Lots of help needed....

[Shivers]

Hey guys, ok first of all let me list my current setup, so you know what you're working with here....

- Samsung LE40R7 (108i) LCD
- Rotel RA-01 Integrated Amplifier
- NAD C521BEE CD Player
-Tannoy Mercury F4 Floorstanders

Now, I'm going to be purchasing a Panasonic DMP-BD35 at some point within the next few months as my entry into Blu-Ray.

I'd like to make my system 5.1 before I do this, now, I have a pair of speakers spare (my old speakers), they're Monitor Audio Bronze B2's, would they work ok for the rear?

If so this leaves me missing a centre speaker and a sub, now the centre speaker is easy, as I can buy the speaker that matches my floorstanders for cheap nearby, this leaves me requiring a sub, I only have a small budget but had my eyes on a Wharfedale Diamond SW150 (which I have found a very good price on, £180 delivered), now, my current amplifier (Rotel RA-01) has no sub-out connection, I've read things about Y-splitters etc but it started giving me a headache, so I thought you guys could maybe clear things up for me?

So as I've said I'm planning to buy a Blu Ray player, a sub, and my other purchase was going to be a new amplifier, but because I found a very good price on the sub I listed above(and they only have 1 left in stock so I want to snap it up), then my amplifier purchase will probably be after the sub (hence my last question to see if it would work with my current amp), the amp will be for a 5.1 setup, mostly music and some 5.1 Blu-Ray film playing! My price bracket is around £200-250, can I get a decent upgrade for that limited budget? I saw that I could get a Rotel RA-04, not sure how much better that is to my RA-01 but it did get some solid reviews....

And lastly is a little side question, I have my 360 playing through my current setup, yet when my system is on with the 360, sometimes I get a little speaker pop every now and then (this doesn't happen when I'm running music, only when I run the audio from the 360, it's not the end of the world but it does irritate me and I'd like to get to the bottom of it!

Sorry for the huge post guys, and thanks in advance

 

[AVRat]

Yes you can use the MA B2s for surrounds, no problem.

The problem I do see is that you want a 5.1 speaker setup while only providing 4.0 capability. If I understand you correctly using two stereo integrated amps. Three IAs could be used if the Panny BD35 player had multi-channel outputs which it doesn’t.

You’re better off looking for a decent 5/7.1 channel receiver.

 

[Shivers]

Yes you can use the MA B2s for surrounds, no problem.

The problem I do see is that you want a 5.1 speaker setup while only providing 4.0 capability. If I understand you correctly using two stereo integrated amps. Three IAs could be used if the Panny BD35 player had multi-channel outputs which it doesn’t.

You’re better off looking for a decent 5/7.1 channel receiver.

Thanks for clearing up the surround problem, I don't see what you mean about only providing 4.0 capability, I'm going to be buying a centre speaker and a sub, which would bump it up to 5.1...

And yeah sorry, I meant a 5.1 receiver (I was very tired when I made this thread), which would be replacing the Rotel RA-01, so my setup would look as follows....

- Samsung LE40R7 (108i) LCD
- Panasonic DMP-BD35 Blu Ray Player
-5.1 Receiver of some sort
- NAD C521BEE CD Player
-Tannoy Mercury F4 Floorstanders
- Monitor Audio Bronze B2 Rears
- Tannoy Mercury Centre Speaker
- Wharfedale SW150 Subwoofer

Would that work ok? And if so I guess I need to find a 5.1 receiver for £200-250 (I can maybe stretch to £300 if it's really worth it), will need to try and look for some receiver reviews in that price bracket, the Sony STR-DG820 seems to do well for my bracket, but I'm guessing they won't output music as well as my Rotel, in which case I'd maybe need to use that for music?

I'm about to go swimming but I'll check this thread in a couple of hours as soon as I return

 

[Shivers]

*Little Bump*....

 

[j_garcia]

Another problem you are going to have is the fact that the BD35 and BD55 (with multichannel outs) have been discontinued and no replacement for either has surfaced as of yet. A replacement will come for sure, but when is the question. Are these two models still available where you are?

 

[mperfct]

If you're buying a Bluray player in the next few months, you could get one of the new Panasonic players. Or maybe one of the Pioneers, depending on if they truly come out or not.

 

[Shivers]

Another problem you are going to have is the fact that the BD35 and BD55 (with multichannel outs) have been discontinued and no replacement for either has surfaced as of yet. A replacement will come for sure, but when is the question. Are these two models still available where you are?

I think (hope) this is the right one! Here...

Little update, I have ordered the Wharfedale Diamond SW150 sub as I got a very good deal with it, not sure if I can currently use it though as I have no sub-out on my Rotel, it's my first ever sub so I'm rather confused about how to get it up and running....

I take it if/when I have the money to get a 5.1 receiver for around £300, that it won't be so good at music as my Rotel?

Thanks for the help so far guys, sorry for all the very noob questions...

Edit - Just checked a currency converter, and £300 is around $430 USA.

 

[j_garcia]

No, a cheaper receiver probably won't sound as good as the Rotel, though if you get a receiver that has preamp outputs, you can still feed the signal to the Rotel and use it as an amp. The lower end Sonys (non ES) suck for music IMO.

 

[mperfct]

For $430, you could get a competent offering from Pioneer, Onkyo, or Yamaha. I think at that price point you're not going to have a LOT of product differentiation. It comes down to what's easiest to get with the most post-purchase support.

 

[Shivers]

No, a cheaper receiver probably won't sound as good as the Rotel, though if you get a receiver that has preamp outputs, you can still feed the signal to the Rotel and use it as an amp. The lower end Sonys (non ES) suck for music IMO.

Aha, I thought that would be the case, so I'll keep my Rotel then (at least until I save up and upgrade it), I'm just confused about whether it can handle the sub since it has no sub-out, do you have any idea if it can? (if it can't maybe I'll the amplifer will be my next upgrade).

For $430, you could get a competent offering from Pioneer, Onkyo, or Yamaha. I think at that price point you're not going to have a LOT of product differentiation. It comes down to what's easiest to get with the most post-purchase support.

That's the brands I have been checking out, so it's good to know I'm on the right track with them.

Given you guys both some thanks for continuing to help me :]

 

[j_garcia]

Aha, I thought that would be the case, so I'll keep my Rotel then (at least until I save up and upgrade it), I'm just confused about whether it can handle the sub since it has no sub-out, do you have any idea if it can? (if it can't maybe I'll the amplifer will be my next upgrade).



That's the brands I have been checking out, so it's good to know I'm on the right track with them.

Given you guys both some thanks for continuing to help me :]

As long as the sub has speaker level inptus, which most commercial subs do, it will work. You will have to manually adjust your crossover to get it to blend with your mains, but it will work.

Yes, those brands would be good in your price range. If you could squeeze in Marantz too, I'd recommend you give them a shot as well because they do well with music

 

[Shivers]

Sorry for the late replies guys, I've been very busy! Well, the sub arrived this morning, and thanks to you guys I managed to get it setup! Now, as always, some more questions!

Is there any disadvantages of running it in speaker level input instead of through a sub-out? (Just so I know for future reference)

At the moment I had to just connect it with the old rubbish throwaway cables that I got with my old speakers, so I'll be buying some new cables for it, how big a difference will buying some decent cabling be? As it as significant with a sub as it is with actual speakers?

Should I buy normal or bi-wire cables for the sub?

Thanks in advance, I really need to play around with the settings/positioning of the sub as I'm trying to get more kick around the middle of the room

 

[j_garcia]

The sub doesn't use any power from the speaker wires, so you don't need to go fancy on them, definitely no reason to biwire It strips off the signal and uses it's own amplifier. When you move to a receiver, you can use the preamp level subwoofer out to the sub instead.

The drawback to using speaker level connections would be what I touched on earlier - being forced to use the sub's crossover vs one from the receiver. The receiver makes the blend between the speakers and sub automatically, while when using the speaker outs, you have to do it manually; ideally with a SPL meter so you can measure and see where they blend correctly without overlap. You can do it by ear to your personal taste in the meantime Positioning can make a big difference and it sounds like you are on the right track.

(got your PM )

Interesting that those models are still available for you there. If you look on regular Amazon.com in the US, the prices are through the roof. It would actually be cheaper for me to order it from the UK and have it shipped over than to get it from here. $900 for the BD55??!#@ Bollocks

 

[Shivers]

I can't thank you enough for all your help, you've been a savior! What I'll do is buy some QED Silver Anniverssary cables (as it's cheap anyway, and when I put my rear speakers into use, I can switch the cables over to those).

Yeah I just checked the price difference of the BD-55 for you and it's around 270 dollers, which is nearly around 45% of the total price of the thing over here, that's ridiculous.., strange, as normally people in Britain would purchase things over in the US and get them shipped over here as it was cheaper that way, this time it's vice versa..

Well I guess that's my sorted for the moment, since I can't afford anymore electronics until I have saved up for them, thanks again for all the help, much appreciated!

Edit - Sorry, one very last thing to add, I can't seem to get the front grille off the sub, even though it says it comes with a 'removable grille', and many pictures of it on the internet show it without the front grille on, I can't find anyway to remove it, not that it's a huge issue but still, would be nice

 

[lsiberian]

I can't thank you enough for all your help, you've been a savior! What I'll do is buy some QED Silver Anniverssary cables (as it's cheap anyway, and when I put my rear speakers into use, I can switch the cables over to those).

Yeah I just checked the price difference of the BD-55 for you and it's around 270 dollers, which is nearly around 45% of the total price of the thing over here, that's ridiculous.., strange, as normally people in Britain would purchase things over in the US and get them shipped over here as it was cheaper that way, this time it's vice versa..

Well I guess that's my sorted for the moment, since I can't afford anymore electronics until I have saved up for them, thanks again for all the help, much appreciated!

Edit - Sorry, one very last thing to add, I can't seem to get the front grille off the sub, even though it says it comes with a 'removable grille', and many pictures of it on the internet show it without the front grille on, I can't find anyway to remove it, not that it's a huge issue but still, would be nice

Don't waste your money on fancy speaker cable just get standard 16 gauge from any hardware store.

And additionally I recommend you find an receiver with pre-amp outs so you can still use your rotel.