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Noob That Hates Being Cookie Cutter

post #1 of 12
12/12/07 at 2:16pm
Thread Starter 
Im planning a home theater system but dont know what head unit to get.
Budget is 500$ - 1200$ for head unit.
system consist of:
Ps3
xbox360
1080p tv
2-Cerwin Vega RE 30 12"

Only brand names I know is the cookie cutter ones at best buy. I know there has to be better for the same price. I have looked at Outlaw & partsexpress. I want something to push my Vegas load and in the future buy some nice surround speakers.

I like to listen to music low but most of the time load.

Thanks Ash
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post #2 of 12
12/12/07 at 3:19pm
When you say head unit, I assume that means receiver. For audio quality, Cambridge Audio comes to mind in that price range. I would also say Harmon Kardon, but these seem to have more problems than others based on board posts.
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post #3 of 12
12/12/07 at 3:37pm
If you dont want to be cookie cutter look at the DIY forums.. I use a lot of pro audio hear in my home theater setup.

Rackmount EQ / DSP / RTA. Pro Audio amps and crossovers... Emotiva amp is what I plan on using when I go 7.1 but still plan on using pro audio gear for my subs and bass management.

Its really fun to do if you like tinkering with stuff.
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post #4 of 12
12/12/07 at 4:54pm
Good modern HDMI 1.3 receivers in that basic price range include the Onkyo 705 and 805, the Pioneer Elite 92, the Denon 2808 and 3808, the Marantz 7002, and the Yamaha 1800. You really can't go wrong with any of them, but for individual quirks, check out the official thread for each of them.

And it's "loud".
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post #5 of 12
12/12/07 at 5:04pm
What's wrong with being cookie cutter?
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post #6 of 12
12/13/07 at 8:29am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the help & list everbody that is what I was looking for. A place to start.
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post #7 of 12
12/13/07 at 9:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bing View Post

What's wrong with being cookie cutter?

Nothing wrong with it... it just depends on what you are trying to accomplish.
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post #8 of 12
12/13/07 at 1:48pm
Thread Starter 
Well thanks again for the help.
I just ordered the Onkyo 805, it will be here next wensday. Never even thought off looking at Onkyo.
It was the best price and had the best reviews out of all in that price range.
$680 with shipping & warrenty.

Now any recomendations on surround speakers in the 1000$ range? I dont mind buying pieces at a time.
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post #9 of 12
12/13/07 at 2:23pm
If you don't mind buying used, there is some great stuff available at Audiogon that will blow away any of the stuff at BB and CC. For example, right now you can get the following separates:

B&K Ref 30 - $500
Rotel RSP 976 - $450
Meridian 561 - $475
Harman Kardon Signature 2.0 ($410)
Carver HTR-880 receiver (DPL only must a great bargain) - $200

All but the Carver will require a power amp, and the choices are:

Acurus A-200 (3 ch) - $500
Parasound HCA 1206 - $700
Outlaw Audio 750 - $650
Adcom GFA 7400 - $525

These are just a sample, and many more are available. Most will be in very good condition and some might have transferable warranties (Bryston, Outlaw, esp). The processors will not have the latest features or HD video switching, but you will get DD/DTS and DPL/DPLII and that is all you need for 99% of what you want to hear.
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post #10 of 12
12/13/07 at 2:37pm
You bought an Onkyo? Welcome to the Cookie Cutter Club of North America

It's a nice choice, you did pretty well (from one Onkyo owner to another)
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post #11 of 12
12/13/07 at 5:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by warpdrive View Post

You bought an Onkyo? Welcome to the Cookie Cutter Club of North America

Yeah, you don't get more cookie cutter than Onkyo (said the XR55 owner )!
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post #12 of 12
12/14/07 at 7:14am
Thread Starter 
Ya ya I know but maybe I can break out of the cookie cutter mode with the speakers in the future.
I would love to buid my own speakers if I could figure out crossover diagrams and what the symboles mean.
How do the parts express speaker kits fair?
Or should I ask this in the speaker or DIY forum?
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