New HT equipment (1 Viewer)

[Jesse P]

I'm getting ready to set up my first HT. You can see my layout in the Construction Forum. I'm looking at around a 57" widescreen RPTV, 5.1 speaker setup, progressive scan DVD player, DTS receiver with on-screen display, and then a mega CD changer that can play MP3s off of CD-Rs. I've been reading enough and looking a little, I know Sony and JVC (receivers) and such aren't really well thought of hear, but I'm looking for one Brand for my receiver, DVD player, and Mega CD changer. I think it looks nicer and I want the ones that communicate with each other so it will be easier for my wife and son to operate. I also don't want to spend a fortune on this equipment, so I'm guessing my choices come down to Sony and JVC. What Brand and models would you recommend.

 

[Jesse P]

Is there any other brands that I'm missing that make all 3 of these componets around the same price as Sony and JVC?

 

[JesseR]

Well pioneer or pioneer elite is another option. I would reccomend the pioneer elite or sony es if you want the best quality. I have a more entry level pioneer reciever. It has performed fairly well. With that being said I've only had it a few months and i'll be upgrading it this summer when i upgrade my speakers

what type of speakers are you looking to get. That could help everyone give you better advice

 

[Bill Will]

You might also want to throw Mitsubishi into the mix but I don't know much about their receivers.

 

[Jesse P]

I'm looking at the JBL NSP-1 set for speakers. I would eventually like to get the N38s for my front mains, but I need to buy everything so I'll probably wait on that. I'm also looking at the sony 12" sub, (I forget the model #).

For receiver I want

On screen display

5.1 channel input

DTS

would like Pro Logic II and memory settings to have the sub on for HT and off with the mains set to large for music listening.

I'm looking at a budget of around $250 for DVD player and $500 max for the receiver. The less I spend the quicker I can get the N38 mains, sub, and the Mega CD changer.

 

[chung_sotheby]

It depends on what your total budget is. Not including the tv, It would seem like your total budget for Speakers, sub, receiver, cd changer, and dvd player is about 2000. DVD players are on the cheap, so you could find one that suits your need for $250, but make sure that it is progressive scan with your tv. As for the receive, you could probably find a Denon 2802 for around $550 if you look around, and it is probably the best receiver under $1000. Power to spare, and every sound format you could hope for. For the speakers, I would recommend that you stay away from all JBL northridge speakers. The n38 are nothing compared to the s38, and they are only about $70 cheaper. The sony sub is a good choice for what you are probably going to use it for, but you might want to get a better sub later. Most Mega CD changers do not have any kind of sound quality, exceptions being the Sony CDPx90es and the high end Denon models, so you are better served getting a $150 or so mega changer and playing your mp3 cd's through your dvd player(if it has this option) or through your computer. MP3's sound quality are not the higest, so you probably would be able to tell the difference if it was playerd through a cd/mp3 player and the sound card of your computer, from a mini to rca adapter. Hope this helped

 

[Jesse P]

Well I decided to purchase the JBL N38 mains. I really liked the sound of them and with the N II series coming out I got a pretty good deal on them. right now I'm looking for the N series center channel and N24s for my rear speakers. I will probably wait on the sub for a while, only plan on using it for HT. Now my attention is going to a receiver and DVD player.

The receiver and DVD player must be of the same brand, and both black in color. The DVD player must have progressive scan (future HDTV). The receiver must have on-screen display and be able to handle the following connections.

Connections to receiver.

Turntable

100+ CD changer

DVD

VCR

I don't want to spend over $750 on the pair and I would like to stay around $600 for them. Any recommendations?