On Thu, 11 Dec 2003 14:26:52 -0500, Kalman Rubinson
wrote:

The video display makes this tough since it can eat the entire budget.
For a $5K mch audio system, I suggest a universal player($1K), a
high-end receiver(1.5K) and a matched set of speakers($2.5K),
including 4 full-range (floorstanding or standmounted), dedicated
center-channel and powered subwoofer. Since your space is so large,
the speakers should be substantial and not an array of minis with a
keg-like sub. The budget does not really permit separate pre/pro plus
power amps.

Players: Denon 2900, Marantz 8400, Integra DPS-8.3, Philips DVD963SA,
Onkyo DV-SP800, etc.

Receivers: No help here but the Stereophile Buyer's Guide or the
Sound+Vision Directory have plenty of listings, including models from
some of the manufacturers listed above. Check the various H/T
websites (e.g., http://www.guidetohometheater.com/) for comments and
recommendations.

Speakers: Paradigm, NHT, PSB, B&W, Athena, Canton, Celestion,
Dynaudio, Infinity, JMLabs, KEF, and Polk. These are just off the top
of my head and they, and too many others to mention, offer quality
speakers in the price range. Speakers should be auditioned more
carefully than other components.

Kal


Mr. Rubinson:

Exactly what I needed. I quite lterally intend to find a nearby
dealer that reps most of these manufacturers, give him a copy of your
post, and give him a deposit and a install-by date. I'll give him
your number, in case he has any questions (kidding, of course...)

As a note, I found some commercial outdoor speakers with 8-inch
woofers and titanium dome tweeters that are rated for 250-watts.
Supposedly used by Disney Studios. The owner tells me four of them
will definitely summon the police!

http://stereostonearizona.com/html/speakers.html

I'm assuming I'll need a seperate amp to drive these speakers, and
I'll rely on the dealer to recommend one that mates well with the
other components.

Thanks for the help. You know, of course, that I will be telling
people forevermore that my sound system was built around the personal
recommendations of the editor of Stereophile! :-)

One last note: I didn't intend for the video display to be included
in the budget. I think I'll wait a year or so on that, until the
technology stabilizes and prices drop even further.