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Minor correction: It's ffdshow, not fddshow.

Granted, an HTPC is the most powerful available solution because of the scaling and filtering it can provide but, if you are able to get through the very long thread (114 pages and counting) of the AVLP2 I mentioned above, you'll see that it provides a low-cost turnkey (and high WAF) alternative. Furthermore, by using the advanced server software on a machine of your LAN, it can transcode any video stream the PC is able to display locally, also applying any filtering (such as ffdshow) configured on the PC machine. Again, to take advantage of the full power of the AVLP2, you must have a home LAN (although it does quite well as a standalone player). BTW, the latest firmware update added internet radio support.

You can pick up an inexpensive power conditioner that also provides surge suppression and EMI/RFI filtering for under $50. If you're talking about video switching, you only need to run through your receiver if your TV runs out of inputs.

I recently got the I-O Data AVeL LinkPlayer2 which not only upconverts to 720p or 1080i but also plays HD content via the DVD loader or a locally attachable firewire hard disk or your LAN (with its 100-BaseT port). This the FAQ thread at AVS Forum: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?threadid=484807

Thanks to Wayne's heads-up, I was able to get an incredible deal on brand-new, sealed-box speakers (at least for the RF-35s & RC-35, the RB-25s are coming from another one of their stores -- they may be floor units). The RF-35s and RB-25s were marked 40% off; the RC-35 appeard to be only 25% off, but when he showed me his price printout I noticed he had it as 40% but his list price was wrong, 500 instead of 400. I wasn't going to argue about that, as I was already getting a great deal, so I just mentioned it casually; at first he wasn't budging but he ended up giving me the better price at checkout. I was stoked! I'm still debating RS-35 vs. RB-25. The former, despite being ~120 more, has the WAF advantage, being white and all. I hope they have run out of the RSs when I go there tomorrow, so I don't have to make a decision. Otherwise, at this price point, I may end up getting both

Thank you! My curiosity is indeed already peaked but I will keep it in check, at least until I move to home ample enough to accomodate the addiction :-] I will not be able to pickup the RB-25s until Wednesday so, if anyone is of the opinion I should go with RS-35s instead, please chime in.

Wayne, I owe you one! I got their last RC-35 literally minutes before a guy called wanting it! Also bought RF-35s and RB-25s for the rear. I'm officially a member now

RB towers If you mean RF towers, I don't think I ever mentioned mounting those. I was referring to the RB-25 bookselves.

Thanks Meuge, do you happen to recall what mounts your friend is using?

Thanks for the Saturday Audio reminder, I'd ran into the website but had forgotten about it. I'll go to their Evenston store this week (they appear to be open on Thursdays as well). The guys I've been dealing with are Simply Stereo in Hoffman Estates. They are the ones that suggested I take a pair home to audition, before I even hinted at it. I was pleasntly surprised, as that doesn't seem to be the norm any more. They had some nice setups there, including Horns and other Heritage speakers. If I only had the room... May I ask what you opinions are on the RB-35s? I may pick up a pair to evaluate upon return of the RF-25s. Towers would be a bit low to use as rears in my current situation. Also has anyone successfully wall-mounted RB-25s?

Thanks for the suggestions. The problem with stands at the surrounds is that they won't physically fit; the 10' width at the listening location are just enough for a couch and room to walk in. Since the only bookshelf I can mount is the 15, should I get the matching RS then? Won't those be wasted, given the lack of a back wall? I also feel that monopoles will be better for gaming purposes (better localization of sound). I would appreciate to hear your suggestions on this. The budget is so tight that I plan to do it in 3 stages: fronts, center, surrounds. My current center is a half-way decent AR Hi-Res with 1" titanium tweeter and dual 5.25"s (it matches the RF-25s much better than my old mains) and the AR surrounds also have 1"/5.25" drivers. I can live with the mismatches for a few months. Delaying the surrounds may also give me enough time to convince the wife to move; then I can potentially go with matching RFs at the back. Decisions, decisions.

I had to drag myself away from listening to some classical, jazz (and a dash of electronica too) to give a quick update. Very impressive! The individual instruments and the voices come out distinct and alive. I don't think I could ever get tired of listening to the sound, unlike some Klipsch-haters' claims to the contrary. The major decision now is to whether the RF-35s would be worth the close to $200 difference. Off to watch a movie now

The digital direction you mean? Well, I read all the hype about it and decided to take the plunge, a small one at that, given the low admission price. I'm happy with the audio quality (markedly better than my old Denon) but disappointed by the rigid setup and cheapness and inflexibility of the connections. Additionally, all my sources are digital so I like the concept of everything staying in the digital domain until it hits the speaker outs. Off to pickup the demo RF-25s. Edit: Quick question. Any recommendations for decent (esp. w/ reasonable prices) dealers in the Chicago area?

Hello, I'm very close to making a Klipsch purchase. I have audtioned the RF-25s and RF-35s at 2 different dealers and I couldn't discern much difference, at least at the auditioning volume levels. I plan to go out shortly to pick up a pair of RF-25 to bring home to audition. My listening area is small and a bit odd; the front is 11.5' wide and the listening location 10', ~12' away from front center (there's no back wall for another 20'). For a center speaker I'm leaning towards the RC-35, regardless of which fronts i go with, although the 25 is still an option (for the RF-25s). The surrounds choice is tougher; I am leary of going with the RSs because of the narrowness of the listening position and the lack of a back wall. So I'm considering wall-mounted RB-25s or 15s (the dealer told me the 25s are a bit large and heavy to be wall-mounted). These will be driven by a newly-acquired Panasonic XR50 digital receiver. I welcome your thoughts on this setup and thank you all for contributing to this forum and making it such a valuable resource.