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Moving from 2.0 system -- first timer

post #1 of 4
12/26/11 at 1:47pm
Thread Starter 
Hi -- I want to replace my 2-channel receiver (Denon DRA-395) with an HT receiver to boost audio of dialogue for aging ears, sigh. I will keep current main speakers, but will add center channel. Don't want to add surrounds and sub unless I have to so as not to miss content from the mix. Don't use this system for music -- have a good setup in another room (Creek/Spendor/Sony ES). Need headphone jack in the receiver. My TV is decent HD 16:9 by Toshiba -- the last of the good CRTs and I won't replace it until it goes bad. I view DVDs and Cable TV, no games, few action movies, etc.

So -- what's the least I need to create the function I want? I'm cheap but I buy decent used equipment happily -- most every piece of audio I have is used. Only consideration for new or nearly so is possibility of networked device. But I can wait on that for when I get a new Blu-Ray to replace my DVD player, unless advice tells me go for it in the receiver.

Many thanks,

RMB
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post #2 of 4
12/26/11 at 2:34pm
MY first thought would be that you could do what you want by getting a better pair of speakers and keeping the receiver you have, but what speakers do you have? What is their impedance?

If you do decide to go to a HT receiver, there is one that would be cheap that might do it for you; the Onkyo HT-RC230. I see 3 of them on Amazon used/open box/refurbished for $120-140.

When you talk of a network device, do you mean you want to be able to listen to internet radio and connect through your own local network, or what exact functionality do you have in mind.




Quote:
Originally Posted by rmbelson View Post

Hi -- I want to replace my 2-channel receiver (Denon DRA-395) with an HT receiver to boost audio of dialogue for aging ears, sigh. I will keep current main speakers, but will add center channel. Don't want to add surrounds and sub unless I have to so as not to miss content from the mix. Don't use this system for music -- have a good setup in another room (Creek/Spendor/Sony ES). Need headphone jack in the receiver. My TV is decent HD 16:9 by Toshiba -- the last of the good CRTs and I won't replace it until it goes bad. I view DVDs and Cable TV, no games, few action movies, etc.

So -- what's the least I need to create the function I want? I'm cheap but I buy decent used equipment happily -- most every piece of audio I have is used. Only consideration for new or nearly so is possibility of networked device. But I can wait on that for when I get a new Blu-Ray to replace my DVD player, unless advice tells me go for it in the receiver.

Many thanks,

RMB
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post #3 of 4
12/26/11 at 4:50pm
Thread Starter 
My mains are a pair of MTMs that NEC made and once were matched to my NEC TV, long gone now and no way of knowing their impedence. A local craigslist ad will sell me Denon AVR-1802 surround sound receiver with Boston Accoustics speakers, center, subwoofer, front and rear micro's for <$75. Is that a way to go?

As for network ready -- I meant something that could access Netflix for streaming. Thanks for thinking this over with me.
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post #4 of 4
12/26/11 at 5:10pm
I suggest that you get a ROKU 2 HD box for Netflix; that is what I am using. Be aware that you need at least a 5 MB download connection speed for HD movies, or maybe 2 MB for non-HD viewing. You can test your download connection by going to Bandwidth Place online and running a speed test. I have Time-Warner cable (Roadrunner) which has been giving me 12-20 MB. I think the Roku box I have cost about $60. You can connect a cable from the Roku box to your home network or the Roku will pick it up wirelessly. Look at the Roku website. (You DO have a home network in operation? If not, that box will run another $25 maybe).

The Roku box connects to your TV input by HDMI cable or video (RCA) cables.

About those speakers of yours...lol. I strongly suspect that they are very old and very crappy-sounding.. Job #1 is to replace them; really!

Since I assume we are keeping this as cheap as possible, I suggest you go to ebay and look up the Polk Monitor 30 speakers. They have some factory refurbished model 30s there for $90 per pair. Get them; that is one hell of a deal.

You do NOT want a 5.1 system. You want some audibility...clarity...right?

Get 2 decent speakers; quantity is NOT quality when it comes to sound.

If someone is selling all of that for $75, I think one can assume some of the speakers are F/U and the whole thing is a dog's breakfast...ugh.

OK; time to go to dinner and get a wee drinky; I'll be back on here about 7 AM PST.








Quote:
Originally Posted by rmbelson View Post

My mains are a pair of MTMs that NEC made and once were matched to my NEC TV, long gone now and no way of knowing their impedence. A local craigslist ad will sell me Denon AVR-1802 surround sound receiver with Boston Accoustics speakers, center, subwoofer, front and rear micro's for <$75. Is that a way to go?

As for network ready -- I meant something that could access Netflix for streaming. Thanks for thinking this over with me.
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