Help with existing audio equipment for new HT

[Jumpsteady]

I'm new to all of this home theater and need help. I would like to set up a home theater with also audio listening capabilities. I would like to keep my cost to a minimum (<$700). A basic HT is all I would need. I have the following equipment and would like to know what can be used in a HT set up and what my best route would be using the existing equipment and what would need to be purchased to get me going:

Panasonic 50" HD plasma TC-P50G10
Alesis Two Studio Reference Monitors
Wii for my son
Adcom GFA-535 Amp
Hafler IRIS Tuner and pre-amp
NAD CD player (not sure of model - is older)
Samsung DVD player (not sure of model - couple of years old)
Ipod if can be incorporated but not concerned about
Comcast digital cable
Size of room is about 25' x 15' but would have to double check

Can any of the audio equipment be used?

Can I still listen to CD's with a HT set up?

I'm thinking a new A/V Receiver with a sub and using the existing Alesis Monitors as surrounds would get me started but I'm ignorant to all of this audio/video stuff.

I'm just looking for something good sounding that I set up for audio and HT.

Any suggestions and all help is appreciated. I know there are probably more details that I could give but this is a start.

TIA

 

[Lordoftherings]

Hi and Welcome to Audioholics forums.

With a $700 budget, it seems that you want an A/V Receiver with a sub, and few more speakers.
Also, a blu-ray player?

And yes, you would be able to play music too from your CDs.

Your Adcom GFA-535, is it a 2-channel amp?

* Your Panny TV is perfect here, nothing to worry about for sure.

*** About a total system that includes everything (receiver, blu-ray player speakers & subwoofer), from Panasonic (HTIB)?

 

[agarwalro]

I'm thinking a new A/V Receiver with a sub and using the existing Alesis Monitors as surrounds would get me started but I'm ignorant to all of this audio/video stuff.

You are on the right track.

The Adcom and Hafer are stereo only, they might be outdated if you want to go multichannel. The Adcom is somewhat on the weaker side, but can be kept as a Zone 2/3 amp. The DVD player can be replaced by a BD Universal Player like Oppo BDP-83. Everything else can get reused in your new setup. Apple makes an Ipod doc that has RCA LR out and comes with a remote for the iPod.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Panasonic total system.

About this system: http://hometheatermag.com/hometheaterinabox/1008panahtib/

* The street price I'm sure would be closer to your $700 budget, as it is an older model also.

 

[Jumpsteady]

Thanks for the information. What I'm considering is an Onkyo TX-SR706 receiver along with a SVS PB-12NSD to go along with the existing Panny Plasma and Alesis Studio Two Monitors. Then I could move forward with the Oppo BDP-83 Universal Blu-Ray Player. I measured my room and it is 13' x 20'.
So it is not quite as big as I originally thought. Any thoughts on this set up? Also, the Oppo will be able to play CD's, SACD, DVD and Blu-Ray discs, correct?

agarwalro,

I'm not sure what you mean by using the existing Adcom as a zone 2/3 but will I want to do this? I'm just looking for something fairly simple for my HT setup and audio listening of CD's SCAD's, etc.

Also, will this set up not be outdated in a couple of years? I don't want to be spending additional money on replacing whatever I buy now.

All thoughts and comments are welcome and appreciated as I'm ignorant to all of this "stuff" which you can probably see just by the questions that I'm asking.

Thank you all.

 

[AVRat]

That's a good start. Yes the Oppo is a universal player.

 

[Jumpsteady]

A few follow up questions:

Any thoughts on buying the Onkyo TX-SR706 from accessories4less as a factory reconditioned unit for $449.99, free shipping. This has a one year warranty with an option to purchase 3 or 5 year warranty? This would help in saving money. Or is this a bad idea? What are "reconditioned units"?

Can my existing NAD 512 CD player be used until I purchase the Oppo BDP-83 down the road as funds allow? Also, the DVD player that I mentioned in my first post is a Sony CD/DVD Player model #DVP-NS325 and not a Samsung - can this be used until the Oppo is purchased as CD/DVD player?

The Adcom amp is model #545 instead of 535 as listed in my first post but I don't think that would be incorporated in to my HT setup correct? Maybe I could just use my existing audio equipment in a game room just for audio, but I would need new speakers for it or the HT setup because I would be using the Alesis that I currently have now as part of my HT setup.

When I move forward with this, the following setup would be:

Panny Plasma TC-P50G10 (already have)
Alesis Studio Two Monitors (already have)
NAD 512 CD Player (already have)
Sony CD/DVD Player DVP-NS325 (already have)
Wii (Christmas gift for my son)
Onkyo TX-SR706 (ready to purchase)
SVS PB-12NSD (ready to purchase)
Oppo BDP-83 (to purchase in the near future to replace NAD & Sony above if this makes sense)

Any and all comments are appreciated on the above for me to get a "decent" HT system and to get the best bang for my buck.

Thanks all from a "rookie" in Pittsburgh.

 

[AVRat]

Many members have purchased those type units from AC4L without issue, good cost saving alternative.

Yes you can use the older gear without a problem, all the connections are the same, nothing has changed.

You could still use the Adcom to power the Alesis, since they're 4 ohm nominal, if you want to.

 

[Jumpsteady]

AVRat,

So the Adcom would power the Alesis and the Onkyo would then power the SVS PB-12NSD correct? Would that be the best way to go if I make the purchases from the above described setup? Or would I just use the Onkyo to power everything?

Thanks

 

[AVRat]

Actually, the SVS powers itself and is fed the low-frequencies from the Onkyo. I don't know the full power needs of the Alesis, but 4-ohms speaker loads can be a bit much for receivers.

 

[Jumpsteady]

AVrat or anyone,

I want to make sure the Onkyo TX-SR706 will be able to handle and is sufficient for the Alesis Monitor Two Studio Reference Monitors. Here's what I know about the Alesis:

Alesis Monitor Two Features

150W continuous program (200W peak)
Exclusive SuperPort&trade; speaker venting technology
10" low frequency driver
5" mid- frequency driver
1" silk-dome high frequency driver
Crossover: 1500Hz and 6kHz, combin- ation 2nd order, 3rd order, asymmetrical design
Frequency range: 40Hz to 18kHz +/- 3dB
Connectors: 5-way binding posts on .75" centers
Dimensions: 14" x 14" x 20" high.
Weight: 34 lbs. each
4 Ohms

Does this still seem like it will work as I laid out in my earlier post or will I need more receiver?

Thanks

 

[AVRat]

Unfortunately, specs don’t tell the whole story. But, since the 10” driver is handling frequencies below 1500Hz, it’s eating up a lot of the power going to the speaker and is probably what’s contributing the most to the 4 ohm rating. Given that assumption, I would continue to use the Adcom to power them and use the 706 for processing and to power other HT speakers when you purchase them.

There aren’t too many receivers under $1800 I’d be willing to power true 4 ohm speakers.

 

[Jumpsteady]

So, I should be ok moving forward using the Adcom to power the Alesis and the 706 to power other speakers when I build on the system? Also, the SVS PB-12NSD will be ok within this set up, correct?

Does this seem like a good path to go?

Thank you for your help as I can't afford to be purchasing equipment twice or needing to make changes after the fact.

 

[AVRat]

Yes, no problem, your welcome.

 

[Jumpsteady]

One more question. So, I will still have multi-channel 7.1 surround sound capabilities running the Adcom to the Alesis, the SVS sub (powering itself) and the 706 to future speakers, correct?

If so, any recommendations on speakers (reasonable priced) to round out this system in the near future?

Thanks

 

[AVRat]

Yes, the one issue you'll run into is finding a center that matches the timbre of the Alesis. You'd really like to have a cohesive front soundstage, but the surrounds aren't as critical. Sometimes it's not too difficult, or if you're not too critical, but you would not mix Polk with Klipsch.

What sort of budget would you be looking at? And how would you describe the sound of the Alesis. Since they're studio monitors, I'm thinking they're pretty detailed and neutral.

 

[Jumpsteady]

Budget remains to be seen as I haven't even researched additional surround/center speakers. But, I would think the budget would be relative to the existing system I will have in place. The Alesis are neutral and detailed as you suggested to my non critical ear. I guess at this point I'm just looking for direction for the future. AVrat, you've been a great help!

 

[Jumpsteady]

I'm ready to make the Onkyo TX-sr706 purchase and wanted to know what cables will I need.

I have existing HDMI cable for Comcast DVR cable box to Panny TC-PG10. Is it just a matter of another HDMI cable for the receiver to the Panny? If so, any recommendations for where to get the cable. I was looking at the IXOS HDMI 1.3a 1080p certified HDMI cable 2m (6.4 ft) also through accessories4less for $34.99. Is this ok? I think I'm good as far as wiring for Alesis speakers (already wired), and the Adcom (RCA jack) to the receiver.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[AVRat]

If all audio is going through the receiver, yes. http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024004&p_id=3960&seq=1&format=2

 

[Jumpsteady]

Thank you AVrat. I'm ordering the refurbished 706 tonight for $369.99 with one year warranty from accessories4less and I'll pick up those cables from monoprice.

I see the EMP Tek Impression 5.1 Tower System (E5Ti, E5Bi, E5Ci & ES10i) introductory offer ends 11-30-09 and was wondering what your impressions are of these for my particular system. I wasn't quite ready ($$ wise) to pull the trigger on surround speakers but that seems like a good deal. I'm willing to wait to build the surround system as previously stated in this thread.

Thanks again AVrat as you're basically helping me build my system.