Whats the next purchase. - Blu-ray Forum

JJJMan · 12-02-2009, 09:09 PM

ok, here is my setup:
KDL40W3000

+

40GB PS3

+

STR-DG820

+

SA-FT1H 5.1 Speakers

+
Comcast HD Box with TIVO

My question is... what should be the next item to add to my setup. Better speaker(s)? UPS? better wiring?

I love the way my system looks and sounds, i'd say, considering i am doing this on a single man, struggling financials budget, i've done ok. I'm just looking for advice for the next thing to make my setup that much better

thanks in advance.

-James

Hammie · 12-02-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJJMan

ok, here is my setup:
KDL40W3000

+

40GB PS3

+

STR-DG820

+

SA-FT1H 5.1 Speakers

+
Comcast HD Box with TIVO

My question is... what should be the next item to add to my setup. Better speaker(s)? UPS? better wiring?

I love the way my system looks and sounds, i'd say, considering i am doing this on a single man, struggling financials budget, i've done ok. I'm just looking for advice for the next thing to make my setup that much better

thanks in advance.

-James

Probably speakers. They seem to be the weakest link in your setup.

JJJMan · 12-02-2009, 09:27 PM

Thanks Lou, it'll have to be peacemeal but I have some good ideas

Xenomorph · 12-02-2009, 09:27 PM

+1 for speakers

Hammie · 12-02-2009, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJJMan

Thanks Lou, it'll have to be peacemeal but I have some good ideas

Nothing wrong with upgrading piece by piece.

I would suggest fronts, then center then surrounds.

HiDefRev · 12-02-2009, 09:32 PM

How about pulling that piece of packing film off the front of your Comcast box ! It makes it look like crap. You certainly don't need it for anything !

Mordir · 12-02-2009, 09:52 PM

First I suggest getting a power conditioner or a UPS to protect your equipment. Try to get one with a few extra outlets so you can add stuff as you go. After that I would think about replacing the front L/R speakers, then the center channel followed by a different powered sub. Since your current receiver doesn't have pre-outs for the audio I suggest a new receiver with pre-outs. That way you can add an external amp down the line. The surrounds you have would be the last thing I would upgrade.

You can do each of those 1 at a time and each time you should notice a big improvement. If possible when you replace the front L/R speakers get the center channel at the same time and make sure it's timbre matched.

Blue Bull · 12-02-2009, 10:20 PM

I would suggest getting rid of that Comcast box and upgrade to a MOXI HD DVR! I have it and the Moxi mate, and I'm loving it. The HD is sweet and it comes with plenty of feature and 500gb of storage from the gate.

JJJMan · 12-02-2009, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiDefRev

How about pulling that piece of packing film off the front of your Comcast box ! It makes it look like crap. You certainly don't need it for anything !

Hope you're kidding, i just pulled that pic from online

Tinman7783 · 12-02-2009, 11:19 PM

+1 for power conditioner...then speakers. We need to know your budget

JJ · 12-02-2009, 11:40 PM

I would have to agree with my colleagues. But first, protect your equipment. A decent power conditioner is anywhere from the $100-$150 range - Belkin had a few good units on sale - are APCs still easy to find? If not, go with Panamax or Monster. All brands of conditioners are worth it.

Then, of course, I would have to say:

-Front L/R
-Center
-Subwoofer
-Rear
-Surrounds

...and so on. No theater is ever done.

Xenomorph · 12-03-2009, 01:44 AM

BTW...I'm selling my M&K THX-150 fronts and center. $1800 takes 'em. Good start for your front sound stage.

JimShaw · 12-03-2009, 01:47 AM

My next purchase is "Julia & Julie". My wife wants it for a Girls Day in our home.

Sorry that it's not more exciting!

JJ · 12-03-2009, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimShaw

My next purchase is "Julia & Julie". My wife wants it for a Girls Day in our home.

Sorry that it's not more exciting!

lol! Well, we did mean equipment wise, but, uhh...we'll accept this answer,

JimShaw · 12-03-2009, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

lol! Well, we did mean equipment wise, but, uhh...we'll accept this answer,

I know. I am sitting here reading the threads and finally got bored and had to say something somewhere.

phansson · 12-03-2009, 01:52 AM

I agree with Lou, speakers are the biggest possible upgrade for a system.

I would replace L/R main, center, subwoofer and then surrounds (in that order).

Jwilly019 · 12-03-2009, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phansson

I agree with Lou, speakers are the biggest possible upgrade for a system.

I would replace L/R main, center, subwoofer and then surrounds (in that order).

I agree with Lou and Phansson. Start with your speakers. If you have a budget you could post, that'll help.

Justin

JJJMan · 12-03-2009, 01:26 PM

thanks guys for the comments, my budget is unfortunately miniscule, but in the coming months i'll be moving in with my gf so that'll save me about $500+ a month so i can continue to pay down my debts, and certainly save a bit for my toys. When I said peacemeal I literally meant no more then $500 at a whack kind of thing. So when the time comes, a half decent UPS, then some front speakers (looking at maybe some klipsch RF's for example) with a matching center and so on. once we save enough and get a house together, all bets are off

haha.

phansson · 12-03-2009, 01:32 PM

JJJman,

Budgets are tight for everyone right now, including myself. My "upgrade bug" has gone into hibernation after the last two month re model.

Don't be afraid to look at used. A really good site for used Audio gear is audiogon.com. There are a lot of a/v freaks that upgrade constantly (me included) and we have to sell our old gear. Most of the time you can get a great deal on a piece that someone else has all ready taken a hit on. They all ways have a lot of great used speakers/cables/amplifiers.

JJJMan · 12-03-2009, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phansson

JJJman,

Budgets are tight for everyone right now, including myself. My "upgrade bug" has gone into hibernation after the last two month re model.

Don't be afraid to look at used. A really good site for used Audio gear is audiogon.com. There are a lot of a/v freaks that upgrade constantly (me included) and we have to sell our old gear. Most of the time you can get a great deal on a piece that someone else has all ready taken a hit on. They all ways have a lot of great used speakers/cables/amplifiers.

Thanks Phansson, glad im not the only one haha. I will definitely check out that site. I have a list going of all the different sites that people like to go to for certain things, so once the time comes i know where to go for what

oh and i posted two pics in my gallery of my current setup, so feel free to check it out, and apologies in advance for the crappy pics, i'll take better ones tonight

12-02-2009, 09:09 PM	#1
JJJMan Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Pembroke, NH Home Theater Gallery:34 Blu-ray collection:302	Whats the next purchase. ok, here is my setup: KDL40W3000 + 40GB PS3 + STR-DG820 + SA-FT1H 5.1 Speakers + Comcast HD Box with TIVO My question is... what should be the next item to add to my setup. Better speaker(s)? UPS? better wiring? I love the way my system looks and sounds, i'd say, considering i am doing this on a single man, struggling financials budget, i've done ok. I'm just looking for advice for the next thing to make my setup that much better thanks in advance. -James Last edited by JJJMan; 12-02-2009 at 09:25 PM.

12-02-2009, 09:32 PM	#6
HiDefRev Active Member Member since:Sep 2009 Location:State of Relativity Blu-ray collection:35	Next step How about pulling that piece of packing film off the front of your Comcast box ! It makes it look like crap. You certainly don't need it for anything !

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12-02-2009, 09:27 PM	#3
JJJMan Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Pembroke, NH Home Theater Gallery:34 Blu-ray collection:302	Thanks Lou, it'll have to be peacemeal but I have some good ideas

12-02-2009, 09:27 PM	#4
Xenomorph Active Member Member since:Feb 2009 Home Theater Gallery:3 Trading Score:1	+1 for speakers

12-02-2009, 09:52 PM	#7
Mordir Active Member Top contributor Member since:Aug 2009 Blu-ray collection:58	First I suggest getting a power conditioner or a UPS to protect your equipment. Try to get one with a few extra outlets so you can add stuff as you go. After that I would think about replacing the front L/R speakers, then the center channel followed by a different powered sub. Since your current receiver doesn't have pre-outs for the audio I suggest a new receiver with pre-outs. That way you can add an external amp down the line. The surrounds you have would be the last thing I would upgrade. You can do each of those 1 at a time and each time you should notice a big improvement. If possible when you replace the front L/R speakers get the center channel at the same time and make sure it's timbre matched.

12-02-2009, 10:20 PM	#8
Blue Bull Senior Member Member since:Sep 2009 Location:San Diego, CA Blu-ray collection:184 DVD collection:2 Blu-ray reviews:2	I would suggest getting rid of that Comcast box and upgrade to a MOXI HD DVR! I have it and the Moxi mate, and I'm loving it. The HD is sweet and it comes with plenty of feature and 500gb of storage from the gate.

12-02-2009, 11:19 PM	#10
Tinman7783 Active Member Member since:Sep 2009 Location:Northern Ohio Home Theater Gallery:15 Blu-ray collection:91 DVD collection:9	+1 for power conditioner...then speakers. We need to know your budget

12-02-2009, 11:40 PM	#11
JJ Blu-ray Count Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Miami, FL Home Theater Gallery:99 4K collection:619 Blu-ray collection:1293 DVD collection:31 Digital collection:5 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:203	I would have to agree with my colleagues. But first, protect your equipment. A decent power conditioner is anywhere from the $100-$150 range - Belkin had a few good units on sale - are APCs still easy to find? If not, go with Panamax or Monster. All brands of conditioners are worth it. Then, of course, I would have to say: -Front L/R -Center -Subwoofer -Rear -Surrounds ...and so on. No theater is ever done.

12-03-2009, 01:44 AM	#12
Xenomorph Active Member Member since:Feb 2009 Home Theater Gallery:3 Trading Score:1	BTW...I'm selling my M&K THX-150 fronts and center. $1800 takes 'em. Good start for your front sound stage.

12-03-2009, 01:47 AM	#13
JimShaw Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2008 Location:Menifee, CA 4K collection:49 Blu-ray collection:1069 Trading Score:141	My next purchase is "Julia & Julie". My wife wants it for a Girls Day in our home. Sorry that it's not more exciting!

12-03-2009, 01:52 AM	#16
phansson Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Arkansas Home Theater Gallery:22 Blu-ray collection:643 Blu-ray reviews:1	I agree with Lou, speakers are the biggest possible upgrade for a system. I would replace L/R main, center, subwoofer and then surrounds (in that order).

12-03-2009, 01:26 PM	#18
JJJMan Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Pembroke, NH Home Theater Gallery:34 Blu-ray collection:302	thanks guys for the comments, my budget is unfortunately miniscule, but in the coming months i'll be moving in with my gf so that'll save me about $500+ a month so i can continue to pay down my debts, and certainly save a bit for my toys. When I said peacemeal I literally meant no more then $500 at a whack kind of thing. So when the time comes, a half decent UPS, then some front speakers (looking at maybe some klipsch RF's for example) with a matching center and so on. once we save enough and get a house together, all bets are off haha.

12-03-2009, 01:32 PM	#19
phansson Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Arkansas Home Theater Gallery:22 Blu-ray collection:643 Blu-ray reviews:1	JJJman, Budgets are tight for everyone right now, including myself. My "upgrade bug" has gone into hibernation after the last two month re model. Don't be afraid to look at used. A really good site for used Audio gear is audiogon.com. There are a lot of a/v freaks that upgrade constantly (me included) and we have to sell our old gear. Most of the time you can get a great deal on a piece that someone else has all ready taken a hit on. They all ways have a lot of great used speakers/cables/amplifiers.

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