Upgrading Alpha 9 stereo system to surround

[cloudon]

Hi

I have a newbie question about upgrading from a stereo CD system to CD/DVD/surround sound before I plunge into auditioning. I couldn't see this covered eleswhere, but apologies if this rehashes old ground.

My current system is an Arcam Alpha 9 CD & amp + biwired Linn Keilidh speakers, which I've had for years, and a recently acquired Pioneer 436SXE with Sky HD and an old, non-HDMI, non-upscaling Toshiba 220 DVD. My priorities are:
1. excellent, neutral CD sound (I confess to being a classical nut)
2. excellent picture quality (and I'll need HDMI switching)
3. er
4. um
5. decent surround sound

It's set up in my living room which is reasonably big (22' by 15'), but I'm in a terraced house with young sprogs so loud movies and massive floorstanders are out. Budget isn't too much of an issue. A house-shaking subwoofers is.

As I see it, I have three broad options:
- add a low-end surround receiver and speakers and decent upscaling DVD player to my existing CD, amp and speakers
- replace my current CD, DVD and speakers with high-end DVD, AV reciever + surround speakers
- try to grow my system, using my existing amp and speakers in a surround set up.

Option 1 would add 6 speakers and another box so would not be too popular.

For option 2, how high up the surround scale would I need to go to get comparable CD perf to what I currently have? Would something like the Arcam DV137 + AVR350 + B&W MT-10 be in the right ballpark? Or how much would I lose in going for something lower down the scale like a Denon DVD-1930 + Sony DA1200ES + Kef KHT1005? And I've no idea about the second-hand market for hi-fi - will dealers generally accept trade-ins, or if not where's the best place for a private sale?

Option 3 is where I'm most in the dark. What speakers would I be looking at to match the Keilidhs? Would my Alpha 9 amp fit in at all? Could I use it as a power amp to drive the Keilidhs for stereo?

All suggestions gratefully received.

Calum Loudon

[joffy1780]

You could definitely use your Aplha 9 as a stereo power amp for your fronts,while also using it as an integrated for CD replay,that is what I'm doing at present.
I would go for option 3,as long as your happy with your current set-up.I have no idea about matching speakers for your Keilidhs but I'm positive you could find some,perhaps ask in the speaker forum.Receiver-wise,I guess it depends on budget but there are loads of options out there.

[proux]

I doubt a DV137 will be up to teh standard of the Alpha 9 CD player, and not sure about Alpha 9 / AVR350 (I found the Alpha 8 comparable to AVR300 for stereo). Maybe AVR350 will keep you happy, but as budget in not an issue go for the new FMJ DV139 for CD replay, which I was assured by John Dawson is way above the Diva DVD players,

You could sell on the forum! Also ebay, Alpha 9 amps go for at least £200, CDP probably nearer £300 I think- but do you REALLY want to sell is the question!

[Frankie Lee]

I'm thinking of doing something like this. However I have no handbook for my Alpha 9 so how do I add the additional processor?

[webhammer]

Originally Posted by Frankie Lee

I'm thinking of doing something like this. However I have no handbook for my Alpha 9 so how do I add the additional processor?

Please send an email to parkerk@aslgroup.com and I will send you a PDF of the Alpha 9 manual/handbook.

I've got a Yamaha 757se AV reciever, I lissen to a lot of music through it and find it excellent for home cinema via wharfedale diamond 9 speakers. Although recently I've decided that I want to opt for true hifi stereo, I'll be keeping my speakers and adding a secondhand Arcam 9 intergrated amp. It seems that many people use this amp as a power/intergrated amp, using the benifits of the arcam processor switch, between either films and music. Personaly I can't wait to get my hands on an arcam 9. If you really still enjoy the hifi from your arcam, stick with it and simply add the AV amp.

[Rich_ZT_CDTi]

I have Alpha 10 amps (Bi amped) with a Alpha 9CD for music.

I also added a Yamaha 757se for the suround (this does just the front centre and rears) and this combo works very well indeed.

I would stick with what you have and pick a a Yamaha suround amp for those movie moments

[Frankie Lee]

I added my Alpha 9 last night (many thanks Webhammer). All I can say is that it's well worth the effort. I was just blown away by the sound. All I have to do know is ensure all the volume levels are equal.