Total Newbie system: The Money Saver

[reveal]

Hi all,

Long time reader, first time poster.

So, I was completely new to audio (in many respects) up until a few months ago. So, I decided to finally purchase a system at the best prices I could, and follow advice from this website to at least a moderate extent. I had a limited budget, but at least some experience in electronics. In the end, this is what I manged to get, and for what I think was a decent price too. I would like your opinions, (don't be too harsh) and any advice as to what I could do to make this system sound better short of spending any more money.

I'm sure the upgrade bug will hit me soon enough, and then I will come back and get some advice that I am sure will be good. Here we go.

Dvd: Sony DVP-NS575P

Reciever: HK AVR - 135

Towers: Reference Audio ( Canadian brand ) R82T. *
*Tweeter: 1" Silk Dome Ferro Fluid
* Midrange: Dual 5”
* Woofer: 8”
* Crossover Point: 1 kHz, 3.5 kHz
* Frequency Response: 45Hz-20kHz
* Sensitivity: 90 dB
* Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohm
* Recommended Amp Power: 10-200 watts
Centre: Pro-Linear PTX55C
*Tweeter: 1" Silk Dome Ferro Fluid
* 2x5" Treated Paper Cone w/Rubber Edge
* Frequency Response: 45Hz-22kHz
* Sensitivity: 90 dB
* Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohm
* Recommended Amp Power: 5-175 watts
Rear: JBL500
*60W, 8 Ohm (Cheap I know, but not that bad really)
Sub: JBL PB8
*100 watts
* Frequency Response: 34Hz-180Hz
*8"

Right, the front two towers are bi-wired, the centre is not. (It can't be.) All the speaker cabling is made by me with 12 gauge twisted speaker cable, with gold played banana plugs soldered on. The rest of the connections in the back are almost all Pure Audio brand stuff by belkin, which is decent stuff, not cheap, but not a rip-off to buy either.

The computer contains a Creative Labs Audigy 2 ZS with 6 channel direct out and TOSLINK.

Now, the kicker is, grand total, I paid about $900 Cdn for all this, or about $783 US. Grand total retail value was about $1750 Cdn, or about $1500 Us.
I did with a combination of waiting patiently for sales, a friends discount at FutureShop of cost + 10%, a boxing day door buster, and buying off the shelf. Me, I think I did ok, and I'm a little proud.

P.S. I'm listeninig to Diana Krall - Love Scenes DTS right now, and me likes.

Edit: Forgot to add, my remote is a harmony 680, which I friggin love too.

 

[Sheep]

Let me guess, you bought those speaker from A&Bsound right?

I have the same center channel as you! I Used to have prolinear towers as well, but I upgraded to Energy's.

I have heard those towers you have aswell.

BTW, are you in BC?

EDIT: Added a couple shots, one with towers, one with the center.
SheepStar

 

[reveal]

There, a quick update of the Loco info, and yup, A&B sound in Calgary. I took the speakers apart when I got em, they seem ok on the inside and never struck as me as "cheap"

 

[jaxvon]

You might wanna give your receiver some more breathing room. In its present configuration (covered in components), it's gonna get quite toasty, and toasty isn't good.