Advice on first HT equipment and setup.


First of all I am a total newbie when it comes to HT. I have been a two channel analog guy for the last 30 yrs. I have no intentions of dismantling my two channel system to make room for an HT system. My two channel stays on one side of the cabinet and the HT will be on the other. When I want to watch a movie my thinking is to simply pull the bananas from my L/R speaker (two channel amp) and plug into the HT receiver. I'm not looking to break the bank here...I already did that with my 2 channel stuff. Looking to pick-up a good used receiver and DVD player. I will also need a center and two rear speakers. My room is 16x24x8high. Budget $2500. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
128x128freddy50
Freddy, can you list your stereo commponents....it could help........& speakers. It is possible to integrate HT into your present system. Your budget is more then enough to get you into HT in style and try to match your stereo.
i would suggest the older mirage om series (260's, 60 and cc) and a velodyne or sunfire sub. you can get the mirages for $600 and the sub for a additional $600.

Pick up a integra/onkyo reciever for $600-$800 with a oppo dvd player for $200...

and you will have a killer little system.
Information to add to my original thread......
Current two channel equipment -
- Cary CA1 Integrated Amp
- Cary CD Player
- JM Lab Electra 926 Speakers
- Rogue Stealth Phono Stage
- Thorens TD-125 TT
The JMLab 926 are nice speakers. Full-bodied sound but detailed. I would try to match it with other JMLabs (Chorus series I think is in your budget). Otherwise consider PSB or Totem. You can get away with using monitors in the rears since there's usually less sound directed to the rear speakers. (I know, it's not absolute, but works most of the time.) You could also get PSB Stratus series speakers that are floorstanders for the rears (consider the Silvers) and a center channel as well. All in budget.

Michael
If you get a DSP you can phatom the center channel and save yourself trouble trying to find a center to match the timbre of your excellent speakers. (Centers are over-rated IMHO unless you have large audiences watching movies all the time. Plus centers don't work all that well unless you can match tweeter height exactly with L&R, such as placement behind a screen)

If you want a fully covincing enveloping sound it is best to stick with the same speaker all round....find a JMLab monitor that is closest in sound to your mains and you will be happiest.

Sub woofers ....JL F113 fathom and SVSsound PB Ultra are awesome value.

Receiver/DSP...your choice depending on what sources you have.

DVD player...something real cheap until you are ready to go High Definition (Blu-Ray)

Good Luck