Whatever happened to the budget stereo amplifier market?

Technical editor Ketan Bharadia laments a real gap in the market

- Ketan Bharadia

There used to be a thing called a ‘starter hi-fi system’. It was the first rung on the separates hi-fi ladder – a clear level above any of the micro, mini or all-in-one packaged tower systems that were available in shops at the time.

From the 1970s to the early 2000s, such systems were the bread and butter of the hi-fi industry. Not only did their affordability encourage more people into this hobby we so love, but they also established a foundation – a starting point, if you like – from which people could continue to climb the upgrade ladder in search of their version of hi-fi nirvana.

All-in-ones for all?

There is an argument that excellent all-in-one speaker systems such as the KEF LSX II and LSX II LT, Triangle AIO Twin and Elac Debut Connex DCB41 have replaced such budget systems. It is fair to say that such products deliver excellent performance in wonderfully compact packages, and in many ways represent the best (and neatest) way to deliver affordable stereo hi-fi sound in the modern age.

Ultimately, these kinds of products may well lead to the demise of traditional budget separates systems due to their innate practicality and terrific performance potential; but I don’t think we are there yet. Right now, I suspect a greater danger to the hi-fi status quo is the paucity of great-sounding budget amplification.