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Looking for a good sound system

post #1 of 15
6/3/09 at 6:21am
Thread Starter 
Hello everyone,

I'm currently in a situation in which I could use some help, so I'm very glad that I found this forum ^^.

You see, I am moving out in a few weeks, and I'm planning on buying a brand new "multimedia-center" to fit my new room. I'll be living in a rented attic in a house with other people, but they have busy lives and aren't home a lot, so I'll be able to turn the music & movies up once in a while ^^.

Ive been looking around on this forum, and on comparison sites, etc., and I've found that Denon seems to be the "best bang for your buck" brand... Ofcourse, there will be other brands that I don't know about and I'm pretty much a newb in all this stuff, so that's why I've come here . I checked on several brands, like Pioneer, Sony & Yamaha, but the others (like Denon) were not known to me, probably because they are rarely advertised here in Belgium (or I don't see their advertisements ^^)

I have several pieces of equipment already in my possession, such as a PS3, a Sony HD Projector, and Logitech Z-5500 Surround speakers, all of which I intend to use , maybe except for the speakers, if I can find much better ones for a good price... But now I intend to hook it all up to a surround receiver, as I've come to understand that this is kind of the center for all your equipment, right? I also have a TV, but I don't intend to use that to watch movies and play games... So that covers the movies.

For music, I'd also get a stereo amplifier, some good stereo speakers, plus a CD-Player & LP Player (got some great vinyls lying here, doing nothing ^^), and like the Surround Receiver, I've come to realize that the stereo amplifier would be the center of everything music-based, right?

Now, I have chosen the same brand for these, because I'd like them all to kinda fit together ^^. As for the products that I've chosen on a (I think) good price/quality basis, here they are:

- Denon PMA-700AE Stereo Amplifier
- Denon DCD-700AE CD Player
- Denon AVR-1909 A/V Receiver
- I haven't chosen my LP Player yet... Any suggestions?
- Same on the Stereo Speakers...

These are the most high-end ones of that brand that fit my budget, any higher than that, and I can't buy stereo speakers anymore ^^.

So I hope I've made the right choice for now. I know it would be very smart to go down to the store and listen to what I buy first, but the only store that sells Denon close to me can only order it, and to order = to buy...

I really hope you guys could give me some advice about what I should go for, or definitely not go for, ...

Thanks a million in advance !

Greets !
Steven
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post #2 of 15
6/3/09 at 7:50am

Re: Looking for a good sound system

Hi Steven,

Check out Onkyo for even "more bang for your buck". Onkyo tends to be a bit cheaper and has a few more features.

Why get an additional amp for stereo? The amps in your receiver will be fine unless you are running higher end speakers and get higher end amps.

Why not use the PS3 to play CDs and save some money as well?

Since you are investing in a decent receiver, you should consider replacing the computer speakers. Perhaps starting with your "stereo speaker" idea and adding from there as you get extra disposable income.
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post #3 of 15
6/3/09 at 12:45pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Looking for a good sound system

Hey David, thank you for the reply .

Also, thank you for the tip on Onkyo, I've been checking and comparing, and you are correct indeed . I've set my eyes on the Onkyo TX-SR705, although the Onkyo website only shows the Onkyo TX-SR706, so would there be any recognizable difference?

As for recommendation not to get an additional amp for stereo, you are quite right about the fact that it's unnecessary, but I do intend to get very high quality stereo speakers, because I love music ^^. The biggest part of my budget should go to speakers... And I don't know if this is true, but I've heard that the quality of the speakers define the quality of the sound, much more than the quality of the amplifier would. That's why (if it's correct), I'd like to invest in great speakers, rather than an expensive amplifier . Which also justifies the additional stereo amp to power nothing but the stereo speakers, and the surround receiver can keep busy with the surround speakers, no ?

And the PS3 playing CD's. Well, you also got me there ^^, but looking through the Onkyo website, I found a 6-Disc CD-Player, the DX-C390. I'm interested in this because first of all, it keeps 6 discs at a time (which comes in handy IMO ^^), and secondly, I see that it supports more formats than other disc-changers from other brands. If, like with my previous Denon choice, the player only played one disc at a time, the PS3 would have sufficed indeed .

I'm just speculating here, so please correct me if I'm wrong about anything ^^.

But thanks a million in advance guys !

Greets !
Steven
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post #4 of 15
6/3/09 at 5:42pm

Re: Looking for a good sound system

Steven,

You are correct about the speakers. They are the most important piece. However, powering them with an 85 watt amp when the Onkyo ships with a 110 watt amp does not seem to get you anything extra. You will not see much, if any, improvement. I have the 705 paired with Axiom M60's and a massive SVS subwoofer and I can tell you it has more than enough power for my modest size room. BTW - The 706 is this past year's model, the 705 is older.

What speakers are you thinking about getting?
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post #5 of 15
6/3/09 at 6:38pm

Re: Looking for a good sound system

If you're not afraid of factory refurbs here are some that can also save you a little money so you have more for speakers. Onkyo DXC390 for $99. Onkyo 706 for $499 and the Onkyo 806 for $599. I've bought many refurbs and used items without any issues, so far .
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post #6 of 15
6/4/09 at 5:03am
Thread Starter 

Re: Looking for a good sound system

Quote:
Originally Posted by David Willow
Steven,

You are correct about the speakers. They are the most important piece. However, powering them with an 85 watt amp when the Onkyo ships with a 110 watt amp does not seem to get you anything extra. You will not see much, if any, improvement. I have the 705 paired with Axiom M60's and a massive SVS subwoofer and I can tell you it has more than enough power for my modest size room. BTW - The 706 is this past year's model, the 705 is older.

What speakers are you thinking about getting?
Hey David, thank you for the reply .

Well, you're probably right on the amp ^^, I guess my mind is just set on a big tower of nice equipment xD.

And for speakers, I have a pretty big budget, so I'm thinking of getting some B&W or Cabasse speakers, since I've heard that these are fine quality products...

Thank you !

Greets !
Steven
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post #7 of 15
6/4/09 at 5:06am
Thread Starter 

Re: Looking for a good sound system

Quote:
Originally Posted by gene c
If you're not afraid of factory refurbs here are some that can also save you a little money so you have more for speakers. Onkyo DXC390 for $99. Onkyo 706 for $499 and the Onkyo 806 for $599. I've bought many refurbs and used items without any issues, so far .
Hey Gene, thank you for the reply .

Also, thank you very much for the links, but I'm afraid I don't see the option to ship to Europe .

Thanks !

Greets !
Steven
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post #8 of 15
6/4/09 at 7:15am

Re: Looking for a good sound system

Quote:
Originally Posted by Crydevil
Hey David, thank you for the reply .

Well, you're probably right on the amp ^^, I guess my mind is just set on a big tower of nice equipment xD.

And for speakers, I have a pretty big budget, so I'm thinking of getting some B&W or Cabasse speakers, since I've heard that these are fine quality products...

Thank you !

Greets !
Steven

I love B&W. If you choose anything above the 700 series then I would say an amp would be a worthwhile upgrade. However, you will want an better amp then the Onkyo one you listed. To do the higher end B&W's justice, you are looking at a rather expensive Macintosh or similar.

BTW - Not sure if Axiom ships to you, but it may be worth looking at them. IMO, my M60's sound very similar to B&W 703s.
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post #9 of 15
6/4/09 at 7:59am
Thread Starter 

Re: Looking for a good sound system

Quote:
Originally Posted by David Willow
I love B&W. If you choose anything above the 700 series then I would say an amp would be a worthwhile upgrade. However, you will want an better amp then the Onkyo one you listed. To do the higher end B&W's justice, you are looking at a rather expensive Macintosh or similar.

BTW - Not sure if Axiom ships to you, but it may be worth looking at them. IMO, my M60's sound very similar to B&W 703s.
Hey David, thanks for the tip .

I checked out the Axiom M60, and it's 'only' 763 € for a pair of M60 floorstanding stereo speakers. If they have a fine quality, the price is much less than I thought ^^, so would these speakers be a good choice to go with the Onkyo amp? I also saw the M80 floorstanding speakers, which have a price of 1000 € a pair, which is (I think) relatively low priced compared to those B&W 703's or Cabasse, if the quality is close to each other that is , but that's where I don't have any experience...

And I do believe that they ship to Belgium, so getting them won't be as big of a problem as getting B&W speakers I think .

But would I still need a better amp if I want to get the quality sound out of the M60 or M80?

Thanks a million in advance !

Greets !
Steven
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post #10 of 15
6/4/09 at 1:04pm

Re: Looking for a good sound system

I would not pair the Onkyo with M80s since they are 4 ohm speakers. The lower/mid end Onkyos have had problems in the past with them. IMO, not worth the risk to have to ship them back from Belgium.
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post #11 of 15
6/4/09 at 4:30pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Looking for a good sound system

Quote:
Originally Posted by David Willow
I would not pair the Onkyo with M80s since they are 4 ohm speakers. The lower/mid end Onkyos have had problems in the past with them. IMO, not worth the risk to have to ship them back from Belgium.
Hey David, thanks for the tip .

I'll keep looking around, but I might go with M60's then, since I don't know any alternatives that have the same low price, and goes great with the Onkyo receiver, and have such a great quality/price range as those (ofcourse I can't judge, because I haven't heard them yet, but I trust the professional opinion and experience from people on this forum ^^) .

But anyway, thank you all so much for the replies, and I'll be sure to post on this forum again if I have any more questions, which I probably will. And, David, thank you very much for all the tips on the equipment, I got enough to get going now, so thanks a million !

Greets !
Steven
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post #12 of 15
6/4/09 at 8:22pm

Re: Looking for a good sound system

Quote:
Originally Posted by Crydevil
Hey David, thanks for the tip .

....and have such a great quality/price range as those (ofcourse I can't judge, because I haven't heard them yet, but I trust the professional opinion and experience from people on this forum ^^) .

....

Greets !
Steven

Just keep in mind that speakers are a very personal choice. What I like may not be what you like. Be sure to listen to as many speakers as you can before you decide. You can return the Axioms within 30 days but it may be quite expensive shipping for you....
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post #13 of 15
6/4/09 at 11:20pm

Re: Looking for a good sound system

I would go for the separate CD player rather than using the PS3:

1) Like most dvd players for example, to do anything but play a CD you HAVE to use the remote (or the PS3's controller I guess - I've never used a PS3 ). This is just me of course but having to be locked into doing that bothers me.

2) If you want to use the PS3's shuffle feature (if it has one) or any other common CD-related feature like track delete, programming track playback order, etc then I have a feeling you are going have to pull up an on-screen menu every time you want to do that, but most CD-only players include those features right on the front panel.

And I'm not sure about the PS3's boot up time, but a CD player is ready to play a CD pretty much instantly.

3) why shorten the life of the PS3 disc transport by making it play CDs when a much cheaper - and very probably much less expensive to repair if needed - CD-only player can handle that function?
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post #14 of 15
6/5/09 at 2:36pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Looking for a good sound system

Quote:
Originally Posted by David Willow
Just keep in mind that speakers are a very personal choice. What I like may not be what you like. Be sure to listen to as many speakers as you can before you decide. You can return the Axioms within 30 days but it may be quite expensive shipping for you....
Hey David,

Thanks for the advice . It's gonna be hard finding a place near me where I can test some "good" speakers, since all they sell here in electronics-stores are high commercialized speakers, like Logitech, Sony, ...

But anyway, thank you very much, I'll keep looking around, until I hear something that I like .

Greets !
Steven
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post #15 of 15
6/5/09 at 2:45pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Looking for a good sound system

Quote:
Originally Posted by LanceJ
I would go for the separate CD player rather than using the PS3:

1) Like most dvd players for example, to do anything but play a CD you HAVE to use the remote (or the PS3's controller I guess - I've never used a PS3 ). This is just me of course but having to be locked into doing that bothers me.

2) If you want to use the PS3's shuffle feature (if it has one) or any other common CD-related feature like track delete, programming track playback order, etc then I have a feeling you are going have to pull up an on-screen menu every time you want to do that, but most CD-only players include those features right on the front panel.

And I'm not sure about the PS3's boot up time, but a CD player is ready to play a CD pretty much instantly.

3) why shorten the life of the PS3 disc transport by making it play CDs when a much cheaper - and very probably much less expensive to repair if needed - CD-only player can handle that function?
Hey Lance,

Yeah, those are some reasons why one might go for a separate CD-player indeed .
I don't know if a PS3 has a programming track playback feature, track delete feature, ... but I think it's still easy to use . The boot time is pretty fast too, imo , but indeed, compared to a CD-Player it takes a while.
But the main reason for me to buy a separate player would be that I can put in 6 CD's at once, which is nice for me, because I tend to never change a disc until I have listened to the whole album, so that means less changing discs, and more listening ^^ .

But thanks for the reply , much appreciated.

Greets !
Steven
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