Audiophile considering HT


Well, I'm thinking of adding HT to my 37" Sony TV, DirectTV Dish, Toshiba HiFi VCR. I've got plenty of audio systems, and good ones at that, but have no interest in including audio and video together, so I'll need to build a HT system from scratch. Since the sound isn't critical (movies, sports), I don't want to spend a bunch on money on it but being a 'phile I don't want junk either. I know very very little about HT other than I'll need a DVD player, fronts, backs, sub, center channel and some sort of amp. The smaller and less obtrusive the stuff is the better. Budget is undetermined but I figure a couple of grand for some reasonably current (but used stuff) should do it. Any suggestions is much appreciated, Jeff
jeffloistarca
Sugarbrie, I've very familiar with the B&W speakers, I own 302's and 602's. In fact, I thought the 602's for front, 601's for rears, and then perhaps a B&W sub and center channel made sense. The receiver thing remains a bit of a mystery to me; they look a lot like the old Japanese receivers from the 70's lots of lights and gadgets. I suppose that's part of the whole HT gig though, very much consumer market stuff. Swampwalker, when I bought the dish, I got the dual LNB model so I can eventually add another sat box. Haven't added the additional box yet, primarily due to scarce availability of the infamous "Cards" that most people own. I'm not really certain how the various S-Video hook ups will work, since the DVD and dish have S-Video outs, but there's only one S-Video input on the tv. Toldya I was a neophyte *L*. NHT are on my short list, as is Gallo cuz they are so damned small they don't stand out, not sure how good they sound though. The room is reasonable, cathedral ceilings, about 20 by 14 or so. Thanks guys, Jeff
Any A/V receiver that you might consider will probably have s-video switching. PSB has a speaker package in its image line (used to be called century) that isn't too bad and is priced fairly well. I think the hardest thing that you'll have to do, however, is to readjust your paradigm to the 'mid-fi' h/t mentality in which Japanese receivers are a little more respected than in two channel. Good luck.
The 302s would make fine rears also. Some people like to use the same basic model speakers, so they will voice the same. (Same tweeter). For typical Japanese stuff, Onkyo is good build quality for the price. An HT receiver is the best bank for the buck. If you go to separate Dobly Digital DAC, etc, you are getting into Videophile teritory and more $$$$$$. Happy viewing.
If B&W and not high dollar go with ASW 1000 or 2000 subs. (The 2000 better choice of the 2 since it does OK with music too). The ASW 500 is so so in my opinion, but OK if all you want is good explosions.
Hello Jeff--How are you doing?? Sounds like you're in the same exact boat as I am in (for home theater, while I don't want something that is on the same level as my audio system, I'm not just going to settle for just anything either. My home theater consists of: (01). Panasonic CT-27SF37 27-Inch Direct-View TV, (02). Sony SLV-R5UC S-VHS Hi-Fi VCR (gotten used off of "e-bay"..... for $250.00!!!!!.... and all it will be used for is for movies that I decide I don't want to buy in DVD medium and to tape sporting events (football and basketball games)), (03). Yamaha DSP-A780 Dolby Pro-Logic Integrated Amplifier (Dolby Digital isn't for everybody), and (04). Sennheiser HD-580 Headphones. My next projects are a DVD Player (I'm looking at either a Sony DVP-S7700 or a Pioneer Elite DV-09 in the upcoming months) and Speakers (don't know what I am going to be getting at the moment, but I am looking at B&W (300 Series), PSB (Alpha Series), Paradigm (Cinema Series.... I think that's what it is, not sure), Atlantic Technology (System 170) and Boston Acoustics (System 9000))all include subwoofers). For you, I would consider speakers from either B&W (600 Series to start, but consider 300 Series only if you want to save money), PSB and Paradigm. And for Audio/Video Receivers for home theater?? I would look at receivers from NAD, Onkyo, and Yamaha if you are considering a receiver at moderate cost (you should be able to get a Dolby Digital Receiver for around $500.00, and I would spend no more than $700.00, tops). Denon would be a distant fourth to me (only their top three models would be worth considering), but maybe not to anyone else. If you consider one of the pre-packaged Speaker packages specially designed for home theater from one of the manufacturers I have listed above, then you should get a package deal at a decent price. Add $500.00 to $700.00 for a D-D A/V Receiver and you should either be well within budget or maybe just about $200.00 over budget. But remember one thing though, when you are auditioning speakers, take along music CD's instead of movie DVD's with you to your audition. Because my reasoning is this, if the speakers can reproduce music very well, it will also do well with movies. Good luck. I hope I was helpful. --Charles--