Need Recommendations for new Audio/HT setup

With regard to speakers, do yourself a favor:  visit www.hsuresearch.com.  Take a while to look at 'em, and read all of the reviews (and you can look up many more off a simple search).  For not much money at all, you can get a simply spectacular sound through highly-efficient speakers - provided you don't hate horn-loaded tweeters.  The bass, whether you choose a package containing the VTF-3 Mk-3 or the newer ULS-15, is simply stunning.  The speakers would seem to meet your size requirements, and I can tell you that these are an astounding value for both music and particularly H/T listening.  Aperion Audio is great, too.  I'd also suggest the Oppo Digital BDP-83 Blu Ray player; although it lacks the streaming-content goodies of some other players (an issue that can be addressed with a seperate wireless kit available from Oppo), it is simply the best on both SD upconversion and HD material, and even comes with the Stearns and Muncil HD Adjustment/Test disc.  The fact that it's a truly Universal disc player is icing.  Although I obviously own both items I've mentioned,  I am no employee nor a fanatic for either firm.  A nice 7.2 system (with Hsu's Mid Bass Module for nearfield bass response) can be had for about $2500 pre-tax and shipping; the warranty and return policy is great, too.  The Oppo will go you for about $600, leaving you with plenty to address your receiver (Pioneer Elite, Yamaha, and Onkyo have done me right) or seperates (that gorgeous and well-rated Marantz, maybe?).  Good luck to you - but you can TOTALLY do this on your budget.  I did.  :)

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 ny2dc,

Just a quick clarification request: do you want a full-on surround system, or would you be happy with either a stereo system or perhaps with an L/R/C + subwoofer system (sans surrounds)?

Source: I concur with myspark1--the Oppo BDP-83 offers tremendous value for money and fits your 50% video/50% music profile perfectly.

Speakers: If a full-on surround system is what you seek, yet Maggies take up too much space, might I suggest something along the lines of the very compact Gallo Reference Strada system, but perhaps implemented with Gallo Stradas up front, a single Gallo TR-3 sub, plus a pair of Gallo Adiva or Adiva Ti's as surrounds (the Adiva models are considerably less expensive than the Stradas). To trim costs further, you could potentially go with a 4.1-channel system (no center channel)--something the Gallo's remarkable imaging properties and dispersion characteristics will let you do if you wish.

Receiver: I like the suggestions you've already received from Sheepherder and myspark1. But note: you will want to compare the room EQ systems the receivers offer, since the Audyssey system (used in the Marantz and Onkyo AVRs), the YPAO system (used in the Yamaha AVRs) and MCACC system (used in the Pioneer Elite AVRs) each have different sonic profiles and benefits.

Best,

Chris Martens

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