av system question

[warden291]

Hello,

I am new to this forum and this is my first post. I wanted to try and find out the answer to a few basic questions about constructing a nice a/v system before I actually did some shopping.

First of all I have a very nice 2 channel stereo system that I really enjoy....odyssey amp & pre amp....cary audio cd player and 2 tower speakers.

I also have a basic 32" sony tv with a 5 channel sony av sound system. The tv set up is nice but I'm seriously thinking about buying my first plasma....probably a 40"-46" panasonic.

My question is I have been told that it is possible to use my pre-amp/amp & tower speakers in my 2 channel system with a few additions and make a nice home theater setup. I know that I will need to buy new higher quality rears and a center channel, but as for the rest I'm totally lost....do I need to buy a av receiver or processor and how would this be hooked up? I'm really lost and frankly am tired of trying to search the net for answers.

I would greatly appreciate any and all members of this forum to chime in and help me out!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks.
mike.

 

[Kai]

Hi warden,
You have a wonderful stereo system and may want to leave it as a great stand alone music system.

Describe the amp/pre gear and the Sony system.
Please describe your tv/movie watching needs and/or wants and what you hope to achieve. It does make a difference.

Current high def tv broadcasts often use a 5.1 Dobly Digital signal though most tv programming still uses a 2 channel signal. Today's high def dvd's (Blu-ray, etc.) have new audio codecs requiring the use of an hdmi cable and more than likely a new receiver. You can use component cables for the video and optical/coax for the audio but you will not get the latest audio...True HD, etc...

Your cd player and towers will fit right in to a new HT system. You will have to "timbre match" the center and surrounds to your towers but that should not be difficult. A quality sub will enhance the movie impact.

You could, and may prefer, continue using your current system for a very nice "stereo" system for your music and add a quality receiver/Blu-ray dvd player and center/surround/sub for your movie/tv viewing...using the towers for the front channel.
It may sound like a lot of gear but not really and may well be worth the effort. Again it depends on what you are trying to achieve.

Budget is also needed warden. How much do you have to spend???

 

[lsiberian]

Hello,

I am new to this forum and this is my first post. I wanted to try and find out the answer to a few basic questions about constructing a nice a/v system before I actually did some shopping.

First of all I have a very nice 2 channel stereo system that I really enjoy....odyssey amp & pre amp....cary audio cd player and 2 tower speakers.

I also have a basic 32" sony tv with a 5 channel sony av sound system. The tv set up is nice but I'm seriously thinking about buying my first plasma....probably a 40"-46" panasonic.

My question is I have been told that it is possible to use my pre-amp/amp & tower speakers in my 2 channel system with a few additions and make a nice home theater setup. I know that I will need to buy new higher quality rears and a center channel, but as for the rest I'm totally lost....do I need to buy a av receiver or processor and how would this be hooked up? I'm really lost and frankly am tired of trying to search the net for answers.

I would greatly appreciate any and all members of this forum to chime in and help me out!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks.
mike.

You don't actually need a center channel. It can be nice, but can also be the source of issues.

All you need is an AVR with Pre-amp outs and some decent surrounds.

Even KEF eggs would work. Check out Accessories4less

Surrounds only need to bring in the effects so beasts aren't required. Don't spend 1000s on surrounds it's a waste. IMO.

spending more than 200 on any 1 surround is a waste in most cases IMO.

If you want home theater you will want a sub preferably 2 subs. This is where your budget should be. Subs are everything in a home theater. For you I must suggest a pair of Kappa Perfect Builds integrated with a Behringer DCX 2496.

This would allow you to integrate your subs with your towers for a very nice response. Since you already have an external amp you could easily get the full benefit.

Just phantom the center by selecting no center in the settings.

 

[Davemcc]

If you want to integrate your current 2 channel setup into a HT system without compromising the existing setup, it's not that hard. You will need a receiver with preouts and whatever extra speakers you choose and a sub. Hook up the center, surrounds and sub to the receiver in the usual way. For the right and left mains, use the R/L preouts and run them to your existing preamp.

The trick lies in calibrating the system. To ensure that your channel levels maintain their proper settings, the calibrated level on your existing preamp will always need to be set to the exact same level any time you use the system for HT.

In this configuration, you existing system operates exactly as it does now except that your HT system will act as one more L/R input on your preamp. The receiver will power the rest of the HT system and will only be turned on when you need HT.