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In Reply to: Home theater set up. posted by TomD on May 9, 1999 at 10:12:12:
Yes, this forum IS dead! So I'll post my upgrade story!I have two separate systems, a high-end one for music and a mid-fi HT system. I've had both for almost a year. I have no intention of upgrading my 2 channel system for a long time (except maybe the line-conditioner/surge suppressor). I'm very happy with it. To significantly improve it I'd probably have to spend six figures, which is something I'm not prepared to do. But my HT is another story!
I started with my old 32" Sony TV and Sony hi-fi VCR. I decided to build from there. I didn't want to spend much money, as I only watch several movies and a few TV shows a week. So I did some research on entry-level systems and bought a Denon 2700 receiver, a Panasonic A310 DVD, 4 B&W 302s, a B&W CC-3, a Velodyne VA-1012XII, Lovan Affinti Stands, and Radio Shack 14 ga. cable and generic interconnects. The total came to well under $2500 with tax.
A month later my TV died, so I went to get a new one. I considered the Toshiba Theater Wide 40" ($2000), the Sony 35" XBR ($2000) and the Sony 32" XBR squared unit ($2000). I decided the 32" and 35" were too small and unreliable (my 32" Sony was only a year old when the tuner died and only three years old when the tubed died). So I was gonna get the Toshiba, but then my dealer offered me a brand new $4000 40" Diamond Line Mitsubishi with its gorgeous 4:3 picture for only $2500. I decided to jump on it. I do miss the 16:9 screen, but the 4:3 picture is great. I probaby won't upgrade for a while...I'm waiting for a 50" 16:9 Plasma HDTV at a reasonable (sub $5000) price...I may be waiting a long time!
Then the Harman/Kardon PA5800 amp went on sale for $400 delivered. Even though I had plenty of power for the small and efficent B&Ws, I wanted this amp, figuring it would last longer than my receiver. So I bought it. But this added a lot of hiss to my B&Ws and my Denon only had pre-outs for the front three channels. About this time, one of my friends was gonna buy a HT system. He was gonna get the same speakers and receiver as me. Being dissatisfied with the Denon's lack of pre-outs and the small B&Ws crackling on Starship Troopers at regular levels, along with constant hiss from the H/K amp, I decided to sell him the Denon and my B&Ws.
So on to looking for a pre/pro, and a new 5 speaker array. Everyone was raving about the new Sherwood Newcastle for a street price of $800. So I auditioned it and A/B'd it with the significantly more expensive Sony pre/pro. I liked the Sherwood (with the exception of build quality) better. It was also cheaper and had 6 ch. inputs, so I bought it.
For speakers I didn't want to spend a fortune, but wanted decent sized ones that wouldn't strain when played at fairly loud levels. I looked at B&W 602/CC-6/302 (thinking I'd keep my 302s for the rears), NHT 1.5, AC-1, Super Ones, and Paradigm Monitor 3/CC-350/Mini Monitors. The B&W center didn't seem very clear, and the NHTs were a bit bright with DD soundtracks (even though they were the best for music). I felt the Paradigms were the best deal, both in list and street price. I also liked the center, as it never distorted unlike the other two, probably because of it's 6.5" woofers v. 5.25" for the other brands. They were a good comination of the NHT and B&W sound too, so I went with the Paradigm package. It sent me back $900 inc. tax.
I upgraded my generic interconnects to Monster Cable Standard. Big upgrade at $100! It helped sound and video slightly, but they sure look a lot better and will last a lot longer. I sold my VCR and bought a new Panasonic VCR for $150. Everything about it is better than the Sony, except it makes more noise.
So am I satisfied with my HT? Not yet. I'm gonna upgrade my DVD player to either the Sony S530 or the Toshiba 3109. The Panisonic is a very good DVD player, but it has several defects when playing certain DVDs and DADS. This is agrevating. I also have a friend who wants to buy it. After that, I don't think I'll upgrade anything and I will be satisfied...at least I hope so!
So what have I learned? Get good gear that you will be satisfied for years to come. Don't skimp or compromise. If you can't afford it, wait. I've basically upgraded everything I bought. I skimped in the beginning. And spend time auditioning a lot of stuff. I spent 6 months audioning, matching, and assembling my 2 channel system, and it paid off. The process for my HT system took about a week.
Sorry about this long History of Justin's Home Theater post!
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Follow Ups
- Re: Home theater set up. - Justin 12:52:10 05/09/99 (0)
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