good place to buy hi fi stuff

bruce wayne

Hi,

Does anyone know of any good sites to buy stero equipment (particularly speakers). I can only find Richersounds and Peats, but can't find what I want there. There are some good stuff on UK sites but they dont seem to deliver to Ireland.

Any ideas. The real crime is there's some great US sites that are selling lovely mission's, JBL's and Bose speakers from $100 ???

Any ideas anyone ?

Mayshine

I have to say that richer sounds is your best bet in town, they will generally get you stuff if you ask for it specifically.

However alternatives are Lyric Hifi (sister to ricehrsounds, put more upmarket), Clooney Audio in blackrock (seriously upmarket), HM entertainment in Blackrock and dawson st. normally have some hifi seperates and speakers

Does any one else know anywhere else, because I baught all my equipment through these there places???

_CreeD_

HiFi Corner (Beside Virgin) is decent for cables and mid range components.

Try Walrus.co.uk too, some very nice equipment. I picked up my speakers there and if they'd ship those they'll ship anything to Ireland.

Yeah,
I was disappointed by the lack odf decent hi-fi/homecinema shops in Town.A friend of mine has told me of another good one to check out but I've forgotton where(near the hairy lemon somewhere?) but I will ask and post back later.

Have Richer sounds got a decent sound demo room built yet?
Last time I was in there it was pretty cramped-all the amps/receivers and speakers imaginable,but you couldn't hear any of them:(

As regards online try:http://www.homecinemaheaven.com/
They do special offers for members of:http://217.33.154.203/forums/
Thats the DVD forums across the water(temporary url,which may change as they are moving) To get the special offers you have to be a member of that forum and purchase through their Sticky in the bargain form.
I have found prices ,even with Sterling and courrier costs to be cheaper than Richer sounds.
There are many other on liners of course but this one is the only one I've done biz with so far and found them good.
mm

Kali

that homecinemaheaven site doesnt seem that cheap.. was about €100-€150 dearer than richersounds (for a few marantz dvd players), before delivery.. though how much typically are those discounts you mentioned?

techtronics seem to be the best uk online store i've come across.. (uk richer sounds prices are usually dearer than the irish ones after conversion..)

www.etronics.com i've found to have very decent prices as well.. us site though, and shipping is a bit costly, though could be offset by savings.

maybe a few more urls and this could be a worthwhile sticky topic?

Kali,
They were around €80 cheaper than Richer for the Marantz sr7200.
I wanted a pioneer dv646a (dvd audio) in early december.Richer said it would be well after Xmas before they would get one.
My RXV620 was also about €50 cheaper after delivery.
Marantz have put their prices up in the UK by £30-£50 in the last week However as is usually the case many hi-fi stores will have old stock-The HCH prices have gone up on their new stock.
I got my order in days before that phew! They've added another £30 onto the black and £80 onto the Gold one!!

Their forum discount has been typically £30-50 stg on gear over £300 ie 10%

yeah I agree theres lots of places.Hopefully more will post here with their experiences,customer service etc

gandalf

Heres a site for cables, speaker stands etc based in NI. I've used them on several occasions and they provide excellent service and their prices seem to be good.

www.beyondhifi.net

Gandalf.

Gandalf, they're good
Am about to buy cables.
mm

Kali

www.hificomponents.de is definitly worth a look..
cheaper than richer sounds before delivery.. and they do a wider range of electronic products.. Denon & Technics are the two main brands sold.. Sony/Yamaha & Philips get the odd look-in.

_CreeD_

www.hificables.co.uk
Very personable, great searvice and range of accessories and the only place in the Uk/Irl I know of that stocks Auric Illuminator (try it you fools!...:)...)

ttcomet

www.hificomponents.de
I ordered goods from this pace. The first half of the order turned up on time the second half is now about 4 weeks late.
Any time I contact them they say it will be delivered next week.
I think the trick is to make sure what you order is in stock. If it is out of stock then don't bother ordering it.
Regards
ttcomet

General_Lee_Erudite

I have to say that if you really just want to see the top of the range **** then Cloney Audio in Blackrock(Dublin) is your best option.

I presume you are all familiar with Skywalker Sound, who have just recently fixed up all there sound studios with B&W Nautilus 801 Series speakers, which are available in Cloney BUT they will set you back 10,000 Euro a speaker. You and George also.

ozpass

As regards Richer Sounds not having a demo room.....

When I lived in leeds, UK, they offered a 7 day no quibbles money back guarantee so you could demo. a piece of equipment on your own system and bring it back if you didn't like it. I took advantage of this trying out speakers (3 lots) and they were good to their word each time.

Richer Sounds may not be the ultimate cheapest anymore, but it's worth the extra few euro for an upfront, no bulls**t service.

I can also confirm they'll get anything you want ordered for you- whether they'll insist on your actually buying it first though......

daveg

I dont agree with the statement above. I have used richersounds on several occasions (all good) but when I tried to order a pair of mission 77ds's I was told on numerous occasions (by the manager) they will be in stock next week or I'll check our suppliers and will call you back (never did). They had they speakers on their UK site so I asked if he could ship them over... No was my answer.

I've eventually had to order them from the UK (to a friend in the UK).

bucks73

I dealt with Richersounds in Cork for the first time a few weeks ago and found them pretty good.

They didnt have the Mission m72s I was looking for so I went for the m74s with a pretty good discount. They had the rest of my order and everything was delivered the next day.

ozpass

I bought a secondhand Panasonic VSA-E03 from Richer Sounds in Cork for peanuts. As a result I wasn't too upset that it didn't have a remote or come with a box.

They 'phoned me the next day to say that they'd found the remote and the manual, which they duly handed over to me when I called in.

Pretty good service, if you ask me.:)

demac

Try also AV Imports on the Naas Road. They normally sell to the trade but every now and then seem to open to the public.

Cork

What is the best no frills hi-fi system - eg radio,cd & tape?

Somerhing like for a bedroom - a micto or mini model?

Borzoi

My Pioneer 100CD file changer is dying at the moment - so I've been looking aroung to replace and expand.

Am currently thinking this
SONY CDP-CX455
a monster 400CD changer - too big now, but soon...

Have priced it up
Richer Sounds Irl €589
Richer Sounds Uk website: not available
Sony Shop: €569

This crowd (among others in the UK) http://www.hiwayhifi.com have it priced at stg£270 inc Vat and mainland delivery, but will quote delivery for all of Europe. Which is €422, even allowing €40 to ship, thats a saving of over €100.

So Richer and Sony Irl can kiss my...

For even more fun (and curiosity) I priced in the US at $299 - a massive $250 cheaper than here

Mr. Fancypants

Check this out....


http://www.techtronics.com/uk/shop/611-sony-cdp-cx455-cd-player.html

Doesnt include VAT, but delivery will be £25 sterling. Havent worked it out, but it might save u a few bob.

Borzoi

Thanks for that Mb, the price works out to be the same.

Have you used techtronic - I'd prefer to go with a company that people can recommend, if possible.

Mr. Fancypants

I ordered this : http://www.techtronics.com/uk/shop/50-pioneer-dv-656a-s-multi-region-dvd-player.html from them this week. They seem professional, only unusal thing about them is that they ask for a scan of your credit card and a bill to stop credit card fraud.
Im waiting for it to ship at the moment. Ill let you know how i get on if you want.

BTW, the DVD player works out over €100 cheaper than Richer Sounds when you take into account Tax and Courier Delivery.

Mr. Fancypants

Just to follow up. Recieved the DVD player yesterday Exactly 1 week after ordering. Was quite impressed with the level of service throughout. You can track it from the moment of ordering all the way to your door.

Fabritzo

dvd good good (test, don't mind me)

daveg

I've just found this German website. They ship to Ireland for €22. I bought a car stereo off there sister company a while back. Excellent service and prices.

commited

www.hyperfi.co.uk are also dirt cheap..
Another vote for Cloney Audio also..
They take car of you no matter how much you are spending + have a good selection of second hand stuff
Im not that impressed with Richersounds..
Guy I talked to had never heard the Arcam 7SE or 8r, which were pretty common when I had them.
Also their dem room is basically the storage room..
Found the guys in Lyric Hifi to be v. helpful + he even told my dad wot the problem was with our TV so we didnt have to buy a new one..
Hi-fi corner is OK..
Hm is quite good..
HAd alot of help from them when I was looking at separate systems..

demac

Lyric Hi-Fi and Richersounds are part of the same group/owners.

If anyone is looking for a new Hi-Fi, Richersounds have the award winning Denon DM-30 for €349. This beauty has won the best Hi-Fi award for somthing like the last 3 years or somthing. It consists of a CD player and FM Tuner.

Watch out that the version offered by Richersounds doesn't include speakers !!!!!

bucks73

Thats because it doesnt come with its own speakers. Denon selected a pair of missions to sell as a package so you could buy with or without speakers.

Thumper Long

The best speakers money can buy (at a reasonable price) are sony pascal speakers SAVE835ED 140W handling per satellite speaker, 200W subwoofer Aluminium diecast bass reflex bodies and the sound definition from these is amazinglist price €969 can be got for around €900 in the sony centre blanchardstown where i got mine, they obliterate bose acoustimas and other half hearted efforts from mission etc. get them u wont b dissapointed

p.s. richersounds is gone bankrupt

commited

Originally posted by Thumper Long
The best speakers money can buy (at a reasonable price) are sony pascal speakers SAVE835ED 140W handling per satellite speaker, 200W subwoofer Aluminium diecast bass reflex bodies and the sound definition from these is amazinglist price €969 can be got for around €900 in the sony centre blanchardstown where i got mine, they obliterate bose acoustimas and other half hearted efforts from mission etc. get them u wont b dissapointed

p.s. richersounds is gone bankrupt

WTF!!!
R u sure bout rs?

Thumper Long

RicherSounds is gone for good €800000 in debt, shame.

DavrosUK

Richer Sounds in Dublin did close. From what I heard...from the Belfast store, the went into voluntary liquidation.

The guy that owns Dublin also owns Belfast and they are now handling all enquiries for Ireland.

We are gonna be better off anyway as their prices are much cheaper than Dublins were.

Eg : That Sony pack (SAVE835) that someone mentions is £399.95 sterling in Belfast. Roughtly €600.

I think we'll see a few other retailers in Dublin close as someone also points out, UK web dealers are cheaper than local Dublin prices. Anway, I'll still shop with Richer Sounds as at least they know what they are talking about. The prices on their site have already dropped since Belfast took over.

Bring back the punt !

Jim

anyone know any decent irish sites to buy home cinema kits from??

DavrosUK

www.richersounds.ie is the best that I have found.

It depends on what you are looking for.

They will do an amp/receiver and then you can buy a speaker pack, or an all-in-one solution like the Sony DAVS550 or a DVD player with a 5.1 output and an amplifier/speaker kit with a 5.1 input.

Depends on what you want.

Anway.....www.techtronics.co.uk also do some good kits and so do www.unbeatable.co.uk - but both these are UK sites and they don't offer the same sort of warranties etc.

You can buy direct from ...sony.ie - but their prices are nuts.

Also www.buy4now.ie has some stuff on it, but it's an Arnotts portal, so the selection is pretty crap.

The selection is pretty mediocre, but the Richer site is pretty good.

Best to check the stock to avoid disappointment.

Prezatch

the richer sounds irish website doesn't seem to work anymore.

DavrosUK

Hi Joey.

I just received a JPW sub woofer from them yesterday.

It did take a few days as they were closed for a shop re-fit.

It's still at www.richersounds.ie

Happy hunting

:cool:

Kali

Originally posted by _CreeD_
Try Walrus.co.uk too, some very nice equipment. I picked up my speakers there and if they'd ship those they'll ship anything to Ireland.

I'd heartily reccomend these lads, I haven't been to the store but they're extremely helpful on the phone and very knowledgeable.. they know their hi-fi.. plus they're more than willing to ship to Ireland if you ask them (and everything came well well wrapped).. bit hard to get through on the phone but worth it when you do

Ricardfred

Just wondering if anyone got a plasma delivered from UK? If so, from where, delivery charge, any problems etc?
thanks

zilog_jones

For anyone living in or around Limerick, Savins (on O'Connell St.) are usually pretty good. Their prices are acceptable (for a private Irish shop anyway), they have a good range of AV stuff (mostly Pioneer and Panasonic, but have some super-swanky stuff like Denon and Bose too), there's a Panasonic shop around the back, and they also sell musical instruments and stuff in the basement. Good selection of TVs, too!

Oh, and they do repairs too.

mayto

this german site http://www.technikdirekt.de/ has some good prices. i got pioneer dcs-222 home cinema system for e208 plus e20 delivery.set it up today and very happy with it. it has optical input so i can connect my sat reciever and xbox with optical lead for 5.1 sound.this is e299 in richer-sounds. gone back up to e329 now. they have a good rating on this german site http://geizhals.at/deutschland/a104724.html . delivered by dhl/securicor and takes about a week.

wavin

Anybody know where i can get small ( 5mmx20mm , 6.3amp ) glass fuses on the net?i looked around cork with no joy.

cheers

Wavin

aersat

www.technikdirekt.de is well worth a look.

Aersat.

pathogan91

bruce wayne wrote:

Hi,

Does anyone know of any good sites to buy stero equipment (particularly speakers). I can only find Richersounds and Peats, but can't find what I want there. There are some good stuff on UK sites but they dont seem to deliver to Ireland.

Any ideas. The real crime is there's some great US sites that are selling lovely mission's, JBL's and Bose speakers from $100 ???

Any ideas anyone ?

CALL INTO MADDENS IN PRINCES ST , I THINK THEY DO BOSE ETC OR IF NOT IN STOCK CAN ORDER

Imzadi

Hi lads n ladettes,

I've worked in the car hifi and vehicle security business for 5 years now - A customer of mine has just opened a Shop in Dublin 24 and he sells all top brands aswell as the cheaper end stuff.
This bloke can hook you up with the latest alarm systems too - Clifford, Cobra.
He will quote you for fitting aswell and supply. His work is tidy and he can call out to your premises after office hours.

Here's the number 01 4540101, if your interested.

Imzadi

wavin wrote:

Anybody know where i can get small ( 5mmx20mm , 6.3amp ) glass fuses on the net?i looked around cork with no joy.

cheers

Wavin

Hiya Wavin,

Did you try KC Services ....Karen Curren in Cork...Think she's still in Ovens. Or you could try Sounds Secure in Cork.

Dinarius

We've just moved house and we've just given our old hi-fi to charity, so I'm back in the market and I haven't a clue! ;-)

I want a shelf system, CD and tuner only. It needs to be good, but not in the anorak zone! ;-)

Today I was in Peats on Dame Street and listened to a Teac system (€699) playing through Bose speakers (an additional €599). Very impressive, beautifully made, but a bit outside my budget. I'd like to limit myself to €1000.

1. Where can I find reviews of new gear?

2. Having read through this thread, are Cloney, Richer Sounds and Peats still the main ports of call in Dublin?

3. Can I send a signal wirelessly through the house? i.e. Could I have the system in the living room, but have speakers in the bedroom? I have CAT5e throughout. Would this be of any use?

Many thanks.

D.

commited

Hi Dinarius.
When you say shelf system, I assume you mean hifi separates?
For €1000 your best bet is to look at the second hand market. From my experience of bose speakers, they are AWFUL for the price. No real range and give a sound which seems impressive as they emphasise certain frequencys.

I dont recommend buying stuff based on reviews, but there are some excellent hifi sites out there including audioreview.com and hifichoice.co.uk.

Richersounds are gone from Dublin now - only in Belfast. They were the only Richersounds store not making money from what I hear. Peats is overpriced and the stuff there isnt great in my opinion. Harvey Normans is slightly better. Cloney has good stuff but it's probably over your budget.

I have no idea on wireless signals-I believe you can get digital senders. A single run of Cat 5e would transmit the sound but it wouldnt sound nearly as good as if you had speakers in the room with the hifi.

I hope that helps,
Mark

P.S - PM sent.

Dinarius

commited wrote:

Hi Dinarius.
When you say shelf system, I assume you mean hifi separates?

To be honest, an off-the-shelf complete package would probably suit me.

I've looked at the Sony offerings and been singularly unimpressed. Lousy build quality, IMHO.

As I wrote above, I liked the feel of the TEAC system I saw, but with a bit more to spend, I'd like to know what else is worth considering.

Many thanks.

D.

commited

As far as complete packages go, the Arcam Solo is meant to be fantastic but over your budget. A used Linn Classik would fit the bill nicely, not as good as the solo, but a fantastic bit of Kit.
Denon do some good all in one offerings. I believe something like this is well regarded: http://www.hifistore.co.uk/product.php?qsProd=DF101.

With all in one "off the shelf" - they're will always be a compromise however. I'm not a fan of TEAC stuff, always found their sound to be rather lacking in both detail and smoothness.

I agree re: the sony stuff - very disapointing - their offerings in every department are getting worse though.

Your best option is always separates.

Dinarius

Committed,

Who sells Arcam and Denon in Dublin?

For £299.95 (excluding the speakers, of course) that Denon seems like good value. Anyone bought online from UK? Are there duty and VAT implications?

When I was last taking a real interest in hi-fi, B&W were considered excellent speakers. Are they still?

Thanks again.

D.

Dinarius

Been having a good look at the Solo on the Arcam site.

Gorgeous!

And the press has been excellent too.

D.