Home theatre system advice

Mike Hoxbig said:
Yeah don't stress, they run the special all the time, just keep checking the promo section on their website regularly. Be patient, it's worth the cash, you don't want to kick yourself later after spending R4k on a system that doesn't allow you to expand later on.

I wrote a guide on how to set the system up if/when you do get it.
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Can you link to it, I am also in the market again.

Edit: I can remember seeing it, but can't find it now. And also isn't the special normally with the NR1402?

Edit2 : NVM found it: http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/453167-Marantz-NR1402-NR1602-setup-guide
techead said:
I'd just like to reiterate that spending a bit more will pay off in the long run. I was never a fan of the all-in-one systems, so I saved a bit and got a decent Marantz amp hooked up to some Jamo's. Best decision ever... :love:
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Is it the same as those in the special?
 
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As someone who got one of those branded all-in one kits because it was cheaper and only what I needed at the time, trust me and get proper kit unless you really don't (and definitely never will) care for good sound. I got one of the more reasonable kits with HDMI inputs and decent sound but in retrospect, I wish that I had just waited and saved a bit more and got something better. Sure, there is always something better but the jump from an HTiB is spectacular. At the time all I cared for was multiple HDMI inputs with surround sound, seems shortsighted now that I look back.
 
stevenv said:
As someone who got one of those branded all-in one kits because it was cheaper and only what I needed at the time, trust me and get proper kit unless you really don't (and definitely never will) care for good sound. I got one of the more reasonable kits with HDMI inputs and decent sound but in retrospect, I wish that I had just waited and saved a bit more and got something better. Sure, there is always something better but the jump from an HTiB is spectacular. At the time all I cared for was multiple HDMI inputs with surround sound, seems shortsighted now that I look back.
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im afraid of this as well.
 
Agree with Mike and techhead. Skimp and you'll be kicking yourself. I went for the R5.5k marantz 1402 bundled with the A101 Jamo 5.1 speaker setup. The amp is decent but those Jamo's are atrocious.

I've since replaced the fronts with some Monitor Audio BX2's for around R3k, that included a 2nd hand S60 Jamo centre and later on this week I'm collecting a pair of Polks RTi6's, 2 years old for R1350 to use as LS/RS.

I have a pair of looped Jamo subs from a previous setup E8-SUB's that cost me R1500 a pop.

Pretty happy with my setup now but I was hating it when I had the A101's so to cut a long story short get the speakers to compliment the amp.
 
Def do not skimp.

Get the best quality amp you can justifiably afford, then build on the speakers over time.

I have a decent Marantz amp, currently paired with average LG speakers. When I get some more money they will be changed for a decent set of Polks or something along those lines.
 
stevenv said:
As someone who got one of those branded all-in one kits because it was cheaper and only what I needed at the time, trust me and get proper kit unless you really don't (and definitely never will) care for good sound. I got one of the more reasonable kits with HDMI inputs and decent sound but in retrospect, I wish that I had just waited and saved a bit more and got something better. Sure, there is always something better but the jump from an HTiB is spectacular. At the time all I cared for was multiple HDMI inputs with surround sound, seems shortsighted now that I look back.
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This is the kind of response I was hoping for: Personal experience, and whether it was good/bad experience/decision to go with one of those sets.

Thanks to everyone for the comments/suggestions ... guess I will need to save up a couple of extra bucks and make the right choice :)
 
Yep, definitely get a proper system. If you buy those all-in-one kits you'll be wasting the money, since you'll buy that, be very disappointed, and later buy proper equipment anyway.

Also, you won't find a 3D Blu-ray player that matches the PS3's speed and features for anywhere remotely near the price. And since you already have a PS3, the price is zero. Also pretty good as a general media player. The only downside is that it can't use an IR remote so the Harmony remotes are pretty much useless unless you buy an infrared adapter for it, which is insanely expensive (more than the remote itself in SA).
 
TJ99 said:
The only downside is that it can't use an IR remote so the Harmony remotes are pretty much useless unless you buy an infrared adapter for it, which is insanely expensive (more than the remote itself in SA).
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Wasn't too expensive when I got my IR to bluetooth adapter. Although now that Harmony is being sold off by Logitech, getting hardware has become like finding hen's teeth.
 
LandyMan said:
This is the kind of response I was hoping for: Personal experience, and whether it was good/bad experience/decision to go with one of those sets.

Thanks to everyone for the comments/suggestions ... guess I will need to save up a couple of extra bucks and make the right choice :)
Click to expand...

No problem :) Look, in the end of the day its also a personal decision. For some people an all-in-one system is perfect for their needs no matter what anyone's opinion is here (e.g. my parents are very happy with theirs). That being said, a good all-in-one system with all the features you really want for a reasonable home theater experience actually costs quite a lot. So ultimately you can forego things in the interim like subs and surrounds and get a good receiver with some quality front/center speakers and upgrade over time.
 
stevenv said:
No problem :) Look, in the end of the day its also a personal decision. For some people an all-in-one system is perfect for their needs no matter what anyone's opinion is here (e.g. my parents are very happy with theirs). That being said, a good all-in-one system with all the features you really want for a reasonable home theater experience actually costs quite a lot. So ultimately you can forego things in the interim like subs and surrounds and get a good receiver with some quality front/center speakers and upgrade over time.
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I fully agree ... the LG set I was looking at is R7000 in any case, so if I can get the special from DionWired as mentioned previously, that obviously makes more sense.
 
I got the Marantz NR1402 on a special last year and it's brought me many hours of joy, paired with a 3.1 set of Wharfedales. I believe Dionwired now sells the NR1403, which is a good starter AVR IMO. Depending on your space requirements (room size and layout), there are very good speaker options available if you do a little reading. Also, on the speaker side, if you do a little careful shopping, there are some good bargains to be had for 2nd-hand items which have been well-looked after (ie, not constantly pumped at max volume).

Polk, Monitor Audio, Boston, B&W, Jamo are a small sample of decent brands to look out for.
 
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