Hi Fi Seperates as Audio System / Home Cinema System?

[Gibonz]

Guys,

Im pretty much a noob when it comes to all this audio stuff.

Im looking to get a new audio set up consisting of:

> Amplifier
> CD Player
> Radio Tuner
> 5 Speakers
> 1 Subwoofer

My question...

Can I use use this system to also act as a home cinema system whilst being an excellent hi-fi set up?

What brands and specific models do you recommend for each component?

My budget is about £1000-1200

Thanks for readin!

[alexs2]

Originally Posted by Gibonz

Guys,

Im pretty much a noob when it comes to all this audio stuff.

Im looking to get a new audio set up consisting of:

> Amplifier
> CD Player
> Radio Tuner
> 5 Speakers
> 1 Subwoofer

My question...

Can I use use this system to also act as a home cinema system whilst being an excellent hi-fi set up?

What brands and specific models do you recommend for each component?

My budget is about £1000-1200

Thanks for readin!

To run a 5.1 or 7.1 channel system(i.e. 5 or 7 speakers plus a sub) you will require an amplifier or receiver capable of decoding the signal from your DVD player,and then amplifying the signals for your speakers.

The system you have in mind would be fine for 2 channel(i.e.stereo) sources,but you would then need another 3 channels of amplification plus a processor.

To be honest,you may be better to consider a receiver based system,which would allow you the number of channels you require,plus radio,and the ability to run both CD and DVD sources.

All of the major companies in this market produce decent examples from around £300 up,and this would leave you money for the speakers,source(a DVD player would be sufficient for both CD and DVD) and possibly a sub into the bargain.

[cwilson]

I would tend to spend you money on a decent two channel set up first, and worry about the 5.1 set up later (if at all) Can I suggest you pop into your local A/V shop with offerings around your budget and compare it with a true 2 channel system with music you know well. (Richers may be a good place to start if you have one) Something like the system 5 here
http://www.richersounds.com/informat...st=hifisystems
and add a tuner.

But if you decide a 2 channel system may be better, come and give us more info on your room music choice etc and see what alernate suggestions pop up

[sbowler]

Originally Posted by Gibonz

Can I use use this system to also act as a home cinema system whilst being an excellent hi-fi set up?

"The hunter that chases two prey, catches neither."

Its a compromise, it all depends how much a purist you are. If you wealthy you would buy both, so budgets aproblem. I would go for the AV receiver solution. I run a Denon AV receiver and find the stereo more than acceptable. Denon and yamaha have good reputations for CD sourves.

[Mark.Yudkin]

Can I use use this system to also act as a home cinema system whilst being an excellent hi-fi set up?

Sure, but you won't get "excellent hi-fi" at £1000-1200, it's tight even with only 2 channels. When you go to 5 channels, you need to pay 2.5 times as much in amplification (plus decoding) and speakers (rears are cheaper, but the sub costs).

So you're going to have to compromise, and we're going to need some details on your expected usage to help you balance that compromise.

[Gibonz]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Im more of a music purist so i would prefer the CD audio side of the system to be of better quality than the home cinema bit.

As long as i have 5.1 for the home cinema side with good power id be happy.

I wanted to get some nice big floorstanding speakers in this system, would they work ok in a home cinema set up?

[Mark.Yudkin]

I wanted to get some nice big floorstanding speakers in this system, would they work ok in a home cinema set up?

Yes, if they're "fast and accurate" rather than "warm, lush & smooth", and if there's a matching centre.

For more help, please answer the questions we've been posing.

[inicholson]

Originally Posted by Gibonz

Im more of a music purist so i would prefer the CD audio side of the system to be of better quality than the home cinema bit.

In that case i'd be tempted to buy a 2 channel system and add surround to it later (maybe by using an AV receiver with pre-outs to drive the centre, rear speakers and sub).

It's worth auditioning a 2 channel system against a 5.1 playing music and deciding whether it's too much of a compromise for you.

[CJROSS]

DVD player via a stereo amplifier, use full range speakers or stadnmounts and a subwoofer (aka known as a 2.1 system). Music as the priority and 5.1 downmixed to stereo, an excellent way to have Music (stereo) and AV to my ears. Budget concentarted on 2 channel with a nod to listening to DVD.