First time AV system, need help

[Begreen]

Hi, we are setting up a smaller living room home theatre. This is our first foray into A/V. Our current system, while older has served us well. It has a Kyocera R861 receiver tied to KEF 104.3 speakers. I also have an original Yamaha DSP1 and the mating Yamaha 4 channel amp of same vintage. The Yamaha equipment has been in the box for the past 12 years (kids, no space, etc.).

Now we want to set up for home theater. What should we keep if anything? We no longer listen intensely to music. My wife wants good FM reception and minimum visual intrusion. My ears are no longer as good as they were, so it doesn't have to be the ultimate HT. I would like good sound without breaking the bank. (kids now in college). And I would like to avoid buying into obsolescence. 5.1 sound will probably be all we ever need. We no longer listen to music as loud either.

Question: Do I need mega power amps? Last year I hooked up my wife's kitchen Mirage bookshelf speakers to a Roku with a T-Amp and continue to be impressed by how much better they sound. What if I connected 3 T-Amps to very efficient speakers and a good preamp like a NAD? Or should I go for the keep it simple route and get a full receiver? If a full receiver, what fits the bill?

As far as speakers should we keep the KEFs for the front end? If yes, what would be good matching, high-efficiency speakers? If not, then what?

 

[zumbo]

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=88195
http://www.oppodigital.com/
This place has good deals on Monitor Audio speakers. The Bronze line are a bargain, and should work well for you application. Click on deals to the left.
http://www.saturdayaudio.com/

 

[Seth=L]

First of all, what is your budget? The T-amp would not work well for home theater. They are nice to play with for small rooms with low output sound systems, but they lack the dynamic output capability necessary for home theater. That Yamaha 4 channel amp would work better for home theater (much better IMO) than the T-amps. If it where me, I would get a pre/pro with a nice two channel amplifier for the fronts and use the Yamaha to power the rest.

Do you need HDMI switching? What sources do you have?

 

[Begreen]

First of all, what is your budget? The T-amp would not work well for home theater. They are nice to play with for small rooms with low output sound systems, but they lack the dynamic output capability necessary for home theater. That Yamaha 4 channel amp would work better for home theater (much better IMO) than the T-amps.

Thanks for the thoughts on the T-Amp. I would prefer to stay below 2000 for the audio. Though when they are matched to a high efficiency speaker, they can be very loud. And the sound is really much better than I have heard except from the best tube amp. How loud do I need?

If it where me, I would get a pre/pro with a nice two channel amplifier for the fronts and use the Yamaha to power the rest.

OK, certainly worth a try.

Do you need HDMI switching? What sources do you have?

We still need to get the video. Right now we just have a Sony VCR and Conia DVD. So far no HDMI inputs, but we will be getting a decent HD player, with HDMI. This is another place that is really hard for me to sort out. The competing DVD standards make it hard to make a good choice. We are looking at getting a decent 32" LCD TV and a Panasonic AX-200 projector. Would we be better getting a good used AV receiver and a manual HDMI switch at this point? If preamp, what are the best A/V (affordable) units?

 

[Begreen]

Zumbo, good tips, I am looking at OPPO for the DVD player. But the suggested Yamaha seems to be a bit dated with HDMI 1.2. Would I be better off with no HDMI and an external swither? Thanks for the saturdayaudio link. I just finished up reading about ERA speakers and will check out others mentioned there as well.

 

[Seth=L]

Zumbo, good tips, I am looking at OPPO for the DVD player. But the suggested Yamaha seems to be a bit dated with HDMI 1.2. Would I be better off with no HDMI and an external swither? Thanks for the saturdayaudio link. I just finished up reading about ERA speakers and will check out others mentioned there as well.

The Yamaha RX-V2700 is a good suggestion. It can do basically anything an HDMI 1.3 receiver can do aside from deep color (not usable at the moment with current HD displays) and on board HD audio decoding (this can be handled inside the HD player you buy and sent out as 7.1 LPCM to the receiver via HDMI, which is just as good as having it decoded on the receiver).

ERA speakers are not very efficient or easy speakers to drive. You can get more for your money IMO. I have auditioned the ERA speakers, and they are impressive for their size, but more effective speakers can be had for the money.

Since you are getting an Oppo and an HD player you won't need to look for features like scalers on receivers, so that saves some money.

The cool thing is, if you get the RX-V2700 you can use the preouts to connect to the Yamaha 4 channel amplifier to power the center and surrounds.

 

[Begreen]

I will take a good look at the Yamaha. What speakers should I be looking at for a good compliment?

 

[Seth=L]

What ever speakers compliment your ears my friend. Go out and do some listening.

 

[Begreen]

Thanks. I'll need to narrow down the field a bit first. There are too many options and some (like the Canadian speakers) are not available locally. I live pretty far away from the dealers, so it would really help to narrow down the list to a manageable amount.

I will keep the KEFs for now, so the next speakers will be for the rear and center. Depending on budget, a sub may be next. The speakers should be a good match for the KEFs, efficient and should be as small as possible without major compromise to the sound. The rears could even be built in to the wall. I have good access underneath to run up wires.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

If you like the sound of the KEFs then keep them. I would narrow the search around the following:

Paradigm
Monitor Audio
DT
KEF
B&W
Ascend
Aperion Audio
PSB

There are many more great speakers out there but this would be a good start.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If you like the sound of the KEFs then keep them. I would narrow the search around the following:

Paradigm
Monitor Audio
DT
KEF
B&W
Ascend
Aperion Audio
PSB

There are many more great speakers out there but this would be a good start.

Are you just covering all the bases of everyone on this thread?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Are you just covering all the bases of everyone on this thread?

I thought that's what you told me to do from now on?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I thought that's what you told me to do from now on?

Well, that's okay for now.
But pretty soon, I'm gonna expect a little bit more controversial and less politically correct recommendations.

 

[zumbo]

Paradigm
Monitor Audio
DT
KEF
B&W
Ascend
Aperion Audio
PSB

This is an odd list. I honestly don't see how Ascend and Aperion can be put in a list with those other brands. And, DT, Paradigm, or KEF, wouldn't make the list if it were a personal issue. I would alter the list a bit.

B&W
MB Quart
Monitor Audio
Polk Audio

I do understand that Paradigm and DT outclass Polk, but I list Polk for the simple reason that they are the best entry-level speaker brand out there.(IMO)

BTW, I consider a $400-$500 tower to be entry-level.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

This is an odd list. I honestly don't see how Ascend and Aperion can be put in a list with those other brands. And, DT, Paradigm, or KEF, wouldn't make the list if it were a personal issue. I would alter the list a bit.

B&W
MB Quart
Monitor Audio
Polk Audio

I do understand that Paradigm and DT outclass Polk, but I list Polk for the simple reason that they are the best entry-level speaker brand out there.(IMO)

BTW, I consider a $400-$500 tower to be entry-level.

No, no, no. I would alter the list:

1. Def Tech BP10B for $800/pr (20 Hz - 20 kHz +/- 6dB).

Julian Hirsch (who doesn't like him from Stereo Review?) praised the heck of these speakers. Come on now.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

This is an odd list. I honestly don't see how Ascend and Aperion can be put in a list with those other brands. And, DT, Paradigm, or KEF, wouldn't make the list if it were a personal issue. I would alter the list a bit.

B&W
MB Quart
Monitor Audio
Polk Audio

I do understand that Paradigm and DT outclass Polk, but I list Polk for the simple reason that they are the best entry-level speaker brand out there.(IMO)

BTW, I consider a $400-$500 tower to be entry-level.

I didnt list which models and these are the speakers I listened to and liked a little something about each of them. In the end I liked the digms the best so that what I got. The MA's ran a close second but they were a little harse to me. KEF's sounded pretty darn sweet to me but I didnt listen to them in my home. I also liked the AV123 Rockets and forgot to add them to my list here. Bottom line is no one can pick your speakers for you as we all like something different. DTs are awesome and should always be considered and B&Ws are good once you get up the food chain.

 

[donquijote9999]

First time home theater/av system

Gents

Any recommendations for a first time home theater/av system ? My budget is $5000 (excluding tv-thinking Sharp Aquos LC-45GD5U 45" HD-Ready Flat-Panel LCD TV)

Cheers,
Don

 

[zumbo]

No, no, no. I would alter the list:

1. Def Tech BP10B for $800/pr (20 Hz - 20 kHz +/- 6dB).

Julian Hirsch (who doesn't like him from Stereo Review?) praised the heck of these speakers. Come on now.

Actually, they are $500ea.

B&W 684 for $500ea. -6dB at 34Hz-50kHz
Monitor Audio RS6 for $500ea. FR 38Hz - 30KHz(only spec I could find)
Polk Audio RTi A5 for $475ea. -3dB 40Hz-26kHz
MB Quart QLS830 can be had for $500ea($849 retail ea). FR 33Hz-32kHz(only spec I could find)

I personally would choose any of the above over the DT.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I personally would choose any of the above over the DT.

Yet you have a BOSE system

 

[zumbo]

Yet you have a BOSE system

Actually, I do. It's in my wife's G35 coupe. It actually sounds pretty darn good.