp/reciever(Yamaha ax620£400?) and some good front speakers.It wont be surround,but its a start.Then build it slowly.Soon enough you`ll have a kick ass surround system to rival the local UCI.
And when you`re done invest in a touch screen remote to get rid of the 5+ handsets that will inevitably get lost down the back of the sofa.
Any troubles,you know where to come.

Westy

That is where the problem lies - I would like to have a pretty decent sound system in my flat. The Technics system costs £500 - which (I think) will be a lot cheaper than getting seperates.

I currently don`t have any equipment that I can re-use. I have got a pretty old Awai stereo which I have had for years and now want something a lot better. I would really like a DVD surround setup, which would mean spending a ton of money on seperates - wouldn`t it?

The specifications of the Technics system says that the front speakers are - high 60W, Low 120W. Does this mean anything?

Wouldn`t you say that for someone that doesn`t know that much about hifi units that a component system (the Technics one) is a nice entry into the home cinema scene. I mean after a year (or so) I should know more about the sort of setup that I want, and will be able to start buying seperates.

Plus there is the hassle of getting loads of different units from various places (each with a remote), and making sure that they are all compatible and up to the same high standard. I am sure that If I had a high spec seperates system that the speakers would have to be of a high enough standard as well. Don`t you think that seperates make people run around in circles, always buying something to add to their system that is capable of working with their configuration? Each addition will cost more and more.........

I think that I will stop rabbiting on now................ just one last thing...
If you didn`t know anything about seperates and didn`t have a ton of money to spend then could you see how such a hifi system is a good step into the home cinema market?

Thanks for all of your responses
PiKL

Oh God. I`m going to recommend reading What Hi-Fi *again*!

I was in much the same position as you last year - I didn`t know anything about separates and was a little put off by the perceived complexity. Pick up a copy of What Hi-Fi and read some of their articles. Basically you`ll need a cheep multichannel amp, a CD/DVD player & a speaker set. Should be able to get the whole setup for under £500. If you want to talk to someone then go into your nearest richersounds (or similar) they should be able to help you out - just be aware that you might be able to buy the stuff for slightly less on line.

It really is worth the hassle for separates. You`ll get a far better sound and while you don`t need to upgrade it - if you want to, you can do it component by component rather than having to fork out on an entire new system.

You`re nearly there with £500

I`m not naming brands here so........

Dolby Digital Surround amp £200 or less
5 speaker set £250
DVD player = £150 = £600

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Plus you can always save up (remember that!) for other bits and bobs, and you can upgrade components later without throwing away the whole lot....

Cheers guys.....

I am going to get a copy of What HiFi and look into the seperates market. Will probably go to Richersounds and see what they can suggest for me.

Thanks again.
PiKL