DESTROYED BY HOUSE FIRE!!!
TwinDad -- Sun, 02/24/2008 - 21:48
Destroyed by Fire
Greetings,
My old A/V setup was lost in a fire a few days ago.
I am interested in building a system around an ONKYO TX-SR875 Receiver, a 52" TV (Sony XBR5 or Samsung), or a State of the art PLASMA TV 46" to 52", a hybrid player with HD audio/Blu-ray/HD DVD, a surround sound speaker system (DALI IKON 6 5.1 or similar), a Marantz DV7001 SACD/CD/DVD player or equal, a piece of Light Cherry furniture to place TV on and store components inside - with doors to fight off dust build up. Finally, I would like a DV Recorder with storage built in (250GB).
I need advice on my choices. Are they a good fit? Please make recommendations especially on the Hybrid player or if I should go with just a dedicated Blu-Ray player instead. I know nothing about interconnects, video cables, HDMI 1.3 cables etc. I would prefer not to use Monster Cable this time around. Should I configure the new system with your help and buy via internet or go through local dealers and let them do the install on the system we design here. There are 4 people in my family - 2 adults and twin boys. Should I buy professional Home Theatre seating in a semi circle from Stressless Seating? The prior sofa/loveseat reeks of smoke damage.
Please adopt my cause and help steer me in the right direction. I am a musician so the audio has to be stellar on the new system.
Currently we are using a borrowed TV from my in laws so my kids don't go crazy and drive us crazy as well. A fire is a horrible thing to go through.
Thanks,
Eddie
I have the Onkyo 805 (the model below what you've selected) and I really like it. The Audyssey system is a major item, and is particularly helpful for integrating the sub. In your price range I would also look at the Denon 3808 (it has a slightly more advanced Audyssey setup).
As for displays, I found this article helpful:
http://magazine.playbackmag.net/playback/200802web/
Article starts on p132. Yes this is 47" not 52" displays, but it still helps.
I bought a 52" LCD (the Samsung 71 series) and then looked for a stand that would accomodate the width. That was easy, but very few had a center section wide enough for higher performance center speakers. Eventually I found this, in case it helps:
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=BDI8127
Your Onkyo choice and the Denon 3808 are excellent choices for an A/V receiver.
While your choice for a Sony XBR-5 is a good one I would also look closely at Pioneer's Kuro line of plasma. Black levels and picture quality are supurb.
You have made a good choice on speakers.
Regarding a combo player HD-DVD has been declared dead. I would stick with a BluRay player and make sure it is 1.1 compliant to take advantage of some new BluRay features. The Panasonic DMP-BD30K is a good choice.
I use ProFlex HDMI cables for my installs and they come in three levels of quality Defined, Enhanced and Advanced performance. If the run from your deck to TV long measure it and make sure it will pass 1080p for that distance with the cable brand you use. You can get info on ProFlex's distance rating here: http://www.proconnect.org/pro_hdmi.html
Ken
http//www.vividvisualsandsound.com
Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post and I really do mean it!
I have not been able to locate a dealer that carries the DALI IKON 6 5.1 speaker system. Here is a post form my Saturday excursion to a very nice dealer.
"My wife read all the negative reviews about BOSE 123 and Lifestyle system and decided against purchasing BOSE.
Saturday my wife and twin sons went to a dealer to show her for the 1st time the Pioneer 50" KURO Plasma HDTV and to audition speakers. She loves the TV - so case closed that is our purchase.
The speakers that amazed us were the Audio Physic Tempo IV (STEREOPHILE CLASS B FULL RANGE RECOMMENDED COMPONENT) in a cherry finish. Just wonderful. Great low end response on Organ and Synth Bass, smooth vocals across the midrange. A warm inviting speaker that could be listened to for extended periods of time with no fatigue. They handled everything I threw at it. Vladimir Horowitz, Claudio Arrau, Earl Wild, Oscar Peterson, Monk all sounded perfect. Not as overly bright as the Theil's I had auditioned at another dealer that made me want to lower the volume or stop listening altogether. Great soundstaging on Concertos and Orchestral Pieces. No ice pick in the forehead sensation when listening to Danny Gatton on Harlem Nocturne with his aggressive Fender Telecaster. Really a great speaker for the money. I don't know if I'm allowed to post prices so PM me and we'll talk.
Two other speakers that cost considerably less were the REVEL F12 and F32. I could hear strange artifacts during a challenging collection of Bassoon pieces that bothered me. The dealer heard it too and said it was a dissonance in the frequency spectrum. Whatever jargon that is acoustically correct - the Bassoon did not really sound very much like a Bassoon. Back to the Audio Physic Tempo with the Bassoon Cd and - it is sublime. From the deepest register of the Contra-Bassoon to the highest notes on the Bassoon it was breathtaking.
Several other people wandered into this audition room to listen to the music. It sounded that good.
The source equipment for the demo was Classe CDP 102 and CAP 2100.
The system this dealer is thinking about putting together is BDI Lowboy furniture in cherry,
Marantz 6001 ( A WHAT HIFI WINNER), Rotel RSX1067, Sony BluRau Player 300 with version 3.7 software to fix prior slow loading problems, etc. We also talked about using the KEF Wireless surround setup for the rear surround speakers so no wires have to be run under carpet or through baseboard or through attic. It will cut down installation cost and I apply saving elsewhere. Oh, the sub is the B&W PV1 (another WHATHIFI WINNER). Wiring would be by Nordost. I don't know much about the Rotel product and am going to research it.
Anyway that was Saturday's excursion into a super laid back dealership. This is what I pictured going into a High End Dealer would be and feel like.
My kids sat down and listened to everything , behaved and said what sounded good and didn't. Martial Arts lessons pay off for discipline. They know when they are not allowed to act like children and basically stay very focused until I tell them everything's cool and they can act like themselves again - kids.
Thanks,
Eddie"
Hi Eddie,
Private messages seem to be disabled. I'm a former Bassoon player and you certain know what you are looking for in subtle sound production. It sounds like you found the right speakers!
I would put some consideration into the choice of BluRay players. The Sony 300 has no on board decoding of the new audio formats available on BluRay: Dolby TruHD or DTS-HD. There is a shortage of good BluRay players on the market right now and dealers are trying to push of the mediocre stuff that may be in stock. I've been trying to get Panasonic players for my clients for over a month now.
The Rotel is an amazing A/V receiver but it does not decode these new sound formats. If you are going to make an investment in BluRay you should take advantage of the enhanced sound as well as the enhanced video. Also the Rotel does not handles HDMI switching. You would have to run HDMI cables directly to the TV for BluRay. HDMI is absolutely required for HDCP copy protection otherwise some content will be forced to 480p.
I would also think twice about the wireless system for rear speakers. While the one you choose is one of the best, all of these wireless systems are plauged with occasional pops. This often comes from interference from the other wireless sources in the home or neighboring homes.
The last thing you want are annoying pops while enjoying a high quality A/V system like you are considering.
If you have any detailed questions you can also send me a personal message via my website below.
Ken
http//www.vividvisualsandsound.com
I think I set it up so that I can receive PM now. I also am allowing my email to be shown if AV Guide Forum Enthusiasts want to contact me directly.
Ken - You absolutely appear to know the inner workings of what is state of the art. If the "nicest" dealer I've visited is trying to sell incompatable equipment for my new Pioneer 50" Elite KURO Plasma ( not yet purchased ) - then I need more help than I realized. I must be an easy mark because I don't know what components work the best as far as SYNERGY is concerned via HDMI 1.3. If you are a dealer and operate in the Tri-State area of NY/CT/NJ - let me know. If there is a dealer in this region you are friendly with who has a great reputation - let me know. If you can sell me what I need after putting together a system that works to the most current technology - then PLEASE get on touch with me. SYNERGY is key.
CD's I have been using as demo discs:
Masahito Tanaka plays his favourites - Bassoon Fantasia - Pavane Records
Carmina Burana - Carl Orff - Leonard Slatkin, Conductor - St. Louis Symphony Orchestra & Chorus on RCA VICTOR RED SEAL
Wagner Orchestral Highlights - George Szell, Conductor & Cleveland Phil.
Arcadi Volodos - Debut Recording - Piano - SONY CLASSICAL
Johnny Cash, Johnny A, Tal Farlow, Cookin' with the Miles Davis Quintet,
Tons of solo piano music by Horowitz, Arrau, Argerich, Van Cliburn, Earl Wild, Annie Fischer, Juana Zayas, Ivan Moravec, etc.
Tons of violin music by Perlaman (Sibelius Violin Concerto), Nathan Milstein, Maxim Vengerov, etc.
Then - some Rock and Roll for the kids: Crystal Method, Disturbed, Aerosmith, Metallica, Megadeth, The Who, The Beatles, and Techno Bass flavored tunes for one of the kids.
I listen to Classical almost exclusively. The rest of the family tolerates my tastes but prefer more modern tunes.
Hope that helps!
Thanks!
Eddie :D
Ken,
Bummer! I see by your link that you are located in L.A.
Oh, well. If you have some free time on your hands and would like to help me out - it would be welcomed and appreciated.
Thanks,
Eddie
I did not know this site was part of The Absolute Sound. I recently subscribed to the magazine.
Eddie
You have done very well with some of your selections. The Rotel is certainly an amazing deck and don't give up on your local dealer yet. They may have been steering you with the best they have available.
My first question is why you want a DVD player in addition to a BluRay player. The BluRay player will upscale and handle standard DVDs very well.
If it is for CD or SACDs then you may want just want a really good CD/SACD player. The less types of laser pick ups required the better. I'll list some suggestions for both below.
TV
Pioneer 50" Elite KURO Plasma (Excellent choice!)
Furniture
BDI Lowboy (Love their products!)
Speakers
Audio Physic Tempo IV (You already fell in love with these go with it)
BluRay
Panasonic DMP-BD30 (handles new java menus and sends out new sound formats via HDMI, requries a deck that can decode these however)
AV/Deck
Denon DVD-2910 (Sony, Onkyo, Yamaha are the first to provide HD audio decoding and the Denon is the best reviewed to date. It also has Ethernet capability if the kids want to stream music from computers to the deck)
Option #1 DVD/SACD,CD Player Denon DVD-2910 (Handles all three very well)
Option #2 Standalone CD, SACD
There are so many to list here and price can range from $500-$5000 But I thend to like players from Marantz, Denon & Sony. The Marantz SA-1 is probably one of the best. If you want a carousel option then take a look at the Sony SCD-C333ES .
If you were local I could certainly help you with pricing especially considering your loss. I unfortunately don't ship out of state.
Best of luck!
Ken
http//www.vividvisualsandsound.com
Ken,
I did not know that BluRay players played standard DVD's. Thanks for that nugget of wisdom!
I really want a dedicated SACD/CD/CDR player. If I am getting a surround sound setup then I absolutely want an SACD surround player. Music is so important to me. Parts of songs make the hair stand up on the back of my neck and arms. It's spooky! My wife and I both cry at concerts during a beautiful movement of a solo piano recital or Orchestral piece.
I can't emphasize enough just how much music means to my life.
Thanks,
Eddie
P.S. Ken I will try to PM you later this evening. If my attempt fails I'll post a more specific post.
Greetings,
Looks like i hurt my back more than I thought throwing out the old burnt up - still smoldering CRT 27" SONY XBR. Doctor said I compressed lumbar vertabrae and now have sciatica in left leg.
Plus burns on arm needed stronger Hydrocortisone ointment than what store sells over the counter. Finally they gave me anti-biotics so infection does not set in on burns. Last time I hope I have to act like a Hero for a long time to come.
What do you think of this set up - although it is incomplete:
Fire destroyed A/V - Need HT speakers quickly
Re: DESTROYED BY HOUSE FIRE!!! This is my desperate plea for SPEAKER ASSISTANCE/AMP/SACD from the Forum experts.
Hello,
My budget is now $15K to $20K and my wife happily agrees.
Here is what I have planned so far:
Pioneer Elite KURO PRO-110FD 50" Plasma TV
SVS PB Ultra 13 Subwoofer
Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro
Panasonic DMP-BD300 Blu-Ray Player or wait for spec 2 to come out in summer by Sony
Cables by BlueJeanCables
APC or Belkin Power Conditioners
Speakers? This is where I need lots of help. Wife said no to Maggies - way too big. I don't like di-pole surrounds. MUSIC is actually more important to me than HT. I don't like overly bright top ends. Speakers can be all bookshelf on tall stands. I would prefer 2 large floorstanding speakers as mains. I listen to 90% solo piano and Orchestral music, the rest is jazz and classic rock. How are the Definitive Technology Mythos system? The Rocket Surround System? Originally, I wanted DALI IKON 6 5.1 setup but am unable to find a dealer - anywhere. I am a classically trained musician so MUSICAL REPRODUCTION is critical. I am more of a music lover than audiophile - so super revealing speakers are not my faves.
Amps? Totally Lost. Know absolutely zilch about what is musical and has power for HT. No Class D Amps please. unless they have been dramatically improved from the last time i had experience with them about 2 years ago.
Furniture for TV and Components? What do I store everything on and in that is light cherry with doors to cover components and a huge space for center channel speaker?
Universal Remote?
Forget HT seating. We hired a company to clean carpets and furniture of smoke smell from fire. Everything worked out amazingly well. No smell.
I want the option of being able to switch to just 2 channel stereo with sub for enjoying music only.
Please help fill in the missing pieces of my system.
Finally, I would like a Great Sounding High Value SACD/CD/CDR player for my discs that I started buying again. I want to be able to listen to classical SACD in Surround Sound.
I'm really hurting and am going to take a few painkillers and climb into bed. I will check back tomorrow.
Thanks,
Eddie
For the blu-ray player check out:
http://magazine.playbackmag.net/playback/200802web/
page 179+
For the Mythos ST check out:http://magazine.playbackmag.net/playback/200711/?folio=1
page 63+
discman,
Can't fall asleep. Unable to follow link to Definitive Technology Mythos speakers. it is a dead link and does not even allow me to click on it.
What do you think of them? Have you heard them?
Eddie
My mistake on the link:
http://magazine.playbackmag.net/playback/200711/?folio=1
They are very good, but reading the review (again, p 63) should help you assess how they fit your tastes.
Note: I think subwoofer choice and availability of Audyssey (or other room correction is key). Does the Integra have Audyssey?
discman,
I will check out the Integra/Audyessy question. For some reason their website loads super slow and takes forever to change from page to page.
I believe it does have that feature as it was suggested in another forum by one of the first people to try and assemble a system for me.
My alternative sub choice for less money is the B&W PV1.
Still need speakers, amps, remotes, etc.
Thanks,
Eddie
Integra 9.8 has Audyssey MultEQ XT.
Amps: what is your budget? Single box or do you have room for multiple boxes?
My overall budget is $15K to $20K for everything.
What about the space constraints for the amp? Does it need to be one box?
discman,
Originally I wanted to go with just an AV receiver like the Onkyo 805 or 875.
Somewhere along the way I got talked into a pre/pro and amp package because they "sound better."
Space is a consideration which is why I originally wanted just the receiver.
Someone told me to check out this: Emotiva XPA-5. One Amp that handles 5 channels.
Thanks,
Eddie
Greetings,
I called Best Buy and asked if they had a Magnolia Home theater Center in their store and was told "yes." When we arrived there was no Magnolia HTC in the store. They either lied or were completely clueless. As a result I did not get to audition the Vienna Acoustics speakers or check out the better electronics offered through Magnolia.
We did check out Plasma TV's and compared Pioneer to Panasonic that were side by side playing the Transformers movie. We could not really see any difference in PQ. However, I've read several posts stating that Pioneer Kuro TV's have a Buzzing problem. Do all Plasmas have a buzzing problem? That would drive me nuts. i mean it. the LCD TV's looked good only from a visual sweet spot and then as you moved up. down. or to either side it lost it's picture by "greying/washing" out. What LCD TV's have the best veiwing angle stats?
Finally, are there any new advancements coming along in the not to distant future that would justify waiting it out for better Picture Quality/Viewing Angle on LCD or non-buzzing plasmas?
Thanks,
Eddie
Also consider reliability of your electronics especially your TV. Pioneer's reliability record is no where near Sony's. Samsung is in the middle.
Worse Buy sucks. You check on line to see if they have an item in stock. They do. You go to store 10 minutes later and they dont have any and never did. And I was looking for a Dyson Animal. Great for dog hair by the way.
Short Circuit isnt any better.
I would recommend the Big Screen Store if they have one in your area.
Or specialist store home theater/ stero shop. Tweeter is okay but I believe they are in Chap 11.
You can go on line to find a Worse Buy with a Magnolia. My local Worse Buy has one and I was not impressed. My collies know more about setting up a home theater than their Geek Squad and sales creeps. No sir you really need us to deliver the set and set it up. If you have any waaranty issues and dont use our delivery and set up there could be problems. Hoss my home theater set up now is worth more than your store manager,m the district manager's combined salary and I installed it myself. I wired my fields with electric fencing the size of 20 of your stores.
I dont need some kid who flunked his networking certs to install this TV and Blu Ray.
Sheepherder
Shenandoah Valley, VA
sheepherder,
EXACTLY! Thanks for actually making me laugh. It felt good.
Today is a good day. My wife is driving. I took my pain meds and we are on are way to see the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in an All Dvorak Program:
Carnival Overture, Op. 92
Piano Concerto in G minor, Op. 33
Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, From the New World
I'm a happy man.
See some of my more recent posts please and let me know if you can shed any light on my Plasma Buzzing vs LCD Viewing Angle concerns.
Your Friend,
Eddie
I have 55in Sony SXRD purchased in Nov 07. I looked at the Pioneer 1080p Kuros and Sony52 XBR5 LCD. Pioneer had the best picture by a hair and I mean a very thin hair. Was I willing to pay $4k more for it no.
SXRD in my opinion had a picture that was slightly superior to the Sony XBR LCD. Samsung, Panasonic, Mitsubishi. Toshiba and Hitachi were a siginificant step below. Sharp was almost equal to Sony. I would go with Sharp over Samsung.
How often do you watch TV from a bad angle? In my 12x21ft rec room there are no problems. Now from my garage the angle sucks so picture is bad. In a great room or a very large rectangular living room viewing angle might be a concern.
Looks like plasma Tvs are going the way of the SXRD. LCD might be the only standing until OLED or something else takes its place.
And every one's current HD Tv will be outmoded when the major manufacturers decide we should have a HD TV II with 4000x2000 resolution or equal to what a Sony commercial projector has. I know folks who have these in there home theaters. No home projector from Runco or anyone esle can compare.
Sheepherder
Shenandoah Valley, VA
Acoustic Zen Adagio Speakers?
I was asked to keep my post to one forum so i hope some Speker members read this.
They do make a center channel speaker and surrounds as well. Someone was kind enough to offer me an extraordinary deal on the Adagios that he no longer needed. The rest of the speakers I would have to purchase through a dealer. They are a transmission line type speaker - whatever that means. They look BEAUTIFUL and are supposed to sound wonderful.
The Acoustic Zen Adagio speakers have my interest and I have printed out every review I could find to read tonight. I have to make a decision quickly or I may lose out on the offer. Wish I could demo them first but that is impossible because half a continent separates us distance-wise. Source is a highly respected member of Audio Community who read my story and allowed me to verify his name, existence, Audio credentials, etc.
What do you guys think?
Thanks,
Eddie
Greetings All,
This is what I am trying to say I want in a loudspeaker: DISPERSION!!!
The following excerpt is from Home Electronic Ideas Winter 2008 magazine article:
"SOUNDSTAGE and IMAGING are important concepts in Hi-Fi. DISPERSION refers to how well a loudspeaker can maintain a consistent sound throughout the room. Since we don't a;ways sit in the "sweet spot" of a room, speakers with wide dispersion and a quality soundstage are ideal. Soundstage refers to how clearly and convincingly it reproduces a sense of space encoded on the recording.
SOUNDSTAGE and IMAGING are often used interchangeably, IMAGING actually relates how precisely sounds occur or emanate within a sounstage.
Picture a concert hall: This is your soundstage. Now imagine players standing on stage playing their instruments. These are your images."
I did not write the explanations above myself. They were paraphrased from the magazine mentioned earlier.
I, Eddie, am looking for loudspeakers known for their DISPERSION ability as a top priority.
Thanks,
Eddie
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