VSX-D308 ("Noob" question)

[MGRockwell]

First off, I'd like to apologize that my first post is one in search of help. I tried searching the forum for my receiver model and didn't come up with anything.

I'm pretty much completely new to sound systems. However, yesterday a friend of mine told me he was looking to get rid of his old receiver and said I could have it for $20. I've always been interested in getting some sort of surround sound in my place so I took him up on it.

The receiver was a Pioneer VSX-D308.

I have quite a few questions however, and sometimes he is a hard guy to ask questions.

1) The inputs on this receiver are just the red and white plugs, will this give me surround sound?
2a.) What would be the best way to hook a Playstation 3 up to this receiver?
2b.) My television (a 42" Vizio LCD model) has the RCA red/white outputs. Would it be possible to hook the Playsation 3 up to the TV, then the TV out to the receiver and still get surround sound? (My PS3 is hooked into my TV with an HDMI cable - I think that I may have an RCA plug for the PS3 somewhere)
3) Was it a bad decision to buy the receiver (and remote) alone for $20?
4) What would be a good speaker set to get for the receiver? (the receiver is rated at 210W)

Thank you very much for your time.

 

[audioman00]

1) The inputs on this receiver are just the red and white plugs, will this give me surround sound?

*If the unit has a DolbyProLogic logo on it, you will get the older 4ch surround

2a.) What would be the best way to hook a Playstation 3 up to this receiver?

*Just the good old red and white rca's into the aux or video input of your choice.

2b.) My television (a 42" Vizio LCD model) has the RCA red/white outputs. Would it be possible to hook the Playsation 3 up to the TV, then the TV out to the receiver and still get surround sound? (My PS3 is hooked into my TV with an HDMI cable - I think that I may have an RCA plug for the PS3 somewhere)

*I do not think the TV will pass the old PL soundtrack to the receiver, I would connect the audio to the receiver independently.

3) Was it a bad decision to buy the receiver (and remote) alone for $20?

*NO! how could it be it was $20 w/ remote! I paid 150 for just a remote once

4) What would be a good speaker set to get for the receiver? (the receiver is rated at 210W)

*Just 4 floor standing speakers and a center would work, you may want the rears to be smaller, bookshelf size, if the receiver is ProLogic, but it would help if I knew how many watts it puts out? maybe 50-80 I would imagine. get a set of speakers with the higher 91db sensitivity.

 

[Midcow2]

some ideas

First off, I'd like to apologize that my first post is one in search of help. I tried searching the forum for my receiver model and didn't come up with anything.

I'm pretty much completely new to sound systems. However, yesterday a friend of mine told me he was looking to get rid of his old receiver and said I could have it for $20. I've always been interested in getting some sort of surround sound in my place so I took him up on it.

The receiver was a Pioneer VSX-D308.

I have quite a few questions however, and sometimes he is a hard guy to ask questions.

1) The inputs on this receiver are just the red and white plugs, will this give me surround sound?

two channel stereo input: red=right white=left receiver can provide simulated surround./

2a.) What would be the best way to hook a Playstation 3 up to this receiver?

use RCA red /white to DVD or other input port for sound . Viudeo at 1080 component or HDMI to TV.

2b.) My television (a 42" Vizio LCD model) has the RCA red/white outputs. Would it be possible to hook the Playsation 3 up to the TV, then the TV out to the receiver and still get surround sound? (My PS3 is hooked into my TV with an HDMI cable - I think that I may have an RCA plug for the PS3 somewhere)

NO need to have receiver before TV for sound. Hook devices to receiver for sound and hook video to TV directly. Example hook PS3 via HDMI to TV. Hook red/white sound to receiver input ( doesn't matter which) and play sound through receiver.

3) Was it a bad decision to buy the receiver (and remote) alone for $20?

Okay but the receiver is a 2001 model and there are a lot newer better. Sometime in the future you might consider and upgrade.

4) What would be a good speaker set to get for the receiver? (the receiver is rated at 210W)

Thank you very much for your time.

Depends on how much you wany to spend $200 or $2000. What is your budget. Some good $200 speakers = Cambridge Audio S30
http://spearitsound.amazonwebstore.com/Cambridge-Audio-S30-Speakers-Black/M/B00198LYMU.htm?utm_campaign=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle

Some good $2000 speakers =Definitve Technology BP7002
http://www.surroundcity.com/DEFINITIVE-TECHNOLOGY-BP-7002-CLR-2002-P1671C225.aspx

 

[MGRockwell]

Thank you for your informative replies.

I unfortunately found some information about the PS3 which is disheartening. According to the GameSpot forums the RCA plugs do not output ProLogic. I've somewhat confirmed this by plugging my PS3 into the receiver. When you plug the PS3 in with optical or HDMI it gives you options ranging from Stereo to many different forms of 5.1/7.1. When you plug the PS3 in with RCA it does not give you any options. I'm assuming this is because it only outputs stereo this way. I'm not sure that I'll invest in speakers specifically for this receiver if that is the case.

I'll have to continue my shopping elsewhere it seems - or hope to pick up some garage sale speakers on severe discount.