Advise for buying a new system

[The Chess Addict]

I hope I am in the right newsgroup. I want to buy
a new system (progressive scan DVD/CD player, receiver,
speakers) for less than $600. (Yeah, I know many of you have
higher budgets!).

These days I mostly listen to Indian music (classical, popular,
hope there are some here who know how it sounds) and some classic
rock, jazz/blues, western classical. For lack of better technical
description, I prefer a nice, clear sound over a loud one. For reference,
I used to have an old (bought in 87-89) system with a stereo low end
Herman Kardon 100 W amplifier, Cerwin-Vega speakers, an HK cassette Deck,
Dual turntable, JVC basic CD player, that sounded fine to me.
Unfortunately it is in India (long story :-(). I don't think I need
a 100 W amp any more (listened to the old one at low-mid volume anyway).

I have seen the all-in-one home theater systems at Circuit City/Best Buy
(Sony, Panasonic, Onkyo), which are in my budget. Is it possible to do
better, especially if I limit to two (or three) main speakers at the
present, with possibility to expand later? One idea would to be buy
a Sony/Panasonic DVD/CD player, a low end HK/Denon receiver and
speakers (which ones?). Is it possible to purchase the remaining
(satellite?) speakers later? Do I need a separate CD player or these
combo $70-90 DVD/CD players are good enough?

Thanks a lot for your help.

Kaspa

[Kalman Rubinson]

On 24 Oct 2003 14:53:16 -0700, (The Chess
Addict) wrote:

>I have seen the all-in-one home theater systems at Circuit City/Best Buy
>(Sony, Panasonic, Onkyo), which are in my budget. Is it possible to do
>better, especially if I limit to two (or three) main speakers at the
>present, with possibility to expand later?

Yes.

>One idea would to be buy
>a Sony/Panasonic DVD/CD player, a low end HK/Denon receiver and
>speakers (which ones?).

Look at PSB, Paradigm, Polk, etc. But you probably won't find them at
Circuit City or Best Buy. (Don't know for sure.)

> Is it possible to purchase the remaining (satellite?) speakers later?

Yes.

> Do I need a separate CD player or these
>combo $70-90 DVD/CD players are good enough?

In your price range, probably good enough.

Kal

[Joseph Oberlander]

The Chess Addict wrote:

> One idea would to be buy
> a Sony/Panasonic DVD/CD player, a low end HK/Denon receiver and
> speakers (which ones?). Is it possible to purchase the remaining
> (satellite?) speakers later? Do I need a separate CD player or these
> combo $70-90 DVD/CD players are good enough?

See? Common sense works. :)

DVD players will do 24/96 sound in order to decode DTS properly,
so they are great CD players as well. My $69(on sale) AKAI is a
cheap unit, but does DVDs, MP3s(nice menu sysem), Karaoke(CD and MP3),
and a slew of other features.

So - that leaves a receiver. Something simple like a Denon
1803 or simmilar Sony, Onkyo... 50wpc plus DTS is all you require.
$200 - maybe $180 on sale.

So - that leaves maybe $350 for speakers. I'd go with two small
towers first, then add a center and surrounds. Something like
Tannoy MXm3 or simmilar would work. Energy, Paradigm, and so
on - all good basic choices as well.

The advantage is they will sound great for music and okay for
movies - due to their 35-40hz low-end. Everything else adds
surround and impact - the quality is still there.