Best sequence for replacing an old 2-channel setup?

[mkinder]

We moved into a house with a dedicated home theater room, my first purchase was a 62" DLP which has been great. but I'm currently using my old 2 -channel setup for sound. Since it's a dedicated HT room, I won't have any wife issues with appearance or placement of the speakers - other than two toddlers in the house. The room is 20x15x10 and is used for movies, sports, and concert DVD's.

My current 2-channel setup is 15 yrs old. It consists of an H/K 3600 receiver, and a pair of DCM CX-27 Monitors which are 6ohm. The receiver does have a "subwoofer level" dial on the front and a "R - L" subwoofer out on the back ... I've never used it. My goal is to add modern surround components over time, but still enjoy the room as I go.

My end system will probably be some combination of Axioms with either an H/K, Denon, or Yamaha receiver and a sub. I don't really have a budget since I'm building it over time, but will prob be around 2,000 - 2,500 total.

So my question is what order should I go? I'm really wanting to start with a $500 sub since I can hook one up to my current system. After that it's either a new receiver, or replace my 2 front speakers with Axiom m22ti's... Any suggestions?

 

[j_garcia]

I think sub would probably be a decent way to start. $500, I'd have to recommend the SVS PB-10 for that room, though it might be worth while to step up to one of the 12s. I heard the PB-10 in a ~19x15 room and it sounded good, but this room had the ability to be closed off into a single space. In my 19x20 room, which is open to the kitchen also, the PB-10 was surprisingly good, but did not quite move enough air.

I'm not familiar with the DCMs, but once you have the sub, going with somthing like the M22s would seem to be a logical choice. Are you happy with the DCMs?

 

[agarwalro]

Definitely add sub. Look into Axiom EP 500 and 600 or SVS PB-12 Ultra. Remember electronics come and go, but speakers are forever. A good sub will pay for itself over time.

 

[mkinder]

I do like the DCM's, and would keep them as front speakers if i could .. but they are 6ohm and I don't think I can run them as part of a modern surround config. I read something about mixing ohm's and overheating most receivers. I read somewhere about the low end SVS not accepting ancient inputs...which mine may be. Any truth to that? Is the subwoofer output I described in my original post considered a "line level output"?

 

[j_garcia]

6 Ohm won't be a problem for most receivers, unless they are particuarly demanding speakers. The real problem would more likely to be finding a matching center.

Yes, without knowing more specifics, it sounds like those outputs would be line level or preamp level outputs.

The PB-10 is the only one in the line up that does not have a built in crossover, so it expects your receiver to be able to pass an already filtered signal. Given your room size, I'd say you might do well to move up to the PB-12 or 25-31PCi, though they are above $550 and $600 respectively.

 

[Swerd]

The answers posted so far have been about getting a subwoofer. I agree, you should get one. But to answer your question about what should you do first in replacing an older 2-channel system, there may be other things, like a Home Theater receiver, to consider first.

It seems you already have a DVD player. When you play a DVD, how do you listen to it? Is it hooked into the HK receiver as a 2 channel analog audio source? Or is it directly going to the TV ? (By the way, the 62" DLP set must be really nice.) Probably the biggest reason I replaced my old 2 channel system some 6 years ago was to get the 5 discreet channels of digital audio available in DVDs. The difference between that and movies in 2 channel audio is major. Until you get a HT receiver, you are missing that. Connect the digital audio output on your DVD player to the digital audio input on the new HT receiver with a single digital cable. It will send all the channels in digital form directly to the reciever's decoding chip. There it will determine if you are playing a CD or a DVD in Dolby Digital or DTS do what is necessary to process it. The same applies for the HDTV shows that contain 5.1 Dolby Digitial encoded sound if that is available where you live by cable or over the air.

There are many more features on HT receivers that you probably have not encountered on a stereo rig. You can get familiar with them while you are shopping for speakers. Many of these features are common to all HT reveivers on the market, so it is less critical which exact model you buy. The features that you should look for are:

• Enough amplifier power. Aim for about 100 watts RMS per channel. Some models provide pre-amp out jacks so you can add external amplifiers if you choose. You probably should have these jacks for at least the front 3 channels.
• Enough signal input and output jacks for the gear you got now and for the future.
• Variable crossover points to better blend the subwoofer with the other speakers. Less costly HT receivers fix this at one point, usually 80-90 Hz. Look for receivers that allow you to choose among frequencies such as 40, 60, 80, 100 Hz.

There will certainly be some questions or confusion about all these features and the various ways to hook up all your components. Become familiar with them while you are shopping for speakers. Audioholics is a great place to learn the answers. There are quite a few articles in the "Get an A/V Education" section on the home page.

Yes, speakers and subwoofers are important. In fact, choosing speakers are the most important choice you can make. Different speakers have quite different sounds. You should take the most care and time listening to different speakers before you buy them. Because you already have a pair of speakers, keep them for now and use them with a new HT receiver.

 

[mkinder]

I currently run the DVD audio output to the receiver, and the DVD video to the tv via component cables. I do that same thing with the HD DVR cable box - so I don't have any audio feeding into the TV itself.

So you're saying that after I get the sub, I should then replace the receiver? Will it really sound diff than my current receiver feeding the same 2 speakers and sub? I guess I would gain the benefit of being able to switch the sound and video sources with one click... I plan on spending about 500.00 for the receiver, I've been very happy with my H/K so I'll see what they have either new or slightly used for that price. I'll also check Yamaha since they seem to be a decent value...Denon sounded a little crisper but that price jump was significant...I think with my budget I'd be better off spending that money on better speakers or cables.

 

[niget2002]

I'd get the receiver first. That way when you start buying center and surround speakers, you'll have some place to hook them up.

 

[Swerd]

I currently run the DVD audio output to the receiver, and the DVD video to the tv via component cables. I do that same thing with the HD DVR cable box - so I don't have any audio feeding into the TV itself....Will it really sound diff than my current receiver feeding the same 2 speakers and sub?

Yes, DVDs encoded digitally in DD or DTS format, will really sound better with a HT receiver compared to what you are set up for now. All other 2-channel sources should sound about the same regardless of the receiver. I'm not sure exactly why this is so. All DVD players have inexpensive on-board decoders that output 2 channel analog audio so that anyone lacking a HT receiver can use them, as you have done, or by going directly to a TV. I've read that these chips produce inferior sound because the manufacturers knew that people who were interested in better sound would use the processor chips available in HT receivers, and that most TVs are not capable of HiFi audio anyway.

This is true only for DVD players that do not include chips capable of processing DD or DTS multi-channel digital audio. Does your DVD player have this? You can easily tell by the presence of six RCA output jacks for each channel (left front, right front, center, left surround, right surround, and subwoofer). If so, use that capability by hooking up to the left and right front channels rather than using the standard red and white RCA audio jacks.

I plan on spending about 500.00 for the receiver, I've been very happy with my H/K so I'll see what they have either new or slightly used for that price. I'll also check Yamaha since they seem to be a decent value...Denon sounded a little crisper but that price jump was significant...I think with my budget I'd be better off spending that money on better speakers or cables.

Your stereo receiver, no matter how good it may be, cannot do all the many things that HT receivers do. Maybe you should download a user's manual from Yamaha and read it to become familiar with this. I'm guessing that you are unaware of these new features. Unfortunately, I don't know of any products for sale that you can add on to an existing stereo receiver that would make it "HT capable".

For $500 or less you should be able to find a good HT receiver. I bought a Denon AVR2800 six years ago and I don't keep up with what is the latest and greatest in receivers anymore. Yamaha, Denon, HK, Onkyo and Marantz all seem to routinely get praise. I'd avoid the other makers. I can say that Denon owners' manuals are the most poorly written items I've ever tried to read. The Yamaha and Onkyo manuals I've seen are much better in this regard. You can get significantly lower prices through internet sellers, often at the cost of loosing the manufacturer's warranty (usually 1 year). If the price is right, this is not a big problem because the names I've mentioned make reliable products that will last a lot longer than a year.

As far as cables go, spend your money on speakers and receivers. Get whatever cables you need at the lowest prices you can. Spending extra money on the so-called premium cables is a waste and will not provide an audible benefit.

 

[jcPanny]

Upgrade path

* Subwoofer
* Mains
* Receiver
* Center
* Surrounds (sides)
* Surround Backs

Buy the sub first. It will fill in the lows on your current 2-channel system.
Next, buy the mains. SVS and HSU have some good offerings in your $500 price range. The M22ti's would probably work well, but the M60's would be better for a room that size. Email axiom and they will advise on this. Use their outlet page for 10% off. Next upgrade the receiver. A Yamaha RX-V2500 or Denon 3805 would work well for your HT and your budget ($5-700). Next add the center VP100 or VP150. Finally add the QS8's for surrounds. If you go with the a 5.1 system, the surrounds should be on the sides of the listening position.
Finally, enjoy the HT.