Thinking of selling .. need advice

[digisocialist]

O.K. It's been a couple of weeks since I got all of my equipment (bar the speakers which still haven't arrived ). Anyway, I am starting to regret what I have done.

I have posted in this forum because the main reason for me thinking of selling is the fact that I am now seeing the 'rainbow' effect on the 4805. The family are all saying they don't know what I'm on about, but for me I'm afraid it's spoiling the enjoyement.

In addition, I am now starting to think that I may actually only really want 2 ch stereo.

Here's my dilema. Do I try and sell the 4805 on these forums, in which case I am bound to make a loss (though it's only 2 weeks old and has about 10hrs on it, therefore is mint) and try and get an LCD for the same price? I would hope to achieve £950 for the PJ so I suppose it's a question as to whether a suitable LCD replacement could be had for that value. The wife is not going to stomach me paying out more.

Also, because Castle Compacts are made to order I'm not sure whether I could cancel them. What do people think? I have not deposit on them and have payed outright for my other kit but I would feel a bit bad for the dealer. Why would I cancel them? Because if I could, I would then consider taking a hit on the 2805/2910 and selling these to then concentrate on 2ch.

The wife is majorly annoyed with me (especially after I nagged and spent months researching). I'm really not sure what to do. If people think I'm in with a chance of getting a good price for brand new kit on these forums and think I could cancel my speakers, then I will do a full system sell. If not, then I will probably just sell the PJ and look for an alternative.

Please.. your wise words fellow enthusiasts.

[Bristol Pete]

mmmmm, what a dilemma.

Here is my advice. Speak to your dealer. Explain about the problems you are having with the Infocus. I am sure that they may be able to do something for you - however, as you point out, you may need to stump up some more cash for an LCD machine like the Z3, AE700 or HS50 - if they stock or can get them.

As for cancelling the speakers, again speak to them. Suggest that 5.1 is not right for you at the moment and would like to discuss two channel options available to you but still buy from them.

Personally, I would keep the Denon gear as it is very good at two channel and in the future you may wanna go 5.1 and so on. You will still need a DVD deck to.

I know its easier said than done but do speak to your dealer. They are only human and most are only too aware about the problems we can face with Home Cinema as some, but not all are fans themselves.

Hope this helps, if even a little

Captain Benefit.

[UrbanT]

I'm just sorry to hear about your problems.

If you've got £950, I'm sure something like an Hitachi TX100 would be in your reach, or wait for something to come up 2nd hand with a few hours in the classifieds.

[digisocialist]

Thanks for your support guys. Yes, it is a real dilema. The wife reckons I should hang in there and see how things pan out. We're hardly using the PJ because I'm put off with it but the wife wants to watch everything on it! Typical. I'm wondering whether I'm just throwing money away... the Denon is capable of a lot and literally I only have 2 speakers on it atm... I'm not even using it for switching between TV/PJ because I don't know how to!

I'll see what others have to say...but thanks for your support. It kind of makes me feel a little better that I have options. Captain.. thanks for making me feel lke I have good gear too... it's easy to loose perspective and think one has spent money in the wrong area's. If I don't make use of the video switching, then I'm going to regret not getting a plain old stereo amp... I suppose maybe an issue I have is that (other than the PJ) I'm simply not using the system I do have to it's potential.

Digi

[Piers]

Presumably you auditioned a 5.1 system before buying, so know that for movies (and indeed with the receiver that you have chosen) the sound will be at its best with the 5 speakers plus sub. Stick with what you have ordered and once all has arrived you shouldn't be disappointed.

Rainbows are a different matter - try to ignore them (OK I know it is easier said than done for some folk - but others have suggested that you can "train yourself" to ignore them). If you can't, then the PJ has to go.

The Denon receiver is able to output to a TV and projector but probably not at the optimal quality for both (but don't get stressed about that - both will be good).

You have got a good DVD, good receiver, have ordered decent speakers (even if they haven't arrived yet!) - hang in there mate - don't go selling the lot at a loss right now - flameproof suit on for the guys that hoped for the ultimate bargain on the classifieds!

[Supernatural]

Sell your 4805 on here. Keep the rest - 5.1 with decent speakers and amp - with your new projector will be the bees knees.

Paul

[PJTX100]

In the early days of surround sound, NICAM etc, I remained very unimpressed - and stuck with Stereo. I listened to some very strange and muddy music from "inferior" surround sound systems back then, and was confident with my decision.
DVD and the 5.1 effect of Dolby Digital etc have now made me a convert. I do listen to stereo music now, but it's the minority. Decent DVD players spitting out the digital signal into a decent digital amp open up a whole world of intriguing surround sound capabilities. Yet, they give the option to instantly revert back to stereo if you have the chance.
Hence, my advice is stick by your 5.1 kit, and enjoy the flexibility it gives.
As for the Infocus, I've seen some people say you can learn to live with the rainbows. For me, the PJ has been the biggest single step forward in my Home Cinema setup. If you can't live with the 4805, cut your losses and sell (or PX?) for an LCD. Remember, you could have spent 3 or 4K on a plasma.
Sorry you are having problems, but stick with the faith!
...PJ

[Bristol Pete]

Actually, I have the same amp as you and I use a Denon 2900 to listen to two channel which is how I prefer my music. However, for movies 5.1 is where it is at. Surely a decent home cinema amp is better than an average 2 channel amp?

How bad is the rainbow effect for you. Do you think you have been influenced by the forums? Are they making you ill.

With regards to putting SKY through the amp, you can do, but you will need to source an RGB to component box so you can send a decent picture to the PJ via the amp. It may be worth posting in the amp forum as there are some experts to help you sort this out. By the way, RGB > component switchers are often up for sale in the classifieds.

Keep your spirits up, it can be sorted.

Cap

[digisocialist]

Wow! Thanks guys. You've all made me feel a whole lot better. A combination of factors has been putting me on a downer but you have picked me up a little. There's been some real flaming of 5.1 recently and a lot of people suggesting 2ch is really the only way for music, and I agree...but as I have not yet got my 5.1 up and running, I may yet be impressed. I did demo and was impressed, hence the decision to purchase.. things do seem different however once back in the home.

The rainbow is not bad enough to make me ill and mostly I don't see it. I usually only see it in very dark bits or in the 1st 15mins...then it seems to settle, so I guess my eyes do learn. I'm not getting headaches or sickness so it's not that bad.

At the moment I have component feed directly from the 2910 to the PJ. I have optical from 2910 to 2805. I have S-Vid from 2910 to TV. So the amp is only providing sound at the moment. What I want to do is have both the PJ & TV connected to the Amp so I can interchange. I'd certainly like to get TV fed through to PJ when decent films are on terrestrial. I will need a component cable to go from 2910 to 2805 before I can move PJ & TV onto 2805.. but I'm not sure whether I can do what I want to do until I do it.

I'll stick things out a while guys. Thanks for making me feel a bit better. I was really getting down thinking I'd made a huge mistake. I'm loving my Spacemen 3 & early 60's folk (Fotheringay, Fairport Convention etc ) atm and really wanting to bring out my 2 ch. I suppose once the Castles arrive, I'll see the 5 ch light!

[Bristol Pete]

Remember that if it was recorded in two channel then play it in two channel. You can simulate surround sound music by using pro logic 2 which is very good but I still prefer 2 channel.

Cap

[PJTX100]

Originally Posted by Captain Benefit

Remember that if it was recorded in two channel then play it in two channel. You can simulate surround sound music by using pro logic 2 which is very good but I still prefer 2 channel.

Cap

Now I've a decent sub the minimum for me is 2.1. I usually end up going with 4.1, taking out the centre and lowering the rears to just fill out the sound. Only exception is SACD or DVD-A where I stick with the 5.1 (as well as movies of course).

It's great having the flexibility!

...PJ

[Bristol Pete]

a decent sub can add loads to music listening pleasure.....

However, I am lucky enough to have floor standers that drop to 26hz with built in subwoofers

Got them from the US of A

Cap

[martian1]

I think you may find you are just coming down from stumping out all that cash ! I have spent a fair bit over the years and i have found you can tend to get a bit depressed if things don't pan out as you thought.
No kit can ever be perfect, i bet you had demos the lot!!! But now feel after getting kit home problems are putting you off. Did you see rainbows at demo ? What made you decide on 5.1 in the first place ?
What i would do is "listen to your wife" i bet the infocus is brilliant most of the time, Go see your dealer about speakers make sure they give you the stereo sound you love if not ask to change [don't leave it too late!]
Amp wise i would keep it for 5.1 and stereo then at a later time get yourself a great 2nd hand stereo amp to add into system. This gives you the best of both worlds
I have a Marantz 5.1 amp [ ok for movies] and a Audiolab 8000c stereo amp yes it makes me all the time.
Oh and i am due an infocus myself... So in a couple of weeks you can read my "Oh what have i done"! post. And my wife hates home cinema

[Bristol Pete]

[digisocialist]

O.K. My fantastic dealer has cancelled the Castles. This means I do not have to fork out on 5.1, for something I'm not entriely sure about.

I will therefore be putting the PJ up for sale.

Do people reckon I should put the 2805 & 2910 up also and start from scratch OR just sell the PJ and use the 2910 & 2805 for 2 ch duties? If the latter, will I get good 2 ch stereo from the 2805 compared to a stereo amp for the same price?

Finally (and I know this is a bit cheeky), do people think I could sell the 4805, 2805 & 2910 on these forums without a big loss? They're only 2 weeks old and are mint.

Digi