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In Reply to: How to start up an HT system ? posted by dgavrile on May 29, 2000 at 01:20:42:
If you are happy with the quality/sound of your current amp you could add a three channel amp to your existing system. A great deal depends of your budget and the size of your room. All things being equal, if you know you are heading in the 5.1 system direction, a five channel amp combined with a HT processor will give you more flexibility and usually better sound. Rotel and NAD make good gear.
Please respond with your room size and general budget and I can give you a more specific opinion, though as always, your ears and bank account should decide your direction.Take care, Michael
1) Room size (average)
2) I have bought Totem Forest speakers for main (quite expensive 2800USD) and I plan to buy good cables and interconnects.
3) For pre/amp or integrated (5 channels) I have allocated about 3000USD for the next two years. (2000USD in the near future and the rest in 1-2 years by now). I have to allocate separate budget for rears / centre and sub as well.
4) I plan to buy a 2 channel pre/amp or integrated for about 2000 USD (NAD Silver/ Classe/ Bryston maybe Krell). I prefer to have a better system for mains, the problem is that I understood the new DD audio will be 5 full audio spectrum channel. So I don't know what to do.
5) It is true that I have an old integrated (2 channel) that I can use in the near future (as least as a temporary solution).I don't know what to do:
1) use the existing 2 channel and buy a 3-channel
2) wait more (one year) and buy an 5-way
3) start with a good two channel and wait for the money and DD audio (I am not and HT video fan, I am more interested in music)
Can you tell me which combination is least expense (for a certain brand). I.e go with separates (I need 5 preamplifiers !!!) or with integrates?. Does the HT processor plays the role of the pre ?Thanks,
Daniel.
NAD and a few others also make some nice receivers that have preamp outputs for all channels. This would be well under your 2,000 budget and you could start enjoying 5.1 now and upgrade the power as you aquire the finances. You could continue to use your existing amp and the receiver would have power built in for the other channels (except, of course, the sub). And a good subwoofer is a MUST HAVE for really good HT enjoyment.
If you go the seperates route you do not need integrateds or 5 preamps. A good HT preamp will controll all channel levels from one source. HTH -CJB
Daniel,
I have heard only positive things about the Totem Forest speakers. To your questions:A local dealer has the NAD Silver Integrated (the 300, I think) and it sounds (to my ears) somewhat closed in and unemotional. This surprised me, because the other NAD I have heard was quite different. While in Texas last year, I listened to a great deal of Classe, but not the Classe 151 integrated. As a product line, Classe seems to me be to be a good balance between what are considered tube attributes (warmth, great mid-range) and solid state attributes (deep bass, good detail). Other people may feel differently, especially Stereophile magazine Again, a lot depends on the interaction between your speakers, room, and amp.
Most HT processor play the role of traditional pre-amp, though if you are only using the processor for music and not HT, there will be some features you will not need or use that often.
There are three companies I am familiar with that might fit your needs (from a five channel prospective):
NAD- 118 Digital preamp combined with one of their 5 channel amp
B & K- Ref 20 preamp with one of their 5 channel amps
Parasound- AV 2500 (?) preamp with 5 channel ampI don't list the amp models because B & K and Parasound have several 5 channel models out there, some new, some used, with different watt ratings.
Any of these three combinations exced the $2000.00 limit you have for this year, unless you consider buying used off of EBAY or Audiogon.
In my opinion, while all three systems offer great value for the money, the NAD has a warm, easy on the ears sonic signature. The Parasound is closer to a neutral sound, while the B & K sound very detailed, but occasionally bright. Just one person's opinion.While the timeframe of future releases of DVD-Audio and SACD CD releases is clouded at best, it is certainly possible that 5 channel audio will be the standand in the next 5-10 years. However, if the major players continue to argue about encryption and profits, all bets are off.
Bottomline, I would opt for the best two channel system you could afford. Listen to your old integrated for a year, then go out with $3000.00 (if I have understood your allocation properly) and get the best two channel pre/amp system you like/can afford. Also look at Plinus in this area. I have not heard any Krell or Bryston. Since you are not into HT, this would get you a great musical system.
Then if Sony and Microsoft buy the world and decree that 5 channel audio will be the standard, then you could just add a three channel amp for the center and surround. Of course buy that time, we could go from 5 channels to 7 channels.Hope this helps, Michael
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