reluctant about home theater

Desoto;

I can only imagine what kind of person would be threatened by a post that simply asks you to be a little clearer about what you mean?

Don't you think your original question needs a little expansion on the details? What is a audiophile purist system to you? What are you looking for when you visualize these words in your mind? And do you believe HT is exclusive of this vision? Would you like your HT to perform as a great music system?

Simple questions, not Dogma, sorry if having to be more specific puts you on the defensive, but I was simply asking why you are seperating the two right from the start?

Right now I can only guess at what your intentions are, so if you want real help get us some real facts about your tastes and budget. It was all I was asking.

I guess I have a little bit of a different experience and advice than some of the above posters. I used to have separate 2-channel and HT systems. The 2-channel system was a "no-compromise" system, with Dynaudio C2's, Atma-Sphere MA2 Mk2.3's monoblocks and MP1 MkIII pre, Sony SCD777ES with Level 5 VSE mod. In all honesty, this would have been an impractical basis for a HT system for the following reasons: too much heat from the MA2's, would have needed more OTL's (read more heat) for system matching for the extra channels, and the C2's aren't a high volume type of speaker.

In my way of thinking, HT speakers need to be able to play loud and handle big swings in dynamic range effortlessly. I use Reimer Tetons as L & R, with a large custom-made Reimer center, and (for now) VMPS 626's for surrounds. Pre/pro is a Proceed AVP2, MC amp is a Plinius Odeon. I still use the modded 777ES for music. Also, while the AVP2 is incredibly good on music on analog bypass (for a pre/pro), I am still looking into a separate high-end 2-channel preamp for use only when listening to music. While the Tetons are not as resolving as the Dynaudio's, they aren't too bad either. Another way to go for mains, and center and surrounds for that matter, would be with Silverline speakers. They make some darn good sounding stuff at real world prices.

Dynaudio Confidence speakers can work in a HT set-up, as I can personally attest. I heard an individual's HT system consisting (speaker-wise) of C4's for L/R, C2's for surrounds, with the matching Confidence center. It was driven with all Sim Audio gear. Unfortunately, his room really sucked; it was way too small for all this gear.

In summary, it still may be a compromise but if done with care, one can come reasonably close in a HT system to an all-out 2-channel system. Also, money doesn't hurt either.

Bill

D_edwards,
Sorry if I was a little over the top (blame it on the full moon...) but I have heard that properly set up surround sound is excellent....I am somewhat of a dinosaur when it comes to any new equipment..I'm alloting about $8,000 max to a hometheater/audio system...my musical tastes are all over the map and my only request is that the sound be full at moderate volumes....the room its going in is about 23x15..I'm open to all suggestions including the video monitor size and brand......it will probably be used about 75% of the time for audio only....btw, I didn't mean I was a "purist" per se...really meant a dedicated audio system...thanks!
Bob

$8K will mean a compromise if it must include a decent large screen video display.

Kal

If I could, I would separate HT & audio I would buy an Outlaw processor, get a projector screen HT with three Bose 601's in the front and two 901's for surround and be done. My Marantz Esotec Ma-5 class A monoblocks are too good and not powerful enough for HT.

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