If you're simply going to be playing music on the system, you can opt for a cheaper stereo system. stereo systems generally only have two channels, instead of the multitude offered by home theatre.

Go separate?

Separates are now commonly referred to as "components". These are basically just individual parts of an overall home audio set-up; common components include:

• Amplifier: The output is controlled from here, and everything plugs into it. Amplifiers should come with inputs for all units, and will also have a couple of inputs known as "lines" which you can plug MP3 players, turntables, and computers into. Key figures you'll need to remember are power (look for 100 watts or more per channel) and what's known as THD (a measure of distortion - less than 1 percent is good, nearer zero is better)
• Speakers: Quality is measured in terms of output, frequency range and bandwidth, type and more besides… enough to take up a whole new guide on their own. Look for high-wattage outputs, a high sensitivity rating (measured in decibels - above 90 is great) and ask the salespeople to tell you which type is best for your particular needs. CD player: Multi- or single players are available. Individual manufacturers boast different types of technology but, to be honest, this is stabilizing now. You want something which will last, you can clean, and which is easy to have repaired.
• Radio: You can find analogue ("normal" radio), digital (very clear, easy to tune, set to replace analogue when the signal is switched off soon) and satellite (hundreds of stations, as you find on digital TV receivers) receivers. Avoid analogue; soon, it will be obsolete.

Turntable

For playing records. These need to be "pre-amped" before they can be plugged into a line - if the turntable you want doesn't have a pre-amp, buy an amplifier with a "phono" input. You can also buy systems which are in one unit; they are often cheaper. These mini or midi systems are more difficult to upgrade and replace, but often cheaper; they tend to be less advanced. More types of components - mp3 players, MiniDisk players, and so on - are also available. And remember - try before you buy! Shop staff should be happy to let you listen to the systems before they sell them to you. Take along a copy of your favourite CD and give the system a go.