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Upgrade for TrueHD and 5.1= Better sound or worse?

Hi, I am a newbie that is just putting together my first system.

I have a pair of Usher BE 718's, a Squeezebox Duet, a Tube Audio Design Dac and Preamp and Tube Audio Design (actually solid state) monoblocks.

I will likely purchase Anticables, Lessloss power cords and GIK Room panels.

I am also in the process of buying a Blu ray player. I have an old Harman Kardon AVR 230 from 2004 (no HDMI).

First of all, how would True HD sound on a 2 channel system with the Blu ray player doing the processing? Would it still be a "HUGE" improvement?

I am thinking about the following upgrades:

Onkyo receiver that processes TrueHD through HDMI (about $300 either used or refurbished)

I added the cost of 6 pairs of interconnects-- even through Blue Jeans, at least $190. May as well just spend the extra $100 and get it through HDMI.

That is unless i can just use 2 channel analog outs to my pre and get 90% of the improvement (don't neccessarily really need the surround sound, but also thinking about it.

Purchase rock bottom cheap surround speakers, center and sub. Thinking like about $100 per speaker used, or about $400 and all Blue Jeans speaker cables.

Will use only for home theater/Blu rays. Will this be a huge degradation in sound quality, or will the surround sound and Onkyo receiver be a huge upgrade?

If i use 2 channel, all music goes through the DAC. Would this be better sound using the 2 channel analog outs, or better to use an Onkyo receiver with monoblocks connected to the pre-outs.

Also will buying $100 speakers for surrounds, center and sub a waste of money?

Cost of upgrade:

Onkyo receiver $300
4 speakers $500 ($400-$425 plus shipping)
3 sets of speaker cable, 1 subwoofer cable $110

total cost: $910
minus cost of 2 pr interconnects $60(Blue Jeans) or $200 (anticables)

$850

Thanks for your help.
indiesound

Showing 2 responses by indiesound

indiesound OP
24 posts
 
Thanks for the help Edomusica.

My primary motivation here is the upgrade to the Lossless codecs.

The big question i really have is how it would sound if i just connected 2 channel analog outs from a Blu ray player, and if 2 channel TrueHD is a huge improvement over regular DVD 2 channel sound.

That said, i've never had a surround setup and am trying to see if it will provide a large upgrade that can be done at a reasonable price. My concern was whether buying cheap surrounds would "ruin" the sound.

It sounds like i would be best off not purchasing a center. But i don't know how a receiver would do 4.1.

I am thinking about the Onkyo 606 or 706, i have seen it refurb or here on the Gon for about $300. It seems like a decent receiver and about the same or better than the HK 230 receiver that i bought new for $379 in 2004. I have used the HK to drive the Ushers and they sound ok.

However, with 4 channels, i'd probably need more amplification, and my ss monoblocks are rated for 185 watts at 8 ohms and 200 at 4 ohms.

And finally, I believe the Ushers are 8ohm speakers and i guess less than $200 per speaker is a more realistic budget.

Thanks!!!
indiesound OP
24 posts
 
Ok, just realized that i only need 3 pairs of interconnects, not 6 pair. And that a center channel is really not necessary for 1 or 2 listeners.

So which is true? Swampwalker says that surrounds are for non critical sounds. Whereas Shadore recommends i spend almost $2000 on surrounds??????

So $100 is probably too low. And i meant used, on a really good deal. I could get decent used sub for less than $300-$600, (if i get a REL, could use as double duty in 2 channel.) and about $300 for a pair of surrounds.

Seems like i could probably get by without the HDMI receiver upgrade.

Anyone else heard blu ray True HD with only 2 speakers through analog outs by the way? Thanks!!
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