View Full Version : Set-up questions
zero7
04-07-2006, 10:02 AM
Now that I have a dedicated cinema room I need to sort out my lounge set-up:
I have the following kit which needs connecting up:
Sky box
Sky Plus Box
Arcam CD player
Pioneer DVD player
Panasonic PW6 42" plasma
I only want two channel sound but want the best possible, I have my 2 B&W 601 S'3 speakers.
My Plasma does nto have speakers so the whole lot will probably have to be connected by my old pioneer 2011 amp, the good thing is that I can use my JS converter box to convert from scart to component, this produces the best picture, however, the combination of the B&W's + Pio 2011 is not all that great and does not do my Arcam CD player justice
What are my alternatives, i'm not keen on multipule amps but I do want a good sound.
Advice please!!!!
Cheers
Av
Knightshade
04-07-2006, 11:43 AM
Depending on your budget a 2 channel integrated amp with optical and digital inputs should do the job, if you can give a rough budget then go from there.
Depending on your budget a 2 channel integrated amp with optical and digital inputs should do the job, if you can give a rough budget then go from there.
When you say 2 channel integrated, exactly what is one of these? Ive not bene in the 2 channel game for over 10 years and my last amp was a NAD and that was 2 channel.
How would the whole thing connect together? I don't really want to be unplugging things, when wanting to listen to 2 channel music. would the 2 channel amp and arcam cd player connect to the Pio 2011. how would the volume level work?
Knightshade
04-07-2006, 7:13 PM
I was thinking more of running everything through the 2 channel amp. I'll look into it a bit more and see what's good.
Neil Davidson
05-07-2006, 9:29 PM
Yep if you are just running two channels then just use a dedicated stereo Amp with suitable audio inputs.
Is there a particular reason for using the two Sky boxes and what input cards do you have on the PW6? Need to know that to identify if you would be best sticking with what you have or swapping out to another amp.
Neil
Yep if you are just running two channels then just use a dedicated stereo Amp with suitable audio inputs.
Is there a particular reason for using the two Sky boxes and what input cards do you have on the PW6? Need to know that to identify if you would be best sticking with what you have or swapping out to another amp.
Neil
Hi:
The two sky boxes are needed as I have a multi-room set-up and allows me to watch footy whilst the wife can watch crapy soaps and reality TV shows. The board on the plasma is a scart board. I connect all via my 2011 and a JS Scart to component converter box which gives me the best picture.
I guess I will have to by a decent 2 channel amp for CD playback and connect this to my pioneer 2011 so that I can switch between using the B&W's for T.V sound and CD sound. Or I could buy an Arcam AV processor/amp as it will be more musical than my pio 2011.
Neil Davidson
07-07-2006, 7:23 AM
Hi Zero7,
So do you use both boxes plugged in to the display at the same time?
I am thinking that the problem here is video switching rather than audio switching and so it doesn't make sense to compromise on two channel performance just to get video switching built in. The speakers you have can only be Bi Wired rather than Bi Amped so no advantage to be gained from multiple channels there either.
Just to be clear the system needs to incorporate three sets of component inputs and the amp requires ideally 4 digital inputs.
Neil
Neil:
My system is connected in the following manner:
1. 'Component connection to monitor out on pio 2011' connects to '15 pin serial on Plasma'
2. 'Component connection to DVD/LD in on pio 2011' connects to 'Component on DVD player'
3. 'Component connection to TV/SAT in on pio 2011' connects to 'Component on JS Converter box'
4. 'TV Scart on Sky+ box' connects to JS converter box (Scart connection)
6. The two Sky boxes are connected via the coax & RF cables.
Sorry, I did not explain my connections very well earlier.
Av
Neil Davidson
07-07-2006, 2:02 PM
Component switch box and something like the Arcam A32 would produce an easy to use and excellent sounding system however you would need to use RCA connections from your existing kit. I assume that the Arcam CD player would be your main source and would produce superb results.
There are other options if you prefer to go all digital and much as I am loath to say it a receiver may offer the most easily integrated solution (Arcam 350 is a good choice).
Neil
Component switch box and something like the Arcam A32 would produce an easy to use and excellent sounding system however you would need to use RCA connections from your existing kit. I assume that the Arcam CD player would be your main source and would produce superb results.
There are other options if you prefer to go all digital and much as I am loath to say it a receiver may offer the most easily integrated solution (Arcam 350 is a good choice).
Neil
I was also thinking of an Arcam AV Processor and keeping it simple. Thanks for you help, appreciated!
Neil Davidson
07-07-2006, 5:23 PM
LOL - probably spent more time convincing myself than convincing you!
One thing I would consider with the 601s is the addition of a subwoofer. A well integrated Sub offers a substantial boost in performance for any Sat based system.
Neil
LOL - probably spent more time convincing myself than convincing you!
One thing I would consider with the 601s is the addition of a subwoofer. A well integrated Sub offers a substantial boost in performance for any Sat based system.
Neil
I'll probably link up my Centre Speaker, it's the LCR600 which drops quite low;)