Dear Friends, Need Advice and Help with my Setup

[babyharmank]

Greetings and Salutations to all Audioholics,

Im currently very new to being an Audioholic.
I have a few question which I dont know who to ask as alot of my friends or colleagues do not play with Audio or Home Entertainment Systems.
I hope that your expert advice can help me solve my dilemma for my home entertainment and also PC Audio experience.

For my home entertainment
1) I have purchased a Sony DAV-F500 system about 3 years ago for my Video and audio because I had bundled it together with my Sony LCD TV. Now I would like to ask, how do I improve that sound and still use back all my existing equipment? Can I buy just a good Harman/Marantz amplifier with HDMI in and use the amplifier to boost the quality of the audio? Cause i dont want to waste and throw away this system as it already has DVD upscalling and etc.. I have spent quite a bit on it. Will using an amplifier achieve better results with this method?

For my pc audio
1) I purchased a Harman Soundsticks III recently and found that the quality was really good, but I read that the sound could be better and improved with a better soundcard. Currently using on-board. Is this true or just a myth? cause I dont know if it can sound any better as It already sounds very good for the price I paid?

I would really love to experience good sound experience with all my devices I bought. Thank you so much for anyone who can give their expert comments and advices in my scenario.

Thank you.

 

[agarwalro]

Welcome to AH!

Sony DAV-F500 system:
Here is what I found about your current Sony setup,

Even the rear surrounds are not truly wireless — they require connecting to the surround amplifier using conventional speaker cables. The fronts and centre channels connect directly to the subwoofer, so too does the main unit via a control umbilical lead.

Seems to me the slick looking Sony system uses a proprietary connection scheme. Consequently, the speakers and subwoofer will only work with the supplied amplifier+player unit and than too only when connected as specified in the manual. Further, Sony player is not a Blue Ray Disc (BD) capable and if that matters, it is yet another limitation. Unfortunately, the only way to upgrade will be to completely ditch the DAV-F500 and start from scratch. In short, 1x Receiver, 1x BD Player, 1x New set of Speakers and subwoofer.

Here is an AH System Recommendation article that will get the thought process going. I recommend reading it not for the specific products, and rather for the types of equipment you will need and any questions that come up.


Harman Soundsticks III:
Unless you connect that PC to a very good sound system, like a full blown home theater, it will be tough to discern the improvement in sound card's signal quality. I recommend sticking with the on-board sound card unless there is something like line noise bothering you.

 

[GranteedEV]

For my home entertainment
1) I have purchased a Sony DAV-F500 system about 3 years ago for my Video and audio because I had bundled it together with my Sony LCD TV. Now I would like to ask, how do I improve that sound and still use back all my existing equipment? Can I buy just a good Harman/Marantz amplifier with HDMI in and use the amplifier to boost the quality of the audio? Cause i dont want to waste and throw away this system as it already has DVD upscalling and etc.. I have spent quite a bit on it. Will using an amplifier achieve better results with this method?

Quite frankly.. - NO. We recommend upgrading everything, starting with the speakers and receiver. There's little to gain from stubbornly sticking to your existing equipment.

1) I purchased a Harman Soundsticks III recently and found that the quality was really good, but I read that the sound could be better and improved with a better soundcard. Currently using on-board. Is this true or just a myth? cause I dont know if it can sound any better as It already sounds very good for the price I paid?

A sound card ""could"" "maybe" improve things only if your current one has some serious issues. But chances are again that your best investment would just be better speakers, like JBL LSR 2325.

I would really love to experience good sound experience with all my devices I bought.

What I see is an attempt to squeeze out something isn't there. So I don't think what you're considering is of any value.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Quite frankly.. - NO. We recommend upgrading everything, starting with the speakers and receiver. There's little to gain from stubbornly sticking to your existing equipment.

[/B]

A sound card ""could"" "maybe" improve things only if your current one has some serious issues. But chances are again that your best investment would just be better speakers, like JBL LSR 2325.



What I see is an attempt to squeeze out something isn't there. So I don't think what you're considering is of any value.

+1

The good news:
You get to Keep your Sony LCD TV
Upgrades could be done gradually

The bad news:
Besides the TV, I agree with G.EV. If you want better sound - you need to replace everything else including the "sticks"

 

[GranteedEV]

Regarding the Sony setup:

Put it up on craigs list and let it fund a real system. Start with a 7.1 receiver with high quality amps and pre-outs. The Marantz SR6004 for starters:

Marantz SR6004 110w X 7ch Home Theater Surround Receiver | Accessories4less

Then add TWO speakers. You can always add surrounds later. That is the real way of "upgrading" rather than getting everything mediocre at once. Go for quality not quantity. An inexpensive speaker that a lot of guys here really like is the Infinity Primus P363:

Amazon.com: Infinity Primus Three-way dual 6-1/2-Inch Floorstanding Speaker (Black, Each): Electronics

Pick up a pair to get a system build started. You can even improve on the primus' nice sound even further with some simple DIY modifications!

Then once you're living with them for a while you can add a pair of good subwoofers, plus two to four surround speakers, and then consider things like bass traps and diffusion panels.

 

[BMXTRIX]

The big issue with your home theater setup is that it is extremely proprietary and non-industry standard.

This is what is biting you on this entire setup and why it must go. While it would be nice to just replace a couple of speakers, or just the receiver, it doesn't allow for this.

So, you have to step sideways to a product which does allow for an upgrade path. Unfortunately, it means a 100% dump of what you currently have to get there.

The suggestion above is good. A decent A/V receiver and a set of speakers to get you going, then add quality from there as appropriate and within budget.

 

[babyharmank]

Thank you all for the suggestions and professional advice.
Based on your feedbacks i think i will do a step by step purchase since I still can use the system.

I think i will check out an hdmi amp first.. (is this called an AV Receiver Amplifier?)
plug it in to my existing Sony Pre-amp.. hope this will work for the next 3 - 4 months until i save up
more money.

then slowly work in getting the better speakers and woofer to replace everything. so disapointed that i didnt do this in the first place.

Thank you all for your help. At least i can make a firm decision now.

As for my PC i think ill just stick with the soundsticks since sound quality is still good and a newer soundcard would not be neccessary. Thanks.