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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 1 response by vicdamone

vicdamone
850 posts
 
You sound understandably anxious to put together a system. Lets say you've spent your budget and the results are only slightly better than two channel. Can you imagine what that disappointment might be like?

I'm leaning towards Shadorn's suggestion. Have patients and wait for this latest iteration of HDMI and room correction receivers to show up on the used market. This would open up your player selection as well as saving on interconnects.

I have a small HT space and the upgrade from 5.1 to 7.1 was substantial. The size of the room shouldn't dictate 2.1, 5.1, or 7.1, it's the size of the speakers in relation to the room. 7.1 is not overkill it's what surround is supposed to do. Those unusual "surround" speakers used in typical 5.1 setups will blur the 7.1 setup. I have no experience with dissimilar speakers but after watching and listening to my receivers room correction work I would suggest you rethink your upgrade path.

Also, while these new receivers do a wonderful job of matrixing even monaural into 5 and 7.1 there still isn't much in the way of up to date media out yet. You have plenty of time.
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