Please rate my new setup

[Drop-Top]

This is my first "Real" A/V system. I have been reading forums until my eyes have been bleeding, so hopefully, this will be up to par. Here is what I have so far:

Sony KDS-R60XBR1 /Monitor
Pioneer VSX-74TXVi /Receiver **I went with pioneer because of the Ipod hookup, and the receiver seems close in performance**
Pioneer DV-45A /DVD

Axiom m60ti /front
Axiom QS8 /rear
Axiom VP150 /center
HSU STF-3 /sub

If you have any thoughts, I would love to hear them. Also, I am completely lost on wiring, so any helpful hints on that would be appreciated as well. I am most concerned about my receiver/amp, so I hope it is okay to post here.

Thanks!

 

[corysmith01]

First off, I don't know how I could "rate" that system...but I will say this: If that's your first, CONGRATS! That's an awesome set up. Way to get it right the first time. Enjoy it...I'm sure you will. Post comments when you've had time to spend with it.

As for wiring, throw out some specifics and sure folks 'round these parts can help you out. What are you having trouble with?

 

[Drop-Top]

As for wiring, throw out some specifics and sure folks 'round these parts can help you out. What are you having trouble with?

Well I used to have speaker wire just cut and stuffed into the ports, and as far as video/audio cables, I never know how much to spend, what brands are sufficient, and where to get them online at a good price.

 

[corysmith01]

Well, this is probably a good place to start:

http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/audioprinciples/cables.htm

AH has done lots of research for you and you'll probably find a lot of good advice/answers to your questions there.

In short response, using bare wire from your receiver to your speaker is totally fine. No problem whatsoever. Some people will go with other connectors (banana, spade), but that's usually just personal preference or for convenience. You're not doing anything wrong by running bare wire.

As for expense, the number one rule is you don't have to spend a lot. Cost DOES NOT equal quality. Is the higher priced stuff good? Absolutely. But it's not the only option. Blue Jeans cable ( http://www.bluejeanscable.com ) and impact acoustics ( http://www.impactacoustics.com ) seem to get a lot of buzz around here for their prices on quality stuff. I bought speaker cable, finished with banana plugs from Impact and couldn't be happier. You may want to start at either of these. Hope that helps.

 

[Pyrrho]

Well I used to have speaker wire just cut and stuffed into the ports, and as far as video/audio cables, I never know how much to spend, what brands are sufficient, and where to get them online at a good price.

If by "ports", you mean speaker connectors, then what you are doing is fine. You don't need special connectors at the ends of your speaker wires, just be careful that you don't break off many strands or have any loose ones that can touch the other terminal. As for speaker wires, what you need is based upon length of wire and impedance of speaker. Take a look at:

http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

As for your other wires, you don't need anything expensive. The main thing is to get the right type, as component video connections are better than S-Video, and S-Video is better than composite, etc.

People who claim that exotic wires help have never demonstrated this ability in properly conducted double blind tests. So probably what you are already using is perfectly alright.

 

[ironlung]

nice system

I rate it a 7

 

[mnnc]

This is my first "Real" A/V system. I have been reading forums until my eyes have been bleeding, so hopefully, this will be up to par. Here is what I have so far:

Sony KDS-R60XBR1 /Monitor
Pioneer VSX-74TXVi /Receiver **I went with pioneer because of the Ipod hookup, and the receiver seems close in performance**
Pioneer DV-45A /DVD

Axiom m60ti /front
Axiom QS8 /rear
Axiom VP150 /center
HSU STF-3 /sub

If you have any thoughts, I would love to hear them. Also, I am completely lost on wiring, so any helpful hints on that would be appreciated as well. I am most concerned about my receiver/amp, so I hope it is okay to post here.

Thanks!

I would say that's sweet first time out. Have not heard new Pioneer stuff but would buy the spkrs based on reviews only! Nive tv but a bit big for my taste/room. Prefer a 42-46 tv. Nonetheless, I would give it a 9(10 being seperates w/ the 80's regardless of first system or not. Enjoy!

Wiring...connect dvd to recvr using hdmi/dvi/ or component(red, blue, and green) with seperate digital cable for sound/audio in that order(not familiar with outputs of unit). If dvd player has hdmi out then all your vid and audio will be transfered by the one cable. That is an great advantage to newer hdmi supported units. Run hdmi/dvi or component from recvr monitor out to tv. That's it based on components listed. The ipod, I have read, should have volume turned up all the way to act as a gain and then use recvr's volume to control output.

 

[DOJ]

For your fist system , I'd say you did a great job !

You are the final critic though . If you are happy that is all that matters . But I don't see why you would'nt be .