Home Cinema Newbie Seeking Advice

Spleurker · 11-12-2005, 17:04

I am moving house in the new year.
I am thinking of getting a home cinema set up when we do, but don't really know what I need.
So any tips or help would be appreciated.
I would like to have a DVD recorder, not just a player.
Am I correct in thinking I need to buy a seperate amplifier with all the speakers, then plug the DVD player/recorder into it?
I also still play vinyl albums, so have a Technics turntable. Would I be able to connect that into the home cinema amp and therefore lose the need for the amp & speakers I have for it now?
Any tips what so ever would be appreciated.
I'm not sure of a budget yet, it depends on whats left after Christmas and moving.

Astaroth · 11-12-2005, 21:34

You have many options - you can buy a one box solution that will often have a single unit which is both the dvd/dvd recorder and the amplifier and a set of 5.1 speakers to a "proper" seperates system subject to your budget/ space/ preferences.

On the subject of vinyl - there are 2 real issues....

1) not many AV amps/receivers have phono stages built into them - the few that I know that do all only support moving magnet types cartridges. This isnt a big problem but does mean the extra expense of buying a seperate phono stage

2) The main issue is that AVRs tend not to be very "musical" as they are clearly tuned for cinema sound. There are a few brands of seperates which handle things much better like Acram but then you are getting into more serious money (£1000 for the AVR alone). A similar things goes for the speakers - sub/sat systems may look great but the sats are too reliant on the base for exceptional stereo.

clockworks999 · 12-12-2005, 07:53

Keep your existing stereo, using it as the front left/right of the home cinema system. Buy a home cinema amp (AVR), a centre speaker, two rear speakers, and a subwoofer.

Connect the L&R preamp outputs of the AVR to an unused input of the stereo amp.

This way you can combine both systems, but still have a decent stereo for vinyl.

Astaroth · 12-12-2005, 08:37

Clockworks option is a very good one but I would add the word of caution - you need to ensure that there is a matching centre to your current stereo speakers otherwise you will get a very poor sound stage if they dont match due to the different "sound" of different makes/ models of speakers.

clockworks999 · 12-12-2005, 08:46

That's the theory, but real-life may be different.

My L&R speakers are Monitor Audio MA14s (no matching centre).
For years, I've been using a Ruark Dialogue One as a centre.
Now I want a slimmer centre, so I've borrowed a Definitive Mythos Seven, and a pair of AudioPro C3s (for a crude type of bi-amping!).

I'm struggling to hear which of these is "best".

Unlike a well-mixed music CD, most DVDs and TV programmes are so heavily processed, who really knows what they should sound like?
Most people know what a solo piano, a small group, or an orchestra, should sound like. Who knows what a movie soundtrack should sound like?

Astaroth · 12-12-2005, 10:19

The main issue isnt that "it sounds like it should" but that it sounds consistant across the speakers. As an intentionally exagerated example - a motor bike panning from left to right (therefore through centre) can sound like a harley on the left, change to a moped on centre and back to a harley on right due to the differences in the sound produced my mismatched speakers.

A friend did have a set up with B&W Nautilus fronts and a videologic satalite speaker as a temp centre and it made films almost unwatchable due to the difference in sound between the 2 "sets" of speakers

clockworks999 · 12-12-2005, 17:30

Good point about panning effects. Maybe a test disc, with various effects, would make matching a centre to existing L&R speakers easier?
Listening to a normal DVD, there is just so much going on, I struggle to hear the differences.

Just had an idea - play a CD, with the AVR set to mono, and compare the sound from the left and centre speakers by changing the relative channel levels.

mlythaby · 12-12-2005, 18:19

Yes you can connect your Turntable, you may need a pre amp though depending on what you buy, these are fairly cheap though, the link is an example but I have seen them a lot cheaper.
http://www.hifix.co.uk/sitemap/nad/nad-pp2.html

I bought an entry level system. Yamaha Av Package 57
http://www.yamaha-uk.com/av_packages/?product_id=67

I would loose your existing amp & Speakers.

Spleurker · 12-12-2005, 20:05

Many thanks for the replies people.
I want to be armed with some ideas and info before I start buying. And you have got me started. Cheers

11-12-2005, 17:04	#1
Spleurker Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Staffs Moorlands Posts: 27	Home Cinema Newbie Seeking Advice I am moving house in the new year. I am thinking of getting a home cinema set up when we do, but don't really know what I need. So any tips or help would be appreciated. I would like to have a DVD recorder, not just a player. Am I correct in thinking I need to buy a seperate amplifier with all the speakers, then plug the DVD player/recorder into it? I also still play vinyl albums, so have a Technics turntable. Would I be able to connect that into the home cinema amp and therefore lose the need for the amp & speakers I have for it now? Any tips what so ever would be appreciated. I'm not sure of a budget yet, it depends on whats left after Christmas and moving.

11-12-2005, 21:34	#2
Astaroth Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London Posts: 3,421	You have many options - you can buy a one box solution that will often have a single unit which is both the dvd/dvd recorder and the amplifier and a set of 5.1 speakers to a "proper" seperates system subject to your budget/ space/ preferences. On the subject of vinyl - there are 2 real issues.... 1) not many AV amps/receivers have phono stages built into them - the few that I know that do all only support moving magnet types cartridges. This isnt a big problem but does mean the extra expense of buying a seperate phono stage 2) The main issue is that AVRs tend not to be very "musical" as they are clearly tuned for cinema sound. There are a few brands of seperates which handle things much better like Acram but then you are getting into more serious money (£1000 for the AVR alone). A similar things goes for the speakers - sub/sat systems may look great but the sats are too reliant on the base for exceptional stereo.

12-12-2005, 07:53	#3
clockworks999 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 2,014	Keep your existing stereo, using it as the front left/right of the home cinema system. Buy a home cinema amp (AVR), a centre speaker, two rear speakers, and a subwoofer. Connect the L&R preamp outputs of the AVR to an unused input of the stereo amp. This way you can combine both systems, but still have a decent stereo for vinyl.

12-12-2005, 08:37	#4
Astaroth Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London Posts: 3,421	Clockworks option is a very good one but I would add the word of caution - you need to ensure that there is a matching centre to your current stereo speakers otherwise you will get a very poor sound stage if they dont match due to the different "sound" of different makes/ models of speakers.

12-12-2005, 08:46	#5
clockworks999 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 2,014	That's the theory, but real-life may be different. My L&R speakers are Monitor Audio MA14s (no matching centre). For years, I've been using a Ruark Dialogue One as a centre. Now I want a slimmer centre, so I've borrowed a Definitive Mythos Seven, and a pair of AudioPro C3s (for a crude type of bi-amping!). I'm struggling to hear which of these is "best". Unlike a well-mixed music CD, most DVDs and TV programmes are so heavily processed, who really knows what they should sound like? Most people know what a solo piano, a small group, or an orchestra, should sound like. Who knows what a movie soundtrack should sound like?

12-12-2005, 10:19	#6
Astaroth Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London Posts: 3,421	The main issue isnt that "it sounds like it should" but that it sounds consistant across the speakers. As an intentionally exagerated example - a motor bike panning from left to right (therefore through centre) can sound like a harley on the left, change to a moped on centre and back to a harley on right due to the differences in the sound produced my mismatched speakers. A friend did have a set up with B&W Nautilus fronts and a videologic satalite speaker as a temp centre and it made films almost unwatchable due to the difference in sound between the 2 "sets" of speakers

12-12-2005, 17:30	#7
clockworks999 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 2,014	Good point about panning effects. Maybe a test disc, with various effects, would make matching a centre to existing L&R speakers easier? Listening to a normal DVD, there is just so much going on, I struggle to hear the differences. Just had an idea - play a CD, with the AVR set to mono, and compare the sound from the left and centre speakers by changing the relative channel levels.

12-12-2005, 18:19	#8
mlythaby Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 390	Yes you can connect your Turntable, you may need a pre amp though depending on what you buy, these are fairly cheap though, the link is an example but I have seen them a lot cheaper. http://www.hifix.co.uk/sitemap/nad/nad-pp2.html I bought an entry level system. Yamaha Av Package 57 http://www.yamaha-uk.com/av_packages/?product_id=67 I would loose your existing amp & Speakers.

12-12-2005, 20:05	#9
Spleurker Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Staffs Moorlands Posts: 27	Many thanks for the replies people. I want to be armed with some ideas and info before I start buying. And you have got me started. Cheers

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Home Cinema Newbie Seeking Advice