Help With Home Theatre

[MrKenSebben]

Hey guys, I'm just realizing now that a big part of Blu Ray is the audio. I've been looking around for a few days at some system's, but I don't know that much about what to look for in a system. I came across this system,

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...0092993&catid=

but before I shell out the money I want some opinions and suggestions from people that actually know about audio. Please keep in mind that I am a poor university student, and so my budget is only around $400. I'm Canadian as well, so some system's like Onkyo are hard to get.

Thanks in advanced

[un4gvn94538]

what are you using for a bd player? what ever your player, youll want a system that has a hdmi input or analog inputs.

[Beta Man]

your link didn't work.... it redirected me to a sony system...... what system were you considering again

[MrKenSebben]

I'm using a PS3 as my BD player.

Do sony not make good system's?
I'm a complete idiot when it comes to audio, the rule of thumb seems to be the harder the name is to pronounce, the better quality the system.

[dad2erin]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

your link didn't work.... it redirected me to a sony system...... what system were you considering again

If you're looking for something that will give some sound spend around $500, If you want something to make a difference spend $500-1000. If you want to take full advantage of Blu spend $1000-2000. If you want your neighbors to hate and envy you spend $2000+

Most HTIB's are not that good. Circuit has a system for like $900 that is a Denon receiver and Boston speakers and there are some other comparable systems. The Energy take classics is a 5 speaker sub system mix that with an Onkyo 605 and that could put you around $900.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by MrKenSebben

I'm using a PS3 as my BD player.

Do sony not make good system's?
I'm a complete idiot when it comes to audio, the rule of thumb seems to be the harder the name is to pronounce, the better quality the system.

Just bustin' balls.


I'd get a receiver (if you're using a PS3, just find a pass-through HDMI that does PCM, and you'll get all the codecs you need) that will put you out about $300, then just get a pair of fronts, and slowly build it up.... you've lived without a 5.1 for this long.... you can be a little patient I'm sure!!!!

[MrKenSebben]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Just bustin' balls.


I'd get a receiver (if you're using a PS3, just find a pass-through HDMI that does PCM, and you'll get all the codecs you need) that will put you out about $300, then just get a pair of fronts, and slowly build it up.... you've lived without a 5.1 for this long.... you can be a little patient I'm sure!!!!

Thanks, I didn't even consider that! I'm sure I can hold off for a little longer, at least I hope I can. Do you have any recommendations on which receiver I should buy. I know that my local future shop offten has deals on Harmon/Kardon receivers, or should search ebay for an Onkyo?

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by MrKenSebben

Thanks, I didn't even consider that! I'm sure I can hold off for a little longer, at least I hope I can. Do you have any recommendations on which receiver I should buy. I know that my local future shop offten has deals on Harmon/Kardon receivers, or should search ebay for an Onkyo?

I'm in the minority I guess, because I don't really care for Onkyos AT ALL.... but there is a Yamaha that is discussed a lot here that will get the job done, but in the end, it's really up to you... I've had a Sony, Onkyo, Pioneer, Marantz, Dennon, NAD.... depends on you really. I currently have 2 Marantz's but they're on the high end unless you go Refurb (then they start at around $300 for HDMI capable/PCM) but really, shop around for a good deal on the new Yammy, or there is a Denon someone has a thread here about.....

Good luck, there are 1,000's of opinions on Receivers, and most people swear by the Onkyo, so it might work well for you as well, but if you're going ebay, I'd avoid that route.... but that's just me.


EDIT....

who is that picture of? Artie Lange?

[MrKenSebben]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

who is that picture of? Artie Lange?

It absolutely is Artie Lange.
Are you a fellow Howard Stern addict?

[moviefan]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Just bustin' balls.


I'd get a receiver (if you're using a PS3, just find a pass-through HDMI that does PCM, and you'll get all the codecs you need) that will put you out about $300, then just get a pair of fronts, and slowly build it up.... you've lived without a 5.1 for this long.... you can be a little patient I'm sure!!!!

Be careful when you use the term "pass thru" in the same sentence as "receiver" !
Some receivers only pass video, and you need an optical connection for audio ... BAD!
I'd agree with the posted suggestion to get a HDMI audio/video capable receiver and a decent pair of L/R speakers to start and build from there.
Good luck!

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by MrKenSebben

It absolutely is Artie Lange.
Are you a fellow Howard Stern addict?

Hmm.... Steve Langford (and his huge penis) is giving me the 100-News update about the city in Delaware where Artie gets his Heroin even as we speak!!!!!

[MrKenSebben]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Hmm.... Steve Langford (and his huge penis) is giving me the 100-News update about the city in Delaware where Artie gets his Heroin even as we speak!!!!!

Haha, ever since Artie "minor" meltdown, the show has been the best that I've ever heard. I don't know what I'm going to do when Howard's contract expires, I can only pray he does a couple show's a week in the afternoons.

Thanks for the help guys! I am currently scouring the internet for receivers.

[crackinhedz]

you say Onkyo's are hard to get in youre neck of the woods...what about the Sony STR-DG720? it's relatively inexpensive and is 7.1 PCM capable.

as Beta Man said...build your system up over time.

[crackinhedz]

was looking at BestBuy Canada, they have the Sony STR-DG910 which is also 7.1 PCM capable.

[MrKenSebben]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

was looking at BestBuy Canada, they have the Sony STR-DG910 which is also 7.1 PCM capable.

Thanks for the link! They had a holiday sale, and there sold out off that receiver. I was searching other posts and saw that you suggested a Sony STR-DG810 to someone else. I found this

http://cgi.ebay.ca/NEW-SONY-STR-DG81...QQcmdZViewItem

and judging by things I've read about the receiver, it seems to me like a really good price. Would I be getting scammed by buying this?

[bajor27]

Originally Posted by MrKenSebben

Thanks for the link! They had a holiday sale, and there sold out off that receiver. I was searching other posts and saw that you suggested a Sony STR-DG810 to someone else. I found this

http://cgi.ebay.ca/NEW-SONY-STR-DG81...QQcmdZViewItem

and judging by things I've read about the receiver, it seems to me like a really good price. Would I be getting scammed by buying this?

Powerseller with 36543 feedback score - you should be fine. Just remember that there will be duty and tax and they ship UPS which will generally also have an assload of fees on top of that (depending on the UPS delivery method)

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by MrKenSebben

Thanks for the link! They had a holiday sale, and there sold out off that receiver. I was searching other posts and saw that you suggested a Sony STR-DG810 to someone else. I found this

http://cgi.ebay.ca/NEW-SONY-STR-DG81...QQcmdZViewItem

and judging by things I've read about the receiver, it seems to me like a really good price. Would I be getting scammed by buying this?

keep in mind the 810 is only 5.1 PCM capable.

[MrKenSebben]

Originally Posted by bajor27

Powerseller with 36543 feedback score - you should be fine. Just remember that there will be duty and tax and they ship UPS which will generally also have an assload of fees on top of that (depending on the UPS delivery method)

I didn't even consider duty and taxes! Thanks for the heads up, back to the drawing board.

Are all 7.1 receivers HDMI audio/video capable receivers?

[moviefan]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

keep in mind the 810 is only 5.1 PCM capable.

The 810 is discontinued, replaced by the 820

Also, beware of receivers that claim "HDMI pass thru". This is video only, you need to connect audio via optical ... not good!

[burkewm]

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-STRDG720-...2427099&sr=1-1

that one looks pretty nice... less than 300 for a future 7.1 system