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For the money, Best set up for HT and music

I have been reading for about a year; about all the different equipment you can buy to make the sound be the best it can be. I know it sounds extreme, but I want a good starter that I can build on.
He is my history (you can skip this if you like I'll put separator in front of my question)
I'm not super rich, but I do have a crazy love for music, unfortunately I'm young and haven't had enough time to build wealth to build on this hobby. Originally I was looking for the best surround sound (5.1, 7.1) for music and home theater. I came to the conclusion after a while that the Denon 2808ci would provide exactly what I wanted and give me room to grow in the future. I figured with this receiver I could pair it up with KEF 3007 5.1 speakers. I then found that, this might not be ideal. I have picked and matched other speakers and receivers, but at this point I've read so much I've become lost. So if anyone could help it would be much obliged.
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In my (short story above if you didn't read) I originally picked the Denon 2808ci for my receiver and KEF 3007 5.1 speaker system. From what I've read though, a 2.1/3.1 might best fit my needs though for now; while optimizing my money.

What would be the best set up for 4500 or less for a nice sounding home theater and music combo. It seems seems 2 speakers, with a center and a sub would optimize the sound quality; but then others say the center won't be needed for the stage if you position the two speakers correctly.

Sorry for the epic writing, but your help would greatly be appreciated, if you need any other details I'll gladly post. By the way, the living room is 18x18; unfortunately wood floors, but I suppose I could get an area rug.

Thanks so much in advance for your help and again sorry for the epic read.
bluvision
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
Boy for that money you could get used Processor from Rotel, Parasound, NAD, Anthem and the like and add a multi channel amp for a better sound a reciever wont match. Look into a Rotel RSP 1068 for example and an Emotiva 5-7 channel amp, go with the Oppo get an HSU Research sub and Def Tech and other speaker can be considered. I know HDMI is not a concern but do keep in mind to get a reciever or Processor that has 7.1 bypass inputs so you can in future decode the HD audio from Bluray players. A reciever makes sense for a one box solution but is most certain to not provide the audio for music that sperates can perform.
a used Rotel 1068 is under $1000 and a used 1066 is around $600.
Emotiva 7 channel amp 200 watts per is $1700 brand new.
Oppo players are $250
HSU Research subs are $300-$500 used
This leaves little for speakers but if you either consider some or any combination of ideas or save a bit more cash you will end up with a system that will almost certain keep you happy monger than a reciever can.
Onkyo and Denon do make some great units to consider if you are set on the receiver idea....I had a Onkyo TXNR901 140X7 reciever that was $1600 new in 2000, I have seen them as low as $100 but generally $300-500 and it works pretty darn good.
flrnlamb
508 posts
 
Yeah. Sorry I didn't look at your budget (my bad). For $4500, you could accumulate quite a bit of good toys.
I would be looking at separates with that budget. Actually, I'd be looking at a 2 channel pre, a good 2 channel amp, a budget receiver with Audyssey, a deal on a subwoofer, and some good interconnects, wires, and surge!
Look for high end speakers, that excel at dynamics and HT! Look for higher efficiency designs, preferably dual mid/woof designs, at the very least. I would go with full range towers if I were you - so you know what full range speakers sound like with no sub, stereo! Then, I'd still be using an EQ. But, you might never know what full rangers soud like, othewise.
For me, I'd go satalite speakers, and a sub - cause I know the flexibiliy, and I'll be using a sub, likely, anyway.
Still, you gotta experiement. you won't get on first go.
It's a hobby if you want results. For everyone else, it's throw money at it one time and pray!
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
What matters most to you?
If I could only have one system, (mine are separate), I would take the same 2 channel system I have, and just add a decoder/HT preamp, with a multichannel amp to drive the extra channels for HT. Any decent DVD player would do. I would not replace my music sources at all.

Most HT systems on a budget will be a compromise for music. If you have the bucks then anything goes.
jrwr7
211 posts
 
Hey Y'all,

This would be the system I would put together with a budget of $4500.00.

Front speakers- Von Schweirert VR-2 full range floor standers
Not to big for your room but very capable speakers. I use them now as my rears but have used them up front and I liked them very much.

Efficiency- 90 dB in room
Frequency Response- 25 Hz to 25 kHz, -3dB

Subwoofer- Von Schweirert VRS-1
This has a small footprint and is very good for both music and H/T.
Price for both VR-2 and VRS-1- $1425.00 OBO currently on Audiogon.

Center channel- Von Schweirert LCR-15
They have the same drivers as the VR-2's thus a perfect match. Again, I use this speaker in my current system and love it.
This speaker is currently being auctioned on Audiogon. It can probably be had for around $300.

Rear channels- Von Schweirert VR-1. Again, the same drivers used in VR-2 and LCR-15 Thus, a perfect match.
Price- $600 OBO also being offered on Audiogon.

I'm going with Chadnliz on my next couple of pieces because I also subscribe to the notion that separates will give you better sound all around. So, I'm going with a pre/pro and multi channel amp.

Pre/Pro- Rotel RSP-1068. I've not had the chance to listen to this pre/pro personally but Rotel has a great reputation for good sound in both H/T and two channel music.
Price- $995.00 OBO On, yes you guessed it, Audiogon right now.

Amp- Rotel RMB-1095. 200 watts x 5 into 8 ohms. I think this should be enough to give you all the bing-bang-boom for your H/T plus the subtlety in your music playback.
Price- $1200.00 OBO on Audiogon.

If you pay the asking price for everything I've mentioned you will have spent $4420, not including shipping. I would try to haggle with the sellers; you may get one or two things cheaper. I hope all this helps......John
Ag insider logo xs@2x
knownothing
1,542 posts
 
Jrwr7's got a great bundle of gear put together there. Von Schweikert speakers are very high quality, and Rotel makes decent sounding and well built electronics. For less than the twenty two hundred bucks, you could probably get a great used one piece receiver that I would guess is hard to distinguish in terms of 2 channel sound quality unless you were getting an $800 to $1.5K source to go with it. The Rotels would provide plenty of room to improve in this area.

So lets talk about the source for a minute - Jrwr7, what would you recommend as a disk spinner to go with this gear? Oppo? Toshiba? other? The Rotel - Von Schweikert combo would be getting close to or going way beyond exposing weaknesses in 2 channel sound reproduction from budget DVD players. Even the hearlded Oppo. Not sure whether Bluvision already has a source, or needs to get one. The screen name would indicate they are already in the Bluray camp, and may be looking for a dedicated CD player to round out the system. If they only need CD playback, a used NAD or Cambridge Audio stand alone redbook player would be a good choice for a few hundred bucks. A used Rega would be an even better source, but also blow the budget. Not a lot of head room in the Rotel-VS system described above, even if aggressive haggling is employed. But a lot of room to grow with cables and improved sources down the line. Great ideas.
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