DS Forums

 
 

Complete system revamp


Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 12-04-2006, 13:14
DuncanMiller
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Westcliff-on-Sea
Posts: 10

Hi all,

Have been recently thinking of begining to replace my AV systems. A few reasons for this are with the HD market taking off, current surround system starting to go wrong, not 100% happy with the T.V. and generally just like getting new stuff to play with!

Now I've already pretty much decided to let the HD market settle down a bit before I dive in so sky HD and a new TV will probably wait a year - first thoughts though I will be looking at a 37"+ LCD with plently of HDMI ports etc...

Basically I'm thinking to start the upgrade on the sound end. I currently just have a technics hi-fi/surround system which just doesnt have the connections etc... I need and I think the amp is playing up.

The Cambridge Audio AZUR 540R has caught my eye as it has plently of optical inputs (sky, dvd and xbox360/psp3) but was wondering if you guys think this would wokrk with my current speakers for my technics system to save money in the mean time. The main speakers on the technics have 2 seperate inputs for the sub and tweeters and are normal speaker cable where as the rears/centre us a single phono lead. If you don't think these would connect very well can you recommend a half decent set of speakers to connect to the AV amp??

FYI the current stereo is the older version of this Link

Future upgrades include:
[list][*]HDTV (1 year to see how the 720p/1080i debat pans out and increased functionality)[*]PS3 (or poss xbox 360) to replace PS2[*]Upscaling DVD player (or ideally with DVDR)[*]Sky HD[/list]
Anyway, sorry for the long post and look forward to any comments people may have!!


Duncan
DuncanMiller is offline   Reply With Quote
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
Old 12-04-2006, 15:39
fat controller
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Slightly round the bend
Posts: 12,685
The Cambridge you are looking at seems to be good value for money, and their stuff has been getting some good reviews in the like of What Hi-Fi recently - BUT bear in mind that they only seem to sell their product through Richer Sounds (I'm not saying there is anything wrong with Richer Sounds) but consider what you will do for support if you move house well away from a Richer Sounds store, or worse what the story would be should the two companies have a falling out. (Not saying that the Cambridge is a bad buy, but I would check simply for peace of mind).

In the same price range, it is also worth looking at some of the offerings from Denon (I would admit to being bias toward Denon, I've seen and owned their stuff over many years, and used to work in a Denon dealer when I was in the trade and have recently bought one of their AV recievers Yamaha (also dealt with these), Sony (and these).

As for your speakers, they should work to get you going, but you'll probably have to hack the phono plugs off the centre and surround speakers cables to get them to attach and there is a chance that the subwoofers might not work on the front speakers. I would only consider this as a very short term measure as you will not do your new amp any justice using Technics speakers.

B&W speakers are very good (another one I'm hugely fond of), as are Mission. Mordaunt Short and many others. Also, allow cash for good quality speaker cable and interconnects, you'll be amazed at the difference a 'bit of wire' can have on your sound. Good quality stands/racks should also be included in the budget somewhere as they have a huge effect too.

With any of the above, I'd seriously recommend listening to different combinations side by side before buying, as your taste is entirely unique (as are the acoustics of your room), using some of your own favourite CD's.

Richer Sounds are very good at what they do, and offer some very good prices - BUT be aware that they are often selling end of line products rather than the latest models and they have a habit of selling you what they want to sell you rather than what you want to buy. Have a good look at other retaillers as well before you buy - independents are usually good, and the website I linked to is good (I've bought a few things from them).

You're at the hardest part now, swapping from a mini system to separates, but as you will find it is WELL WORTH IT, and its fun. Once you get going its much easier to upgrade or add on (and you can sell your old bits on ebay to fund the habit!).

There are lots of people on here who will offer opinions and guidance if needed.

Good luck.
fat controller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-04-2006, 16:38
DuncanMiller
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Westcliff-on-Sea
Posts: 10
Thank you for your helpfull reply. Actually the guy in Richer Sounds also recommended a Denon AV amp but I could not remember the model when I got back to work hence why i did not post it.

I normally just use Richer Sounds as a good place to start/look at the bits and pieces and have often noticed in the past that their good deals especially are "last years" models. I find this with the TVs quite a lot.

Will definately check out the links you have given and look into changing the speakers over asap. TBH a second reason i havent looked at speakers yet is I really don't know what im after right now. Floor standers would be nice but i just donthave the space so was considering a smaller set of frotn with an extra sub as well? what do you think on that idea?

Once I've had a good look at the amps I may be back for some sound advice on fronts, centres and rears!!

QED are a good choice for cable right?
DuncanMiller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-04-2006, 18:03
fat controller
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Slightly round the bend
Posts: 12,685
Floorstanders are appealing, but if you don't have the room to take them, then they are definately best avoided. The performance that can be had from modern standmount / bookshelf speakers is quite incredible - but they've got to be mounted properly. The beauty of using a smaller set plus a sub is that the grunt is there when needed, yet the sub is flexible enough to be placed in a more discreet situation.

QED is a well respected cable manufacturer, and a good place to start looking - Cable Talk are another. Treat yourself to a few issues of What Hi-Fi, and see what opinions are in there (I only buy it to read in the bath!)

Feel free to send me a PM if you're stuck, and remember that there are loads of people on here who are friendly and willing to give advice.
fat controller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-04-2006, 20:41
Astaroth
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London
Posts: 3,421
If you are concerned about the HD markets settling down etc do remember that there is going to be HD versions of surround sound as well as images which wont be supported by current AVRs - not that it wont play anything it just wont use the latest versions for the highest quality sound.

I think the Fat Controller has stolen my point of view - I to am not keen on Richer Sounds but they are good if you are on a tight budget and I also would highly recommend Denon. The one consideration is - is this to be purely for multichannel sound like PS3/ DVD/ TV or will you also be using it for music? Personally I love my Denon/ Mission combo and to me it is exceptionally good as a home cinema setup but the few times I have played music through it I havent been overly impressed - but then I do have a Cyrus 8 hifi so it is possibly an unfair comparison.
Astaroth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-04-2006, 10:17
DuncanMiller
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Westcliff-on-Sea
Posts: 10
I did not realise there would be a new HD surround option coming in - just assumed they would be using current DVD standards tbh.

That said I imagine the first generation of HS AVRs will be quite expense and I can probably live with missing a technology gap for a year or two (im already missing out on lots of things with my current set up anyhow). Thanks for the heads up though.

As far use the use of the AVR goes I am intending it to completely fill my audio needs if possible. This will probably mainly consist of ps3/dvd/sky but will also connect my PC and ipod to it for music needs. Now the guy in richer sounds did point out the Denon might not be as good for this and that the Cambridge audio fairs quite well as do a couple of yamaha systems they have. Once i've done a bit more research I will have to arrange a listening session so I can decide for myself!
DuncanMiller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-04-2006, 11:15
Astaroth
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London
Posts: 3,421
As with all these things it comes down to partnering - the Denon is forward in sound as are Mission speakers so with my setup the effect is strong as they both have the same characteristics - great for home cinema but makes music sound worse that it need be as if I had partnered the Denon with a warmer/ richer sounding speakers then it would have been much better at music (but of cause not as good with home cinema).

The "problem" is that good home cinema and good music in most peoples opinion requires a different characteristic - it comes down to getting the balance between the two correct depending on what your priorities are.

Absolutally right to get a listening session set up - too many people buy blind or just off others recommendations.
Astaroth is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Reply




 
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 16:48.