Audiophile considering HT

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--

Jeff- The Japanese HT lights and gadgets thing is definately happening. My Yamaha has approx. 10x more switches than my entire 2 channel system put together. Manual is virtually incomprehensible and the remote is another story altogether. If I had to do it again I probably would get the NAD, but there are plenty of used or gray market Yamies on ebay. With your room size, the NHT 8" sub probably wouldn't cut. I'm curious about the "cards". I just had a dish installed and there is a card in the back, don't know exactly what it does. Any decent receiver will have s video switching, so you don't have to worry about the inputs on your tv. Put your $ into the center channel speaker and good interconnects/cables.

We need a VideogoN website !! Ha !!!

Hey,I got a nickel's worth to throw into the pot.Don't waste your time with outlaw cards.They all get burned sooner than latter.If you can recieve programming with it/ they can 'burn' it.Just a fact of life./No matter what they try to tell you. Progrssive scan dvd payers are only for HDTV/ready sets,with scan rates of 31/or better.(Reg tvs:15).Almost no 5.1 audio on sat.+you can only use toslink to access it.Dts/aint worth the fuss on dvd.It "was" the better mouse trap on lazer disc. DD is worth/necessary.Don't leave home without it.The sound and music from dvd are something to be reckoned with. Get a stand alone processor/mix and match what you got;be blown away."MOST" folk who are against ht/haven't thrown enough money at it. It IS more than explosions.Sooo many here badmouth HT/those can't be convinced. Jadis/ Aerial make for good ht.Before you get 302's/blend in your best for a decent taste.

Okay, so a NADT770 receiver, B&W DM302's for front and rear, B&W ASW1000 sub, B&W CC6 center ought to do the trick. Throw in a DVD player and several miles of speaker cable and I'm all set. From the sounds of things I'll need a spool of decent wire, I suppose it'll depend on the type of speaker output jacks on the NAD as to what gauge of wire I can use. Couple of questions linger, do you have the speakers set up like in audio so the tweeters are approx ear level, or does it matter? I figure the center channel sits on top of the tv and the rear and fronts pointing in the general direction of your head. Sub doesn't matter where it goes? Finally, any idea what I should expect to pay for the NAD receiver, B&W sub and center? Personally I never watch movies, I'd rather read a book or listen to music but you gotta entertain the family too. Thanks all, you guys are a big help. Jeff