My Brain is about to explode..need advice.

[hlpme]

First of all i would just like to say that it's a pleasure reading these forums, you guys have some very impressive knowledge. I'm sure i could piece together what i need to know by scouring the forums more but i've been staring at specs and models for so long now that my brain is numb.

SO here's the question(s) .. It's time for me to get a home theater system, the TV and dvd player are already taken care of and i have roughly 3 grand for the reciever and speakers.

I have a sony 50" plasma KDE-50xs955 with 1080i capability and 1365x768 resolution (thank you sony for dropping your plasma line right after i bought one!) and i'm picking up a PS3 to use as my dvd player.

That brings me to my 1st obstacle..My TV only has 1 hdmi in, I'm forced to use a cable box with an hdmi out and i also want to get the most out of the PS3 by using its HDmi connection.

Every review of a reciever i've read makes a note of the poor HDMI capabilities. I'd really like hook all my components into the reciever and just have the 1 HDMI cable running to the television.

My second problem is that i'm completely clueless about speakers. The room the television is in is 14x20. I looked at the SVS website because i heard alot of good things about their subwoofers, they also sell complete systems but i'm not sure thats the way i want to go.

I would very much appreciate any help or suggestions you could give me.

P.S. I live in a very small town so going to stores and listening to a variety of speakers isn't really an option.

Thanks

 

[Gimpy Ric]

You can use an HDMI switcher from Impact Acoustics:

http://www.impactacoustics.com/product.asp?cat_id=1002&sku=40922

If you've got 3k for your speakers and electronics, consider a prepro/amp (preamp and processor with separate amplifier). Either Emotiva or Outlaw Audio (Both respected here) will have separates for $900.00 ~ $1500.00 that will beat most receivers of the same price, but not in the bells and whistles department. I've heard great things from the President of Emotiva about their new prepro's, all with PLENTY of HDMI 1.3 inputs handling audio and video. Look for these around X-mas.

http://www.emotiva.com

http://www.outlawaudio.com

Can't go wrong with SVS or Hsu Research for subs. With a good sub, you can use smaller bookshelf speakers, so consider AV123, Axiom, Aperion, etc. that give you 30 day in home trial periods. Aperion even has a one year trade-in trade-up deal.

Hope this helps!

 

[OttoMatic]

Outlaw stuff is pretty cool! Check out my 990 pre/pro that's for sale in the classified section of this forum.

 

[mtrycrafts]

First of all i would just like to say that it's a pleasure reading these forums, you guys have some very impressive knowledge. I'm sure i could piece together what i need to know by scouring the forums more but i've been staring at specs and models for so long now that my brain is numb.

SO here's the question(s) .. It's time for me to get a home theater system, the TV and dvd player are already taken care of and i have roughly 3 grand for the reciever and speakers.

I have a sony 50" plasma KDE-50xs955 with 1080i capability and 1365x768 resolution (thank you sony for dropping your plasma line right after i bought one!) and i'm picking up a PS3 to use as my dvd player.

That brings me to my 1st obstacle..My TV only has 1 hdmi in, I'm forced to use a cable box with an hdmi out and i also want to get the most out of the PS3 by using its HDmi connection.

Every review of a reciever i've read makes a note of the poor HDMI capabilities. I'd really like hook all my components into the reciever and just have the 1 HDMI cable running to the television.

My second problem is that i'm completely clueless about speakers. The room the television is in is 14x20. I looked at the SVS website because i heard alot of good things about their subwoofers, they also sell complete systems but i'm not sure thats the way i want to go.

I would very much appreciate any help or suggestions you could give me.

P.S. I live in a very small town so going to stores and listening to a variety of speakers isn't really an option.

Thanks

Does that cable box have component video out? You could certainly use that and HDMI direct from the PS3.

Why do you think that SVS speaker package may not be for you? It certainly would fill your needs, at least for a good time until you save more perhaps for a bigger system in the future?

Speakers will make the biggest audio difference along with your room's acoustic characteristics. Then, speakers may dictate if you go to separate amps, if they are demanding speakers, or a receiver will do the job for you.

Since you are in a location as you indicated, limited/no access for 1st hand listening, you may want to consider something that is a solid performer.

 

[darien87]

If you don't mind turning your reciever on every time you watch TV, you could just plug the cable box and PS 3 directly into the receiver via HDMI, then just have one cable going to your TV.

 

[hlpme]

Thanks for the advice so far it's helping me cut through the clutter. I looked at some of the speakers and was really impressed with the Axiom epic 50 set. the grandmaster looked like it would do the trick but after adding 200 dollars for the speaker stands the price was the same as the epic.

The emotiva gear looked very very nice but i don't think i would have enough space to hold both components. I have to make room for a ps3,dvd recorder,tivo,cable box and the reciever.

the price of the speakers is around 2,000 so that leaves me around 800 give or take a couple dollars for the reciever (i'm allowing a couple hundred for cables, shipping charges, etc etc).

My first thought was the pioneer elite series but the reviews were mixed. Other considerations would be yamaha, onkyo,Sony(sorry for the lack of model numbers, but all would be the mid-range model in the 700-800 price bracket).

Ease of use, reliability and HDMI switching are what i'm most looking for.. Any suggestions and reasoning for which reciever is the best choice in that price range?

Thanks again for the help

 

[Davemcc]

The only HDMI trouble I've had with my Denon is that I can't see my on screen display over HDMI because the OSD is only 480i. It just means that if I use HDMI, I have to run a RCA cable to the TV. Other than that, it's been good. The 2307ci is in your price range and it has plenty of connectivity and features. Initial setup might be a little confusing, but once you acclimate to the menus, it's actually easy to use and adjust.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Here is my recommendation:
1. Defintive Technology BP7002 ($1,800 per pair)
2. Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 350 ($225 each x 3 = $675)
3. Onkyo TX-SR605 ($400)

Grand Total: $2,875 (includes S/H, tax)

The Onkyo has two HDMI inputs, so you are covered. It also has all the audio decoding formats. The DefTech speakers are totally awesome. There you go.