Home Theater Forum - View Single Post

minckster · 10-04-2006, 09:01 AM

I've never owned a stereo in my life, know absolutely nothing about audio, and am overwhelmed now that I'm looking for speakers and a receiver to go along with my HDTV and new, beloved HD TiVo. Anyone want to get me started? How should a newbie compare one system to another, other than looks and price? Suggestions for speakers and receiver welcome!

Here's some relevant information:

TV: Samsung LN-S3251D LCD

Programming Sources:

Series 3 TiVo (HD) receiving over-the-air digital broadcasts only
Panasonic S52K DVD Player (SD) (May replace w/ Toshiba HD-A1)

Both connected to TV via HDMI. All have optical digital audio out.
Watch dramas, thrillers, sitcoms, news, & some sports.

Objectives:
!!! Stop using closed captioning to understand dialog.
!!! Use the TiVo remote only, as much as possible.
!! FIddle with receiver as little as possible after setup.
! Surround sound might be cool. Low expectations that it works at my price point.
Listen to country music streamed through TiVo (128bps MP3s)

TV Viewing Area: 10' x 11' within 10' x 26' room. Very thin walls, floors and ceilings. I have to think about the neighbors.

Price point for receiver & speakers: $500 - $1000. The Panasonic SA-XR57S is $300 from Amazon. Reading this forum makes me think that might be a reasonable start.

Thank you for any assistance!

10-04-2006, 09:01 AM	#1 of 2
minckster *Jeff* Member Location: New York NY Join Date: Oct 2006 Local Time: 06:22 AM Local Date: 11-19-2008 Posts: 2	Never owned a stereo. Get me started? I've never owned a stereo in my life, know absolutely nothing about audio, and am overwhelmed now that I'm looking for speakers and a receiver to go along with my HDTV and new, beloved HD TiVo. Anyone want to get me started? How should a newbie compare one system to another, other than looks and price? Suggestions for speakers and receiver welcome! Here's some relevant information: TV: Samsung LN-S3251D LCD Programming Sources: Series 3 TiVo (HD) receiving over-the-air digital broadcasts only Panasonic S52K DVD Player (SD) (May replace w/ Toshiba HD-A1) Both connected to TV via HDMI. All have optical digital audio out. Watch dramas, thrillers, sitcoms, news, & some sports. Objectives: !!! Stop using closed captioning to understand dialog. !!! Use the TiVo remote only, as much as possible. !! FIddle with receiver as little as possible after setup. ! Surround sound might be cool. Low expectations that it works at my price point. Listen to country music streamed through TiVo (128bps MP3s) TV Viewing Area: 10' x 11' within 10' x 26' room. Very thin walls, floors and ceilings. I have to think about the neighbors. Price point for receiver & speakers: $500 - $1000. The Panasonic SA-XR57S is $300 from Amazon. Reading this forum makes me think that might be a reasonable start. Thank you for any assistance!