Advice please...

[mvelimir]

Hello to everybody.

I hope I can trouble you guys for some shopping advice.

I recently bought Sharp Aquos LC-37GB5U and I’m very happy with it. It still requires some picture and color tweaking, but it’s awesome. I watch local OTA digital programming and some TV shows and games that are broadcasted in HD are breathtaking.

Right now I have a cheap old DVD hooked through S-VHS cable and sound is going from my TV analog output to my stereo amp (Harman Kardon PA2100 Signature Series) that I absolutely adore. A pair of Acoustic Research 318PS are hooked to my amp with some home made cables and this combination was pretty good for years, but now with a big size picture I think I’d need some bigger size sound.

First, I’m thinking of getting a Panasonic DVD S77S for my movies and music. For under $200 that should do it.

Second, I’m thinking about getting a matching Panasonic SA-XR70 receiver. I was thinking also about HK AVR-135 or AVR-235 so this is my dilemma. Could you suggest which one to select?

Thirdly, I’d like to upgrade my speakers. My problem is that, if possible, I wouldn’t like to get rid of my AR 318PS, but also I’d like something that is not too large in size and possibly in silver color. Wires running on a floor are my next big problem. Up to $300-500 is what I budgeted for speakers.

Any suggestions? Thank you all very much in advance.

 

[Takeereasy]

I like your choice for DVD players. For the receiver if limited to those 3 choices I'd go with the 235 for sure. For the speakers as long as it is just for movies then going with two bookshelfs like AR 215ps's and a c225ps will yield you fantastic results. You'll have to look around for them, like ebay or audiogon, but you should be able to get them for about $150 for everything. Then get yourself a sub. ook at the cadence x-sub for $229 delivered at cadencesound.com.

 

[mvelimir]

Thank you.

Main reason I looked at SA-XR70 is that it has an HDMI connector as well as my new TV and DVD-S77S. I was thinking that it might be a good thing to stay in a digital world all together.

 

[mvelimir]

Uuups!

One more thing. Will Athena Point5 set (4xS.5 and 1xC.5) + a nice sub be a good choice? This whole set is on sale for $198 online.

 

[j_garcia]

If the DVD is the only HDMI device you have, there's no reason to connect it to the receiver at all - just adding an extra cable.

If you have a smaller room, the Athena system should be OK. Check www.audioadvisor.com too, they have the Athena Audition 1st generation on sale for good prices.

 

[Takeereasy]

There is a lot to be said for staying in an all digital world, but Sound And Vision recently did a review of the S77 and said that there was no difference between component and HDMI picture. You can pass DVDA over HDMI and the S77 does support DVDA, so one wire as opposed to 4 might be nice, but it isn't necessary. I'd just run the HDMI cable that comes with the DVD player directly to the TV. Don't let my opinion of what the better receiver is cloud your opinion. The only way to know what is right for you is to audition for yourself.
That is a great deal for the Athena set, and the .5's are decent HT speakers for sure, but you might be giving up something compared to the AR's as fronts. If you plan to use all of the speakers (meaning integrate the Athenas and the ARs to make a 7.1 setup) then I don't think you could possibly do better for $200. That X-sub I mentioned is still what I'd suggest to you, but others on the site have found a 12" Advent sub that they really like for about $90. Go to the deals section and look for it. It is possivble to get a decent setup on a budget, and it seems like you are doing some good research. Good luck with it all.

 

[mvelimir]

I guess I can use HDMI from DVD to TV and since my TV has Digital Audio Coax output, use that to connect back to reciever for HD sound?

As I'm on a tight budget (just bought that LCD-TV and wife is not happy with more spending), one thing that looks realy attractive to me is HK AVR-130 (I just love kardons) - on their site, refurbished is only $167!!! (AVR-235 is $298).

 

[Takeereasy]

Keep an eye on this site :Harman's Ebay Website .

This is actually Harman Kardon selling on ebay. All warranties apply, the prices are generally even lower than the refurbs on their actual web site.

 

[mvelimir]

Thanks a lot! I'll have to check ot tonight from home. My company is blocking ebay.