[TomK]

Advice/Opinion sought on Pricing & Configuration:

Hello! I am a total "newbie" to the home audio and video world, and have been lurking and trying to learn as much as I could over the last month or so.


Here is my dilemma, any advice you have would be greatly appreciated!


I am almost done building my new house in Northern Virginia, and have started to put configurations together on my TWO new theater setups.


First, I have been working with Mayer-Emco ( www.myer-emco.com ) in Northern Virginia, they are GREAT people. As for pricing, I don’t know, that is why I am posting this message!!!


Any opoinions on this vendor?


Configuration 1 (Dedicated Game Room in Finished Basement) Mostly used for DSS, DVD, VHS, and Playstation use, very little, if any music use.


Television Pioneer Elite Pro 710 (I LOVE this set) $7500

Speakers Definitive Technology BP3000?TL fronts $4300 pair

Definitive Technology BP2004TL rears $1500

Definitive Technology CLR3000 center $950

Audio Yamaha RX-V1 (which I had in config originally) $3200

--- EITHER THE RX-V1 OR THE TWO BELOW ---

Sunfire Theater Grand Processor II $3300

Sunfire Cinema Grand $3500

Misc Cables $1000

Rack Pioneer PIORAE64B $700


Updates he is trying to sell me on

Lexicon MC-1 instead of the Sunfire $6000

B&W 802’s for front $7500

B&W’s HTM1 center $2000

B&W 804 rears $3500

Velintine HCS15 Sub $2300


What’s your opinion on the Lexicon MC1, for 7.1 support over the Sunfire unit? As for B&W’s, I don’t think I want to put them downstairs in place of the Def Techs, as I will have them in the upstairs room, as follows!


Config 2 Family Room to be used for music (40%, DVD's, DSS, VHS, etc)


Television Pioneer Elite Pro 510 $5800

Audio Yamaha RX-V1 $3200

Speakers B&W 804’s front $3500

B&W 805’s rear $1900

B&W HTM2 center $950

Sub Velintine HCS 12 $2000

Misc Cables $500


What do you think?


I need help on selecting two good progressive scan DVD players.


What about pricing, I didn’t haggle much as I knew I was just getting configs and pricing for now, what should I be able to haggle on, and what won’t they budge on?


What about wiring and such?


They are including free installation and delivery.


Anything else I should be doing, checking, or asking about?


Thanks in advance!


Tom

 

[ChuckTraywick]

It's always difficult to give some one else advice but since you ask . . .


Lexicon MC1 is a definate plus.


B & W is way better than Definative


Aerial speakers, IMHO are better than B & W


Salamder Designs makes excellent cabinets that are furniture


Aerial makes arguably the best sounding sub on the market.


They also have arguably the best center and surrounds.


MC1 is arguably the bext 7.1 processor on the market.


I'd get the Pionner 710 ISF calibrated after 100 hours of use or so.


Since you are doing your house you may want to treat your room while it is being built.


the above are my tastes, your mileage may vary . . .




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Chuck Traywick

Kitty Hawk, NC

 

[TomK]

To The Top.

 

[Jeff Beaver]

Tom,


Just a thought, but if you are putting together two HT's why not put a front projector in one of them -- probably the basement, where light can be controlled? Speaking just from my own perspective, no matter how large the television, it's still a television, and frankly all that audio seems wasted on such a relatively small image. IMHO, only with a front projector will you get a true theater experience. You could put up a screen and hang a Sony VPL-VW10HT from the ceiling in the basement for the price of the Pioneer. Granted, you might wind up spending marginally more (wouldn't have to), you will be faced with more tinkering, the 10HT could have reliability problems, and it's not going to be as flexible with various sources. On the other hand, if you don't do it, some day you will walk into a friend's HT, see their front projector, and throw yourself off a cliff when you realize what you've been missing. Even if you don't do it now, you should at least consider having your builder install the power and cabling so you will be ready to go should you decide to upgrade.


Just my opinion (-;


Jeff


PS For more info on the 10HT: http://www.thebigpicturedvd.com/cgi-bin/vw10ht.cgi



[This message has been edited by Jeff Beaver (edited July 14, 2000).]

 

[aerialman]

Please forgive my quoting your message, since you asked, here are my comments:


Configuration 1 (Dedicated Game Room in Finished Basement) Mostly used for DSS, DVD, VHS, and Playstation use, very little, if any music use.


*Television Pioneer Elite Pro 710 (I LOVE this set) $7500

comments: I agree with Jeff that maybe you should consider fptv, depending on budget. Personally, I wouldnt use video games here and Ill tell you why later on- its not so much the burn in issue, as its a 16:9 vs 4:3 issue (this tv is widescreen and the games arent).


*Speakers Definitive Technology BP3000?TL fronts $4300 *pair

Definitive Technology BP2004TL rears $1500

Definitive Technology CLR3000 center $950

comments: ok- the def tech speakers are nice- if youre not gonna be that critical I would consider downsizing the budget to 2500 for the front 2 and under 1k for the rears, only b/c this is really a movie based system.



*Audio Yamaha RX-V1 (which I had in config originally) $3200

--- EITHER THE RX-V1 OR THE TWO BELOW ---

Sunfire Theater Grand Processor II $3300

Sunfire Cinema Grand $3500

Comments: for the purpose of movie playback and budget, go with the Yamaha.


*Misc Cables $1000

comments: this will be controversial- this is a waste of money. this is my opinion- others will vehimently disagree. Ive tried them all and heres what Ive found- get well made cables from a place like Markertek ( www.markertek.com ) they will cost you close to 1/10th the "fancy" cables will and why overspend. I once felt Monster cables were important- until I did my own comparisons.


*Rack Pioneer PIORAE64B $700

Comments- is this an equipment rack? I have no experience here.



Updates he is trying to sell me on

*Lexicon MC-1 instead of the Sunfire $6000

comments: the mc-1 is great, but dont pay more than 4k for it. for a movie only system using def tech speakers- its overkill IMHO.


*B&W 802’s for front $7500

I agree with Chuck that for these dollars Id get the aerial 10ts- in fact, I did!. Speakers are a personal preference thing- each has its own "sound" so be sure to demo, especially with these costs. Please understand with speakers like the N802s and the 10ts (and probably other higher priced speakers) you'll need to find the right amp. the 10ts need a lot of power. dont trust the power ratings the receiver manufacturers state- they are usually inflated. the Aerial 10ts work best (IMHO) with at least 200 watts per channel. and heres the kicker- if you decide to go with a $7500 set of R&Ls, a $1500 center, maybe another 2k for rears, and lets say a $4000 amp to drive all these speakers (15k system here) if your room is a sonic disaster, the result wont be so good- so before you decide to drop the big dollars, be sure that you design the room right. ask the people who are helping you how they do this.


Config 2 Family Room to be used for music (40%, DVD's, DSS, VHS, etc)


Television Pioneer Elite Pro 510 $5800

Audio Yamaha RX-V1 $3200

Speakers B&W 804’s front $3500

B&W 805’s rear $1900

B&W HTM2 center $950

Sub Velintine HCS 12 $2000

Misc Cables $500


comments: seems to me that this room is similar to the above- with the exception of speakers. Also, I question the use of 2 16:9 rptvs. since this is the family room, if theres to be a lot of tv watching here, Id consider going with a 4:3 set.



- Jerry

 

[Archangel]

Tom,


From your question on pricing...Off hand, I am familiar with some of the items on your lists and he seems to charging you full retail value.

For example:

B&W’s HTM1 center $2000......Full retail $2000

B&W 804 rears $3500..............Full retail $3500

B&W 805’s rear $1900.............Full retail $2000

B&W HTM2 center $950..........Full retail $1000

Yamaha RX-V1 $3200.............Full retail $3199


I am assuming the other items listed (can be easily verified through a little research) are close if not full retail. There is no way you should pay full retail. A 15% discount is easily reached even without haggle negotiations and with a little help you can do even better than 15% off. With all that you are buying your savings could easily accumulate into the thousands of dollars. But...if he is doing some actual construction in the set ups of these rooms...you will have to calculate if he is saving you on any constuction costs. Doesn't hurt to get a second opinion from an authorized CEDIA contractor ( http://www.cedia.org/ ) ...but if all he is doing is selling you the equipment and in home hook-up...you can do alot better. Enough so that you can afford a front projector in the gaming and home theater room. A choice you wouldn't regret...especially with the marriage of Home Theater PC's for both gaming and home theater. There is a special magic when watching a movie or playing a game on a 110 inch diagonal screen.


Just my two cents. Ask as many questions as you need. That is why AV Science is here!!


Michael




[This message has been edited by Archangel (edited July 15, 2000).]

 

[Archangel]

Tom,


Some quick questions to get clear in my mind would be:


1.) Audio-wise---do I want to go with separates (i.e. Amplifier and Pre-Amp Controller) versus an all in one contoller (i.e. Integrated or AV Receiver)? Answer depends on how much emphasis I want to place on the Sound?


I am of the opinion that separates will sound better, but all in one controllers will be be a bit easier to control. Money wise could be a wash to about $1000 more for separates depending if you are looking at the top of the line contol receivers like the Yamaha or Denon for $3200 dollars.


2.) Am I getting any special services from Mayer-Emco (i.e. special custom constuction) that I couldn't get elsewhere...prices always loosen when retailers realize you have other options.


3.) Am I decided on my video display? Front Projection...Rear Projection...16x9...4:3??


4.) Do I want a High Definition capable system?



If your getting just equipment from the retailer you mentioned and do not enjoy the hunt of getting each piece of equipment at the best deals...rather prefer an all in one dealer...we all know of someone who can set you up with a front projector, home theater personal computer, amplifiers and the such all for good prices and great service. Alan from AV Science!


For cables...you will save a ton of money and keep the high quality...if you go with Better Cables http://www.bettercables.com


Again just my two cents.


Michael


[This message has been edited by Archangel (edited July 15, 2000).]


[This message has been edited by Archangel (edited July 15, 2000).]

 

[Archangel]

Tom,


Here are some suggestions...for a video display for the dedicated gaming and home theater room...go out and demo some digital front projection systems. Read over the threads in the DLP/LCD/D-ILA forums.


For D-ILA projectors look at:

JVC G11 D-ILA (street $6850-7300)

Cygnus Anamorpich Lens (street $699-899)

R.B. Martin Calibration


For DLP projectors look at:

Davis Cinema Ten (street $8500)(Aug.release date)

Cygnus Anamorpich Lens (street $699-899)


For LCD projectors look at:

Sony VPL-VW10HT (street $6000)


All three of these units will require to set up a screen

(each different technology may benefit from a different type of screen)(street =$500-$900)

All three of these units are ready for HDTV and either DVD through a HTPC or Progressive Scan DVD.


So you are not far off from the costs of a good size RPTV. With digital projectors and gaming you don't need to worry about burn in on the CRT's...after a given amount of time you just replace the bulb...and it is like your projector is brand new again. I would strongly suggest to at least demo some front projectors for the dedicated HT/Gaming Room. As I said before...there is a special magic to the big screen. Other members will join in with their opinions.


For the Family Room you might want to take a look at the JVC D'Ahlia Rear Projection Television

(Fall 2000 release - street $4500)

This unit is ready for HDTV and Progressive Scan DVD http://www.jvc.com/dahlia/jvc_d'ahlia.html http://www.etown.com/categories/prod...productID=6195


Move the playstation to the Family Room...and play PC games in the Gaming room on your Home Theater PC!


Hope I am not confusing the issues. For the audio I will put that in another post.


Michael

 

[Archangel]

Tom,


For the audio in either of both rooms...there are so many choices...I think it best to set an audio budget for each room. This way the AV Science members can really focus in on the audio choices. Otherwise...you will be overwhelmed with all the different choices and this thread will go on and on...like my big mouth!


You are on the right track though...I do like your choice of B&W Speakers. You might want to pick up a copy of the July/August 2000 Perfect Vision Magazine ( http://www.theperfectvision.com/toc-31.htm ). There is a good article on the B&W:

"B&W’s Flagship Multi-Channel Speaker System: Nautilus 800 Series by Alan Taffel

This flexible series offers high-performance home-theater systems at various price points"


Michael

 

[Walter]

Quote:

Originally posted by Archangel: Tom, All three of these units will require to set up a screen (each different technology may benefit from a different type of screen)(street =$500-$900)

Can you please explain more? I'm planning to get a Davis DLS8.



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