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

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

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.