Components of a home stereo system

The following are common types of media and the components that are designed to play them:

CDs are easily the most popular and versatile of media, so choosing a good player for them is essential.Most people use a DVD player as their CD player, as many modern DVD players can play MP3s encoded onto CDs and handle virtually every function that a standalone CD player can.This option saves money, because you don't have to buy both components, but your TV must be close to your home stereo system.Players that can contain up to several hundred CDs and DVDs at once, like a jukebox, are even available.I do not recommend these, as it can be difficult to remember the numerical location of a given disc and time-consuming to figure it out.My personal choice of a CD player is a high-end DVD player with a friendly interface.If you want to be able to play music files from your computer on your stereo, make sure that you purchase a DVD player with MP3 playback functionality: you can fit about 180 full-length, CD-quality MP3 files onto a CD-R or CD-RW.

Records form significant parts of the music collections of many people, and listening to them can be a completely different experience from simply putting on a CD.Similarly, record players can't really just be crammed into the entertainment center with the rest of your stereo components.Record players always open from the top with a clamshell-type design, so they need room to be opened and controlled.This is an important consideration when choosing furniture for your stereo system - my preference has always been to purchase a completely separate record player and put it a few feet away from everything else, on its own stand.Keep in mind that the output signal from record players is not the same as the output signal from other components - it needs special preamplification that not all modern receivers can provide.In other words, if you wish to play records on your home stereo system, make sure that your receiver can specifically handle a "phono" or "record" signal.Portable record players with built-in speakers are another good choice.The most important factors in choosing a record player are smooth, level movement of the turntable and a very light, easy-to-replace needle.The lighter the needle, the longer your records will last.

Ipods and other digital music players are becoming increasingly common - fortunately, they can be integrated into a home stereo system quite easily.I do not recommend the standalone speaker systems that are designed for particular digital music players, as these are often overpriced and the output level limited.Instead, simply plug a 1/8" - RCA cable into an auxiliary port on your receiver and into the headphone jack of your music player.No component is necessary; you just need a place to set your music player, and you may want to consider keeping an electrical outlet open so you can charge it while it's playing.

Eight-track, cassette, and minidisc players have limited production, but can still certainly be found and incorporated into a modern home stereo system.

Wireless network music access points are a very recent addition to the home stereo market.They are still more expensive than most other components, but can be a wise addition to a stereo system if you have a wireless home network and many music files on your computer.The access point simply receives and outputs a wireless signal from your computer's music player.These systems, while quite expensive, are very reliable and simply don't require media.

Speakers, a subwoofer, and a high-quality receiver (with phono inputs if you plan to play records) will round out a home stereo system - these are usually packaged together.Choosing what media you will play and what components you will need is the toughest part of setting up a home stereo system.