How would you spend 10k?

[Erman_94]

Ok guys, I am in the process of saving up money to put towards a brand new HT. I have decided to go the projector route. I am planning to spend around 10k on the following:

1) Amplifier
2) Projector
3) Projector Screen
4) Receiver (Pioneer ELITE)

How would you divide up 10k on those items? My initial assessment was : Amp=2k, Projector=5k, Projector screen=2k, receiver=1k

the only thing for certain right now is a pioneer ELITE receiver (what else right? )

this process of saving this money up may take a year or two, so im not necessarily looking for specific items to buy (as they will likely change by the time im ready) but im just wondering how you guys would spend the 10k

if i had the 10k right now it would probably look something like this:

Amp = Rotel RMB-1575 (~ $2700)
Projector = JVC RS20 (~ $5000)
Projector Screen = SMX CineCurv ($ ?)
Amplifier = Pioneer ELITE (~$1000)

as you can see the "10k" is a bit leniant with that estimate, but i would say when it is all said and done that i can find some deals here and there

thanks in advance for the suggestions guys

EDIT: i will be keeping my polks, ed a2-300 and ps3 for a while, that is why speakers/subs/bd players are not listed in the budget

[richteer]

With your budget, I'd avoid all receivers and go the pre/pro + power amp route. Best bang for the buck in the pre/pro arena seems to be the Integra 9.9 (?), at about $2000.

Whatever you do, $10K should get you quite a nice system!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by richteer

With your budget, I'd avoid all receivers and go the pre/pro + power amp route. Best bang for the buck in the pre/pro arena seems to be the Integra 9.9 (?), at about $2000.

Whatever you do, $10K should get you quite a nice system!

I agree completely.....pre/pro and power amps all the way!

John

[Erman_94]

what exactly is a preamplifier/processor? is it not a receiver? how do they differ?

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by Erman_94

what exactly is a preamplifier/processor? is it not a receiver? how do they differ?

A pre/pro requires an external amplifier. A reciever has the internal amplifier.

Also, when you buy them separately, you usually get a better quality product since they each focus on their given task and not a multifunctional device.

[Beerserker]

Yesss, nice budget.

I agree with my comrades above in that a pre/pro system is the ultimate setup for audio. Sometimes I wonder though if the processors are really worth the extra money compared to using an AVR as the Processor. AVR's typically are on the forefront in the features department and usually for substantially less money.

When I bought my Dennon 3808ci I was looking at receivers and preamps that offered the new Audyssy MultiEQ XT. Few Preamps even offered it, and the ones that did were twice the money.

The AVR's do offer the things that really matter, and if there is one thing that is their weakness it is the power stage. Hence, using an AVR as processor and external amps as power.

I think you start to pay alot of money for a little improvement with the processors. Then again flux capacitors and DAC's blessed by the tears of a virgin Elf don't come cheap these days.

[js666]

Forget all the other receiver, pre/pro/amp combination. I'd start with an Arcam AVR600, can be had for less than $4K. That leaves you with $6K for the projector/screen, which should be easy enough...

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Erman_94

Ok guys, I am in the process of saving up money to put towards a brand new HT. I have decided to go the projector route. I am planning to spend around 10k on the following:

1) Amplifier
2) Projector
3) Projector Screen
4) Receiver (Pioneer ELITE)

How would you divide up 10k on those items? My initial assessment was : Amp=2k, Projector=5k, Projector screen=2k, receiver=1k

the only thing for certain right now is a pioneer ELITE receiver (what else right? )

this process of saving this money up may take a year or two, so im not necessarily looking for specific items to buy (as they will likely change by the time im ready) but im just wondering how you guys would spend the 10k

if i had the 10k right now it would probably look something like this:

Amp = Rotel RMB-1575 (~ $2700)
Projector = JVC RS20 (~ $5000)
Projector Screen = SMX CineCurv ($ ?)
Amplifier = Pioneer ELITE (~$1000)

as you can see the "10k" is a bit leniant with that estimate, but i would say when it is all said and done that i can find some deals here and there

thanks in advance for the suggestions guys

EDIT: i will be keeping my polks, ed a2-300 and ps3 for a while, that is why speakers/subs/bd players are not listed in the budget

I'd revise my budget and get rid of the Polks. The Rotel amp is a great ideal since you would be using your receiver as a prepro, you could also try one of Emotiva's offerings . The projector is top of the line and I don't know the prices on the screen. However, I would definately invest in new speakers (you can keep the eD sub - but I would definately upgrade my speakers - even if it was to the Polk Lsi series - your sound should match your video)!

[Beta Man]

What "I" would do......

$1,200-$1,400 on an entry level 1080p projector
$400-$500 on a screen
$1,000 on a Pre/Pro
$1,000-$1,500 on some Emotiva Amps

That leaves $6,000 to begin a speaker upgrade, which will give you quite a bit of options..... Perhaps just spend that $6,000 on the L/R/C and use your existing Polks for surrounds, and keep the current Sub.

$2,000 per speaker will get you fairly far.

[Aerodude73]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

What "I" would do......

$1,200-$1,400 on an entry level 1080p projector
$400-$500 on a screen
$1,000 on a Pre/Pro
$1,000-$1,500 on some Emotiva Amps

That leaves $6,000 to begin a speaker upgrade, which will give you quite a bit of options..... Perhaps just spend that $6,000 on the L/R/C and use your existing Polks for surrounds, and keep the current Sub.

$2,000 per speaker will get you fairly far.

Good stuff Beta Man

Phew, just thinking about having an extra $10k to do something like this...

[tacomaprime]

projector, screen, make the room bigger, nicer home theater seats.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Aerodude73

Good stuff Beta Man

Phew, just thinking about having an extra $10k to do something like this...

Sad part is..... if $10k fell out of the sky today, It would go towards either one, or a combination of a couple of these things....

1) Foam Injected insulation for the house
2) Bathroom renovation
3) Kitchen renovation (would be a measly down-payment unfortunately )
4) Hardwood floor refinishing
5) Garage/HT re-build (another Down payment )

Only one of those would include anything HT related, and It would probably be last on the "To-Do" list

$10k on equipment only is nice if you can do it..... because if the OP wants to change the actual room etc..... his budget will disappear QUICKLY!

[Aerodude73]

Originally Posted by captclueless

projector, screen, make the room bigger, nicer home theater seats.

Oh yea -- with $10k, he'd prob. be able to search carefully for his gear & leave enough to find some good HT Seats with cupholders/reclining ability, etc.

[connect42]

I'd pay off 1/3 of my student loans.

[phansson]

There are a lot of good suggestions here.

Just remember that if your total budget was 10,000 you would want to spend 5000 on audio (speakers, amps, cables and processing) and 5000 on Video (projector, screen and sources). It gets a little complicated with you keeping your speakers, which if you enjoy them shouldn't be a problem. I haven't listened to the polks so I wouldn't be able to help you on that decision.

Speakers are all ways a big upgrade (at a certain point). A really nice projector and screen combo would go a long way.

What about seating and the room? Is it painted dark? Those are important aspects of a home theater also, so don't forget about it.

[moviefan]

Originally Posted by phansson

There are a lot of good suggestions here.

Just remember that if your total budget was 10,000 you would want to spend 5000 on audio (speakers, amps, cables and processing) and 5000 on Video (projector, screen and sources). It gets a little complicated with you keeping your speakers, which if you enjoy them shouldn't be a problem. I haven't listened to the polks so I wouldn't be able to help you on that decision.

Speakers are all ways a big upgrade (at a certain point). A really nice projector and screen combo would go a long way.

What about seating and the room? Is it painted dark? Those are important aspects of a home theater also, so don't forget about it.

And no one even mentioned an OPPO BDP-83 Blu-ray player! ($500)

[phansson]

Originally Posted by moviefan

And no one even mentioned an OPPO BDP-83 Blu-ray player! ($500)

come on, with a 10,000 budget the Oppo is a given!

[Aerodude73]

Originally Posted by moviefan

And no one even mentioned an OPPO BDP-83 Blu-ray player! ($500)

Originally Posted by phansson

come on, with a 10,000 budget the Oppo is a given!

Link anyone? Lol -- So as not having ANY idea of this item, what's the seeming obviousness of this being a Top of the Line player? I've heard & read many posts along the way where this was mentioned. And Yes, I am just being a bit lazy to research it mysefl (!) -- I figure hearing about it from those who might OWN it already, would give me better insight.

** EDIT: Just found the LINK on the site here & it Does look incredibly Impressive to say the least! But that $500 tag.... Ouch! **

[Fors*]

In about 2 years my Harley will be paid off, hopefully the economy will have picked back up by then and I should easily get about $12,000 for it. The wife said it is my money and I could do whatever I want with it......I can tell you I will be upgrading the pj to 1080p, an Emotiva or Rotel amp, (I may keep my SC-05 and use it as a pre/pro to power the surrounds) and a new front soundstage (looking at about $4,000 - $6,000 spent on these 3 speakers), the Oppo or whatever is the equivalent at that time and finally a second SVS PC12 sub. I think $12,000 should get the job done!

[master_8ball]

This is how I would go:

Projector- Panasonic AE4000U -$2500
AVR- Pioneer Elite $800-1000
Amp- Emotiva $500-1000
Screen- $500-1000
Speakers- Paradigm Studio 100's and CC-690 - $3500
Speakers Rear- Paradigm Studio 10's- $1000