132 replies to this topic

[Jazz77]

Jeffie, on Feb 4 2009, 03:07 PM, said:

second hand. i believe in it myself! second hand, ex demos and importing are good ways to get good gear cheap (not as much now w/ importing). My whole system is all of the above. hehe

pardon my ignorance, but where would be good places to find second hand (other than eBay?) or ex-demo gears??

[Jeffie]

This forum is good for 2nd hand, I bought my speakers from ozmillsy from here. Ebay is also good, just make sure you arent paying too much.

Ex demo or runout gear you will find at any shop, usually when the model is being superseded. You can subscribe to some shops email newsletter or similar and they will keep you up to date. Otherwise keep an eye out for new models coming out, and you can usually grab a bargain on the models being replaced.

[mcduck]

ok, time for me to come in
i'm getting that if i buy piece by piece i can keep adding
say i start with a 5.1 receiver and 2 good bookshelf speakers
i can then add a sub, centre speaker and some big tall speakers as i save the money?
is that right?

[50MXE20]

mcduck, on Feb 4 2009, 02:31 PM, said:

ok, time for me to come in
i'm getting that if i buy piece by piece i can keep adding
say i start with a 5.1 receiver and 2 good bookshelf speakers
i can then add a sub, centre speaker and some big tall speakers as i save the money?
is that right?

You got it Duckie!

[mcduck]

Lyle, on Feb 4 2009, 03:34 PM, said:

You got it Duckie!

can almost start straight away
thanks guys   

ps, we pick up the tv that started it all tomorrow

[gardener]

mcduck, on Feb 4 2009, 04:50 PM, said:

ps, we pick up the tv that started it all tomorrow

Can you manage to transport it in an upright position in the commodore?

[mcduck]

nope
going to have to call on the White Van Special Delivery Service

and i have my reciever narrowed down to two
i know it's only entry level, but it really is all i can afford

the Panasonic  VSX818V
or
the Yamaha RX-V463

[gardener]

mcduck, on Feb 4 2009, 07:56 PM, said:

and i have my reciever narrowed down to two
i know it's only entry level, but it really is all i can afford

the Panasonic  VSX818V
or
the Yamaha RX-V463

I know you want it NOW, but I'd be inclined to wait.  Do more research and be sure that you buy to a recipe and not just a price.  
Also be sure what speakers you are going to buy before you choose the amp.  
Amps will not last as long as speakers which can last 20+ years.
I'm no expert.


VSX818V is Pioneer

Edited by gardener, 04 February 2009 - 08:05 PM.

[jliang70]

Jeffie, on Feb 4 2009, 04:27 PM, said:

This forum is good for 2nd hand, I bought my speakers from ozmillsy from here. Ebay is also good, just make sure you arent paying too much.

Ex demo or runout gear you will find at any shop, usually when the model is being superseded. You can subscribe to some shops email newsletter or similar and they will keep you up to date. Otherwise keep an eye out for new models coming out, and you can usually grab a bargain on the models being replaced.

Stereo net is another although much of that forum is focus on two channel stereo systems.  If you are into two channels you can grab a good CD player, a turntable,  two channel preamp and power amp. Occasionally there is also some AV advertised such as Oppo upscale dvd player H983 went for $3**.

[50MXE20]

mcduck, on Feb 4 2009, 05:56 PM, said:

the Yamaha RX-V463

Could you stretch to the V663 to get the TrueHD etc.

[mcduck]

gardener, on Feb 4 2009, 07:24 PM, said:

I know you want it NOW, but I'd be inclined to wait.  Do more research and be sure that you buy to a recipe and not just a price.  
Also be sure what speakers you are going to buy before you choose the amp.  
Amps will not last as long as speakers which can last 20+ years.
I'm no expert.


VSX818V is Pioneer

ok, so i got it wrong
was talking to the family while i was trying to type

[mcduck]

Lyle, on Feb 4 2009, 08:47 PM, said:

Could you stretch to the V663 to get the TrueHD etc.

possibly
but is it really worth it for the tv i'm hooking it up too?
it's only a 1024 x 768  
and i really appreciate all your help

[trofius]

You will still get a good picture on that Tv unless you are sitting <2m away
Pioneer VSX 1017 can be had for ~$600 these have HDMI inputs, and a are a good receiver.
Remember that what ever you pick  can be had for hundreds less than what the tag states.. esp. if you are getting a reveiver and spaekers in one hit.

[mcduck]

my head is spinning
but time to clarify
i'm planning on snitching the PS3 for that room
and our regular dvd player is 12 yo
i really don't want to get rid of it
God knows i can only push so far


edit
maybe i should add that we don't watch a lot of tv or movies, but that could change

Edited by mcduck, 05 February 2009 - 06:11 AM.

[hingo]

roxy29, on Feb 4 2009, 02:27 PM, said:

I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with it.  It's categoric statements like  "It is the best value for money package you can get"  that annoy me.

What is wrong about me saying that? I shopped around quite a bit and nobody could come close to matching the price of the Sony system. In fact, more than one place told me that the Sony system didn't transmit video through HDMI on the AVR and I needed a different/more expensive model which is obvious horseshit. Its amazing what some people will say to try and get you to spend a few more bucks.

[50MXE20]

He hates it because of the word BEST.
It needs to have IMHO added at the very least.
There is no best.

It was the best for you but not necessarily the best for anyone else.

Semantics I know but that's how it is.
I'm up there with hating the word too.

[mcduck]

    
    
wish me luck
Son made me promise to wait till he got home
i don't think he trusts me

[gardener]

I think that there needs to be a new subforum in the "Home Theatre Systems" called "HOME THEATRE IN A BOX"

I see a lot of interest in the HTDDW7000 (also a very long thread on it at Whirlpool) and there was also quite a bit of interest here in it's predecessor HTDDW1600. Perhaps it is because the HTDDW7000 is not officially a HTIB but AVR+speakers&sub.

I believe a HTIB section would give those interested in pursuing this course to do so without attracting those of us who by some knowledge or past experience, or just by listening, see these solutions as not the best way to go and definitely not the best value for money.  

HTIB appear to suit adequately the needs of a great number of people.  

I believe the reason that very anti HTIB advice is often given by members is because they hear the difference. I find the "sound" from these systems always close to intolerable.  To be honest I feel there is a difference between what I would call "sound" and "noise", and all the subs in these systems leave me with a thumping headache.  That's my misfortune but not necessarily something that others experience.

Any posts I have made in this thread have been with the intent of helping members get the greatest enjoyment possible from their purchase.

[50MXE20]

gardener, on Feb 5 2009, 11:58 AM, said:

I believe the reason that very anti HTIB advice is often given by members is because they hear the difference. I find the "sound" from these systems always close to intolerable.  To be honest I feel there is a difference between what I would call "sound" and "noise", and all the subs in these systems leave me with a thumping headache.  That's my misfortune but not necessarily something that others experience.

Any posts I have made in this thread have been with the intent of helping members get the greatest enjoyment possible from their purchase.

Yes to both points. And me too.

[POV]

Lyle, on Feb 5 2009, 11:44 AM, said:

He hates it because of the word BEST.
It needs to have IMHO added at the very least.
There is no best.

It was the best for you but not necessarily the best for anyone else.

Semantics I know but that's how it is.
I'm up there with hating the word too.

thanks Lyle.............

[hingo]

The HTDDW7000 can hardly be called a HTIB. Its a more serious package than that. A HTIB would typically come without an AVR, and besides, its in 2 massive boxes . I borrowed an Astra station wagon from work and it only just fit in the car with force even after removing the cargo barrier and lowering the back seats

[50MXE20]

Size doesn't matter!  

ie, Size does not necessarily equate to quality, in my experience.

[hingo]

I never said it was. I said it was serious because it has an AVR. Most HTIB's are a DVD/Blu-Ray player with speakers attached. This is not. In fact, it doesn 't come with any sort of player device.

Edited by hingo, 05 February 2009 - 02:25 PM.

[50MXE20]

hingo, on Feb 5 2009, 01:22 PM, said:

I never said it was. I said it was serious because it has an AVR. Most HTIB's are a DVD/Blu-Ray player with speakers attached. This is not.

Subtle difference.

For me it's the sound that matters.

But to each is own.

[ajm]

Lyle and roxy are giving pearls here!

For my own $0.02 worth, I've found nothing that works better than getting out and seeing and hearing for yourself.  If you don't have time to do this you should wait until you do.

And one thing you can be absolutely sure of.  Whatever you buy today will be superceded tomorrow by something cheaper and better.  If you don't absolutely love what you buy today you're going to hate it by the end of the week!   So my advice is find something you really love, really want to own and then save up until you can afford it.