My Home Theater Page

Like many of us here my HT is a work in progress and I have been working at it since 1984. My home theater started off with a basic Kenwood rack system, I then added components like a JVC CD player, Onkyo Integra Turntableand a Onkyo Integra Cassette Deck. At that time I used a 19" Color TV, not sure what brand actually. This hobby has been funded off of $10 - $14/hr so it allways takes longer to upgrade than I would like it to. But like many of us here we do what we can and it is a passion.

At some point I added a Yamaha laserdisc player, JVC 4 head Hi-Fi VHS was purchased at some point along with a and a Sylvania 27" TV. I own a pair of Altec Lancing A-7 Voice Of The Theater speakers that I purchased from my father for $400.

Equipment has come and gone and since I started I have added components like a Denon DTR-2000 DAT Recorder, Denon DCD-1290 CD Player, JVC QL-50 Turntable, Marantz LD-520 Laserdisc Player and Toshiba 31" TV. I also have owned a McItosh MX-130 pre/pro which was one of the best a/v peices I have ever owned, wish I still had it. I also purchased a Yamaha RX-V995 just to have DTS & DD and it has been trouble free and sounds very good. It still sits in my current HT system and is part of my HD configuration.

Over the past two years I have been upgrading to HD and this has been the most serious upgrade so far. I have added a Toshiba HD-A1 HD-DVD player, Sony BDP-S300 and a Sony KDF-F50A10 720P 50" LCD HDTV. The Sony KDF-F50A10 was actually only purchased as a temperary HDTV and will be ugraded in the near future.

I am also planning on upgrading the following gear:

Yamaha RX-V995 5.1 Receiver ---- Possible Denon AVR-3808ci or Onkyo ?
Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray Player ---- Panasonic BD-30 or Denon DVD-3800
Toshiba HD-A1 HD-DVD Player ---- Most likely will not upgrade to HD-A3
Sony KDF-F50A10 50" HDTV ---- Mitsubishi Laservue or Samsung 60" -73" 1080p HDTV
Add Subwoofer - Velodyne or SVS

Old Kenwood system that I started off with many years ago.


First Dolby Prologic Surround Setup



Past HT Configuration: McIntosh MX-130 Pre/Pro
(Harman Kardon CD Player, Denon CD Player, Denon DAT Recorder, Onkyo Integra Cassette Deck, Onkyo Integra Turntable, Yamaha Laserdisc, JVC VHS Recorder and a Onkyo Amplifier).




Yamaha RX-V995 5.1 Receiver with 31" CRT TV




Altec Lancing Decal




Yamaha configuration: Yamaha RX-V995 5.1 Surround Receiver.
(Marantz Laserdisc Player, Denon CD Player, Denon DAT Recorder and Onkyo Integra Cassette Deck).




Yamaha 995, Sony DVP-S9000 ES and Toshiba HD-A1




Yamaha 995, Sony BDP-S300, Tohshiba HD-A1, Sony DVD and Denon CD




A/V Rack with Sony HDTV and Altec A-7





Possible candidates to replace current Yamaha RX-V995

Denon AVR-3808ci
Denon AVR-4308ci
Onkyo TX-SR805
Onkyo TX-NR905
Marantz SR-7002
Marantz SR-8002

Receiver brands that will not be used:
Sony
Kenwood
Sherwood

The next upgrade: Profile 1.1/HDMI 1.3 Blu-ray player with bitrate output.

Next upgrade: HDTV 60" - 73" 1080p, not sure what brand I will purchase at this time but I am keeping an eye on the upcoming Mitsubishi Laservue HDTV and the Samsung is another brand I am considering as far as rear projection models go. I might consider a Panasonic plasma but I will be doing alot of research between now and then before locking in a choice.


This is what my HT could possilbly look like if I go with a Denon receiver and Blu-ray player.




My HT with a Mitsubishi Laser TV

Re: My Home Theater Page

Update:

HT upgrade is on hold until later this year 2009. I can not wait to get my aging Yamaha RX-V995 replaced. It is nice that there is so many good choices out there but I am leaning towards a Denon AVR-3808ci over everything else. I was close to pulling the trigger on the Onkyo 805 but after Onkyo castrated it with the new 806 I decided not to go that route. Just incase there was a major problem where Onkyo tried to replace it with an 806. I know that the chance of that happening is small but I wouldn't own the 806! The amplifier section on the 806 will not touch the 805 and there is now no Burr Brown DAC's so no sale on the 806 or 805. I could go Marantz or Integra but I like the Denon more and I can always get a power amp later on. It is amazing how much time and money can be spent planning and building a home theater system and the job never ends.

I do know I do not want a Sony receiver in the mix as I would rather have the wimpy Onkyo 806. The Denon seems to put out closer to advertised specs and I know that the video section is going to be better on the Denon as well. This has been the hardest upgrade I have ever done as I can not believe how much time I have spent going back and forth which receiver will do the best job for the money.

And trying to finish off refinishing my old Altec A-7 VOTT's


Denon AVR3808ci


Possible power amp added later? Emotiva mps2

Re: My Home Theater Page

Sorry I forgot to finish my update post yesterday.

My home theater is still in the upgrade stage and does not have theater seating or sound treatments yet. The pictures above are pictures of the equipment I have now and how it might look with certain upgrades. I also am in the middle of restoring my Altec A-7's and hope to have them refinished in a piano black high gloss finish this year or next year. I do not make alot of money so it is going to take me alot longer than I like to actually finish this project.

Planned upgrades:
Denon AVR-3808ci (unless I find a reciever that will do a better job ?)
Denon DVD-2500 Bluray player (or equivelent)
DirectTV HD receiver with DVR
New Center Channel and Rear Speakers
Subwoofer
1080p Projector
110" - 120" Stewert Film Screen
Room Treatments

The equipment set up has been changing and has been added to over and over again over the years. Sorry I forgot this detail regarding the things I had vs the things I still needed to actually upgrade and buy.

I will also look into posting some nice pictures once the home theater is actually finished. Feel free to make suggestions as they are welcome.

Here is a crude picture of what the system would look like with a projection screen and after make my move. Altec A-7's still need to be refinished in a piano black with new voice of the theater decals. And a new tv stand so I can fit a larger center channel to go with the Altec A-7's.

Re: My Home Theater Page

As if upgrading and adding to a home theater was not enough for most of us.

This is my second project that I am taking my time on and will hopefully not take to long to finish.

What I need to finish:
1970's JBL Speakers
Pioneer Reel to Reel Tape Deck
Stereo Power Amplifier
AM/FM Tuner

 Here it is August 13th, 2009 and I am still trying to stash money away for a new a/v receiver.    I am still wanting to get that Denon AVR-3808ci as I feel it would be the best choice for replacing the current Yamaha RX-V995.  But if it takes to much longer to get the money the fallback plan is to find a smoking deal on a discontinued Onkyo TX-SR805 for under $600.


Here are some current photos of my HT after moving back to California:

9/08/2009  Well I could kill for a Onkyo TX-SR876 after seeing it priced at Fry's for ether $899 or $999!  It is sad when money is so tight that you can not seem to save up for a receiver or even get one on credit!      

My focus still remains on replacing my lacking Yamaha RX-V995 with something with more power, better amplifier section, component video, HDMI & upscaling to HDMI, internal decoding of DTS-HD MA & Dolby True HD, Audyssey and multi-channel input and output.  I really do not want to move down from the 995 and unfortunately I honestly see the lower end receivers as just that, a downgrade!

The other things I want to focus on is upgrading my Sony BDP-S300 to a Denon 2500 or Marantz Bluray.  If I wasn't so dam poor I could have picked up an open box Denon 2500 Bluray for $499 @ Fry's.     Then I would like to finally get a subwoofer, ether a SVS, Velodyne or Klipsch?  I would like to have a 1080p projector with a 100" screen but hell lets be honest I am having a hard enough time getting my receiver.  I have however decided that if I can not get the equivalent of a Onkyo 807 or better like a Denon 3808ci then I will just put up with the Yamaha 995!  I see no point in downgrading to a Onkyo 707, Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K, Yamaha RX-V1065 or a Sony STR-DA5400ES.  Even though I want something with Audyssey if the right deal came along I wouldn't be against going with a Pioneer Elite, Rotel, Marantz (which has Audyssey) or stepping up to a Adcom!

All I can say is I hate being poor and want a new receiver !        
Edited by Dave Moritz - 9/14/09 at 8:15pm

Well time to call off all upgrades for the foreseeable future!  Have been trying to save up for a new receiver but I am sure many here can relate.  Upgrading the HT will be put off for about 2 year and hopefully the economy will be better and I will get full time hours back at work.

I would like to wish everyone here at home theater forum a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thanks for the complements, much appreciated.  Was really hoping to upgrade the Yamaha receiver and get a better center channel to go with my Altec A-7's but it will have to wait.  While I am very disappointed that nothing is moving forward I am still glad that I have the gear that I do own.  My HDTV may not be 1080p but I have been very happy with it and it is still on its original bulb and it is over 3 years old so I think I am doing good on bulb life so far.

A little over a month ago my pc's power supply failed and took the motherboard with it so now there goes money that I could have saved for a receiver.  The one thing I promised myself is that I will not downgrade from the current Yamaha!  I see no point in spending hard earned money on something that doesn't do what I want and something that makes to many concessions.  So I figure that it is ether a Denon, Marantz, Onkyo or Pioneer Elite upper models or nothing and just keep using the Yamaha 995 that I have now.

I feel your pain Brett its not easy when you are barely paying the bills.  I was doing ok until my x-wife messed me over and before my divorce she got me to sell all my Snap On tools and tool chest because I wasn't working in the industry anymore.  So now I can not make better money doing what I used to do and I was stuck moving back in with my parents which isn't easy to have to do when you are past 40!  I just goes to show you never know what kind of curve life is going to throw you sometimes.  I also work for a company that no matter how hard you work they are never happy.  They want more and more out of you and pay scale to work is horible!  The upper management is ungrateful and the work is thankless but at least it is a paycheck.

I wish I could afford some used vintage JBL's for surround speakers, that would be nice.  Another thing my HT could really use is a subwoofer for the really deep base, ya I know many would think that would not be a problem with big speakers.  But the A-7's are not ment to reproduce really low base dispite the large woofer and physical size of the cabinets.

Right now I would be happy if I could just get a new Bluray once in awhile!  But what it boils down to is I am lucky to have a job and a roof over my head so it could allways be worse!

  No Blu-ray purchases until I get more hours, this sure will not help my library any.

It's  now March 7th, 2010 and I would have thought that not only would the economy be better allready, but there would have been a nice shinny reciever in my a/v rack by now!  There is to much to do an no money, I bet everyone here hates that!

Still on my to do list:
Replace my aging Yamaha RX-V995 with a Denon AVR-4310 or 4810, Onkyo TX-NR5007 or a Rotel RSX-1560.
Replace Polk Audio CS100 center channel with a Klipsch or ?
Buy a subwoofer- Klipsch or SVS
Replace current tv stand with one that will acomidate a larger center channel speaker
Refinish Altec Lancing A-7 Voice Of The Theaters with ultra glossy piano black finish
Upgrade my Sony BDP-S300 with a Denon Bluray Player

oh the ultimate part of my upgrade would be a Sony or JVC 1080p projector with a 100" - 120" Stewart Film Screen.

hopefully I will be able to get a Bluray or two this payday?

Secondary 2 Channel System: Needs some work but its yet another project!  Needs to wait till I get a new reciever!
Pictured is the first nice intergrated amp I ever owned, purchased from Circuit City.  Onkyo Integra A-8190 and a matching Onkyo Integra TA-2600 Cassette Deck.  Also pictured is a JVC QL-50 turntable, Denon DCD-1290 and Denon DTR-2000 DAT Recorder.




Edited by Dave Moritz - 3/7/10 at 10:24am

Who made your screen?  Is it a Stewart Film Screen?

Would love to have a room as nice as yours some day.

I will check out the Atlantic Technology subs as well, thanks.

Thanks Adam, I appreciate it very much!

Update: March 23rd, 2010

I will be so glad when I can actually finish my Altec Lancing A-7's.  These have been in the family since aprox 1982 when my father purhcased two pair of these speakers and used them for his mobile DJ service.  He later sold off one pair and used the remaining pair of A-7's for watching movies in his den.  He used to power them with a Yamaha Professional Series power amp that was rated at 300 watts per channel RMS, stereo.  These speakers had a 50" CRT rear projection big screen between them and they worked very well.  Around 1987 I purchased them from my father for $400 for the pair and have had them ever since.  They have been used in two channel applications, then a prologic application and now a 5.0 (7.0 Speaker Cofiguration).  One of the things this configuration is lacking is a subwoofer which I will add when I can.  I am hoping that once I add a good subwoofer and a updated surround reciever with Audyssey the over all dynamics and sound quality will improve.  I also know I need to replace my current center channel and match it to some new rear channel speakers.

 
Altec Lancing A-7's 1995 (Whittier, California)

Another photo of Altec Lancing A-7 1997

  Project Altec Lancing has begun in 2003 a little prematurely before funds where available to professionally refinish cabinets!

 
Altec A-7 in North Phoenix, Arizona 2009

 
Altec Lancing A-7's back in Whittier, California 2010

Will try to find pictures of Altec A-7's from the 80's if I can find any?

March 31st, 2010

Edited by Dave Moritz - 3/31/10 at 9:48am

The Altec's take up alot of room but it is hard to replace them with something else with as much dynamics and are just as clean without spending a boat load of cash.  The hard thing is to find other speakers that perfectly match the Altecs without spending alot of money and unfortunanly money is hard to come by right now.  My entire upgrade plan for my h/t has hit a brick wall for now and for the forseable future.  I am still dying for a reciever upgrade, subwoofer, new center channel speaker and a updated bluray that can do 3D and load discs faster than my 1st gen bluray player does.  At least I have not gotten to the point where I have to sell any of my a/v system so I can not complain to much!

Like many others here the economy is really sucking the fun out of our hobby!  I tell you I am tired of not having the cash to add Blu-ray movies to my library and more importantly to upgrade that old Yamaha reciever to a new Denon with hdmi 1.4 and later on a Denon Bluray player.

 

Come on economy, I need to get back to full time hours at work so I can have some spending money for the A/V addiction. 

Hey Parker C.,

 

Thank you for the complements on the gear, very much appreciated.

 

Hey Gregg J.,

 

Thanks for the recomendation on the Pioneer VSX-1120.  I looked at that and it didn't fit my needs and or expectations.  I promised myself that if I couldn't get a true upgrade from the Yamaha RX-V995 and when I say that I mean.  From the sense of moving up not only in quality, upgraded inputs, decoding, very good quality amplifier section, clean and dynamic sound but also needed to be further up the chain than what I have now.  So I look at where my old 995 would sit in the chain in today models and move up from that.  I told myself I would just hold on to the old Yamaha till I got exactly what I wanted.  There are just to many things to upgrade and add to the home theater system, so I honeslty can not afford to buy something that I might end up replacing in 2-3 years.  What ever I get it will have to last at lest 7 years minimum, maybe even 10 years.  And while I do not make alot of money I am kinda stuborn and am not willing to settle for gear I know I will not be happy with.  That's what I get for growing up with a father that allways worked his butt off for really good equipment. 

I need to find a repair place that can be trusted to fix my JVC QL-50 turntable.  If I had the money I would most likely get the best new Denon turntable that is available right now or the next step up from that would be a german build Clear Audio turntable!  But I have to get a qoute for fixing the JVC and see if I can get it fixed unless it cost to much?  The turntable starts making a grinding noise then it physically speeds up.  I have no idea why it does that or what caused it to happen.

 

Picture of turntable is in post #13