Video Asylum

Posted by monk (A) on February 10, 2007 at 23:06:05

In Reply to: Recommendations needed for 3-channel HT posted by MMasztal on February 10, 2007 at 13:34:45:

For sound, an older receiver will do everything for you. For example, check ebay for a used Denon AVR-3300, circa $175-$225 (was about $1K new). Newer receivers, when talking about sound, will offer a lot that you just won't use/need.

However, you may want a new/newer machine if you want it to do video source switching. If possible, just plug the video feeds directly from the sources into the TV/display device and go with the older receiver to handle sound.

On the DVD player, you'll spend a lot trying to better the picture on an Oppo DVD player - which of their three would depend on the particular TV. This will cost you $150 to $250.

If you would just like to spend more, that's easy to do - could get nice tube amps for the speakers and let the Denon act as a decoder/preamp.

Or you could get a little bit of surround going, without adding comparably large surround speakers.,...going with some tiny but decent surround speakers, like M&K SS-150 THX speakers (used about $600 to $700?) or their even smaller, cheaper, but still quite good K-series tripoles (the K4's, I think they're called).

Denon 3300 receiver, Oppo DVD and a pair of M&K tripoles would make for a very enjoyable system (added to what you have).

One thing I'd add though is that you reconsider the sub,...movie effects aren't just for bass freaks.