ISO:Recomendations - Home Theatre&Audio System

[George OTJ]

Ok you technophiles out there. I'm looking to replace my living room electronics but I'm not really into the technology. I'm looking for a decent mid-range system which includes:

Large HDTV widescreen (50"+)
Audio receiver
CD, DVD recorder/players (preferably with multi-disc capacity).
VHS recorder/players.
4 or 5 speaker system
Turntable (Yes, they still sell these)
Headphones (just to be complete)

I'd prefer an integrated system (i.e. ONE remote control)
Any recomendations?

Thanks

 

[WhOiSyOdAdDy?]

Every home / yacht needs one of these!.. a streaming media server!

Go digital

http://www.axonix.com/Mediamax/what_is_mediamax.html

 

[Garrett]

No budget...

WIthout a real budget is hard to tell... mid range could mean everything from 2k to 20k. My recommendations would be:

o if you can control light, get a front projector. A 50" screen is pretty puny compared to a 120" screen.
o buy a programmable remote (pronto at the high end, one of the harmony remotes at the low end) to bring it all together.
o if you have the room, run 7.1 (8 speakers).
o if you buy a turntable, you will also need a phono amp. Modern day receivers seldom contain one (a nice one can set you back hundreds/thousands... radio shack used to sell a battery powered one for cheap... do not turn up your nose at battery power... a lot of very high end components do this).

 

[pool]

Turntable (Yes, they still sell these)

A few suggestions you may want to consider :

Rega P2 w/RB250 tonearm

VPI hw-19jr. (if you listen to vinyl a lot and your budget allows, you may want to check out a VPI Scout )

Music Hall MMF 2.1

As always, don`t skimp on the cartridge. I`m kinda out of the loop [as with most things] these days, but the denon DL103 was an amazing price to performance ratio and is relatively cheap.

Benz Micro Gliders are highly praised, have higher output, but cost considerably more, although still good value in their price range.

You would have to be sure the phono stage of your preamp/receiver is optimized for moving coil cartridges - I do believe, in general, MC cartridges are better.

One of many options for speakers: Totem

I would also seriously consider implementing some combination of maggies which need not break the bank so to speak.

Previous TERB threads : Question abt home speakers

home electronics quote

I`m not sure what to recommend as a digital source because the options are endless, but a dvd player with seperate video and audio circuitry/lasers might be the way to go and possibly upgrade with a seperate DAC later.

In a "home theatre" system, If SACD isn`t of concern and I could afford it, I`d look at something along the lines of a Theta[and possibly add a DAC], but Sony have made some excellent DVD players capable of decent audio playback ( S7000/S7700 ) I`m sure someone [who actually knows what they are talking about] could recommend a good universal player that also plays SACD.

more discussion forums for you as well as a good source of used equipment.

www.audiogon.com

www.videogon.com

Don`t forget to at least get the thickest gauge of speaker cables that you can : ) ... or try van den hul C-122 speaker cables and decent interconnects.

good luck

 

[pool]

o if you buy a turntable, you will also need a phono amp. Modern day receivers seldom contain one (a nice one can set you back hundreds/thousands... radio shack used to sell a battery powered one for cheap... do not turn up your nose at battery power... a lot of very high end components do this).

QED also makes an adequate and inexpensive phono amp. Apparently it's optional power supply does not sound as good as the "cleaner" battery power.

 

[George OTJ]

Budget

I guess I should have posted a budget. I'll know better when I get the renovation estimates, but for the living room electronics - I'm thinking in the $5,000 - $10,000 range. The lower "mid-range".

 

[Powershot]

If you have light control.. go for front projection, panasonic ae700 www.eastporters.com $2200
A screen set aside about $600-$800
dvd player purchase the oppo from www.onlybestrated.com $250

There are some great used speaker and receiver deals on at canuckaudiomart.com
http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/12158-arcam_avr300_ultra_high_end_71_receiver

 

[Garrett]

If you have light control.. go for front projection, panasonic ae700 www.eastporters.com $2200
A screen set aside about $600-$800
dvd player purchase the oppo from www.onlybestrated.com $250

Agree with the projector... a *lot* of ways to go for a screen (I would start DIY if you have minor ability). What is the deal with the Oppo? Based on your recs... I assume you know what you are doing... and I have not heard of this one (I am more on the audio than video side.. for video I am in the "bigger is better" crowd, except for ntsc

My fave dvd player is the Samsung HD841 Universal. Refurbs are only 90 bucks at tiger direct. Once you mod it (voids the warranty), it is a great universal player.

Pool... the Denon is still a great recommendation. Not sure I would recommend maggies (I have owned many). They typically require a lot of power. If you have the room though, the MMG is perhaps the best deal going and only requires modest power. For me, I would not buy below the 3.x line.

 

[George OTJ]

Are there any recommendations for retailers in Toronto or North York that sells Home Theatre systems which offers good deals/goods/service.

I was thinking Bay/Bloor Radio where I bought my last system. Any other recomendations in GTA area?

 

[pool]

It wouldn't hurt to check out places like Audio Excellence or American Sound to get an idea of what's out there.

Just a thought, but you mentioned renovations, and may want to consider a dedicated power line or two .... ok, I'll go away now.

 

[George OTJ]

It wouldn't hurt to check out places like Audio Excellence or American Sound to get an idea of what's out there.

Just a thought, but you mentioned renovations, and may want to consider a dedicated power line or two .... ok, I'll go away now.

Thanks Pool, unfortuantely travel is restricted to wherever Wheeltrans can take me, and they don't go to Richmond Hill.

Renovations as in making my place wheelchair accessible. Since we're going to be moving walls and replacing door frames; I thought this would be a good time to get a new system and getting proper in-wall cable installation.


By-the-way I hadn't really thought of projection TVs. With all the talk about HDTV, I thought a High-Def projector TV was kinda counter-productive. Anyone have any experience with these projection TV's. I probably have room for a 7'x10' screen against one wall, but concerned the image would be pretty fuzzy.

 

[VERYBADBOY]

http://www.audio-one.ca/

George,

Audio One, link above, is a little west of Jane and Steeles (in your neck of the woods if I am correct) and am pretty sure that Wheel Trans can get you there. It is on the northside but still within Toronto. Talk to Alex he is very knowledgeable. One floor with room to move around to see the display rooms.

I have also shopped at Audio Excellence. Talk with Ian, Tuesday to Saturdays, he also knows his stuff. This place is pricey but they have some amazing equipment ... downside, it is not wheelchair accessible it is very tight to move in, narrow hallways, and there is only one large showroom on the main floor (projector room) the others are upstairs.

VBB

 

[Boyscout352]

Kromer Radio

 

[George OTJ]

Checked out Bay-Bloor and Kromer Radio, Audio One I'll check out next week.
Learned some interesting stuff.

- The front projecter TVs (104" ) were neat. The $3,000 one was what I'd expected, but the $6,000 projector (Sim Domino 18) was great - comparable to the 50" DLP I also checked out. But $6,000 for a tv + $1,000 for the screen + installaton and taxes = pass. (Plus I'd have to replace the bulb every 2 years at $800 a pop)

- I prefer the DLP technology to the LCD - Better blacks, sharper image and less degradtion over time.

- Sony has a CD/DVD carousel player that holds 400 discs and also plays CD-R, CD-rw, DVD-R, DVD-RWs - cool.

So, what do you think?

- Panasonic PT-60DL54 - 60" DLP HDTV (1080i,720p)
- Marantz surround recever SR-7500
- Paradigm Cinema 110 CT - 5 speakers + woofer
- Panasonic DMR-EH50 - DVD Recorder/player w/ 100G drive
- Sony DVPCX985V - 400 disc DVD/CD player
- Technics Turntable SLVD20
- Marantz RC-5400 Remote Control

Still need a VHS player, but future recordings will be done on DVD.

 

[diver]

Marantz and Paradigm are nice mid-range pieces. The 400 disc player could prove to be a problem if you have to remember where everything is or have to run a long search program. It could also be noisy and more subject to wear (read repair). If you need a turntable it would imply that you already have one. Look into upgrading the tone arm and cartridge. Anthem is a Cdn company that makes good inexpensive speakers. They also make the higher priced Mirage line. If you can get to Kennedy Hi-Fi at Hwy 7 and Kennedy they generally have good prices as well. They carry the Marantz stuff so even if you can't go there you might want to phone or check their website for a price comparison.

 

[George OTJ]

Thanks Diver. My Sansui turntable was bought in 1973 - after 32 years, I think it's time for a new one.

 

[Garrett]

- The front projecter TVs (104" ) were neat. The $3,000 one was what I'd expected, but the $6,000 projector (Sim Domino 18) was great - comparable to the 50" DLP I also checked out. But $6,000 for a tv + $1,000 for the screen + installaton and taxes = pass. (Plus I'd have to replace the bulb every 2 years at $800 a pop)

Your prices are off. Bulbs are not $800. The problem is, most "audio stores" sell horribly inflated projectors (e.g. SIM). As someone else said, the Panasonic AE700 kills for a little over 2000 from eastporters. Only thing it does not have is a sealed light path. You can make your own screen (mine cost 50 bucks, and is equivalent to a greyhawk based on samples) or get a cheap DALITE for around 400 bucks. The last place I would buy a front projector in toronto is from any of the audio stores, they just do not get it.

- I prefer the DLP technology to the LCD - Better blacks, sharper image and less degradtion over time.

DLP is great, except for the color wheel. I can see it, and am sensitive to it. Three chip DLP is the ideal but major $$$. Many LCDs have excellent blacks. I consider sharpness and degradation a non issue for both.

- Marantz surround recever SR-7500
- Paradigm Cinema 110 CT - 5 speakers + woofer
- Panasonic DMR-EH50 - DVD Recorder/player w/ 100G drive
- Sony DVPCX985V - 400 disc DVD/CD player
- Technics Turntable SLVD20
- Marantz RC-5400 Remote Control

In my opinion, the setup is nothing special. It is a standard mid-fi setup. I would upgrade to the biggest sub you can afford... it makes a huge difference. I am not sure how much vinyl you have, but the turntable is likely junk. You also need to make sure the marantz has a phono preamp for the turntable. I took a quick look and did not see one. If a store sold you this package with the turntable and it does not have one, I would question their competence (or, I could just be missing it).

 

[WhOiSyOdAdDy?]

Your prices are off. Bulbs are not $800. The problem is, most "audio stores" sell horribly inflated projectors (e.g. SIM).

You are sadly mistaken.. there are lamps that cost $800 and more. It depends on the manufacturer, model number & series, as there are many projectors with the same model number that take different lamps. Almost all projector lamps are proprietary and there is no generic brand that can be substituted.

I have found that most lamps are 30-50% of the cost of the projector

Most manufacturers do not have high profit margins built into the price of projectors as they count on the replacement lamp business!

The best source I have found for replacement lamps is www.nationalprojector.com they have a great selection, as well as stock and ship quickly (from US). I have bought many lamps from these guys (for resale).

 

[Garrett]

You are sadly mistaken.. there are lamps that cost $800 and more. It depends on the manufacturer, model number & series, as there are many projectors with the same model number that take different lamps. Almost all projector lamps are proprietary and there is no generic brand that can be substituted.

I have found that most lamps are 30-50% of the cost of the projector

Most manufacturers do not have high profit margins built into the price of projectors as they count on the replacement lamp business!

The best source I have found for replacement lamps is www.nationalprojector.com they have a great selection, as well as stock and ship quickly (from US). I have bought many lamps from these guys (for resale).

You know what, you are quite right (and agree on proprietary and a way to add to the bottom line). Having said that, I have never had to spend over $350 on a bulb (with msrp much higher). Part of my reaction is the SIM name... I find them horribly overpriced and I would not be running front projection if my only experience would be local home theater stores like Brack or Kromer (last I went, they showed me $15,000 projectors... you can do as well for a lot less).

I would never buy a SIM projector (overpriced). You can buy projectors with reasonable bulb replacement cost. Avoiding front projection due to the quoted $800 bulb price is, in my opinion, short sighted. I find in general digital projectors depreciate very quickly (very similar to computers) and you can really benefit buying behind the curve. Enough computer retailers now sell as well, and they get the concept of low margin and high volume (and zero support, which is pretty much what most home theater retailers in Toronto offer, but with bloated margins for the salon experience).

 

[Berlin]

My Sansui turntable was bought in 1973 -

Sansui... dang. Haven't heard that for a freekin long time.