toddvj

Technics receivers run really hot. Damn Hot!!! You could fry an egg on the top of it. But that's normal.

Of course there's always the Matrix. Not my favorite, because everybody uses it, but a good show off disc nonetheless.

A Fujitsu Plasma TV can be had for the price range you are looking. They look awesome with the right source hooked up (Don't use Cable TV). A progressive scan DVD player, and/or HD satellite is the way to go. If you can spend the money, it's definitely worth it. You may not get the performance of a high-end projector, but you will be the envy of any guests you have over (they won't know the difference anyway, they will say it's the most amazing thing they've ever seen)!!!

I know that it is a very cool amp and can do a lot of cool stuff, but I have only heard it in the store, and that was through a switcher, etc. so it is hard to tell. I think it is a good idea to use the 3802 as a preamp, because it also does some very cool stuff. The Sony ES is a very high quality amp, the only question is the sound quality. Most Sony's I've heard were kind of thin sounding, but this amp is certainly a cut above any other Sony I've heard.

The RX-V1000 can do 6.1, the RX-V800 cannot. The RX-V800 is sometimes advertised as 6.1, but it only does a phantom 6.1 (ala Sony). The RX-V1000 truly does 6.1, but you need a seperate amp to power the rear center.

Hi, justrelaxing. Sorry, I'm not familiar with the KG-50, so I don't know what to compare them to/match them with. If you live in the Cities, and need some help picking out equipment, I can help you get some good stuff and stay in your budget. I work at an electronics store, and can cut you a good deal on Receivers, Speakers, TV's, etc. We have a return policy, so that should take away some of the worry about not working with your current set up. E-mail me if interested.

James, thanks a lot for the info!!! Looks very cool. I want it. Not sure I understand the Bypass, though. Two sub outputs, too. That's pretty cool. I only have one on my receiver. Don't know if I could figure out a way to use them though. Marshal, I haven't had any experience with the new Yamaha. But with others Yammy's, the sound quality is excellent. The remote seems much better than before, and it has the new stuff (PLII, DTS-ES). The only thing about Yamaha is it's not really easy to operate, it's one of the most complicated I've ever worked with. As for it being THX Ultra certified, I'm not sure where you got that. Yamaha is very anti-THX, and even if they weren't, you wouldn't get a Ultra Certification at 80wpc.

b-man, I was just kidding, I knew what you meant. Spartan, the C7 would, in my opinion, definitely be too much, and would be hard to afford matching fronts on your budget. You could probably get a full Synergy System, or part of a reference (RF-3's, and RC-3) in your price range. Which brings up mamacmil's question. Nothing wrong with doing it in stages. I know I could never do it all at once. Again though, doing the center first might overpower the rest of the system. If you can't do the front three all at once, I'd replace the fronts first, if you can swing it right away. Plus you'll get a little more instant gratification. Just one man's opinion, though.

I agree with boa. I use a pair of RS-3's as rear surrounds, but have heard systems with direct radiating speakers as rear surrounds, and like the effect a little better. The reason I do it this way is because my couch is right against the wall and it was easy to mount these above me angled down slightly. Due to WAF, I can't move my couch out from the wall. I'm trying to figure a way to mount Direct radiating speakers to the wall and still hear them (RB-5's possibly). But I still think my system sounds great with the RS-3's. Maybe I'll just wait till I do the basement. Then I'll do RF-5's or 7's!!!

Sounds like a plan. The SCR's will be a good match. I don't know the layout of the room, but you could also put SS-1's, or even SS.5's on the side walls. You could also (carefully) mount them from the ceiling. The SS's actually make really good ceiling speakers.

b-man, how do you like those RF-2's? I'd probably recommend the RF-3's or the SF-2's. Don't look too hard for the RF-2's, because you probably won't find them.

Chuckears, You should be okay. That's how I have had mine mounted for over a year, and no problems.

Whoops, I thought you were talking about the DVP-S9000ES, not the 900. I didn't even consider that one. The reason I'm looking at the Panasonic is I'm getting a Panasonic TV. I know firsthand the quality is excellent with the RP91, and it's not a bad price, but I will definitely give your suggestion a 2nd look. That one does Multi-Channel, right?

Yeah, I know the Sony is great. Looks super cool, too. Little more than I want to spend, though, and when I do get an SACD player, I'd much rather have the option of multi-channel, the Sony is only 2 channel. Truthfully, I like SACD better than DVD-A, and think it is a more likely candidate for format of choice in the future (but I'd just be guessing, though), but I don't think I need it built into my DVD player. I'd just as soon get a Stand-Alone SACD player. As I said, I'm mainly getting the Panasonic for the picture quality (and it IS excellent). The DVD-A is just a bonus. If nothing else it will be a novelty that I can share with the grandkids.

James, Thanks for the info. Sounds interesting. I'm not sure I totally understand though. It's a Pre-Amp, but you can use it just as a pass-through though? Seems kinda steep for just a switcher, but it is the first thing I've heard of that has more than one set. If you see any more info, could you please let me know. It would be much appreciated. On a second note, does anyone know anything about that Outlaw deal, the ICBM-1? The intriguing thing to me is that it can split the signal between 2 subs, but it had some other cool features, too. If they had two multi channel inputs, it would be perfect. Thanks Again to all.

I'm going to be getting the Panasonic DVD-RP91. I'm purchasing this DVD player because of the excellent picture quality, but am somewhat excited about having the DVD Audio format for the first time. Here's the thing, with SACD players now becoming affordable, and also offering Multi-Channel sound, I'd like to have both formats available. Here's the problem: You need six-channel inputs to run either of these formats. My receiver has one set of six-channel inputs, and I know of no receiver that has more than one. I've though about using SACD for Two-Channel only, but there are a lot of Multi-Channel discs out there, and feel like I wouldn't be getting everything I paid for. I really don't like the idea of running all this High Quality sound through any kind of cheap splitter either. Anyone have any suggestions? This message has been edited by toddvj on 12-14-2001 at 02:31 AM

Marshal, check out the Panasonic CT-34WX50. That's what I'm going to be getting in a couple weeks. It has awesome picture quality for DVD's and HD, and actually looks pretty good with NTSC, which is not something you can say about many HDTV's. Sony makes a 34" tube also, but it is a little out of the price range you mentioned. It does have a HD tuner built in though. If you are looking for something bigger, also check out the Hitachi 43UDX10, it has a lot of the same qualities mentioned above, good price, and very bright for rear projection. I don't know if it can hold a center channel or not though. I know the 46" mitsubishi can (WT-46809) it's a nice TV, but doesn't look as good with non-HD/DVD. Finally, the Panasonic PT-47WX51, is a good TV, and doesn't need a stand like the last two I mentioned. If you want to go bigger, lots of TV's can be had in the price you want (even Sony) in the 51-55" range. Hope this Helps.

Usually, that's for music discs. I don't know of any DVD movies that use 96/24. I mean they already have to put a whole movie on there. Maybe in the future.

Terminator 2, ultimate edition was worth every penny. Just the menu, the THX trailer, etc. were cool enough. But then they went and added extra scenes DD, and DTS ES. The disc used seemless branching to put the deleted scenes in, and I've heard of some players having problems with that, but I never did, and I own a Sony, like nos. Do you guys know how to get to the "Super Secret" special edition on the disc?

It says Dolby Digital on the box? It probably just said that because in the original theatrical version, it was in Dolby Digital. I think it was DTS too. I watch movies a lot and when the credits roll up it says DTS, even though the DVD wasn't released with DTS sound.

Take another look at the Pioneer Elite. If you are not looking to do 6.1/7.1 right away, but want to have the option in the future, it is an excellent value. I think you will find better, smoother sound quality, and better control with the Pioneer. You have the bass peak level control, which means that when you get a sub , it will never distort. You can control the levels within 0.5db instead of full db with the Denon. It is the only receiver you mentioned that is THX certified within your budget, Oh and did I mention, the sound quality will be better than with the 2802.

Mugahead, I wouldn't reccomend using the SS-1's for fronts. They are purpose made surround speakers. For your front speakers you want something that projects sound directly toward you/into the room. The SS-1's are designed to give you a more diffuse/less localized sound for effects. For instance, if it is raining on the movie you are watching, it will sound like you are actually in the rain. You would be better off getting SB-1's, SB-2's, or SB-3's as ahhbee suggested. I don't think ahhbee knew which speakers you were referring to when he suggested the SS-1's would be fine. This message has been edited by toddvj on 12-13-2001 at 11:56 AM

You may want to consider something that does one of the multi-channel formats now available, if using for music. The sony DVP-NS500 does multi channel SACD (no progressive scan, though), and some JVC's do DVD-A, along with Progressive Scan, CD-R/RW, and MP3 playback.

Yeah Ears, the Pioneer VSX-49tx is awesome. It has a mike that you place in the listening position that automatically adjusts delays, levels, and does a 9-band equalization of all speakers. (I'm more of a do-it-yourselfer but still a cool feature). One very cool thing it does, and I know of no other receiver that does this, is converts all incoming video signals to Component Video! This means you can hook up your VCR with composite, Satellite with S-Video, and DVD with component, and so on, and only have one set of component cables from the monitor out. Even the onscreen display works through component!!! Don't know if it improves video quality but it is much more convenient. I've pretty much decided to pick one up, when I'm able. It also has THX Ultra 2. What that is is you can watch a 5.1 movie in 7.1 mode and get true seperation. Usually if you have a Mono sound from the surround channels in 5.1, the surround backs will work, but ALL the sound comes from them and none from the regular surround channels. The Denon is cool though, especially if you want to do Multi-Room. I don't think you would be unsatisfied with it. I've never heard or had experience with the Onkyo/Integra, so I can't comment. That might not help you, Joe but I just perk up when I see someone giving Pioneer Credit for being the great electronics that they are.

Something you won't want to upgrade??? I don't get it !!! Seriously though if you work in an electronics store, that is one of the main benefits, you can keep getting better and better stuff without having to spend a lot of money. Are you really attached to the stuff you have now? Because you can always sell what you have to buy new stuff. Sure you'll have a week or two without your system, but it will make you appreciate it that much more when you get it back. As for the Sony receiver, I'm sure you can get a decent amount if you sell it, at least enough to buy a 2802 at cost. You would gain 6.1, DTS-ES, Dolby Pro-Logic II, DTS Neo-6, etc. Then next year, sell that for more than you paid and get a little bit better. The Klipsch RF-7's will be around for a while, but if you wait too long to sell your receiver, you'll not get as much. This message has been edited by toddvj on 12-07-2001 at 01:23 AM