Denon AVR-1803 Home Audio Receivers

[Whazzup]

Hi,

I'm looking to build a home AV system - this is my first attempt at
the task.
After some confusing research, I have decided to take the following
path:

STAGE 1

1. receiver
2. center and rear speakers appropriate to the receiver

STAGE 2

maybe 2-3 months down the line after saving a bit

1. sub-woofer

STAGE 3

1. a new CD and/or DVD player to replace my current one

I am not sure how much of a difference buying a new and high-end
CD/DVD player makes to the sound quality (not too worried about video
quality).

I need advise on whether my approach seems ok. Will the system after
Stage 1 be good enough for normal hearing as I plan to add a
sub-woofer much later.

I like the reviews and specs of the Denon receiver (and its sub £200
price - just what was looking for). Any other recommendations are
welcome.

I am completely lost in deciding which speakers to go for - so far
Wharfedale Diamond 8 Center Speakers and DFS-18 Diffuse Rear Speakers
and the Monitor Bronze range seems to be around my price range
(actually somewhat higher that my range but I think the price might be
worth it - both the sets are for around £300 in all, while I was
initially hoping to spend around £200-£250). Any other recommendations
on speakers are welcome.

Thanks

[Mike]

(Whazzup) wrote in message >...
> Hi,
>
> I'm looking to build a home AV system - this is my first attempt at
> the task.
> After some confusing research, I have decided to take the following
> path:
>
> STAGE 1
>
> 1. receiver
> 2. center and rear speakers appropriate to the receiver
>
> STAGE 2
>
> maybe 2-3 months down the line after saving a bit
>
> 1. sub-woofer
>
> STAGE 3
>
> 1. a new CD and/or DVD player to replace my current one
>
> I am not sure how much of a difference buying a new and high-end
> CD/DVD player makes to the sound quality (not too worried about video
> quality).
>
> I need advise on whether my approach seems ok. Will the system after
> Stage 1 be good enough for normal hearing as I plan to add a
> sub-woofer much later.
>
> I like the reviews and specs of the Denon receiver (and its sub £200
> price - just what was looking for). Any other recommendations are
> welcome.
>
> I am completely lost in deciding which speakers to go for - so far
> Wharfedale Diamond 8 Center Speakers and DFS-18 Diffuse Rear Speakers
> and the Monitor Bronze range seems to be around my price range
> (actually somewhat higher that my range but I think the price might be
> worth it - both the sets are for around £300 in all, while I was
> initially hoping to spend around £200-£250). Any other recommendations
> on speakers are welcome.
>
> Thanks

I would suggest that you buy an all in one system. Something like a
Sony that comes with a dvd player and a reciever all together. It's
more economic and the wiring won't be a problem like anything that is
mixed and matched.

[Joseph Oberlander]

>>I'm looking to build a home AV system - this is my first attempt at
>>the task.
>>After some confusing research, I have decided to take the following
>>path:
>>
>>STAGE 1
>>
>>1. receiver
>>2. center and rear speakers appropriate to the receiver
>>
>>STAGE 2
>>
>>maybe 2-3 months down the line after saving a bit
>>
>>1. sub-woofer
>>
>>STAGE 3
>>
>>1. a new CD and/or DVD player to replace my current one

Looks good. Also consider small towers for the mains, so that
you don't have to turn on the whole system for music.

>>I am not sure how much of a difference buying a new and high-end
>>CD/DVD player makes to the sound quality (not too worried about video
>>quality).

Very little. Most DVD players do a very good job due to their 24/96
decoders/processors. I'd just get a nice pregressive-scan DVD player.
Sony makes a couple last I checked. Sound a video quality was excellent.

>>I need advise on whether my approach seems ok. Will the system after
>>Stage 1 be good enough for normal hearing as I plan to add a
>>sub-woofer much later.

If stage one involves a fuller-range front pair of speakers, yes.
Often, these are only a small step up from the bookshelfs of the
same lines in price.(for the smallest towers).

>>I like the reviews and specs of the Denon receiver (and its sub £200
>>price - just what was looking for). Any other recommendations are
>>welcome.

It's a nice receiver. I'd go for the 2803 myself, but as budget receivers
go, the 1803 is nice.

>>I am completely lost in deciding which speakers to go for - so far
>>Wharfedale Diamond 8 Center Speakers and DFS-18 Diffuse Rear Speakers
>>and the Monitor Bronze range seems to be around my price range
>>(actually somewhat higher that my range but I think the price might be
>>worth it - both the sets are for around £300 in all, while I was
>>initially hoping to spend around £200-£250). Any other recommendations
>>on speakers are welcome.

I like Tannoy. Their MX series are everywhere where you live and a
pair can be had for about your price rance. Also look for NOS M series
speakers. They stopped making them in early 2002, IIRC - so some still
should be around. They won't play as loud, but they often go for very
little money.

The MXm 3(shielded version of the older MX) is selling for £159 at
www.hifibitz.co.uk I've seen entire sets for decent prices as well
from other vendors.

Home Cinema Heaven seems to have the best prices I could find in
a quick search.
http://www.homecinemaheaven.com/prod_info/speakers/speakers/mx4m.htm

Another option -
http://www.homecinemaheaven.com/clear.htm
Yikes. I'm tempted to buy the S8 set myself and ship them overseas.
Though, £479 for the three speakers is a bit over your limit, but
these are stunning deals, considering. That's £249 off their normal
price for speakers that are very good. Large, but good.

50hz is acceptable for music, IMO. Not full-range, but decent enough
as the 8 inch drivers displace a fair amount of air(SPL) - so impact
compansates a bit, just like in the movies. In a typical theater,
~40hz is the low-end. They hit you with huge amounts of it to compensate.
This is done as very low frequencies for thousands of hours per year tend
to not be good on the buildings. So, 50hz or so is completely listenable
for music and movies until you get your sub.

Me? if I was on a budget, I'd get the MXm4s. £199 plus £79 for the center
is well within your budget. That's £150 off of MSRP.

Sub? Tannoy also makes a decent sub.
http://www.homecinemaheaven.com/prod_info/speakers/subs/sub10.htm
£169 for the speaker is worth considering, even if it is a demo.

That would be about £450 for all four pieces.
Lastly, the MXm1 and 2s make good surround
speakers.http://www.homecinemaheaven.com/prod_info/speakers/speakers/mx1m.htm
£99 for a pair is not too bad, actually. They don't list the MXm2s on their
web page, but they go for about £30-£40 more, IME.

£550 for a full setup plus sub MIGHT be worth considering. Buy it now
and get a deal. Not have to shop around later. They might also give
you a bit of a package deal or some free wall mounts or something.