How to plan your first hi-fi system

Write the listening job in one sentence

Begin with a sentence specific enough to rule things in or out: “I want music from my computer at my desk, with headphones available in the evening.” Or: “We want TV sound and streamed music at the sofa, controlled without reaching behind the speakers.” These are examples of requirements, not proposed shopping lists.

Record the main seat, whether listening is shared, speakers or headphones, practical limits on volume, and how you want to select music. A system that covers those jobs is a more useful starting target than an unspecified collection of “hi-fi components.”

For speakers, include their possible positions now. Walls and other surfaces affect what reaches the seat; Genelec’s placement guidance explains why both speaker and listener location matter. Its studio layout prescriptions are not compulsory dimensions for a living room. Use the speaker-placement guide for that task rather than choosing from room area alone.

Fill in a source-to-output worksheet

Complete this checklist for each source you intend to use. If an answer is unknown, mark it unknown and find the relevant manual before committing to a connection.

• Listening job: record desk or sofa, one seat or shared use, and speakers, headphones or both.
• Music and other sources: list the actual computer, phone, TV, record player or disc player, plus the files or services you need.
• Source output: name the output you intend to use and its documented signal type.
• Required conversion or processing: locate digital-to-analog conversion or phono processing where the chosen route requires it.
• Source selection and volume: name the control used to select inputs and adjust everyday listening level.
• Speaker or headphone drive: identify where the required amplification is supplied, including anything already built in.
• Last connection: record the amplifier-to-passive-speaker route, powered-system input, or headphone output.
• Physical fit: allow for the speaker/support footprint, cable paths, power access and equipment ventilation.
• Missing items and cost: list only equipment and accessories still needed, plus recurring service costs.

Use the system component map to identify these functions. A piece of equipment can cover several functions on the checklist. Do not buy another device merely because the worksheet names a function separately.

Choose a complete route

These routes describe the functions to cover, with compatibility checked for the actual equipment:

• Source → powered speaker system: check the accepted input, source selection, everyday volume, power and companion-speaker wiring.
• Source → integrated amplifier or receiver → passive speakers: check source/input compatibility, the amplifier’s supported speaker load, controls and speaker wiring.
• Source → control preamp → power amp → passive speakers: check the same requirements, plus the control-to-power-amp connection and space for both components.
• Source with suitable headphone output → headphones: check the output/headphone pairing and usable listening-level control.

Built-in amplification can remove the need for a separate speaker power amp. A documented powered-pair setup combines source inputs, volume and amplification, but its facilities and companion wiring are one implementation. Compare the actual arrangements using active, powered and passive speakers and amplifier roles.

Likewise, a source’s headphone socket can already provide conversion and headphone drive, as illustrated by Apple’s headphone-output documentation. That establishes a possible complete route, not suitability for every pair of headphones. Add an external function when the intended route requires it; do not treat an extra box as an automatic step.

Work through the decisions your sources create

Computer at a desk

Suppose the computer is the only source and you want speakers plus occasional headphones. Record its usable analog or digital output, how you will adjust volume, and how you will switch between speakers and headphones. Then compare a powered-speaker route with a passive-speaker/amplifier route as complete systems. Include the supports and cable paths that fit the desk.

The unresolved questions should be concrete: “Does this input accept computer audio?” and “Where do the headphones connect?” The general presence of USB or a volume knob does not answer them; use the connection guide.

Turntable with a selectable output

Find out whether the chosen output uses the turntable’s internal phono stage. If it produces LINE, plan a compatible line input. If it produces PHONO, identify the appropriate phono stage downstream. Audio-Technica’s selector instructions, page 5, document that choice for one switchable turntable.

Your plan should name where phono processing happens once. Then continue through control, amplification and speakers. Use the turntable connection procedure for setup details.

TV and music at a sofa

Record both source paths and how someone seated at the sofa will select them and change volume. If the TV sends digital audio, verify its output format against the receiving input. The Denon digital-input instructions illustrate why this matters: that input excludes non-PCM signals.

Do not infer compatibility from a fitting cable. Resolve the route using the TV-to-stereo guide, including any conversion needed, before counting the plan complete.

Make the whole route fit before paying

Sketch the listening seat and equipment positions. Include support surfaces, room for connectors and the cable route, not just cabinet width. Look up each component’s ventilation requirements; NAD’s installation guidance, pages 2–3 and 5, is one example of why the clearance belongs to the particular device. Do not substitute an arbitrary universal gap.

Total the actual prices of the missing equipment, supports, necessary cables or converters, and any ongoing service cost. Keep accessories required to make the route usable in the same total. A fixed percentage assigned to speakers or amplification cannot resolve a missing input or a layout that does not fit.

Before committing, check each arrow as named output → compatible input, identify the master volume, and confirm the speaker load or headphone pairing and required service/app support. If the equipment is available, try the intended sources and controls at a modest level. Record what actually works; this worksheet does not stand in for an audition or a compatibility test.