Hi End HTIB

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

The simple fact is that no all-in-one will output an honest 300watts to 5 or 7 channels. There is no Receiver even that can do that even. The standard 15amp household outlet can't even output that kind of wattage. He'd have to have an electrician wire multiple fuses to power 5 or 7 very heavy monoblock amps.

Or the client could buy some easy to drive, yet still high-end HT speakers (Paradigm Signature S2/C3/ADP3, PSB Platinum M2/C2/S2, B&W 805s/HTM4s/SCMs) to use with his modestly powerful yet still high-end DVD/Receiver.

 

[thequietwoman]

Hi all, thanks for your input and you've all pretty much confirmed what I tried to keep an open mind about.
I did look at the SE2 and was kinda half interested until I got to the bit where it said "we do not ship outside the Continental USA and currently have no plans to do so".
I also realise, even a separates system with a monster receiver is not going to achieve the best power output for these speakers he has however, it's going to get a whole lot closer.
Thanks again guys (and girls if there were/are any...I didn't study the genders all that closely), I'll post the sucess story upon completion.

Cheers

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I am surprised that DVD/receiver combinations like the NAD are not much more common than they are (a CD/integrated amp combo would be even better.) It seems to me like an item that would be quite popular, and that a lot of companies would make. If I wanted to replace my CD player and 2-channel integrated , I would seriously consider going that route.

 

[markw]

Granted, it's s convenience and a space saver.

I am surprised that DVD/receiver combinations like the NAD are not much more common than they are (a CD/integrated amp combo would be even better.) It seems to me like an item that would be quite popular, and that a lot of companies would make. If I wanted to replace my CD player and 2-channel integrated , I would seriously consider going that route.

But, as with any multi-function unit, what happens if one of the "functions" dies and is cost-prohibitive to repair? How well would you react if the CD/DVD player section died and was too costly to repair? Just looking at it would raise my BP.

 

[annunaki]

The option would be nice Joe I agree. For the average person it would be a great choice.

However, after hearing system like it multiple times, there is no replacement for massive amplifiers with 6db of headroom or more above the rms rating of the speaker. At normal listening volumes, and even when turned up, that style of a system is just effortless in terms of dynamics & reproduction.

 

[annunaki]

But, as with any multi-function unit, what happens if one of the "functions" dies and is cost-prohibitive to repair? How well would you react if the CD/DVD player section died and was too costly to repair? Just looking at it would raise my BP.

I agree with you here to an extent. However, I feel what Joe is referring to is a high quality integrated amplifier and cd player PROPERLY put into one chasis with little to no compromises made for either device.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I agree with you here to an extent. However, I feel what Joe is referring to is a high quality integrated amplifier and cd player PROPERLY put into one chasis with little to no compromises made for either device.

Yes, that is what I was thinking of.
I love small speakers that sound big. By the same token, I would also enjoy small electronic components that sound big. For this reason, I have considered the Emotiva BPA-1 (or even the Sonic Super T-Amp.) The problem is finding a small (but home quality, not portable) CD player to match. I wish Emotiva made one. The BPA-1 mated with a good CD player the same size and shape would look awesome!

 

[davidtwotrees]

Bel Canto's units are really small these days, aren't they?
And they are deffo Hi Fi.......
Stereophile had a review for a Swiss CD player, Nagra, that was pretty small.
I can't remember if it was around $5K or $10K.............

 

[3db]

But, as with any multi-function unit, what happens if one of the "functions" dies and is cost-prohibitive to repair? How well would you react if the CD/DVD player section died and was too costly to repair? Just looking at it would raise my BP.

I agree with you on this. Even high quality components have been know to fail prematurely. Not often mind you but it still happens. In that event you are stuck just like you said.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Bel Canto's units are really small these days, aren't they?
And they are deffo Hi Fi.......
Stereophile had a review for a Swiss CD player, Nagra, that was pretty small.
I can't remember if it was around $5K or $10K.............

Youch! Waaaay too expensive for my budget. (Besides, buying an expensive CD player is a complete waste of money, as it won't sound any better than a cheap one.)

 

[Seth=L]

Youch! Waaaay too expensive for my budget. (Besides, buying an expensive CD player is a complete waste of money, as it won't sound any better than a cheap one.)

At least not by any signicant enough margins. I can't tell the difference between my Pioneer PD-65 (suggested retail $800, 1996), Toshiba SD-9000(suggested retail $1000, 1999), or Magnavox CDB-650 (suggested retail $500 or less, 1986). They all sound good.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

But, as with any multi-function unit, what happens if one of the "functions" dies and is cost-prohibitive to repair? How well would you react if the CD/DVD player section died and was too costly to repair?

Most Americans just junk their broken consumer electronics after the warranty expires. Cars, houses, and bones are the only things we fix.

 

[markw]

True, but there's a few cheapskates like me around.

Most Americans just junk their broken consumer electronics after the warranty expires. Cars, houses, and bones are the only things we fix.

Besides, that Meridian clocks in at about 9k or so.