Ok, I don't know if this post is in the correct place. Alright, first, I need to get some new speaker wire. The stuff I have now sucks...it was the stuff that came in the box with the speakers. Anyway, my 2 front channels and center channel all are banana plug compatible. So, I was going to get some for those speakers along with some banana plugs on the receiver end too. However, for my rear channels I have some spring connectors. Should I just get some new rear speakers so I can dump the spring connector speakers? The receiver I have also has spring connectors for the rear only. Should I be getting a new receiver too? I have heard good things about the new Yamaha RX-V663 and HTR-6160. Those receivers seem to be in my price range. Can I get some help on this...I am a home theater n00blet.

I was thinking about getting all of these from monoprice:

Speaker Wire:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023902&p_id=2791&seq=1&format=2

For Receiver Connections:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10401&cs_id=1040115&p_id=2801&seq=1&format=2

For Speaker connections:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10401&cs_id=1040115&p_id=2943&seq=1&format=2

Monoprice is good place to get stuff. Also J&R for equipment, they have fair prices. As far as the other stuff, The mavens here need to know exactly what you now have in order to advise any changes, if needed.

Monoprice is good place to get stuff. Also J&R for equipment, they have fair prices. As far as the other stuff, The mavens here need to know exactly what you now have in order to advise any changes, if needed.

Ok, here is what I have currently. I know I need to change some of this stuff :) Some of this stuff is rather old.

Receiver: Yamaha HTR-5630
Front: Yamaha NS-8390
Center: Yamaha NS-C444
Rear: Yamaha NS-A438
Sub: Yamaha YST-SW315

do the easy stuff first. change the speaker wire to 14 gauge wire from monoprice.com and see how everything sounds. Nothing wrong with the spring clips used at the back of the receiver for the 3 surround speakers, or on the speakers themselves. They are just not as secure as binding posts. Your 5630 receiver is probably fine unless you really have the "bug" and just "need" to begin the upgrade process. 8-}

This setup would be a great secondary system if the "upgrade bug" is just too hard to overcome.

do the easy stuff first. change the speaker wire to 14 gauge wire from monoprice.com and see how everything sounds. Nothing wrong with the spring clips used at the back of the receiver for the 3 surround speakers, or on the speakers themselves. They are just not as secure as binding posts. Your 5630 receiver is probably fine unless you really have the "bug" and just "need" to begin the upgrade process. 8-}

This setup would be a great secondary system if the "upgrade bug" is just too hard to overcome.

Thanks for your help. I would like to upgrade the receiver first to get the HD audio codecs for when I eventually get a blu-ray player (so I can have an HDMI input into the receiver). Maybe I'll wait until late this year to get a new receiver. :eek: I will definitely get the new wire and plugs for the front speakers. That will be the easiest thing to do.

Should I use the open or closed screw type of banana plugs?