Considering going to HT -- advice needed

[donlp]

Greetings,

We are considering making the switch/upgrade to HT. We currently have Polk RTA 15TL tower speakers, with Adcom amp and preamp that are quite old and starting to show their age. I am considering dumping the Adcom and going the HT route (just purchased a Samsung LCD HD TV). However, my budget is currently very limited, so I can't afford much above entry level, and also really like my speakers for music, so want to keep them. Will probably go Blu-ray in the not too distant future (perhaps Samsung BD-P2550 for streaming Netflix and Pandora).

For an AV receiver I am considering the Yamaha RX-V463BL (looked at the 663, but don't think I will go to 7.1). Our room (listening & viewing area) is approx 14 deep x 15 wide, with open end on the right side (as you are looking at the TV, so the whole room is approx 14 x 25). It is a log house, with log inside walls, and a relatively low ceiling with heavy ceiling beams, so the acoustics are quite good.

I would like to use the RTAs as my main speakers. To miminize at least the initial cost, I would like to add two rear surrounds and one center, leaving addition of a sub to a later date. The RTSa are already heavy on bass, so I may not miss the sub too much. I am considering Polk RM8s as my three additional speakers (center and rear), or perhaps Polk FXi A4 as rear surrounds.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated,
Don

 

[jostenmeat]

Greetings Don. Why not keep the Adcom? Without knowing, or looking, I bet the 463 cannot accept HDMI audio. I would also guess it will not have preamp outputs, but just a guess. I do know the 663 can do both of the above, and so that's my vote. Then you connect the Adcom to power the mains, and the receiver's power supply is less taxed when powering center and surrounds.

It's best if you can match a center as close as possible to the mains. If they are old, contact Polk about what models they think match best. Or see what's available on classifieds. The true best match is actually the identical speaker.

Whatever that is NOT connected to the receiver, let the receiver know about it. If the sub is not connected, it can then reroute LFE to the mains. However, this signal is GREATLY reduced in order to protect both speakers and amplifier. Or you can get the sub before the center, and run what is called a "phantom center". You tell receiver its not connected, and it will downmix this channel into your mains.

Cheers.