Ok, I'm not into having the latest audio hardware with top-of-the-line receivers and speakers (not yet anyway), but do enjoy reasonably good sound when watching a movie. Besides, in an apartment I can't have it loud enough to wake the dead. At any rate, I was wondering if anybody has tried setting up the HD-A1 to something like the Logitech Z5500. If I'm not mistaken, it has optical-in. If so, does it work well, and how does it sound? I figure the Toshiba HD-A1 + Logitech Z5500 + a few good HD-DVD movies would still be cheaper and better than any Blu-Ray player.

The Logitech Z5500 is a great little system and much better than most think. It has a nice compact and high tech looking preamp that accepts many types of signals.

I do have different speakers hooked up to mine, now using Athena center and side. The sub is still Z5500 as it has the amp.

It packs a punch and goes as loud as I want, or need. Of course it is not audiophile quality and cannot compete with my Maggie 3.2's and Counterpoint amps but for movies and games it does the job big time.

Try using the analog inputs on the preamp and analog outs from the Tosh, I think you will like the sound a bit better. You will have to go to Radio Shack and buy three mini plug to RCA plug adapters because the analog on the Z5500 uses pc mini plug inputs. Also go into the Tosh setup and set all speakers to large and -12 except the sub. On the Z5500 preamp adjust sub level to equal other speakers output. Don't use the test tone from the Z5500, use the tone from the THX setup on THX dvd's.

wow,so this really would work?because iam not so happy with the sound of my tv....

I have the Z5500 hooked up to my pc, hdtv, and hddvd.

I have the Z5500 hooked up to my pc, hdtv, and hddvd.

Thanks for the tips Teisco. How do you have it hooked up to all three at the same time?

I have the pc hooked up to the coax input, the hdtv cable box to the optical input and the Tosh to the analog inputs.

Is it possible to get DD+ with the Z-5500's?

I have the pc hooked up to the coax input, the hdtv cable box to the optical input and the Tosh to the analog inputs.

What soundcard are you using?

I am not sure if I am getting DD+. I am using the analog inputs and it seems to sound more dynamic than the optical input.

My pc has an Asus mother board with Realtek on board sound that includes a coax output.

I am not sure if I am getting DD+. I am using the analog inputs and it seems to sound more dynamic than the optical input.

My pc has an Asus mother board with Realtek on board sound that includes a coax output.

Analog is giving you the DD+. Don't use digital unless you have to, until the new digital formats come out, and both processors/players support decoding them.

Analog is giving you the DD+. .

Sweet! Ok, so for those of us looking at the best possible picture quality we can get today, with great sound to boot, we can have the following:

Toshiba HD-A1 HD-DVD --> ~$450
Logitech Z5500 5.1 --> ~$266

Comparing this to the price of the Samsung BDP-1000, this still leaves you with about $284 left to spend on something else, like 10 great HD-DVD movies. Or more than a dozen lap dances. Now that definitely puts the buying decision into perspective!

so with the new 2.0 firmware can this setup utilize dolby true hd 5.1 too? that would be freakin sweet!!!

i did the 2.0 firmware last night! True HD running on Z5500. No one knows these are computer speakers cuz they can shake the walls, i did replace the mains with some NHTs. Threw in DTS audio disc and, the system has never sounded better.

See the other thread regarding turning off the effects for 6 channel direct.

can someone link or pm me the other thread - can't find it...
I have the pre-cursors to these, the Z680s, and wanted to know if the analog input is worth-while. I've had something of a revelation recently, realizing that using optical input vs analog isn't necessarily better at all - it's being converted to analog, either from the source, or within the speaker system, the question is which has the better DAC.. and given that the HD-A1 is a $500 linux box, that's where I'm placing my bets. Thanks guys.

I have the Z5500 hooked up to my pc, hdtv, and hddvd.

how did you hook them up with the Z5500 since it only has 1 single optical input?

how did you hook them up with the Z5500 since it only has 1 single optical input?

Asked and answered, in three consecutive posts:

I have the pc hooked up to the coax input, the hdtv cable box to the optical input and the Tosh to the analog inputs.

opps.....didn't notice that. Is it recommended to use an optical switch to link everything to the optical output? Would it introduce noise?

What is the best way to setup up a z-5500 to a Sammy A550p and a ps3?
Should i use a switch as well so i can use the speakers for normal television?

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10423&cs_id=1042302&p_id=2948&seq=1&format=2

What settings would I need to change on the ps3?

and when i'm gaming..lets say CODWAW on ps3...what settings should the z-5500 be in? DTS?