itzo

---------------- if you think about it, when you connect ya soundcard to ya PC speakers, you dont use the soundcard to adjust the main volume, it can only go so high, instead you use the speakers preamp. ---------------- Yes, but if you set the PC speakers amp to maximum, then adjust the volume from the computer, you can get the full range of volume, right upto the loudest. I assume this is how it is with a power amp: if it has no power control, then it's going to be permanently set to maximum. However i wasn't aware the pre/pro actually amplified the signal, i thought it simply processed it, which may make an impact on my sound. On the subject of the right speakers for me, I naturally intend to preview the Klipsch and compare them before I buy, however i think i'll be happy with them. Was your comment to merely suggest better value speakers simply because I'm grappling with a budget or because you believe them to be superior? I could go for more lesser quality speakers, but I've made a decision to go with 2 excellent floorstanding speakers instead. Finally, i would seriously consider going with a receiver instead of the seperates if not for the fact i'm not going to upgrade my system to HT for some time yet, and i'd prefer more up to date hardware by that time.

I've decided that assuming i can get a good deal on them here in oz, i'm going to get a pair of RF-5s. At the moment my priority is to hook them up to my PC, mainly for music, however ultimately i'd like to expand to 5.1 for a HT system. Firstly, my PC soundcard is a Terratec DMX 6fire 24/96, which has all manner of outputs: -- 3x 1/8" Stereo Minijacks (front, rear, LFE + centre) -- 1/4" Stereo Minijack (headphones) -- Stereo Line Out (2x RCA) -- Midi Out -- Digital Optical Out -- Digital Coaxial Out It's a rather expensive card, and i believe the DACs are quite good for a PC soundcard. From what i've heard here, i'll be better served with seperates, than an a/v receiver, however the cost of seperates far exceeds my means for now. But seeing as how I have only a single source (my PC) and i don't need to decode a 5.1 digital signal, do i actually need an pre/pro or can i make do with just a power amplifier until my budget permits me to purchase a pre/pro? This way i save on costs now, and when i do actually purchase a pre/pro, the technology will be current. So assuming I can i directly connect the output from my soundcard to a power amplifier, will i be able to control the volume from my computer as usual? Will the maximum volume be on par with what i would get with a pre/pro? What disadvantages does this situation incur upon me? The purpose for me listing the outputs on the soundcard above was to find up how i should connect to the power amp/s. I assume the 2xRCA sockets on the line out would be the best? Do power amps usually have an RCA socket, like receivers do, for input into each channel? To keep costs down and hopefully quality up, I'd like to just go for 2 mono amps, or a stereo amp to start with. I suppose i should be aiming around 100W per channel, available in 240V and within a decent price range (say US$500 or under). I liked the look of the Outlaw Model 200 M-Block Amplifier, two of which would only set me back $550 or so, however they don't manufacture a 240V version, so it's useless to me here in Australia. Oh and also, does the brand of power amplifier colour the sound produced, as different receivers do, or is it the processing part (as i imagine) that colours the sound so? Basically I want to know what the implications will be if in the long run, i end up using different brands of power amps to power my HT?

Wow, what a great point! I do only need a power amp! I must admit I'm outside my area of knowledge now. Could you tell me what I should look for in a power amp? What are some of the better brands i should look into? Would it be realistic to pay around US$400-500 for a decent power amp? Could you recommend some models in this range, please? Oh btw, I'd be looking at a 5 channel amp (no sub - i'll power it seperately).

Yeah glennbarn, it was my intention to get the klipsch speakers from a local dealer, the price i listed was an estimated price, based on other prices i've received from them (for other speakers). My worry was about repairs (in or out of warranty) on the speakers: do they have to be sent to US to be repaired? or is there someone in Australia who can handle it? SVS sell direct to the public, meaning if i want an SVS sub, i need to get it shipped out here. How are the RF-15s? Everyone here keeps telling me go bigger bigger bigger, i can only possibly afford RF-35 and that's gonna mean going without a subwoofer for a good while. What's the low-end like on the RF-15s? Could you possibly make do without a sub? EDIT: As far as the watts/amps thingy, aren't watts just volts times amps? So i assume the voltage would be constant (240V in this case?)? Meaning the watts are directly proportional to the amps. i don't know too much about this though, so please correct me if i'm wrong. EDIT (mk ii): i just noticed how good your deal was on the RF-15s, maybe i can cut about AU$400 off the price when i shop around for RF-35s then.

Alright thanks for your help everybody, it looks like I'm going to look at going for: 2x RF-35 Denon AVR-1804 This setup looks very awesome indeed, though i'm still pissed at the huge shipping charges on everything from US, and thus considering getting something manufactured closer to home :/ The Denon amp is RRP AUS$1200, which is about US$880 One RF-35 is RRP AUD$1125, which is about US$830

Antagon, I can't really afford much more than I've listed there, remembering shipping to Australia is insane (around US$300 for the sub alone). Am I going to truly regret choosing the RB-25s and only the PB1ISD? Maybe I should save more money? As far as the Harman Kardon amps are concerned, they don't appear to have huge outputs, which amp might you suggest? DrWho, you'd suggest i just get a pair of RFs and live without the sub in the meantime? The thing is, to power those RFs I'm going to need a MUCH bigger (and i assume considerably more expensive) amp to power them. The Pioneer only outputs 100W continous per channel, the RFs look to need 125-150W each and have much higher peaks than the Pioneer could ever hope to output. What reasonably priced amp would you suggest I pair up with midrange RFs (say RF-5s)?

G'day all, I'm a student from Australia and am looking at taking the first step into the HT scene. I've been browsing around these forums for about 6 months now, and you guys seem like a great lot. Anyway, down to business: as I'm tight on money i thought i'd start out with a nice sub and a couple of bookshelfs, but get a 5.1 amp, so i can expand later. I'll be using the system mainly for music, but i'll also hook it up to either my comp for movies and games, or to my DVD player for TV. OK, well i'll start with the subwoofer. From the endless praises i've read on this forum an SVS subwoofer is definately the the way to go. The PB1-ISD looks bloody awesome for its price, but i'm still a bit hesitant seeing as how the shipping cost is almost 1/2 the price of the sub itself. Just imagine if i needed to send it back for warranty For the bookshelfs i was looking at getting a pair of RB-25 speakers, in the cherry finish. The biggest uncertainty in my opinion was the amp. From what I've read, the Denon, B&K and Pioneer are the best matches for Klipsch speakers. Unfortunately I think the Denon and B&K amps are out of my price range, however the Pioneer VSX-D712K looks to be a decent price with good specs. So to wrapup: SVS PB1-ISD $600 2x Klipsch RB-25 $300 Pioneer VSC-D712K $300 Prices in US$ excluding shipping. What are your thoughts and suggestions? Maybe someone has better ideas for products available more cheaply in Australia?

G'day all, I'm a student from Australia and am looking at taking the first step into the HT scene. I've been browsing around these forums for about 6 months now, and you guys seem like a great lot. Anyway, down to business: as I'm tight on money i thought i'd start out with a nice sub and a couple of bookshelfs, but get a 5.1 amp, so i can expand later. I'll be using the system mainly for music, but i'll also hook it up to either my comp for movies and games, or to my DVD player for TV. OK, well i'll start with the subwoofer. From the endless praises i've read on this forum an SVS subwoofer is definately the the way to go. The PB1-ISD looks bloody awesome for its price, but i'm still a bit hesitant seeing as how the shipping cost is almost 1/2 the price of the sub itself. Just imagine if i needed to send it back for warranty For the bookshelfs i was looking at getting a pair of RB-25 speakers, in the cherry finish. The biggest uncertainty in my opinion was the amp. From what I've read, the Denon, B&K and Pioneer are the best matches for Klipsch speakers. Unfortunately I think the Denon and B&K amps are out of my price range, however the Pioneer VSX-D712K looks to be a decent price with good specs. So to wrapup: SVS PB1-ISD $600 2x Klipsch RB-25 $300 Pioneer VSC-D712K $300 Prices in US$ excluding shipping. What are your thoughts and suggestions? Maybe someone has better ideas for products available more cheaply in Australia?

yes please tell us, my choices are also limited by money. Will the 20-39 PCi or PB1-ISD perform better in most importantly music, but certainly in movies also? Also which do you think would be cheaper to have shipped halfway around the world? Because I live in Australia.

i was under the impression the SVS cylinder subs would be great for music, in fact i was considering getting a PCi 20-39. I listen to a great deal of music, would this be a bad move? What's a better option?

i haven't purchased them yet, so i dont have the manual

If you have 2 or more SWS, do you have to adjust the volume seperately on each with the hardware control, or can the control be set so it alters the volume for all SWSs daisychained?

I'm planning to buy the Promedia 5.1 Ultra when it comes out ... my first ever klipsch purchase! I'm just trying to justify the additional price of the DD-5.1, especially since i have no intention of plugging it into the dvd player. I'll just be plugging it into my Terratec DMX 6fire 24/96 sound card in my PC. So what real benefits will i gain?

ive seen it and it is VERY awesome...and yes the sound is fantastic too

sounds *cough*legal*cough* hehehe wink wink well anyway i got xp pro, win98, win2k server and win2k pro, all getting along happily