Home theater questions

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MongooseMan

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OK, from the outset, let me make some points clear:
  • I'm not an audiophile
  • I am a techno-geek
  • I don't have a massive budget

My current setup is this:
HTPC
HDMI out to HD screen
Logitech X550 speakers.

I'd like, at some point in the not too distant future, to upgrade the sound. This will serve two purposes:
1. Better sound
2. A simpler and more logical setup if I added an Xbox, HD PVR, etc.

Thus, what I think I require is this:
  • A receiver that takes at least 3 HDMI cables
  • A receiver that is capable of stripping audio from the HDMI cables (I can never remember the difference between HDMI pass-through, HDMI stripping, HDMI switching, etc)
  • A receiver that can send video to my screen over HDMI (thus, I'd be able to press one "source" button on my remote and have, say, the Xbox video go to the screen and audio go to the speakers automatically.)
  • Some nice(ish) surround sound speakers

As you may be able to tell from my use of terminology, I have extremely limited knowledge when it comes to the audio side of HT setups.
My aim is not cinema quality sound, just better sound and a simpler setup.

So, finally, questions:
  • What is the cheapest (non-cr4p) system that ticks all those boxes?
  • What glaring oversights have I made?
  • Further reading?

Thanks guys
Graeme
 
Budget? :D

HDMI passthrough = audio needs to go over optical, co-ax, etc..
HDMI repeating = audio is carried over HDMI.

The general consensus here is that Pioneer/Yamaha are the best budget AV amps/receivers. There is one for about R4,000 that has decent amplification, as well as a good amount of connections. Does HDMI repeating too. Then, quite a few forumites have added a Jamo 5.1 speaker set from Dion Wired (Somerset West in Cape Town :/) for about R5,500.

So you'll need to budget about R10k.
 
PostmanPot said:
Budget? :D
Click to expand...

Still in the "feelers" stage, so really have no idea. I think 10k would probably be the absolute upper limit.

PostmanPot said:
HDMI passthrough = audio needs to go over optical, co-ax, etc..
HDMI repeating = audio is carried over HDMI.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll try remember those ;)

PostmanPot said:
he general consensus here is that Pioneer/Yamaha are the best budget AV amps/receivers. There is one for about R4,000 that has decent amplification, as well as a good amount of connections. Does HDMI repeating too. Then, quite a few forumites have added a Jamo 5.1 speaker set from Dion Wired (Somerset West in Cape Town :/) for about R5,500.
Click to expand...
Any links to various things you mentioned?

Thanks
G
 
Great, thanks.

That Pioneer VSX-820 is a thing of beauty. Very nice.

Next question: Would I need an amp? (If not, why not? If so, why?)
 
PostmanPot said:
Those are amps. ;)
Click to expand...

Oh the shame... :whistle: :o

Moving on, I know this is in Durbs, but I know people there, thoughts?
(Given the choice I'd ask them to drop the DVD player and up the amp to the 820.)

GM12.jpg
 
smtgra011 said:
Great, thanks.

That Pioneer VSX-820 is a thing of beauty. Very nice.

Next question: Would I need an amp? (If not, why not? If so, why?)
Click to expand...
What do you mean? That is the amp :)

You may want to speak to Grimspoon about the performance of the Sony STR-510 - budget amp that costs less than the Pioneers/Yamahas, but does HDMI repeating.

Personally I would save up a bit more and go for one of the Pioneers/Yamahas, preferably the Pioneer VSX-920 as it is a 7.1 receiver, with most of the bells and whistles.
 
smtgra011 said:
Oh the shame... :whistle: :o

Moving on, I know this is in Durbs, but I know people there, thoughts?
(Given the choice I'd ask them to drop the DVD player and up the amp to the 820.)
Click to expand...

Looks like a great deal, but I've heard AR has gone downhill. That said, I'm sure it would cream any ±R5,000 Sony/Pioneer/JVC "all in one" component system (that looks like it fell off a space rocket), and it would probably be sufficient for your needs.

That said #2, after shipping, you'd probably be able to afford a Pioneer/Yamaha amp and the Jamo speaker package, which I believe is better. Warranty will be localised too.
 
The Pioneer is a nice litle amp... saw a 920 going for R5k earlier today.
 
smt... I bought this setup you posted earlier from Govan Mani 2 weeks ago - http://www.govanmani.co.za/specials/GM12.jpg

I paid R7600 so don't let them rip you. Also they were not willing to remove the DVD player (who needs that carp now days anyway) because it would break the special price and actually land up more expensive. But I'm useless at bargaining so....

Performance wise I am very happy and would buy it again, but everyone's expectations differ I suppose.
 
AR is - sadly - nothing is once was :/
 
Spark said:
smt... I bought this setup you posted earlier from Govan Mani 2 weeks ago - http://www.govanmani.co.za/specials/GM12.jpg

I paid R7600 so don't let them rip you. Also they were not willing to remove the DVD player (who needs that carp now days anyway) because it would break the special price and actually land up more expensive. But I'm useless at bargaining so....

Performance wise I am very happy and would buy it again, but everyone's expectations differ I suppose.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. Pity bout the inflexibility wrt the DVD player.

Dolby said:
AR is - sadly - nothing is once was :/
Click to expand...

So what would your recommendation be?

Regarding the 920 and 820, the only difference I can see are that the 920 is 7.1.
Am I missing something?
Anyone got a 7.1 system?
Worth the price difference?
Worth the future-proofing to get a AVR that can handle it?
 
Last edited:
smtgra011 said:
Thanks for the info. Pity bout the inflexibility wrt the DVD player.



So what would your recommendation be?

Regarding the 920 and 820, the only difference I can see are that the 920 is 7.1.
Am I missing something?
Anyone got a 7.1 system?
Worth the price difference?
Worth the future-proofing to get a AVR that can handle it?
Click to expand...

920 also has a better OSD, they're all exactly the same power and for almost R2000 more than the 820 I didn't think it was worth it.
 
smtgra011 said:
So what would your recommendation be?
Click to expand...

I was looking a few months back - but I bought camera instead ... so audio is taking a back seat :/

However - I'd look at either one of the small Yamaha or Onkyo units myself. Speaker wise, I was looking at a sub/sat combo as my new place is rather small and I didn't want speakers to dominate the area (new place is small). My last two amps were both 7.1 - but I never ran them in 7.1. I had the available speakers but there was no software then. In fact, I started out at 5.1 and then simply went to 3.0. Even now I often cut out the centre to have a simple stereo system. My main speakers would generate a lower bass than the majority of subs anyway - so wasn't needed and I sold my subs

Also - a sub/sat IMO isn't half as bad as made out. The KEF unit I was looking at would probably be a fair amount more accurate than some huge floor standers available. It's quality over quantity.

I'm out of the market for a while anyway - so I'll be coming back to ask opinions on all recently bought systems soon ;)
 
Dolby said:
I was looking a few months back - but I bought camera instead ... so audio is taking a back seat :/

However - I'd look at either one of the small Yamaha or Onkyo units myself. Speaker wise, I was looking at a sub/sat combo as my new place is rather small and I didn't want speakers to dominate the area (new place is small). My last two amps were both 7.1 - but I never ran them in 7.1. I had the available speakers but there was no software then. In fact, I started out at 5.1 and then simply went to 3.0. Even now I often cut out the centre to have a simple stereo system. My main speakers would generate a lower bass than the majority of subs anyway - so wasn't needed and I sold my subs

Also - a sub/sat IMO isn't half as bad as made out. The KEF unit I was looking at would probably be a fair amount more accurate than some huge floor standers available. It's quality over quantity.

I'm out of the market for a while anyway - so I'll be coming back to ask opinions on all recently bought systems soon ;)
Click to expand...

Dolby, what do you think of the Dali Concept 8's that Govan Mani is selling on special for R2999?

I'm considering pairing them with my VSX-820
 
I've never heard the Dalis - but it's one of the speakers that is mentioned alot on the audio sites and in the magazines as being very good, so I'm pretty sure they're great :)
 
My I high-jack a little? i also have a 5.1 lg system, but will need to get a new amp/player soon, cause the lg is junk. BUT, my question is, so little dvd's and even audio cd's give 5.1 output. The most of the them just stereo. Or do I do something wrong?
 
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