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Could someone with past experience and knowledge please advise me as to the following:I have just purchased a Toshiba SD3109 DVD player as the first item on a yet-to-be devised list of components to a first-time Home Theatre system.
Given the price bracket and capabilities of the SD3109, could someone kindly advise me as to my best choice for an amplifier (make/model/price) and speakers (make/model/price). Regrettably I am not endowed with unlimited funds so my choices are somewhat limited but I would greatly appreciate any assistance anyone can offer to a complete newbie and first-timer as myself.
I would say the next 2 pieces in your puzzle would obviously have to be a Receiver and speakers. You might forgo getting the full surround speakers and subwoofer and just focus on a good pair of mains, then as $ become available add the other components. On audioreview.com there are some excellent tips and very helpful people. Most of what applies to home audio applies to HT, after all they are both Sound investments...Under techtalk/general John T. Canada has an excellent informative guide on what to look for in receivers. On the speaker side, if you have to have the full 5 speaker system, check out www.psbspekaers.com. These speakers have some great reviews ( I love the ones that I was able to demo), and the site has some excellent general information as well as some HT system configurations that might surprise you for affordability.
Good luck and enjoy, it really is a fun adventure!
Post your specific budget- it will help people to make recommendations.
I started with a Toshiba 3109 and then chose
Monitor Audio speakers
Silver 5i mains, Silver 10 Center, Silver 3 rears
The Silver 5's are amazing (street price about $750)
I haven ot bought the center or 3's yet, but they receive equally rave reviews (about $475 each street)For receivers, depends on budget
$400 - Sony DB-930
$700 MArantz SR-7000Dan G.
Hi Dan,Thanks very much for the help and the info. Like I've replied in the other post beneath, I'm doing a lot of reading and searching on the web and I'm better guided by your ideas for additions to my system.
I'm not exactly flush with funds at the moment though so the idea of paying $750 for a single speaker kinda blows my mind. LOL.
Looks like I need to either tone down my expectations or win the Lotto.
Many thanks
Richard
Try to find a Nakamichi AV-7 on Ubid.com - they were going for about $ 300Second choice would be Yamaha - check Audioreview.com for models
Speakers - most bang for the buck with Energy Take 5 + Energy's 8" or 10" inch sub. Check Audioshop.ca for mail order from Canada
Happy Hunting
Thanks for the info. I'm doing a lot of reading and searching on the web and I'm better guided by your ideas for additions to my system.Many thanks
Richard
The AVR and speaker combo is a complicated issue since you don't state whether you are in Canada (stick with their speakers as you will get more bang for the bucks) or US (I suggest check valuepass.com and download the RadioShack). I would suggest the HK AVR-5 for several reasons: 1) your DVD player has 5.1 decoding so this is you best buy as a DD ready AVR, 2) This AVR uses binding posts for all speakers so wire choice and upgrades are simplified, 3) High current amp sections for good music/movie performance, 4) Price ($197 but it was at JandR, Soundcity, or OneCall couldn't remember which and included free shipping a month ago), 5) A reliable HK (haven't seen any probs on any review sites), and 6) Pre-outs for all channel which allows an upgrade to more powerful amps and can be used as a pre-amp. The speakers I'd suggest are the Radio Shack Pro-CS5II center, Pro-LX5II for front/rears (if you have room as these tweeters need to breathe), or the Pro-X(88 or 55)AV for front or rears and after using the coupon it will cost you under $300. If you want a tight and musical sub order the Atlantic Technology PBM162 (very comparible to the Energy ES8) for $149 + shipping from SoundCity or the AudioSource SW15 from CostCo for $199 + shipping if you want a visceral movie sub. I would get the AT as I think it would match the RS speakers easier since large subs sound boomy crossed at 120hz which the Toshiba DVD player will force you to play at with it's built in Bass management. Doing the above will allow you to make your $750 budget.
Hi guys,
I saw the talk about hk and onecall (my eployers) and I have to say that although they don't sound bad they are always in the repair shop!! Go with a txds474 or around there. Great full sound and very full sounding!good luck
That most likely is the HK 35, 45, and 65 models which is posted at almost all the audio sites. The HK 5 seems to be the only older model without problems as it seems the hisses are atributed to the Digital inputs (the AVR-5 is DD ready) that people mostly claim using digital sources (DVD players, CD transports, etc).
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