Luxury Insider

That is not to say however, that the more costly and unusual-looking an audio system, the better it is. As audio expert and owner of Audio Note Singapore Desmond Poon puts it, “Hi-fi is a discipline. It's not about how much money you throw at it. Some people think that the more expensive the system, the better. This is not true. One has to be disciplined in choosing what goes into one’s system. From researching to matching, it's all about being passionate about the music and the sound.”

Since choosing between components that cost a fortune and look extra-terrestrial is understandably daunting, here’s a guide to the basics every high-end sound system should satisfy, as well as a look at some of the best hi-fi components available today.

It was once de rigueur to have every component separated into its constituent parts. A CD player could be broken up into CD transport (the tray and the playback buttons) and the digital-to-analog converter (DAC). Similarly, a speaker cabinet could be separated from its crossovers.

However, the focus is now back on integrated components, which according to Poon, is probably due to esthetic and lifestyle reasons. Thus, instead of multiple monolithic components casting a pall on your décor, it is now possible to have a beautifully integrated hi-fi system that blends in with your Italian furniture.