need advice

Hey Al90, Im a contractor, I build homes this way, send me your phone number and we can talk. I had a response typed to you and my computer died, i dont want to re-type it may die again.... arg

chucker

I agree with the above advice. If jazz and classical music are of primary importance, I would avoid a home theater set up all together. As Unclejeff said, a good 2 channel system will work well in conjunction with your plasma screen, satisfying both the video and musical presentations.

I have the same question as Sean. Does your listed budget inlcude the plasma TV or not?

And, make sure you pay great attention to creating an acoustically suitable environment before spending all your cash on components.

hello guys
thank you so very much for your advice. The price I quoted does not include the plasma Tv.

I am open to the idea of small speakers that can be placed or hung near the TV screen. I am open to the idea of having a 2 way channel or other system Please be more specific and provide me with some info in regard to specific components (pre/amp, cd/dvd and other accessories I need).

I am willing to buy used equipment since this will give me an opportunity to get better equipment.

In the last "Home Theater" there was a review about 8 in wall speakers. I am not sure if anybody had read it. i assume that independent of the reviewer critic the concensus is that in wall speakers are bad.

I am new to this forum but I am trully grateful for all your advice.
Many thanks
Al

AI90,
I felt your pain b/c I was recently in your shoes and still trying to get out of the situation. I can't speak for the rest, but the amount you mention is huge for me, and yes, I would need lots of advice. However, it's tough for us to give comments on gears when we don't know what direction you want to go.

Personally, I am an avid HT fan. I watch lots of movies w/ my family, love to blast the speakers like those in theaters, and listen to lots of DVD concerts. If I had the room your size, I would hang the plasma on the short wall as the front and hang the remaining surround (not the main) speakers along the two side wall and the back wall. It'd be like a real theaer setup. For the two front main speakers, you probably better off going w/ the conventional big box speakers to suite your personal taste more, especially 2-channel musical stereo mode.

For DVD concerts, I need the warmth of the voice and musical instruments like you do, so I would get separate amp and pre-amp/processor. Currently working on that. Regarding specific audio gears, I would let other experts give advice as I don't have enough experience in this field. Ask yourself these questions, and maybe other Audiogon members can fill in as well.

*HT setup 5.1 or 7.1? Do you like to upgrade often?
*With your taste, I think that you like to go separate, so you need multi-channel amp, 5 or 7?
*5 or 7 channel pre-amp/processor. I recommend to get the unit with component video inputs b/c you will likely need them in the future. DVI port too (still very rare)? Try to hook component video cable directly to plasma if there's enough inputs to accomodate all. Still need the phono or analog bypass?
*Any Progressive DVD player w/ Faroudja chip and DCDi technology will do for me. CD/SACD too?
*Subwoofer: Get any model of either manufacturer, HSU or VSV. Either one will give you good sharp punch rather than muddy punch. Some folks are so into HT, they get 2 subwoofers. If you get two, let me know the brands, and I'll tell you where to place them.