My first HT system--please give advice!

[audio_neophyte]

Rotel RSX-1067 surround sound A/V receiver
B&W VM1's for the 5.1 surround system
B&W ASW650 subwoofer
Rotel RCD 1072 CD player
Cambridge Audio DVD55 DVD player

I haven't purchased it yet so any and all comments would be appreciated!

Thanks.

 

[nm2285]

The Rotel receiver is excellent, the BWs are great speakers as long as their sound apeals to you. However, I dont see any reason you should buy the CD player and that DVD player. I think that DVD player will be more than sufficient playing CDs, it's very nice. If you have some extra cash, use it for a universal player or an even nicer DVD player.

 

[audio_neophyte]

Reasons

Here is my thinking on the CD & DVD players. Let me know if I'm wrong. The system that I'm putting together is actually a multi-zone system that includes a couple of other rooms. I thought it would be nice to have a different DVD and CD player so that someone could be watching a DVD in the family room while someone else is listening to a CD in the kitchen. Furthermore, unless I'm wrong about this, I thought that a lot of the more expensive DVD players were more expensive because it's more complicated to have a player that can play both DVD's and CD's well. If the machine is solely used for a DVD player, the cost is more reasonable. Am I wrong?

 

[nm2285]

No, I wouldn't worry about the player with CDs at all. More expensive DVD players are usually a consequence of 1) video processing technologies 2) connectivity 3) name and/or 4) some slight audio upgrades. Most if not all reasonably priced DVD players from major brands decode CDs right at their theoretical limits. Then you have the choice of using the player's DACs or the receiver's DACs. I did a quick check on Cambridge Audio's website and it doesn't specify which DACs are used, but I'm confident that they're quite nice and that those in your Rotel are as well.

I have a Harman/Kardon DVD101 which retailed at $300 a year or 2 ago and it contains a superb DAC making its CD playback extremely competent.

Plus, if you really feel you're not getting all the sound you should out of the player, you can always buy an external DAC.

As for multi-room stuff, why purchase such nice equipment for secondary rooms? I could be wrong, but I can't imagine the speakers you'll be using in your other zones are nearly as nice or even worthy of such equipment when some less expensive stuff will perform MORE than adequately.

 

[audio_neophyte]

secondary rooms

The nicer stuff will primarily be used in the family room, however, the system is set up so that the other rooms can listen to those components. For example, the Rotel CD player will be heard in the family room with the better speakers. However, my wife can turn it on so she hears it in the kitchen as well if she wants. If I was only listening to the Rotel CD player through the in-ceiling speakers in the kitchen or dining room, you'd be right.

 

[nm2285]

That makes more sense. Whether or not you choose to have a dedicated CD player or not is up to you. However, if you're going to have a dedicated CD player, why not consider a DVD changer or universal player for the other component?

 

[BMXTRIX]

I would nix the CD player as well. But, I would consider looking into a digital music server that you can use instead. If you have multiple zones and really want to manage music for parties and whole house audio, then a digital music server can do the trick. Good servers are designed specifically for music and are just another piece of audio gear you have with a remote and on screen display.
Best - by far - also a bit pricey:
http://www.request.com/us/

Good, fast, solid - very reliable:
http://www.imerge.co.uk/products/improductshtml/ipmain.html

Bang for the buck, lots of nifty little features:
http://www.escient.com

Then, consider making sure the DVD player handles CDs very well in your room so when you want some high quality dedicated music time, you can drop the original CD into your DVD player and really enjoy.

I have found that on $100,000.00+ installations that I have worked on, this is one of the best routes to go. A focus on practicality for the one room and the entire house while providing adaptable and valuable products to enhance the entire listening experience throughout the entire environment - not just one room.

My home: 12+ zones of independent audio - one touch access in each zone.

 

[calgarianperson]

i am also looking at a new system and i agree... i scrapped the cd player idea and am thinking DVD and a music server. A cheaper alternative to a server (although i dont think id ever do it) is getting the 300 or 400 disc changers from sony. i doubt you hace this many cds and they both retail under 500 bucks.