Guys, I need honest opinions.

[AKA]

I need to go cheap, and I'm thinking about purching this (http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?c=1&b=g&qp=0&bookmark=bookmark_0&oid=51768&catoid=-10041) as my first SACD player. It's an all-in-one unit that also boasts CD (obviously), DVD, and (I think) DVD-A capability. I'm looking to overhaul my entire system. Is this a stinker? Is it so low-priced for a reason?

[Metralla]

No DVD-Audio on that one.

What are your long term plans? A system like that doesn't provide any room for growth. It may make a nice unit for the sunroom when you move on, but it's cheap for a reason.

Is multichannel imprortant to you? Is the TV going to be hooked up too? More home theatre than music system?

I suggest we discuss it further. No point in jumping in just yet. I looked up your profile and there is nothing listed. What do you have now?

Regards,
Geoff

[Sckott]

Brad,

I know things are tight for you, but with a little more time and work, you can do a HELL of a lot better than this...!

[Ed Bishop]

I guess this isn't the time to discuss the Bose Wave radio/CD unit?:D :laugh: ;)

Didn't think so, I'll just go and slink away....:( :sigh: :cool:

ED:cool:

[Jason Brown]

That looks a lot like the SACD demonstration system at my local Best Buy. If it in fact is, I honestly find the sound to be offensive.

Kenwood makes the only HTIB system that I don't find offensive. I know they have at least 2 different HTIBs, and I'm only talking about the one with the larger speakers of the 2. Everything else sounds like crap to me - even those with decent brand names.

I know an actual home theater in a box isn't exactly what you're looking for, but if you're looking to go inexpensive, at least try to check out those Kenwood speakers and go from there.

[SVL]

I have a Sony DVD player w/SACD, and while it is a decent DVD player (quite good, actually), it may sound disappointing with SACD, and even worse with CD.

In fact, as I wrote before, I preferred the CD layer of CCR/CCR through the regular system to the SACD layer through the Sony, and I juust know that SACD layer should be a killer;).

[Jamie Tate]

This system will need an overhaul as soon as it's unpacked. I listened to one at Circuit City last month and was highly disappointed they were demoing SACD with it. How can people hear how good SACD is without really hearing how good SACD is?

[lsupro]

the system is rather poor sounding. You'd do much better finding a 775CE.

[AKA]

Okay, thanks for the assistance, guys. I'll definitely stay away from it.

So let me just bring it out in the open: when my tax refund arrives (according to irs.gov, it'll be mailed out on May 16), I'll have $2000 to work with.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to help Brad build a decent system.

For my disc player, I'm looking for something that's all-in-one (CD/SACD/DVD/DVD-A). DTS is a definite must.

[Ed Bishop]

Originally posted by AKA
Okay, thanks for the assistance, guys. I'll definitely stay away from it.

So let me just bring it out in the open: when my tax refund arrives (according to irs.gov, it'll be mailed out on May 16), I'll have $2000 to work with.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to help Brad build a decent system.

For my disc player, I'm looking for something that's all-in-one (CD/SACD/DVD/DVD-A). DTS is a definite must.

Well, of course we choose to accept it, Brad; we're great at spending other guys' cash!:D ;)

Though some may beg to differ, for the all-important disc player, the Pioneer DV-45A should do you just fine, as it plays all the formats you list above. For the DTS, however, you'll have to buy a receiver or amp that decodes DTS; any DVD player will play the discs, but you need the decoding, and an outboard DTS decoder makes no sense these days when so many units have it built-in, like Dolby Digital. For DVD-Audio, you'll need a TV hooked up for menu access, so make sure your TV and receiver/amp are compatible.

The key to your system--and all systems, really--are the speakers. I'll leave that to the pros around here, as there are so many in specific price ranges; first, we'd need to know how much you have left after buying the player and amp/receiver, then find the best within the price range specified. There are some great pieces out there used and/or refurbished, so they don't have to be new.

ED:cool:

[Jason Brown]

As a lesser-expensive player, I was pretty happy with the Pioneer DV-45A I used to have. It took a long time to burn in, but once it did, SACD sounded pretty good in it. The DVD functions were also the quietest of the 5 machines I've had. I've seen them new on eBay for ~$400.

[lsupro]

I don't know of a combo player yet that doesn't convert the DSD to PCM forist though. HTat may or maynot be a big deal for you. Your receiver should have analog bypass if it does...

AM I right here gentlemen?

[SVL]

The Pioneer (DV-45A) has a built-in DTS decoder, so if your amp/receiver does not have DTS decoding capability, but has 5.1 analog inputs, those should be hooked up to the 5.1 analog outputs of the Pioneer.

If the receiver has a DTS decoder, you can use either the digital output of the Pioneer and let the receiver decode DTS, or use analog inputs of the receiver as above and use the Pioneer's DTS decoder.

Of course you will need the analog in's and out's for the hi-rez formats.

[AKA]

Guys,

I'm looking to overhaul my entire system. What I have now is a $300 Sony unit that I purchased about four years ago. It has okay sound, but the only thing preventing me from not thinking it's a boombox is the fact that it doesn't take batteries.

I need to upgrade to something great, and I'm sure it'll cost me a pretty penny.

[AKA]

Just a nice, quiet, non-chalant BUMP!

[Gardo]

Hey there, two-grand Brad:

Snoop around on Ebay or at local big-box "boutiques" like Best Buy and see if you can scarf up a Sony CE775 SACD/CD changer. There might still be some demo units floating around, and you should be able to get one for less than 200.00--maybe a lot less. This is a sweet-sounding player, and you'll pay about twice as much for the ES equivalent (which is still a good deal IMO).

Then get the Toshiba 4800 DVD player for your DVD-A playback. This unit's on clearance at BB for about 168.00. Seems to be a find DVD player (passes DTS to your receiver, as they all do nowadays) and has great DVD-A specs too, from the test results I've seen. Your ears will be the final judge, of course, but it seems a good place to start.

Total so far (before tax): about 370.00.

It sounds as if you're wanting an all-in-one solution for music and home theatre. I recommend the Denon 1803 for a good solid-state receiver that will sound very good with music and great with the movies. I don't know whether it has one or two multichannel analog inputs. If it has two, you're fine; if it has one, you'll need a switch (I think Gort Sckott has one of these) that'll take the two multichannel outs from the player and select one for the inputs of the receiver. Radio Shack, if I remember. And probably much less signal degradation than a "universal" player that converts DSD to PCM before sending it to the D/A converters.

You can get the 1803 at a legit dealer for about 500.00. If you see an 1802 (last year's model) you might do even better, though I'm sure you'll give up a couple of features that way.

Subtotal: 870.00

Speakers that do good double-duty for music and home theater are the trickest bit, I think. I'd listen to KEF, Athena, Energy, maybe Boston Acoustics (their little metal guys are a little too bright with music, but they do sound fine with home theater), and I'm sure others hear will chime in on how you can spend your remaining 1100.00. At this price point it's kinda tough to get two full-range speakers for front l-r, a center channel, two satellites for rear l-r, and a subwoofer, so you might want to go with 5 matched satellites with one subwoofer for all. Just be SURE that the subwoofer crosses over to the satellites well; otherwise, lumpy and unmusical bass.

FWIW, Absolute Sound/Perfect Vision has had some nice things to say about some of the 5.1 Athena/Energy speakers. I think Stereophile found a couple they liked too.

Good luck. We'll expect a full report!:thumbsup:

[AKA]

Gardo,

Wow! What a wealth of information. Much appreciated. I'll have to scope all those out on my next day off (Tuesday).

Thanks again,

[Henry Love]

Anther Denon fan here.The 2803 has two Mch analog inputs.It lists for $799.If you go that route make sure it's a authorized dealer so you have a warranty.I'd also go Sony for SACD and someplace else forDVD-A.Sony doing SACD best for the money.They've got a vested interest.This doesn't leave you much for speakers,maybe you can go with used speakers for a while.It took me a while to build my system as I could afford it.I'm glad I was patient.Also,I've got Definitive Technology speakers which I think are worth a listen.One more thing,there is a lot of 0% financing out there if you go over your budget.Good luck.

[KeithH]

Brad, are we to assume that the entire $2000 is not earmarked for a new audio system? If not, you could still do well for around $1000.

First, let's start with the front-end component. For $250, you could get the Sony DVP-NS755V progressive-scan DVD/SACD/CD player. It's a solid buy, and you may be able to find it at Circuit City. Also see www.crutchfield.com for more information on this player.

Another option is the forthcoming Pioneer DV-563A "universal" player. It will offer progressive-scan output with DVDs, plus it will handle both DVD-Audio and SACD. It is expected to street for $270, and I've read that it will be out in June. The early word is that it will perform a DSD-to-PCM conversion with SACD, but this conversion will supposedly be done at 24/384 PCM. So, the conversion may not be a factor.

There certainly are other options in SACD and DVD-Audio players. Check around local stores and crutchfield.com.

Next up is a home-theater receiver or stereo amp. There are a number of decent home-theater receivers out there in the $500 range. If surround sound is of interest, then look at home-theater receivers. I'd check out models from Sony, Pioneer, Yamaha, etc. around $500. Again, check local stores and crutchfield.com. Note that the lowest Sony ES receiver, the STR-DA1ES, is available for around $500, complete with a five-year warranty.

If you are unsure about making the move to surround sound, then your money would be better spent on a quality stereo integrated amp. For less than $400, you could get an NAD C 320BEE or NAD C 350. Both amps have gotten excellent reviews in the print media. I have the C 350, and it is a great amp for the money. Check www.soundcity.com for good prices on NAD amps and www.nadelectronics.com for more on these amps. Note that with Sound City, you have to call for their best prices, but you can get the phone number off their web site.

Cambridge Audio also makes good stereo integrated amps, but I feel NAD makes the best budget amp.

As for speakers, there are plenty of options for around $300 (to round out your ca. $1000 system). Energy, Paradigm, Definitive Technologies, NHT, and many others make quality speakers in this price range. I think you would do better getting a bookshelf speaker, as with a floorstander, you would be spending money on the cabinet, and then get a lackluster speaker for $300. Check local dealers for speakers. I would not buy speakers by mail.

These are just a few suggestions. Best of luck in your search!

[SamS]

Hi Brad,

I'll jump in here any spend some "virtual" money for you.

DVD player: I'd hold off with DVD-A at this pricepoint. You can still play the Dolby Digital track of DVD-A releases with DVD players, so you won't be totally left out of the DVD-A game.

Sony DVPNS500V An interlaced player that also does Multichannel SACD. I don't know if you're doing HDTV yet or not, but this can be had for ~$149. The progressive scan version is the DVPNS755P (like KeithH mentioned), and you can likely get one for ~$199.

Denon AVR-1803 This is a good receiver for the money. It is 6.1, has all the bells and whistles and around 80watts per channel IIRC. $499.

5 X B&W LM1 speakers + Sub These are B&W's most affordable speakers and are available in different colors. The are small, satellite speakers, but the sound is very neutral and they are flexible for mounting on a wall or ceiling. ~$999.

Well we're just around $1700 and you'll need some interconnects, so with tax you'll be close to $2K.

You can do a little better if you just go with two speakers + sub rather than all 5 now. If you're ready to do surround, this system above will give you lotsa fun, I promise!!!

[AudioEnz]

I've been doing a little investigating in this area for my writings on AudioEnz (http://www.audioenz.co.nz) and for another mag I write for.

Front end first (cause your sound quality starts from here). Do you want or need SACD and/or DVD-A? If so, you'll currently be compromising either sound quality or your budget. Multi-format players don't sound as good as CD players for the same money.

Great affordable CD players include the NAD 521i and 541i, Arcam's CD62T and CCD72T, Rotel's 02 silver "Euro" player and their big, macho-looking 1070 and the Rega Planet.

In the US you can buy some el-cheapo multi-format players, such as the Sony's mentioned. Be aware that the CD performance from these are unlikely to be as good as from the players mentioned above. (As an aside, playing SACD on more expensive units, such as the bigger Marantz 8260, still doesn't sound as good as my 6yr old Meridian 508. A bit sweeter and more ease in the top perhaps, but overall not as good.

If you want a receiver, then you're in luck: I've just reviewed a whack of them. Pick of the bunch in below crazy money is the Marantz 5300. This was so good that I just left it in system while I was busy with another project, rather than change back to my Plinius.

The Denon 1803 is a solid performer, perhaps not as competitive as some of their other models, and can get a touch ragged. The Yamaha 630 sounded bright and a touch harsh.

i haven't listened to any current Sonys, Pioneers etc, but my experience with them previously is that they're likely to be thin and harsh in the cheaper end of the market.

Speakers? You could try one of the current Energy packages. I've been impressed with the 5+1 and Encore packages - very nice. The Kef "egg" package is also very good. I was underwealmed by the Athena sub-sat package.

Hope this is of some help.

[chrischross]

What Michael said.

Plinius is great stuff, so if he's going with Marantz, that is a pretty ringing endorsement. I've always thought Energy had pretty good sound for not a lot of dough. I have a SCD-775, and it is not the greatest on redbook, and I've kept my Rega Planet as a result. SACD is neat to dabble in though, but I've personally noticed that I'm at 90% redbook and maybe 10% SACD.

The overall decision starts with whether you want multi-channel or stereo. Try to buy quality used equipment if you can. Swing down to Portland and check out echohifi.com online before you visit. No sales tax!