Looking to buy a receiver - NOOB question (1 Viewer)

[4thephil]

I just bought off buy.com 5 satellite speakers and a subwoofer. However, they won't work (I don't think) with the current receiver I have. Each of these speakers have a red and black wire that should go into the respectable red and black outputs of the receiver, and the subwoofer into the RCA subwoofer out. My receiver has only 4 spots, thus totaling 2 total speakers, and no dedicated subwoofer out (RCA or other).

I'm looking for the absolute cheapest solution (whether is be a "home theater receiver" or not) to hook my speakers into, and has a 3.5mm or other adapter to play songs off an mp3 player (non-ipod). A TV input would be awesome too.

 

[hodedofome]

Insignia® - 500W 5.1-Ch. A/V Home Theater Receiver - NS-R5101

or

Amazon.com: Onkyo TX-SR304B Home Theater Receiver (Black): Electronics

Whichever you prefer. For the ipod, get a 3.5mm to RCA cable, available at Wal-Mart and many other places. It'll allow you to play sound from a computer or mp3 player.

 

[4thephil]

Those look great, and expensive! Is there anything out there for $50 or so? Can used equipment get that low? All I need is these little outs and 1 in, nothing with a screen, dials, etc...There's gotta be a cheapo one like that, right?

 

[hodedofome]

If that's too expensive you'll need to go used. Check craigslist and ebay.

 

[4thephil]

That's what I was afraid of, but definitely thought there would have been a different option. Search "home theater receiver"?

And might I add, WOW - what a quick response!

 

[hodedofome]

I do nothing but watch the forums all day long.

Not really, I just get an email when someone responds

 

[4thephil]

So how many channels do I need? 5.1 or can it be/should it not be less? (5 satellite speakers with 1 subwoofer RCA)

 

[mylan]

What you have is a stereo receiver and what you need is a 5 channel surround receiver and there is absolutely nothing out there, new or used, for $50 that will do what you require of it. I'm sorry to have to break it to you but that is the reality, additionally, thay do not make receivers without dials, screens, or some other way to set one up properly.

 

[4thephil]

ok, well thank you so much for the info

time to start saving for a receiver! i knew $50 was too good to be true for surround sound