Video Asylum

Posted by Mikey Likes It (i) on June 27, 2001 at 16:40:06

In Reply to: Take a look at these. . . posted by Hantra on June 27, 2001 at 13:52:06:

Hantra you have picked out some great gear but I think you will blow the budget. The reciever and a pair of "cheap" Martin-Logans will be in the mid $2K ballbark, without buying the surrounds, center or sub. The ML center is great but it is very pricey and it is very important to match the center with the mains.

The Arcam reciever is one of the best recievers I have heard, it does have very limited bass management though. Another reciever to look at is the NAD T761; it doesn't sound as good as the Arcam (by a little) but is a bit more flexible. Another reciever is the Marantz SR-8000, good sound and a few more bells and whistles. I think Marantz is going to end the SR-8000 soon so you may get a deal on it. Marantz is preparing a new reciever for Dolby Pro Logic II.

I would love to put together a full Martin Logan HT system but budget does not permit it. I have always been fond of electro-statics ever since I owned a pair of Acoustat Model 2. I would probably look at KEF Q series for your budget. Very smooth sound and musical they can be had on the internet for fairly inexpense (I think the Q55.2 is about $500/pair, lists $800/pair). Definitive Technology makes some good home theater speakers but I don't like the way they sound with music. If your system will pull double duty as a 2 channel system i would stay away from DefTech. Paradigm makes some very good speakers in their price range; however, I find them a little to bright for my tastes. I also like Linn very much but it may also break your budget.

For cable I would pick main stream quality cables from either: Kimber, Tara, AudioQuest or Van den Hul. Don't get to carried away with cables they can make a difference but concentrate on quality electronics and speakers.

Another note I would like to make about HT recordings. Most DVD recordings are very bright. This is done so that theaters which are very damped with seats and people can still sound good. Also electronics and speakers in most theaters are of poor quality. If you were ever to put a theater amp and speakers in your home your would be horrified at the sound. If your HT system is smooth it will sound that much better by taming the overly bright recording.

Good Luck and have fun