Newbie HT Project (1 Viewer)

[apb01]

Hi, I'm pretty new to home theater and was hoping to get some advice before making an initial system. Currently I have a very old Sony 31" tube TV from 1990 that just won't give up the ghost which is hooked up to some Advent computer speakers. I've been hoping the TV would die for many years so that I could upgrade, but I've finally given up any hope that it will ever expire (without help) and decided to upgrade anyway. I'm a techinical person and would be an audiophile if I had a bigger budget.

Some of the requirements:
- Absolute limit of $15k
- Don't want to do structural modifications (although not completely out of the question)
- Easy maintenance
- I care about audio as much, if not, more than video, although this setup will be mostly for watching movies
- Room is a medium sized, T-shaped room on the second floor. The main area is somewhere around 20x14 and it is rather light
- Not a huge fan of 7.1 systems, I almost always think it would be better to spend more on higher quality main speakers

Anyway, after some investigations I was thinking of using the following components.

Panasonic TC P58V10 - 58" plasma TV
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-TC-P58V10-plasma-widescreen/dp/B002JI0D4Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260426940&sr=8-1

Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc Player w/SACD & DVD-Audio
http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-83/

Squeeze Transporter:
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakers_audio/wireless_music_systems/devices/3163

Squeezebox™ Controller
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakers_audio/wireless_music_systems/devices/4097&cl=us,en

2x Velodyne DD-15 Digital Drive Series 15 Inch Subwoofer
http://www.digitalcraze.com/Details.asp?ProductID=785

Dynaudio Acoustics BM6A - 2-Way Active 7" Nearfield Monitors (Pair)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/330727-REG/Dynaudio_Acoustics_995_002011_BM6A_2_Way_Active.html

Nexera Eclipse Series 57" Flat Screen TV Stand (Biscotti and Black)
http://www.standsandmounts.com/nexeraeclipseseries57flatscreentvstandbiscottiandblack451304.aspx

Nexera Eclipse Series Universal Flat Panel TV Support Wall (Biscotti and Black)
http://www.standsandmounts.com/nexeraeclipseseriesuniversalflatpaneltvsupportwallbiscottiandblack451305.aspx

Sound Anchors Studio Adjustable Stands
http://www.soundanchors.com/page9.html

Any tips or advice on setting this up or other products that I should investigate or ways to get more for the money or save money? Am I missing anything important?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Ed Moxley]

Originally Posted by apb01
Am I missing anything important?

You're missing one of the most important parts. The heart of the system. The receiver or pre/pro.
Most receivers are 7.1 now days. I, personally, like it. But, you can run a 7.1 receiver, as a 5.1 just fine, if that's what you prefer. Remember that you'll need something with plenty of power, and that's 4 ohm certified, since the Dynaudio speakers are 4 ohm speakers. You can get a receiver with pre-outs, and connect an external amp to it, to power the main speakers (or all the speakers), and take the load off the receiver.

Denon has very good equipment, but they don't have any 4 ohm certified receivers. They have a set of pre/pro gear, that can probably handle 4 ohm loads, but just those two pieces are $15000. You can check on Yamaha and Pioneer receivers, to see if they have any that are 4 ohm certified. I know that Onkyo has some though. You'll need to look through their higher end stuff though. See them here: http://www.us.onkyo.com/prod_class.cfm?class=Receiver
I tried to look but the pages weren't loading. They should be ok a little later. The TX-NR 807 or TX-NR 1007 on up should be 4 ohm certified. Click on the "Features" tab, and it should tell you on that page.

Onkyos are strong receivers. The amp section can get pretty warm. I wouldn't close in an Onkyo, in an entertainment center or closet, unless you have fans, to keep things cool. Good luck in your hunt. Looks like you'll have a very nice setup, once you get it all up and going.

 

[apb01]

Originally Posted by Ed Moxley



You're missing one of the most important parts. The heart of the system. The receiver or pre/pro.

Actually, the above system doesn't need one. Since the Transporter has 3 external stereo digital inputs, 2 analog line-level stereo outputs, volume control and since the system is 2.1 and all the speakers are self-powered there is no need -- audio switching, volume control and power are all taken care of already. I'm thinking that the DVR and Blue Ray player can connect directly to the Transporter via the TosLink and RCA digital audio inputs. The subwoofer can be connected to the Transporter's RCA outputs and the satellites via the Transporter's XLR outputs. Also, the TV has 4 HDMI inputs for doing the video switching. Given that the Transporter still has the BNC connector free, there is still room for expansion to one more component that has digital stereo output and up to 2 HDMI video outputs.

At least that is the theory... I do own the Squeeze Transporter, Squeeze Controller and Dynaudio BM6As for other purposes, so I'm fairly confident they are up to the task. I absolutely love the Squeeze Transporter. Not only can it be used as a stereo digital audio switch/digital preamplifier, it has full access to my entire music library on my main computer!

At some point in the future I may move to a 5.1 or 7.1 system, but until I can convince myself that I can make an engaging stereo system, adding a bunch of complication doesn't seem worth it a this point.