Full system upgrade - looking for tips/suggestions and TV help :)

[Kalm_Traveler]

What a first post here! Hello and thanks ahead of time for the wealth of information on the forums and articles!


Now for what I am updating (current components):

40" Samsung LCD tv from Costco circa 2008 (I forget the model but it's nothing special)
Denon AVR-1612
fronts: Yamaha NS-AM200 mini-monitors
center: Yamaha NS-AC140 (a relic from my childhood)
surrounds: Yamaha NS-A638 3-way bookshelves
sub: DCM DC-10 (I think this was generic because I've seen identical models with other brand names)

Long story short, I decided to build a decent setup before I quit working to go back to school and have begun researching newer components.

My room is approximately 12' wide, 24' deep, with a standard 8' ceiling. Carpeted floor, door is in the rear-right corner on the long wall. There are 2 windows basically in the mid-1/3 of the left wall.

I understand now that plasma clearly trumps LCD as far as screens go, but I am looking for a 70"-75" screen and can't find any plasmas that large, let alone that fit my overall budget goal (~ $5000 for everything). Speaker-wise, I understand that there are much better brands than Yamaha, but I like their sound for the most part and unless there's a very compelling reason to switch - I had selected some for a 7.1 build as follows:

AVR: Yamaha RX-A1030 (I need 7.1, all manner of analogue inputs for old game consoles, and analogue-to-HDMI conversion)
sub: SVS SB2000 (reviews are amazing, seems to be well worth the price?)
fronts: Yamaha NS-777
surrounds: Yamaha NS-777
center: Yamaha NS-C444
rear surrounds: Yamaha NS-333

I know these are not ultra high-level speakers, but they sound pretty good, especially compared to the hodge-podge setup I've had for the last 15-18 years. Again if I should look at another set please say so.

As for the screen, a projector isnt' really an option for the space (no easy way to run HDMI to it), so I am more or less stuck with just buying a better TV.

I had initially looked at some Samsung displays, and felt that a UN75H6350 would be great, later finding it's predecessor the UN75F6300 (2013 model) for about $450 cheaper. I know these are edge-lit, and I did try to find a good full-array backlit screen to compare but it seems that nobody really makes them anymore.


Any and all input will be highly appreciated before i start plunking down cash on these parts, and especially if you have some TV suggestions I am aaaaaaaaall ears. Given that the equipment I'm upgrading from is so old and modest, perhaps my 'taste' for gear is lower than the average enthusiast - but on the plus side that means I'm easier to please? haha

 

[ImcLoud]

$5000
thats a decent size room so I would focus on the subwoofer, I would look into..
Hybrid 15 Packages the hybrid 15 7.1 system costs a little over $2000 shipped...
for a screen, I don't like investing a ton of money into displays, they tend to be outdated quickly, I find all of them to have similar picture quality, and you pay too much for the "newest" features, same goes for AVR's...
For the tv, I have seen this one at best buy it looks good, Sharp AQUOS 70" Class 6912" Diag. LED 1080p 120Hz Smart HDTV LC-70LE650U - Best Buy Another note on displays is the larger you go the picture IMO starts to deteriorate in quality...

for an avr I wouldn't spend much more than you need to, add up all the features you want and buy the cheapest one, try to stick with marantz, pioneer, or denon {in my experience them three over nice units for the money..
Pioneer vsx1023 and 1123's are available for $3-350... if you don't mind refurbished {I have had good luck with a4l and denon refunds..} DENON AVR-E400 7.1 4K & 3D Networking Receiver Airplay | Accessories4less

If you don't like the hsu system {which you can return for 30 days if you don't like it}, I would still lean towards HSU subs, they seem to offer more for your money, I own both svs and hsu and hsu is a better buy for HT... VTF2, 3 and 15 are all nice subs that will fill that room up... Speakers are going to be all personal taste, hard for anyone on here to tell you definite yes or no with a speaker set, you may like different highs than me, since your ave is going to cross the lows out of the theater speakers don't worry about lows and larger towers, stick with some decent bookshelf and call it a day...
My HT system cost me around $3500 and sounds amazing, I use two VTF-2's {more subs more better}, ascend acoustic 340se front sound stage with 200se surrounds, emotive imc 1 processor {no analog outs so no good for you} emotiva XPA5 1000w amplifier, and a cheap lg 55" led tv... I am happy with it....
If I were you I would look into ascend acoustic bookshelf's, HSU subwoofers, Sharp led displays, and Denon Avr's...
Also 5. vs 7. I prefer 5... make sure your room can be setup for 7. before investing..



welcome to ah

 

[GranteedEV]

My honest opinion?

If you want a 70 inch TV, then your budget as a whole is hopeless.

Step down to a 60 inch and maybe you're getting a lot more reasonable.

 

[Kalm_Traveler]

My honest opinion?

If you want a 70 inch TV, then your budget as a whole is hopeless.

Step down to a 60 inch and maybe you're getting a lot more reasonable.

I don't understand this. I've found quite a few 70-75" models between $1600-2600 (I don't want 3D or 4K).

And keep in mind I am upgrading from a CCFL-backlit Samsung LN40B530 (which to my untrained eye actually looks decent post-calibration).

 

[mtrycrafts]

...

Long story short, I decided to build a decent setup before I quit working to go back to school and have begun researching newer components.

...

Welcome is in order.

Before you start spending I would ask a few questions first. Are you married? How long will it take to finish your education goal? Will you be working part time or have savings to support you for that duration?
I ask as a system upgrade could wait until you finish and get a good job again.

 

[Kalm_Traveler]

Welcome is in order.

Before you start spending I would ask a few questions first. Are you married? How long will it take to finish your education goal? Will you be working part time or have savings to support you for that duration?
I ask as a system upgrade could wait until you finish and get a good job again.

Many thanks!

Not married, and I plan on ~ 3 years to finish. I will have some savings for emergencies / occasional splurging but also working part time.

Also, I do not plan on staying in-country after I finish school and will be leaving this HT build to whichever family member seems most likely to appreciate and use it.

You are certainly correct that I could just wait, but that defeats the purpose - I wanted to have something nice to enjoy my "at-home" time now that I have the space (and funds) to build such an environment.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Many thanks!

Not married, and I plan on ~ 3 years to finish. I will have some savings for emergencies / occasional splurging but also working part time.

Also, I do not plan on staying in-country after I finish school and will be leaving this HT build to whichever family member seems most likely to appreciate and use it.

You are certainly correct that I could just wait, but that defeats the purpose - I wanted to have something nice to enjoy my "at-home" time now that I have the space (and funds) to build such an environment.

Well, that does make a difference. Just wanted to be sure that others depended on you would not be short changed.

While it is a 3 year enjoyment period, you also want to consider who will inherit it even if there are a couple of choices. Can they operate the system?
Will they have room to place it in? If they are married, will there be an issue? Or, an issue with someone who didn't get it?
A good sub may not fit sound wise, etc.

Will a 65"/70" TV fit in the 2nd home?

If all is acceptable, Perhaps a SVS sub and SVS bookshelf speakers if they still sell them with a receiver?

 

[Kalm_Traveler]

Well, that does make a difference. Just wanted to be sure that others depended on you would not be short changed.

While it is a 3 year enjoyment period, you also want to consider who will inherit it even if there are a couple of choices. Can they operate the system?
Will they have room to place it in? If they are married, will there be an issue? Or, an issue with someone who didn't get it?
A good sub may not fit sound wise, etc.

Will a 65"/70" TV fit in the 2nd home?

If all is acceptable, Perhaps a SVS sub and SVS bookshelf speakers if they still sell them with a receiver?

understood and most appreciated

Most likely I will leave it here (I recently moved back in with my single recovering-from-illness mother, both to help her take care of the house - and to facilitate school on my part by not having to pay for rent or utilities), so placement etc will not be an issue.

As far as operating.... well I have 3 years to teach her how to use the remotes! hahaha I'm sure she'll appreciate a 70-75" screen for a Breaking Bad marathon re-watch!

I had not considered SVS's regular speakers, but will definitely take a look if you recommend them. Do they offer the same "trial period" with their normal speakers as they offer with the subwoofers? (try out for up to 30 days, return for free if not satisfied?)

The main reason my first thought was 4 floorstanding speakers was that I have noticed movies and music seem more "enveloping" when the full-frequency signal can go to the individual speakers, rather than being digitally modified to force all lowish frequencies over to the subwoofer, and due to room layout I can't really fit 2 more towers in the far back for rear surrounds. I've already installed banana plug wall jacks on the TV wall, and rear wall with in-wall-rated 12ga speaker wire accordingly, in preparation for some wall-mounted bookshelves back there.

 

[mtrycrafts]

understood and most appreciated

Most likely I will leave it here (I recently moved back in with my single recovering-from-illness mother, both to help her take care of the house - and to facilitate school on my part by not having to pay for rent or utilities), so placement etc will not be an issue.

As far as operating.... well I have 3 years to teach her how to use the remotes! hahaha I'm sure she'll appreciate a 70-75" screen for a Breaking Bad marathon re-watch!

I had not considered SVS's regular speakers, but will definitely take a look if you recommend them. Do they offer the same "trial period" with their normal speakers as they offer with the subwoofers? (try out for up to 30 days, return for free if not satisfied?)

The main reason my first thought was 4 floorstanding speakers was that I have noticed movies and music seem more "enveloping" when the full-frequency signal can go to the individual speakers, rather than being digitally modified to force all lowish frequencies over to the subwoofer, and due to room layout I can't really fit 2 more towers in the far back for rear surrounds. I've already installed banana plug wall jacks on the TV wall, and rear wall with in-wall-rated 12ga speaker wire accordingly, in preparation for some wall-mounted bookshelves back there.

Not sure what SVS is doing now with their trial periods and if that would include the bookshelves. Give them a call or their web?
The receiver would do the crossover that you set when assigning speakers as small, not an issue. You would still get envelopment since the lows are not conducive to be localized.
I would think you want to make the setup as simple as you can get. Don't know your mom, what she can learn about audio. A remote may not be enough. She may not need the full setup
for most of her shows. Sister had a hard time after husband died even with written instructions. Significant other will not touch it.
But, I am sure you'll figure it all out.

 

[Kalm_Traveler]

Not sure what SVS is doing now with their trial periods and if that would include the bookshelves. Give them a call or their web?
The receiver would do the crossover that you set when assigning speakers as small, not an issue. You would still get envelopment since the lows are not conducive to be localized.
I would think you want to make the setup as simple as you can get. Don't know your mom, what she can learn about audio. A remote may not be enough. She may not need the full setup
for most of her shows. Sister had a hard time after husband died even with written instructions. Significant other will not touch it.
But, I am sure you'll figure it all out.

I'll check the website again Unfortunately I have listened to several setups with small main speakers and they never sound quite as good as full-range speakers (even with a sub) so I will need to stick with them, however.

Right now my setup is pretty simple, I just wanted to go a little farther and build something that will be really nice comparatively so we'll see. Maybe this week I can find a local shop to audition some more speakers haha

As for the mom - I've done pretty well updating her technologically over the years - seems like only yesterday she was terrified of trying to use her computer to log into Yahoo! Mail, and now she's finding iPhone apps all by herself