Whether you’re starting out on your hi-fi journey and considering your options, or you’re on the upgrade path and trying to decide your next move, the question of whether you should opt for an all-in-one system or separates may well have come up. But what does that even mean, and what are the pros and cons of each option? While hi-fi separates might conjure up a rather idealistic idea of hi-fi, the fact is that integrated and one-box systems have come a long way in recent years, narrowing the gap between the two. Systems are no longer simply an entry-level endeavour, and equally, separates also don’t need to cost the earth.
So which path is right for you? We’ll try to help you make that decision below. Hi-fi separates refers to the idea of having separate boxes focused on different jobs in your hi-fi system – namely source, amplification and speakers. That means you could have a , and speakers, or – if you’re truly embracing the separates lifestyle – even a turntable, , pre-amplifier, power amplifier and .
Of course, there are other sources you could throw in too – like a , or a and a for playing music from digital sources wirelessly. A separates system can be as big or small as you need it to be, and that’s a large part of its appeal. So without further ado.
.. Upgradeability and futureproofing One of the best things about having a separates system is that it opens the door for you to add in more things as your system needs to evolve, as well as allowing y.