JonesersRX7 said:
Just wanted to get an idea of what some of your guys' setups were like. I have been an avid read of Sound and Vision for a while but just have never had the funds to spend on home theator equipment. Have been running a base model 27" Wega with component progressive scan DVD for a while. It's time to upgrade.
I am looking at either a DLP or LCD TV no smaller then 60" - Ideas?
Denon 1710 DVD player
Denon 1905 Reciever
Speakers - was looking at some Def Techs - ideas?
Any of you have some suggestions or just general chat? What do you have?
Home theater was never my priority, but I've been into good stereo gear for a long time. For speakers I can't recommend Paradigm more highly. They have a great line with lots of options, including in-wall speakers that sound great. Right now I have a Rotel R-970 BX I believe, bought it so long ago I can't remember, going to two Paradigm 3SE Mk III. Paradigm makes maller speakers that can used in a satelite sub combination, and sells them in packages too. For amps Rotel is the best I've found in the cost effective range. I'd definitely check out their line. In fact, they have an all in one system that I love and may get soon. It's a full surround sound receiver with I believe 80 watts per channel, Dolby digital, DTS, the works for decoding, built in progressive scan DVD/CD/MP3. Great looks too, great ergonomics.
Something to remember when looking at power ratings. When you look at high end stuff or high end aspiring stuff like Rotel, NAD, Bryston, etc, their power ratings seem lower than brands like Sony, Denon and HK. Be careful with that. Truth is most receiver/amps on the mass market will have their power tested with a specific test signal going into a resistive load with only one channel driven. Most of those receivers I've listened to will crap out and start clipping real quickly with all channels driven even if you're listening at moderate volume. The high end and pseudo high end stuff will usually be tested with all channels running into simulated speaker loads, so their power ratings while seemingly lower are much more realistic. My current 50 watt Rotel amp kicks the living **** out of my friends 900 dollar HK receiver, which supposedly puts out 150 watts per channel. The power supplies in mass market amps often can't handle the demands of a six speaker setup.
Also, keep an eye on the sensitivity of the speakers you buy. A 3db difference in speaker sensitivity leads to I believe a perceived doubling in volume. So the higher your speakers' sensitivity, the more options you have for amplifiers basically because your power requirements get reduced. You could go for a higher quality/lower power amp if need be.
As for Sound and Vision, it's a good magazine but my experience with mass market amps speakers, CD players etc steered me towards more high end or esoteric branded stuff. My friend's parents have a Rotel system still working perfectly, never been serviced, and they've had it since I was in high school. Bryston stuff comes with a 20 year warranty. Brands I'd recommend are Rotel (my favorite), NAD, Bryston and Adcom. Also Outlaw Audio has some impressive stuff at lower prices. They have these monoblock amps that pump out 150 watts and sell for only a hundred a pop I believe, with package deals if you buy more than one. So you could set yourself up with a preamp/processor and seperates for the whole system for a little under 1500 I believe, then get decent speakers and you've got a great system with ultimate upgradabilty.
This is the Outlaw Audio site, they only sell on the Internet:
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This is the Rotel Surround Sound Receiver site with all models listed. I'd really recommend one of these, they're a great company and they make some kick ass equipment that's high quality and fucking pumps:
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