Beginners Sound System Question

[ixoni]

I planning on buying my first blu-ray player (considering the Samsung BD-P1600) and I currently do not have a sound system to plug it into. My primary interest is music (The Neil Young Archives inspired this) but we'll watch movies too.

I am assuming that if I just want stereo I can get a receiver and a set of speakers and call it good? What about the les expensive Home Theater kits?

I need to keep this as economical as possible and I really appreicate any advice.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Hi and welcome to Blu-ray.com

You picked a great place to become a participant in as most members are very helpful and we have "experts" here in every area.

Before we continue any further, please elaborate a little more on your budget. As without one it is difficult for us to direct you properly.

John

[ixoni]

Considering the only sound equipment I presently have is an inexpensive shelf system, almost anything is going to be a nice upgrade for me. I have seen Home Theater systems as low as a couple hundred dollars, and stereo receivers like Sony for less than 200.00. So I am talking about the low end. Actually I have 750.00 to get the equipment and the Neil young Archive set which I think is over 200.00. So we are talking economy here. Also, I am just not sure what kind of components I need. For example does Blu-Ray require a special input on the receiver?

I currently listen to music videos through the built in speakers on my HDTV. So
am I correct to assume that even a low end system will be better than that?

Thanks so much!

[Johnny Vinyl]

This thread may be somewhat overwhelming for you, but I would suggest that you take a gander (look) at one of our most respected members' thread here.

Read a bit through there, look at other posts in the various forums and we'll get something together for you to suit your needs. And at the price you have in mind.

If you have any questions..post them here or on whatever thread you're following.

John

[ixoni]

Excellent, I enjoy the research. Thanks.

[SlaughterX]

Just make sure you get a receiver that can decode Dolby Digital True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio. This should be a good start.

[ixoni]

A friend of mine has a Yamaha AV system that he is not using and will give to me or sell cheap. Once I find out what model it is I would appreciate some feedback here. The "Virgins" post is great and has increased my knowledge quite a bit at this point.

Thanks

[Johnny Vinyl]

That's great to hear and yes, do let us know what that Yamaha model # is.

John

[ixoni]

I am considering the Samsung BD-P1600. I have read a couple of good reviews, though I noticed it is not reviewed on blue-ray.com yet. I like the wireless capibility since I don't have ethernet running to the room. I also like Pandora and Netflix features. It can be had on sale for 249.00 right now. Is this a reasonable choice for the budget minded?

[SlaughterX]

It doesn't have wifi out of the box, you have to buy an adapter, but BD-Live is teh suck anyway so you really shouldn't bother, you really only need to go online every now and then for firmware updates. Other than that I'm sure the BDP-1600 is a nice player, I have the 1500 since last year and I have no compliants with it. Sucks you didn't buy it sooner though as Amazon just recently had a sale on them where you could have got it with 4 movies for around $200 or less... Also I don't think the 1600 can convert DTS-HD to PCM, so that's even more of a reason to make sure you get a receiver (like the one I listed) that can decode all the HD audio formats.

[ixoni]

The yamaha I can get for free, or really cheap froma friend, is the YAS-70.
http://reviews.cnet.com/surround-spe...-32743695.html

Your comments appreciated.

Thanks

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by ixoni

The yamaha I can get for free, or really cheap froma friend, is the YAS-70.
http://reviews.cnet.com/surround-spe...-32743695.html

Your comments appreciated.

Thanks

I would personally think with your interests primarily being in music that you should consider focussing your budget on a nice 2.1 or 3.1 setup. Most of your music listening will probably be in stereo I assume, and you're really not going to get a big bang out of a soundbar solution with music.

[ixoni]

Yes, I noticed the cnet review did not give a good review for music. If you have some recommendations for 2.1 or 3.1 equipment I would appreciate it. Keep in mind that due to this recession we are in, I am definetely on a tight budget.

Thanks

[ixoni]

Originally Posted by SlaughterX

Just make sure you get a receiver that can decode Dolby Digital True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio. This should be a good start.

This looks good, will ceratainly consider and the deal looks great.

Thanks

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by ixoni

Yes, I noticed the cnet review did not give a good review for music. If you have some recommendations for 2.1 or 3.1 equipment I would appreciate it. Keep in mind that due to this recession we are in, I am definetely on a tight budget.

Thanks

With your budget of $750, assume about $300 for the receiver if you're really budget-conscious. Onkyo, Yamaha, and Sony have some lower-cost offerings that can decode HD audio. That leaves about $450 for speakers. I would suggest looking at Paradigm, Swan, Axiom, Definitive Technology, Klipsch and Polk as there are a lot of ways to spend that money and still get some nice sound.

For example, here's a complete Yamaha/Paradigm setup that's within your budget and looks to be quite nice. You're getting the whole 5.1 setup as well! I'm not familiar with Yamaha models but it says it decodes HD audio:

http://www.6ave.com/shop/product.asp...65-11SL-CINE70

Here are some nice bookshelves from them that would give you a 2.0 setup: http://www.6ave.com/shop/product.asp...PRDMINIMONV5RS

[ixoni]

Actually 750.00 was my budget including the player. I am starting to think I can't afford this. Are the lower priced HTIB systems worth considering? Something like this:
http://www.6ave.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=ONKHTS3100B

Maybe I should just go somewhere like Best Buy where I can listen to some systems.

Remember, I am upgrading from a cheap book shelf stereo, so it won't take much for a big improvement.
Unfortunately this recession has caused my job hours to be cut back, hence the need to econimize.

Thanks!

[SlaughterX]

Get the Panasonic receiver for $300, a couple of these for $275, and this Blu-Ray player for $180, $755 total after shipping (shouldn't be any tax, but it might depend on where you live). If you want to save some more money on the speakers you might want to consider these, they are very good for the money, also I would suggest spending the extra $30 on the Blu-Ray player and get this.

[DerrellB]

how much flexibility do u have in your budget

[ixoni]

Thanks Slaughter, great info. I am ready to start making decisions with all the good knowledge I have recieved on this site.

And Derell, my budget is pretty dang tight until I get off of work furlough.

[ixoni]

If the player can decode Dolby Digital True HD and DTS-HD, then do I still need that feature in the receiver? Likewise does it matter whcih one has an SD slot?

Thanks