Upgrading entire HT system, NEED ADVICE!!!!!!

[a/v-holic]

I'm looking at upgrading my entire HT system. This is my current system:

sony 50" XBR from 03,
yamaha htr 5760 receiver,
samsung HD-960 dvd player
Scientific Atlanta 8300HD
Monster cable HTS-3500
Klipsch RF-3
Klipsch RC-35
Klipsch RS-3II
Klipsch KSW-15

It looks like im going to go with a front projector setup most likely the Sony VPW VW100 (thats right you read that correctly, and yes i am aware of the $1000 price tag on the replacement bulbs), with a carada criterion 88" brilliant white screen. I'm also looking at getting either the Denon 3806 or 4306, still debating on getting either a HD-DVD or a blu ray dvd player, or just ride it out and wait for this stupid format war to be finished!!!!! Have they fixed the issue with the blu ray using an outdated decoder yet? i remember i read some review on the samsung blu ray player where they are using an outdated decoder which is causing sub par picture quality? is that for any blu ray dvd player, or are there certain ones to stay away from? i know that they are just now starting to come to the market, so selection is limited. Does anyone have any recommendations for an HD-DVD and Blu ray player?

The speakers is where im having my biggest dilema, i have decided to go with an svs subwoofer most likely the ultra, and im currently researching about the paradigm signature series, specifically the S8, C5, and ADP speakers. I'm also looking at the B&W 800 series. Whats the difference between the 803D and 803S speakers, the HTM2D, HTM3S. How do the DS8S perform? the last set of speakers im considering are the Klipsch Reference series RF-83, RC-64, RS-62. I obviously have already owned a set of Klipsch reference speakers before and was really happy with them, but im always looking to improve my system and have read many reviews on this forum praising the paradigm and b&w speakers i listed above? the first thing i am looking for is a local dealer down here in south florida for the b&w speakers? when i click on locate a dealer on their website it only has the option to look in the UK and Europe. My next question is which speaker setup would you recommend and y? what makes one set of these speakers better then the other two? i have heard that people say the klipsch speakers are known to provide a bright sound stage vs these other brands.

Also, what do the b&w and paradigm signature series speakers listed above cost approximately? i got an idea of what the klipsch one costs from there website, so i am curious as to what these other brands cost, Obviously cost really isn't an issue for me, especially since im buying the BIG DOG "Sony Ruby".

any thoughts or insights would be appreciated to help me make the best decision possible. Obviously when the time gets closer to purchasing that i will need to go to some local dealers to test some of these speakers, but i am not to that stage yet.

thanks to all that reply to this post!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jcPanny]

HT upgrade info.

A/V,
Sounds like you have the budget for some major HT upgrades.

For the projector, check out the new Sony "Pearl" model for 1080P performance in the $6k price range. Hopefully the bulbs will be cheaper, too. To take advantage of 1080P front projection, you should consider a larger screen in the 100-120" range. You might buy the projector first and point it at a light colored wall to evaluate the best screen size.
Check out projectorcentral.com for more projector info and reviews.

If you are happy with the current Klipsch reference speaker, the new versions will probably be more of the same. For an upgrade, check out the new Klipsch THX line for HT. If you plan on a lot of music listening, then the Paradigms or B&W might be better options.

I am not sold on the HD players, but the gen 2 players comming out this year are finally starting to include the main benefits of the new formats like 1080P, HDMI 1.3, and Dloby True HD formats.

Don't forget about room treatments for your high end system. Light control is also important for front projection.

 

[a/v-holic]

I do, and i also have that itch to get some new gear every few years. Whats the difference besides price on the Pearl vs the Ruby? is the picture quality any better or worse with either one or are they about the same? i Know the ruby has already been out for a while, does the pearl have any new technology which would make it a better choice? Ill take a look at projectorcentral.com for some more info, thanks for the tips/ideas......

I mostly will use this system for watching tv, and movies and sports, occassionally a video game, right now i only have an xbox. sometimes i will plug my ipod into the stereo, but i dont listen to music for extended periods of time on my HT system. i would say that im about 90% movies and about 10% music.

so are the paradigm and b&w speakers a better fit for when you do listen to music mostly? what makes them better for a person who listens to music a lot vs someone like me who is more into movies? Is the main difference because klipsch uses the horn tweeter and the others use a titanium tweeter to reproduce the highs? How do the Klipsch THX speakers compare to the SVS either ultra2 or plus2 subwoofer? Alot of people in hear seem to agree that the SVS is one of the best out there, obviously if you get the thx ultra2 package from klipsch you are getting two subs vs only one if i went with the svs sub.

Yeah i think im going to hold off on the next gen dvd players at least until the features that you mentioned before start becoming more readily available.

A/V,
Sounds like you have the budget for some major HT upgrades.

For the projector, check out the new Sony "Pearl" model for 1080P performance in the $6k price range. Hopefully the bulbs will be cheaper, too. To take advantage of 1080P front projection, you should consider a larger screen in the 100-120" range. You might buy the projector first and point it at a light colored wall to evaluate the best screen size.
Check out projectorcentral.com for more projector info and reviews.

If you are happy with the current Klipsch reference speaker, the new versions will probably be more of the same. For an upgrade, check out the new Klipsch THX line for HT. If you plan on a lot of music listening, then the Paradigms or B&W might be better options.

I am not sold on the HD players, but the gen 2 players comming out this year are finally starting to include the main benefits of the new formats like 1080P, HDMI 1.3, and Dloby True HD formats.

Don't forget about room treatments for your high end system. Light control is also important for front projection.

 

[B5I8]

If money is really no object, you can do a lot better on the audio. You could go with the Denon AVR-5805CI or even better yet you can get separates Pre Amp/Power Amp. As for subs, SVS make some awesome subwoofers for some very good prices but since you've got the money, there are better subs out there. The Velodyne DD-18, Revel Ultima Sub 30 and Performa B15a, Rel Studio III, and the Genelec HTS6 are probably the best subs you can get. For loudspeakers, there are also a lot of brands that IMO are much better than Klipsch. Take a look at Genesis, RBH Sound, Status Acoustics, Revel, Focal JMLab's, Monitor Audio, and PSB Speakers. Of course there are a lot of others out there, I just wanted to name some for you to think about.

 

[Mort Corey]

For movies and such, I like the klipsch Reference speakers. However, I think you'd find the next step or two above your present set to be a major improvement. I'm not sure of todays numbers. but the equvalent of the RF5 or RF7 series has greater range, impact and without some of the edge of the RF3 series....IMO anyway.

My last upgrade was the RF5's (no room for the 7's which I preferred) and an SVS PC Ultra sub (again due to space considerations). Quite impressive for movie watching and very acceptable for music listening.

Again, JMHO, but the 4806 Denon is not worth the price differential between it and the 3806.

Good hunting