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In Reply to: Problems setting up DAC combo for HT and audio posted by Mart2 on January 02, 2000 at 00:33:18:
Not sure of your priorities but our system has concentrated on the best possible audio setup (and this does not come with DVD) which includes Lexicon a CP3+ surround unit - a used unit just added in as a replacement to the Fosgate.Sorry but I cannot comment intelligently about your equipment but suggest you do not get carried away with too much crappy HT gear with centre speakers etc. We use separate quality Plinius components in the stereo chain and only use the processor for side and rear & extra sub signals. It may not give us the best earthquakes & jet planes of Dolby Digital but the sound is impressive.
Some advice I heard recently, and would concur with, was to spend the dollars on the stereo channel & use relatively inexpensive processors etc for surround. The surround done for theatre sound is not the same calibre so it is not sensible to spend too much in this area unless you are intent on a dedicated "gee wizzz" home theatre.
DVD's can give superb pictures but are not renouned for good audio. A separate DSP would certainly help and most of these have multiple inputs. We use a second hand Theta IIIa which gives good sound but has to be manually switched between two LD players (the Theta Data III doubling for CDs) & a DVD. We have a collection of operatic & other music LDs and most (but certainly not all) sound superior to the DVDs purchased so far with all digital sound routed through the DSP.
From the opinions I have read I would not fret over 96/24 PCM sound. If there is any improvement it would be marginal with dollars better spent elsewhere.
As you might gather our priorities are audio & not theatre sound but we think we have a top system catering for both. There are more details of our gear posted on John C.-Aussie inmate systems. Apologies if this is rambling - hope it is of some help.
John
I disagree whole-heartedly with your take on home theater/audio systems. I truly believe that they can perform both functions superbly and concurrently.I have a McIntosh based audio/video system which consists of:
C-39 Audio/Video Control Center
MAC-3 Dolby Digital Processor (5.1 channel surround processor and DAC)
MR-7083 Tuner
MC-7108 eight channel amplifier (bridged to provide 4 channels of 100 watts per channel)
MC-754 100 wpc amp - bridged to 200w mon for the center channel
LS-330 front left and right speakers
HT-4 Center channel speaker
SL-4 surround speakers (almost identical sonically to the LS-330's)Non McIntosh equipment:
EAD T-1000 transport
Pioneer DV-09 dvd player
VPI HW-19 Jr w\rega 300 tonearm and sumiko blue point cartridge
Panasonic VHS player (the model # eludes me right now)
Two nakamichi cassette players
Toshiba Cinema Series 36" TVMy system performs exceptionally for both two channel stereo music reproduction and as a full-on home theater surround system. The majority of current dvd's that are now available contain excellent soundtracks and give a very lifelike theater experience when played through a high quality and correctly calibrated home theater system.
My advice is go for it a step at a time. I have been assembling my system for 4 years and now it is outstanding. I will eventually replace my TV with a HDTV, but not for about another 3-4 years when they have the technology down and the prices are more affordable.
Thanks.
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