What to do

[dioze1]

I am looking for a little bit of advice/guidance. Oh yeah......Hello all. I am new to posting here, but not to the site. Thanks for any input in advance.
I have a pair of Polk Rti70's and a Pioneer VSX-D812. I have had this set-up ( if you can call it that) for 6 or 7 years. I had always thought that one day I would have a killer system that I had pieced together, but funding has been an issue. So here is my pickle...Not literally:ihih:

I am in position to add on/upgrade. Would I be better of trying to add to what I have(like a sub and new receiver, for now) or getting a something like The HSU Ventrilioquist or Take Energy Classic 5.1? Do I need a new receiver no matter what I do?
Did I mention that we are FINALLY getting with the program and getting a Flat Screen TV. Toshiba 40" LCD. That is why am curious about the reciever.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated. Thanks for having me.

Zeb

[blackraven]

First off what is your budget and do you like to listen to a lot of music or is your main focus home theater? Also, what size room are we talking about?

[bobsticks]

First off what is your budget and do you like to listen to a lot of music or is your main focus home theater? Also, what size room are we talking about?

Yup yup, Blackie's right...it's kinda hard to make a recommendation without some idea of what your budget and goals are.

[dioze1]

Well, the budget is small.
T.V. < 500=done.
Speakers < 550
Receiver < not in budget unless push comes to shove, but If neccesary, about 350.

May have more speaker money down the road a little ways.

Room size (lxwxh) rectangular in shape. 15 x 13 x 7. Not very Big.

Music/T.V. I LOOOOOOVE my music, but it should do both fairly equally ~ if that is possible. If it comes down to it, music is the most important to me. Though, I have a wife and kid so those ingrates don't let me enjoy it llike I want to. But when I get to I want to do it as right as my budget will allow.

Thank you very much for your input.

Zeb

[dioze1]

FYI.... Family say they are not ingrates and my budget just increased about 300:)

[bobsticks]

Given your budget and varied " priorities" (read:family) I have a few thoughts.

My reasoning is based on the following criteria:
--the people in the household are used to 2 channel audio
--the users have different priorities
--the best solution involves greater utility for everyone
--decent multichannel/HT playback is expensive, or at least when properly implemented greater than your budget.

I am not a fan of Polk speakers BUT I recognise that the *****y little quibbles I have with their house sound do not diminish the fact that they can make a decent speaker and the RTi70 one of them. I doubt that within your budget you're going to find a better two-channel option and I'm certain any HT set will leave you wanting for musical enjoyment.

I also notice that the Pioneer has preamp outputs and, in this circumstance, that could be very fortunate.

So, my suggestion is that you take your $1200 bucks, get the best TV you can, invest in a PS3 and look for a used power amp.

The television is a no brainer and speaks for itself.

The PS3, in addition to being a family pleaser, will offer BLU-Ray playback and cd upsampling. If you haven't experienced the increased picture quality of BR please do so. Amazing.
The 44/88/176k upsampling feature on PS will not give you any additional info off of cds (it won't turn them into SACDs or hirez sources) but it will pull out some higher frequencies which will counteract the upper register difficiencies of the Polks.

An old Adcom, Hafler, Carver, or Phase Linear amp will pump some current into the Polks and probably let you hear a side of them you've never had an opportunity to experience.

New sounds=happy dad
New pics=happy kids
Successful budget=happy mom

happy kids + happy mom= peace in the household

[blackraven]

You have a few options concerning your receiver. If you want all the latest bells and whistles consider this Onkyo AVR

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR608/Onkyo/Tx-Sr608-AV-Receiver-7.2-Channel-THX-Home-Theater-Receiver/1.html?gclid=CJWR2OLUp6cCFYLd4Aod3FaNCw

Its a great buy at that price. Or you can keep your Pioneer and get an Emotiva UPA-2 amp for the front channels and use the preamp outs on your pioneer until you have more money and can add a dedicated processor and 5 ch amp.

http://emotiva.com/upa2.shtm

Or spend the money now and go with this emotiva amp-
http://emotiva.com/upa7.shtm

For speakers-

I would consider some PSB Alpha B1's, PSB Image B-5's or B-6's.

http://www.saturdayaudio.com/picturepages/psb_bstock.htm

or these Monitor Audio M2's

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MRM2

Mordant Shorts-

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MOCAR2

You will need a decent sub as well.

although the Take 5.1 system is a decent budget system.

These Energy Tower RC-30's are a great deal-

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENRC30

[dioze1]

Wow! THanks for the input. I had never thought about getting an amp. I have always felt that my reveiver was not allowing my speakers to deliver to their full potential. With getting a new T.V. we would really like to get into the surround aspect of movie watching so, I am definitely going to have to add some speakers. Either one or 2 at a time or get some sort of "package." Just a little leary of the packages because I still want to enjoy my tunes.
Is there any particular reason to get to PS3 vs. a Blu-ray player? None of us are really gamers.
Also could I hookup a 5.1 setup to my receiver and use it on say the "A" channel and use "B" channel for stereo music? Also, if I add to the speakers that I have do I have to worry about "voice matching?"

Thanks again!

Zeb

[bobsticks]

---Yeah, very few receivers really put out strong enough current to drive speakers to their full potential...at least not at these price points. The Polks will no doubt benefit from a little extra juice.

---In the long run you'll be happier going slowly and adding quality speakers and that will take time. The center channel carries a majority of 5 or 7.1 dialogue info but in my experience 3.0 sounds shallow. Just IMO, but if I'd start with getting a decent sub and using some of te "Phantom Center" dsps...and then moving on to center channel and surrounds in that order.

---I recommend the PS3 because with the possible exception of the Oppo 93 there aren't too many units out there with comparable PQ under $700. Further, the PS3 is upradeable via the internet, streams audio and video and functions in a hard drive/storage capacity. The cost/benefit ratio is extremely high and to beat would require breaking your budget.

---You could A/B multi/stereo configurations but experience tells me that you're better off getting an external amp and using the receiver as a preamp on your top two.

[dioze1]

[quote]---In the long run you'll be happier going slowly and adding quality speakers and that will take time. The center channel carries a majority of 5 or 7.1 dialogue info but in my experience 3.0 sounds shallow. Just IMO, but if I'd start with getting a decent sub and using some of te "Phantom Center" dsps...and then moving on to center channel and surrounds in that order.[quote]

Does one have any suggestions on subs and what is a "phantom center"dsps? I am quickly feeling that I may have stepped into the deep end. AS one should be able to tell, I am not the audiophile that I wish I was :)

Thank you.

Zeb

[Feanor]

...
Does one have any suggestions on subs and what is a "phantom center"dsps? I am quickly feeling that I may have stepped into the deep end. AS one should be able to tell, I am not the audiophile that I wish I was :)

Thank you.

Zeb
DSP = digital signal processing. "Phantom center" simply means selecting 'No Centre Speaker'in your AV receiver's setup; the receiver's DSP will send the center channel information to the Left and Right front speakers.

There are plenty of fine subs out there. Personally one of the first I'd check out would be the PSB SubSonic 5i, (here (http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Subwoofers/SubSeries-5i-Subwoofer)), by way of a low-moderate priced sub.

http://www.psbspeakers.com/Images/Speakers/Subwoofers/sub5i_b.jpg

While you're at it, check out PSB's Image 5 of Image 6 bookshelf speakers for your fronts; (see here (http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Image-Series/Image-B5-Bookshelf)). Or if those are a little steep, their Alpha B1 monitor, (here (http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Alpha-Series/Alpha-B1-Monitor)).

[bobsticks]

Does one have any suggestions on subs and what is a "phantom center"dsps? I am quickly feeling that I may have stepped into the deep end. AS one should be able to tell, I am not the audiophile that I wish I was :)

I'm not totally familiar with your receiver but within the Dolby Pro-Logic settings should be a Center Width Control application, as Feanor has stated it may be as simple as selecting "No Center Speaker" or it may be an active trim app.

As for subs, get something powered...mebbe...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Paradigm-DSP-3100-Subwoofer-/110654015122?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item19c37e4692

http://cgi.ebay.com/Klipsch-RW-10D-10-inch-Reference-Subwoofer-/160520971225?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item255fcba3d9

http://cgi.ebay.com/ENERGY-ESW-C10-ESWC10-10-400-WATT-SUBWOOFER-BLACK-NEW-/300393846624?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item45f0de5760

[blackraven]

Here are a few low cost subs that should perform well. The Mirage sub listed first is a great deal and good sounding sub that I got to hear. Plus there is free shipping.

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/details/549499255/mirage-omd-prestige-s8

This Energy sub is a good budget sub-

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/details/549902371/energy-ew-100

This Emotiva sub is a great buy onsale with free shipping. I think Mr. P bought an emotiva sub and may be able to comment on them. I believe he gave a very favorable review. It seems like a lot of sub for the money. Its non ported which I prefer. And it probably is the best of the 3 listed. But the Mirage is excellent as well and a steal at the sale price if you are worried about cost.

http://emotiva.com/ultra_sub10.shtm

[pixelthis]

I am looking for a little bit of advice/guidance. Oh yeah......Hello all. I am new to posting here, but not to the site. Thanks for any input in advance.
I have a pair of Polk Rti70's and a Pioneer VSX-D812. I have had this set-up ( if you can call it that) for 6 or 7 years. I had always thought that one day I would have a killer system that I had pieced together, but funding has been an issue. So here is my pickle...Not literally:ihih:

I am in position to add on/upgrade. Would I be better of trying to add to what I have(like a sub and new receiver, for now) or getting a something like The HSU Ventrilioquist or Take Energy Classic 5.1? Do I need a new receiver no matter what I do?
Did I mention that we are FINALLY getting with the program and getting a Flat Screen TV. Toshiba 40" LCD. That is why am curious about the reciever.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated. Thanks for having me.

Zeb


Use the Polk's for surround to save money.
THEN GET a decent receiver, and three speakers for the front.
BEST BUY is selling an Onkyo/Boston combo. WITH LIMITED FUNDS something like that
would get you started. Bostons are decent speakers, and you can't beat ONKYO
receivers. THEN you could add pieces as you go along. Like that sub you are lusting for.:1:

[dioze1]

Thanks a pant load for the direction peoples! I have many options now that I did not realise earlier. If I have any more jack-assie questions on here I will feel comfortable asking :)

Thanks, again!

Zeb