Need Help Choosing New System

[James NM]

Greetings. I've been perusing your sight - lots of good info here!

I'm overhauling my home theater, but I'm getting bogged down (Paralysis by Analysis). I need a nudge (or two) to get me going in the right direction.

I've got some older equipment that I'm going to replace:
Denon AVR 3300, Denon DVD 2500, and an original X Box.

Here's the speaker stuff I'm keeping:
Front L/R B&W Series 3 602's, Center B&W Series 3 LCR600, older Velodyne Sub, Rear L/R Paradigm Titans, Tara Labs RSC Prime Bi-Wire speaker cable.

Here are the Receivers I'm considering:
Denon 2310/3310
Marantz 5004/6004
Sony 3500ES
Onkyo NR807

But where I'm really getting bogged down is with Blu Rays, CD players, and video game. I can't decide whether to go with the Blu Ray players that match the Receiver mfg, or the Oppo 83, or the PS3. I can't decide what to do about a CD player. It appears that the Oppo is a very good CD player also, but I'm not sure that the other Blu Ray players are good CD players. If I go with the Denon/Marantz/Sony/Onkyo Blu ray player should I look at getting a dedicated CD component? I'm also going to buy either a PS3 or 360 Elite, but just can't decide.

Since I'm replacing everything at the same time, I'm trying to figure out what makes the most sense for my new system.

I'm sure I'm leaving some info out, so fire away. Thanks for any suggestions and/or advice.

James

 

[m_vanmeter]

just a quick question....your Denon 3300 receiver had 5.1 channel "direct input" capability....so if you get a blu-ray player with 5.1 direct pre-outs you would get the advantage of the player decoding all the digital audio formats and the receiver would amplify the channels. Everything else could use standard Toslink optical or digital coax for DD5.1 ---- do you really need to replace it ?

 

[jamie2112]

I would go for the Oppo BR myself.I also just bought a PS3 but thats for the kids really.The Oppo will play everything very well.The audio sounds amazing on the 83 as well.....

 

[James NM]

... do you really need to replace it ?

Need? What's need got to do with it?

I wonder how much of the electronic equipment owned by the members of the forum is actually necessary?

What I'm doing is upgrading my AV system, including the TV. I'm gonna join the HD club. I bought my TV in 1994. It's a Mitsubishi 50" rear projection with dual tuners. It's been a helluva TV, but the highest video input is S-video. I've been waiting on the dang thing to die, but it's like the terminator - it just want die. But with HDTV's getting cheap, I'm gonna replace it anyway.

And as long as I'm replacing the TV, this is the perfect time to replace the receiver, go blu-ray, and go HDMI.

So, any other suggestions ....

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Since most your hi-fi components pretty upscale, nice new avr wont hurt.
I think Denon 3310/4310 should good match for quality/feats.
For hd player/console - just pick ps3 - its only of the best blue-ray playes anyways - plus next time blue-ray changes their version again ps3 will be ready.
It's already got Netflix streaming (without paying for Microsoft Gold subscription with Xbox) so if Video player is more important and gaming console second don't think twice.

Please do us all a favor and DON'T ever mention in this forum fancy cable names and/or Bi-Wiring.

Speaker cable have only two parameters length and gauge.
It's proven multiple time as clothes hanger can do better/same job as monster cable.

Just use the money you saved with cable to go with higher AVR model

 

[James NM]

I would go for the Oppo BR myself.I also just bought a PS3 but thats for the kids really.The Oppo will play everything very well.The audio sounds amazing on the 83 as well.....

After additional research, I'm leaning heavily (side ways actually) towards the Oppo. And it appears that if I purchase a new HDMI 1.3 AVR, the HDMI cable is the preferred way to connect to the receiver I guess - no need for additional cables?

I don't know didley about HDMI, SACD, DVD-A, and all this "new-fangled" stuff. Last time I was in the loop, Dolby Digital, DTS, 5.1, and Digital (optical/coaxial) cables were state of the art.

 

[James NM]

... It's proven multiple time as clothes hanger can do better/same job as monster cable...

I decided to test your hypothesis ..... and, by golly, you're right.

I just took a load of shirts out of the dryer, and I can say unequivocally and with unbiased certainty, that clothes hangers out perform monster cable.

There. Now the science is settled.

 

[Adam]

I just took a load of shirts out of the dryer, and I can say unequivocally and with unbiased certainty, that clothes hangers out perform monster cable.

Hee, hee. Awesome.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Rule of thumb: Amps, Preamps, CD players, and DACs will sound the same unless distortion takes place.

Processors (EQs/Tones/DSPs) & speakers differ.

Therefore, just get the Oppo BD Universal player for all your needs - absolutely no need for a separate CD player or DACs or anything.

Get a Denon receiver while you are at it.

Monoprice or BJC for cables & wires.

Speakers - try something that has a 30-day trial period (free shipping both way even on returns). NHT & Aperion are 2 direct-sale companies that offer this.

 

[JesseP]

For a Blue Ray player the PS3 is pretty damn good. I don't know too much about the Oppo but I'm sure its up there if everyone else is recommending it but if your looking to play games you might as well get the PS3. Xbox 360 is a piece of junk by the way. The only benefit over the PS3 is that it has some better games in my opinion. I own both and have had numerous problems with the xbox and Microsoft is one of my least favorite companies to deal with on the phone. So unless your looking to play some Halo or other Microsoft exclusives stay away from Xbox 360.

Rule of thumb: Amps, Preamps, CD players, and DACs will sound the same unless distortion takes place.

Processors (EQs/Tones/DSPs) & speakers differ.

Therefore, just get the Oppo BD Universal player for all your needs - absolutely no need for a separate CD player or DACs or anything.

Agreed that the Oppo will do everything and is probably the way to go but Amps, Preamps, CD players, and DACs all sound the same? I beg to differ. Every link in the system adds flavor to the overall sound in some way or another.

Please do us all a favor and DON'T ever mention in this forum fancy cable names and/or Bi-Wiring.

Speaker cable have only two parameters length and gauge.
It's proven multiple time as clothes hanger can do better/same job as monster cable.

I also disagree here. Adding better cable and Bi-amping your system can help improve the sound greatly. Although you might be right that monster cable is on the same level as clothes hangers.

 

[Ares]

Greetings. I've been perusing your sight - lots of good info here!

I'm overhauling my home theater, but I'm getting bogged down (Paralysis by Analysis). I need a nudge (or two) to get me going in the right direction.

I've got some older equipment that I'm going to replace:
Denon AVR 3300, Denon DVD 2500, and an original X Box.

Here's the speaker stuff I'm keeping:
Front L/R B&W Series 3 602's, Center B&W Series 3 LCR600, older Velodyne Sub, Rear L/R Paradigm Titans, Tara Labs RSC Prime Bi-Wire speaker cable.

Here are the Receivers I'm considering:
Denon 2310/3310
Marantz 5004/6004
Sony 3500ES
Onkyo NR807

But where I'm really getting bogged down is with Blu Rays, CD players, and video game. I can't decide whether to go with the Blu Ray players that match the Receiver mfg, or the Oppo 83, or the PS3. I can't decide what to do about a CD player. It appears that the Oppo is a very good CD player also, but I'm not sure that the other Blu Ray players are good CD players. If I go with the Denon/Marantz/Sony/Onkyo Blu ray player should I look at getting a dedicated CD component? I'm also going to buy either a PS3 or 360 Elite, but just can't decide.

Since I'm replacing everything at the same time, I'm trying to figure out what makes the most sense for my new system.

I'm sure I'm leaving some info out, so fire away. Thanks for any suggestions and/or advice.

James

Here is my 2 cents I would consider getting the Onkyo tx-sr876 over the nr807 it has better specs and better features and for the price it is at right now, best bang for buck receiver at the moment. IMO if you are doing blu-ray and games PS3 is the way to go. Here is a link for the Onkyo.
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR876BLK/Onkyo/Tx-sr876-7.1-channel-Home-Theater-Receiver-Black/1.html

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I also disagree here. Adding better cable and Bi-amping your system can help improve the sound greatly. Although you might be right that monster cable is on the same level as clothes hangers.

Hey Jesse: First of all I said :

Please do us all a favor and DON'T ever mention in this forum fancy cable names and/or Bi-Wiring.

Bi-Wiring is very different than Bi-Amping and proven in multiple blind test as not relevant to audio quality.

Second please read this post before talking again about cables:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15412&postcount=28

If you want MARGINALLY better than home depot 12 gauge cable check out Blue Jean Cables (link is top of the page)

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I decided to test your hypothesis ..... and, by golly, you're right.

I just took a load of shirts out of the dryer, and I can say unequivocally and with unbiased certainty, that clothes hangers out perform monster cable.

There. Now the science is settled.

Dear James NM, you can take your sarcasm and shove it...
You came here asking for advice, but it looks like you might want to go to http://www.stereophile.com/ and ask for advice there - while you are there checkout latest deals on speaker cable risers, cable with build-in batteries, directional cables and other snake oils...

 

[JesseP]

Hey Jesse: First of all I said :

Bi-Wiring is very different than Bi-Amping and proven in multiple blind test as not relevant to audio quality.

Second please read this post before talking again about cables:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15412&postcount=28

If you want MARGINALLY better than home depot 12 gauge cable check out Blue Jean Cables (link is top of the page)

My apologies about the confusion between Bi-wiring and Bi-amping. However the test done in the article you showed me was comparing hanger wire to monster cable, which in my opinion isnt even close to respectable cable. All i know is that i have done listening tests myself with much higher quality cable and I can tell a difference.

 

[Ares]

Here is some more info on this subject.

http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

Peace.

 

[JerryLove]

After additional research, I'm leaning heavily (side ways actually) towards the Oppo. And it appears that if I purchase a new HDMI 1.3 AVR, the HDMI cable is the preferred way to connect to the receiver I guess - no need for additional cables?

I don't know didley about HDMI, SACD, DVD-A, and all this "new-fangled" stuff. Last time I was in the loop, Dolby Digital, DTS, 5.1, and Digital (optical/coaxial) cables were state of the art.

HDMI carries every audio format that can be carried. It is the best option for audio.

While there are some potential issues with video compared to composite, licensing from Intel, which prohibts the conversion of HDMI video into any other format, means you are all but stuck with HDMI for video.

So "yes, just the one cable is neccessairy".

One thing the PS3 does have, is that the cell processors are a GPCPU, which means that software updates can often add more features than firmware updates on "regular players".

 

[James NM]

Dear James NM, you can take your sarcasm and shove it...
You came here asking for advice, but it looks like you might want to go to http://www.stereophile.com/ and ask for advice there - while you are there checkout latest deals on speaker cable risers, cable with build-in batteries, directional cables and other snake oils...

Ok, so you advice is .... to "shove it"?

I'll return your advice with some of my own: http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/4018/hulkavl3.jpg

You compared Monster wires and coat hangers. I just injected some humor.

Why would someone get hostile or take offense to some home theater equipment I own? I'm not trying to sell any of it to you. It's not even a pissing contest - I'm not trying to convince you that my system sounds better than yours, or my equipment is better than yours. I simply listed the equipment I own, whether it be good, bad, or otherwise. If someone posts a similar topic/question and doesn't list their equipment, isn't that the first question they are asked?

So has the disease of Political Correctness spread to "Speaker Wire" discussions?