Decision with system

[brodav01]

Hi All. I'm moving to a new place and am looking at upgrading/modify existing my sound system as I'm new to audio setup I'm a bit in the dark with what to do.

I bought it as a package deal 4 years ago and have the following setup, I couldn't find them online so I put the technical specs from the back -

Center loudspeaker
Pioneer - EX series SC2000
Powerhandling - 150w RMS
Frequency response - 60Hz - 22KHz
Sensitivity - 88dB
Impedence - 8ohm

Front Floor Standing loudspeakers
Pioneer - EX series SH2000F
Powerhandling - 250w RMS
Frequency response - 38Hz - 22KHz
Sensitivity - 89dB
Impedence - 8ohm

Rear loudspeakers
Pioneer - EX series SR2000
Powerhandling - 150w RMS
Frequency response - 70Hz - 22KHz
Sensitivity - 91dB
Impedence - 8ohm

Sub Woofer
Pioneer - SW2000RB
Powerhandling - 200w RMS

Receiver
Pioneer - VSX-516
130wX6

My questions are

1. Do I need to replace the speakers and receiver as I would like to use only HDMI cables and my current receiver has no hdmi inputsof which I need 4 and would also like play blu-rays with dolby true hd if possible. I have a budget of +/- $1000 so if I don't have to replace the speakers I could spend that on a half way decent reciever.

2. Is the Pioneer VSX-1122 worth getting?

 

[sholling]

I have no idea what your room size is but if you're in a house rather than an apartment then I think my first priority would be a big bad subwoofer from an internet direct manufacturer like Hsu Research, Outlaw Audio, or Rythmik Subwoofers first. That's something that's going to really get your attention. You size the sub based on total room volume and each of the above will help you with that.

In phase II I'd start looking at speakers because they are going to give you the next most noticeable improvement. Once you select the speakers you can start looking for a receiver that meets the needs of the speakers you've fallen in love with. I'm not a fan of non-Elite pioneers because of their historically "optimistic" specs but Accessories For Less usually has good deals on factory refurbished Denon (like the 2112, 2312, and 3312) and Marantz receivers. I'd also watch for sales on Denon receivers because there have been a lot lately due to model year changes - the "13s" are out.

 

[Grador]

1. Do I need to replace the speakers and receiver as I would like to use only HDMI cables and my current receiver has no hdmi inputsof which I need 4 and would also like play blu-rays with dolby true hd if possible. I have a budget of +/- $1000 so if I don't have to replace the speakers I could spend that on a half way decent reciever.

You can replace the receiver and keep all your speakers. I personally am not very fond of pioneer receivers myself, I would look at a yamaha, denon, or marantz. (Yamaha man myself) As for the speakers really only you can decide if you want to swap them out or not, but I'd imagine on your budget you will not be able to get anything better in a 5.1 setup with receiver for $1k.

If you wanted a bit of improvement on the system overall right now while spending only a tad more than your current budget I would think about getting a receiver + subwoofer around now.

 

[brodav01]

thanks for response. I took a walk into one of the stores and they have a
Yamaha RXV 671 receiver and a B&W ASW610 sub for $1400 and wanted to know is that any good? If the price seems high that's cause im in South Africa.

 

[sholling]

I wish I could help but I have no idea what's available over there. Hopefully someone else knows more about what's available.

 

[afterlife2]

thanks for response. I took a walk into one of the stores and they have a
Yamaha RXV 671 receiver and a B&W ASW610 sub for $1400 and wanted to know is that any good? If the price seems high that's cause im in South Africa.

What other Subs/Receiver companies are available there? All you need to change is your receiver and sub. Can you get any of the models mentioned by Sholling/Grador?

 

[sholling]

What other Subs/Receiver companies are available there? All you need to change is your receiver and sub. Can you get any of the models mentioned by Sholling/Grador?

Aren't there some semi-decent Australian subwoofers? If so the shipping should be semi affordable.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

AVSA South Africa's Premier Audio Video Magazine

There also these guys which distribute for Mordant Short and Energy
volco enterprises ~ branded audio visual systems
and these have wharfedale speakers
Audiosure
H/K, JBL and Infinity:
Sound Investment Home Page, 3DSI

just a few (I recommend these brands of-course)

 

[brodav01]

Thanks for all the help. I managed to get a Denon 3312 and HSU Research VTF-2 sub for $1100 shipped. I got them online from a guy in canada and completely forgot about the power rating.

I know i've been a pain but will a stepdown transfomer from 220v 50Hz to 120v 50Hz affect the sound in any way as the receiver is rated for 60Hz?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Thanks for all the help. I managed to get a Denon 3312 and HSU Research VTF-2 sub for $1100 shipped. I got them online from a guy in canada and completely forgot about the power rating.

I know i've been a pain but will a stepdown transfomer from 220v 50Hz to 120v 50Hz affect the sound in any way as the receiver is rated for 60Hz?

Oh, Gosh, wait till you get a long lecture from TLS guy about HT equipment and different electrical power

 

[Grador]

You've got bigger issues than the voltage [which is a large issue], in south america the video standard is different than in North America. Short answer is that your receiver probably will not work at all.