Looking at different sound options

[Topken]

Was wondering if you guys knew of a low cost av receiver. I just got a new hdtv and it doesn't have the correct audio out i need to hook it up to my x-fi extreme gamer soundcard. I run everything through my soundcard even my logitech x-530 surround sound in my bedroom. The av receiver should have a few inputs along with a rca audio output and hopefully a hdmi output for video or I could use component output as its just a 26 inch lcd 720p curtis model number LCD2603A. I need to hook up a few consoles like a 360 and ps2 along with a few older ones like snes and n64.

I was given a few options on another forum but that would require me to spend about $500 for everything including $300 on the avr and about $200 on new speakers and cables I would need to hook everything up.


I was looking at the Pioneer VSX-820-K which was reviewed here at audiohholics

It seems I could upgrade to a better card in my new pc that has a spdif input but i dont know if i can get a coaxial to optical cable that would work for the tv. i was hoping to be able to get this working with my current setup without getting anything new but it doesnt look like it. unless you guys know of a cheap solution i could use for for this setup that would add a few spdif inputs to my pc. like an addon card that would do that trick considering that i/o module wont work with my current soundcard.

So which option would be better for my needs?

 

[njedpx3]

My recommendation.

Look at this Onkyo AVR instead, TX-SR507 $314

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR507-5-1-Channel-Surround-Receiver/dp/B001VEI290

Speakers look at Cambridge Audio S-30 excelent bookshelves that can go down to 55 Hz.

http://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Audio-S30-Speakers-Black/dp/B00198LYMU

If you want some stands Sanus BF31 $49.99
http://www.sanus.com/us/en/products/speaker-foundations/sp-basic/BF31
http://store.audioholics.com/product/1836/66190/sanus-bf31-basic-foundations-speaker-stands--pair-

Peace and Good Sound,

Forest Man

 

[Topken]

no sub to go with those speakers? and my room is only 10 foot by 10 foot

 

[Topken]

this setup is only for my bedroom so some of this is way overkill for a bedroom setup. parents will be getting a decent setup for the livingroom once they get the money so this setup is for me personaly in my bedroom and the speakers ive got are quite decent for a 5.1 pc setup my pc monitor is only 20inch so 26 inch tv is about the max im able to go without losing half the screen sence im blind in my right eye so i sit back a bit farther then normal so i can see the entire screen.

 

[njedpx3]

no sub to go with those speakers? and my room is only 10 foot by 10 foot

You budget is pretty tight and the Cambridge Audio S-30s have a pretty low bass range. Their litterature saws 55 Hz. I am not sure htey go that low, but they do paly lowfrequencies for a bookshelf speaker; I have them at my woods cabin.

A very good inexpensive subwoofer is the Dayton SUB 120-HT for $155.23

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-635&source=googleps


Good Luck,

Forest Man

 

[Topken]

so your telling me to go from 5.1 down to stero speakers?

 

[PearlcorderS701]

Whatever you do, I would not go with any Sanus stands -- I have been using the "Natural Foundations" with my Polk R20 bookshelves (first in a HT setup, now in a two-channel room) and they're serious pieces of ****; from the day I got them, they leaned and were weak, not really stabilizing on any surface especially carpet (with the floor spikes installed).

I would stay away from Sanus speaker stands, personally.

 

[Topken]

my current speakers did come with a video game adapter as they call it it converts the rca plugs of the video game consoles into 3.5mm for the speakers. not sure if the components cables that came with the 360 can handle the 5.1 surround sound of the games and movies so i can make use of all the speakers in my setup. the adatper has 2 rca to 3 3.5mm inputs so as i said im not sure if the cable would handle it or not but that is an option for me to be able to get surround out of the newer systems like the wii and 360 but i would perfer to be able to run everything though one thing so i wouldnt need to keep swapping cables around and considering i listen to music when i game a lot i wont be able to use the speakers with the pc at the same time im using them with the 360 or what every console im using at the time.