Beginner enthusiast needs advice/feedvack for new A/V System

Chemie1 -- Mon, 07/30/2007 - 21:27

Hi:

I am looking at upgrading/buying a new AV system and would like some advice/feedback. I am currently using an old Carver AVR100 receive and cd player with Nuance (yeach!) speakers (I'm Canadian eh). I have Pioneer BDP-HD1 bluray/Sony PS3/Cogeco HD cable box connected by HDMI directly to a Pioneer PRO FHD1 50" plasma. The audio is RCA connected to the Carver for audio switching.

Considering Upgrade/Buying:

Pioneer Elite Pro 150FD 60" 1080P plasma (upgrade from PRO FHD1)
Pioneer Elite BDP 94HD (upgrade from BDP-HD1)
Cogeco HD Cable Box (currently have)
Sony PS3 (Currently have)
Arcam DV139 SACD/DVD-A Player
Anthem D2 preamp/processor
Theta Dreadnaught II (10@100 wpc)
Panamax 5500EX surge protector/line conditioner
Focal Lab Utopia Micro Front L/R speakers
Focal Lab Utopia Micro Center Channel Speaker*
Focal Lab Electra SR1000Be surround speakers (double wire for 7.1)
REL Stentor III subwoofer (may buy second left channel sub later)
B&W Signiture 7NT in-wall speakers (2nd zone bathroom speakers)

Set-up:

I have prewired the 13'*24'*8" HT/recreation room with 12 gauge insulated speaker wire (don't know brand or grade). I have a run to the bathroom for 2nd zone speakers and a double run for the L/R rear speakers to be doubled wired for a 7.1 system). (Note-I could not use side speakers to the rear of the couch but I read that I could set up a 7.1 system by double wiring rear speakers. Not the same but I hope it works out OK). The others (including subwoofer) are also prewired but I will probably buy upgraded wire since they are shorter runs (5-10').
I have a cabinat to house all the components. I choose not to buy a conventional center channel like the Focal Utopia Center beacuse I would have to raise the new Elite PRO 150FD to high and it would block most of the only window in the room. The cabinet has an empty 20"W*10"H*24"D shelf, so I thought I would try using a Focal Utopia Micro on its side as a center channel (not perfect but my wife would not be happy if I block the window.
I choose the 10 channel Theta to run the 7 channels in the main system and 2 channels for the 2nd room. There will be one channel left over I guess (oh well). I plan on having a REL sub in the front left hand corner of the room from the sub out on the Anthem D2 (I believe there is a second sub out so I can get a second REL for the from right corner later).

Final Questions:

1. Will I be able to (as I am hoping) to lay in the tub and listen to 2nd zone bathroom speakers on the B&W signiture 7NT while the kids are watching a 7.1 HT movie in the rec room? Or will I need other components or cables?

2. I believe I should directly connect the Arcam/Sony/Cogeco by HDMI to the Anthem D2. But as good as the Anthem D2 is (wish it had HDMI 1.3)- should I connect the 94HD Bluray to it or connect it directly to the PRO 150FD with HDMI 1.3?

3. Either way, will I be able to hear the new Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD from the Anthem D2. Or not until it is upgraded with HDMI 1.3?

4. Will I be able to hear 5.1 SACD/DVD-A from the Arcam with the HDMI to the Anthem or do I need to also connect other cables?

5. What do you think of my using the Focal Lab Utopia Micro on its side as a center channel speaker?

6. Am I understanding and using the Theta/Anthem correctly in achieving my goal of a 7.1 main HT room set up and 2 channel 2nd zone?

7. In general,are the components a good match? Is the Theta 100 wpc output suitable for the Focal/B&W speakers?

8. Is the REL Stentor III sub a good choice for the system? (Assuming it is set up correctly which I would need help with later)

9. Do you recommend to use balanced or unbalanced cables? Should I go with top-of-the-line HDMI cables to get most from the excellent TV and other components? A pictogram of an optimum audio/video cable set-up would be greatly appreciated.

10. Lastly-Just feel free to comment or give any advice/feedback you think may help.

I/we listen to virtually all genres of music. I mostly listen to classical and world music. My kids love listening to my 70's collection and their current pop/rock favourites. We all love movie night(s).

Looking forward to the new gear-just hoping we can get feedback to get the most out of it.

thanks,
Brian

Tom Martin -- Sat, 06/21/2008 - 05:59

Wow. I don't know about the HDMI 1.3 aspect, and that is worth figuring out. But I will say that a) REL subs are very good and b) you miight be better off with 2 less expensive RELs right from the start.

CEO and Editorial Director, Nextscreen LLC

Robert Harley -- Sat, 06/21/2008 - 19:05

You'll need HDMI 1.3 inputs in the controller to hear the new surround formats (Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD, DTS-HD, DTS-HD Master Audio) unless you're OK with running six analog cables from the Blu-ray player to the controller. In this case, the decoding takes place in the Blu-ray player. A disadvantage of this set-up is that it consumes the D2's only discrete multichannel analog input. You can then connect the BD player's HDMI output directly to the video display.

You'll need the D2's discrete analog inputs for the multichannel output from the Arcam player.

A controller with dual zones should allow you to access different sources in different rooms.

100Wpc should be fine for the Focals.

You can get away with no center channel so long as the listeners sit between the loudspeakers. If you have a couch with listeners at the ends as well as in the middle, you'll need a center channel so that the image doesn't collapse into the speaker nearest the listener. Using the Focal on its side isn't optimal but is better than no center channel for off-axis listeners.

The REL subwoofers are an excellent choice.

You should be fine using unbalanced interconnects.

Chemie1 -- Wed, 07/09/2008 - 18:42

Thanks for responding.

It's a year later and I still haven't upgraded. But the fun is in the journey right!! Fun stuff reading TAS, surfing new products, and having sound demos.
Still looking towards the same set up but always looking at switching out components for the best sound.

Arcam139 for MarantzSA7i or Emm Labs CDSA-SE (OK at a price)
Focal speakers for Wilson Benesch Trinity/Torus system (with arc surrounds ??)
I love classical and it sounds like the WB system would be fantastic.
I'm far from Toronto but I can't wait to audition the WB system.

Hoping to do this next year so I hope Anthem has HDMI 1.3 by then.
If not, well, I hope I can use this forum again to get a recommedation for a controller and amp to match whichever player and speakers I end up with.

Thanks Again

Robert Harley -- Thu, 07/10/2008 - 09:20

I think every manufacturer will have fully implemented HDMI 1.3 within the next few months.