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I'm about to bite the bullet and build a home theatre system into my audio only setup. Anyone care to share their experience and give me some pointers and gotcha's to watch out for?My current audio setup sounds pretty nice with the CJ Premier 11a tube amp, CJ Premier 18LS ss preamp, Cary CDP, and Tannoy Definition D500 speakers. My goal is to keep the audio system in the chain untouched for playing CD's but to also integrate it into the home theatre.
For better or for worse, I have decided on the following H.T. items:
Tannoy S8LR rear surround speakers and Tannoy S8C center channel speaker as these use the exact same drivers as found in my main Tannoy D500's. They're all fairly efficient in the 90dB range. Also, target 28" speaker stands will be used to get the rear speakers up high enough so they're not blocked by the sofa even though the rear speakers will be a good 10 feet behind the listening position. The speakers and stands are already on order and on their way.
Will probably get these over the weekend:
- Denon 3803 H.T. A/V receiver
- Denon DVD-1600 DVD player
- Sony KV-34XBR800 CRT widescreen TV
(plasma or LCD not in my budget this time around)I plan to run the main L/R channel pre-outs from the Denon receiver into the Theatre Bypass loop in my CJ Premier 18LS preamp which will run the CJ Premier 11a tube amp for the L/R main speakers. The rear surround speakers and the center channel will be powered directly by the Denon receiver's amplifiers.
Except for music videos isn't it generally true that most of the audio will come from the center channel? So if there is a slight sonic mismatch from the Denon amplified surround & center speakers vs the vacuum tube amplified mains, I should still be "OK", right?
I see lots of cables in my future. I have no clue about quality component video cable brands and distance limitations if any. Some suggestions please. Thanks!
Follow Ups:
You are missing a very important component for AV, a good subwoofer, plus it will allow you not to work the stereo power too hard if you set the speakers to small and send the bass to the subwoofer, the same applies to the receiver powering the other channels...Another point is try to have all speakers at the same distance, I have mine about 10ī, so you donīt need any time delay processing...
You should have no problems with the center, but I would buy the D750, as more than 50% of info is from the center channel on DVDs, but then you would probably need better power there too...
Antonio Melo Ribeiro
I considered the Tannoy D750 center channel but that speaker is very large and expensive. My center channel will be the Tannoy S8c which still uses the same driver as my D500's (but in a cheaper enclosure). I have a REL Storm III sub that I will integrate into the H.T. setup. Unfortunately I cannot maintain the same distance from my listening position to the front vs rear speakers. The rear speakers will be much further back.I'm still waiting for the surround speakers to arrive. So far I have the receiver and DVD player installed and integrated with my tube amp (front mains only). I have a low-end Radio Shack speaker I put on the center channel just for fun until my other speakers arrive. I also placed my old bedroom 20" Mitsubishi TV in the system in order to display the setup screen menus for the receiver and DVD player (while waiting for the 34" TV to arrive).
I'll be spending the weekend drilling holes in the floor for the rear speaker cables that will come up from the basement level.
If you set all speakers to small with 80hz xover you shouldnīt have any problems. As I listen to CDs in surround DPLII, I prefer a lower 50hz xover, so I needed a better center, otherwise it wonīt matter as much...I would also try to place the center under the TV, instead of over it, (if you donīt do that already), I didnīt like the sound coming from well above the TV, felt a bit weird, about the distance, it is not a great problem, but it may help, maybe if you move the seat a bit back, or forward you will have the same distance, particullarly if you try SACD or DVD-A, they donīt have time alignement...
You have a good system, and I am sure you will be using your AV more and more, even if the sound is a bit worst, watching the players makes you pay less attention to it...
Antonio Melo Ribeiro
In 16:9 mode the picture is only about 1" narrower and 1/2" shorter than the KV-34BR800. ( Yes I measured! ) It's also cheaper, will still do 1080i in 16:9 mode, and you get a bigger 4:3 image.
You make a good point about the 36" model but I have a basic 36" Sony for day to day tv viewing. The 34" 16:9 will be used mostly for wide format movies and it's less obtrusive in my smallish H.T. room.
There shouldn't be any huge problem with your idea. Clarity is the main requirement of speach, so the SS amplification of the Centre vs. the valve amplification of the mains should be fine. The difference between the front and the surrounds may be slightly bothersome in swelling music passages (which are often fed everywhere, not just the left and right front.) It depends how fussy you are.I will say that many people I know have eschewed their valve amps for playing film (all soundtracks including DD and DTS are compressed/processed, "Why bother" is the attitude) and save their valves for serious listening.
My attitude is, "Its your life, your taste and your wallet. Make the compromises that suit you best."
One bit of advice-the Denon DVD player is a nice unit, but it lacks a coaxial digital out-toslink only. I'm told this compromises the sound. Take a look at the Philips DVD-963SA, which offers coaxial out, not to mention multi-channel SACD playback.I ordered a Marantz SR5200 reciever and should have it by the end of the week.
Already bought the Denon gear and will live with Toslink optical from the DVD-1600. I'm not as fussy with the H.T. as I am for my audio only listening. For that I will be able to use my CDP and the existing tube amp. Waiting for the surround speakers and TV to arrive so the goal is to have everything else wired and ready to go. Doing lots of drilling and climbing the ladder in the basement for routing the rear speaker wires. The TV arrives monday and all they'll have to do is place it on the stand where it will never move again! These CRT's are way too heavy. Hopefully this will be my last CRT!!Good luck with your setup... keep us posted. I'll post more here once things start to take shape.
AbeI would recommend using Monster Video Silver component video cables and keeping it under 4 meters. The Canare is supposed to be good for the money also.
Have you looked at a low end video projector like the new $3K Sony ?? Front projection adds a realism that's hard to beat.
The timbre matching is important for the front left/right/center when sounds are panned. If there is a different speaker or amp, there could be a difference. Guess the only way to find out is to try it.
Also, you mentioned that the rear speakers would be 10 feet behind the listening position. If you're doing Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 try the speakers initially at one foot behind the listening position, then move them back until you get the best ambient sound. They don't have to point at the listening position.
As far as integrating systems, I didn't. Have a separate set up for theater and one for 2 channel audio. I realize this is not practical or realistic for everyone.
Enjoy the music.
Sounds like something I might be interested in although I'm coming at it from the other direction, The 3803 would be my main amp for HT and straight audio until I can afford and know enough to buy a separate amp for audio. Very best of luck!!!! Remember to breath!!!! Ha! Ha!
BTW my Okara 9500 II kits arrived! My daughter has a Science Fair project that is keeping me from them. Maybe I should have talked her into doing her project on the electrical circuits of loudspeakers? Bill
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