Good 2.1 system from BB for less than $1k?

[misle]

I've been thinking about getting a nice HiFi stereo system lately, but figured that I might as well hook it up to my TV (52" Samsung, PS3, & Blu-Ray player) as well.

Now, I'm pretty much clueless about most of this stuff, but Best Buy is doing 2 years 0% interest on Home Theater equipment, so I'm wondering what would be a good system from BB?

For my needs, 2 or 2.1 will be fine (upgradability is nice). Is there anyway to stream music from my WiFi network straight to the receiver?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm pretty new to this and I'm hoping someone will be willing to point me in the right direction.

Thanks!

 

[the DRIZZLE]

I've been thinking about getting a nice HiFi stereo system lately, but figured that I might as well hook it up to my TV (52" Samsung, PS3, & Blu-Ray player) as well.

Now, I'm pretty much clueless about most of this stuff, but Best Buy is doing 2 years 0% interest on Home Theater equipment, so I'm wondering what would be a good system from BB?

For my needs, 2 or 2.1 will be fine (upgradability is nice). Is there anyway to stream music from my WiFi network straight to the receiver?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm pretty new to this and I'm hoping someone will be willing to point me in the right direction.

Thanks!

I think restricting yourself to BB because they have good financing is a bad way to go about this.

 

[Anubis]

the best stuff BB sells is Martin Logan and B&W. look into either of those for speakers

Id get a sub from someone like EPIK, SVS or HSU

if your receiver has wifi you can stream right to it. some have an Ethernet port which works as well. if not there are things (Roku) you can get that will interface between the 2 for you

 

[misle]

I think restricting yourself to BB because they have good financing is a bad way to go about this.

I think you're correct. I've been looking around and receivers that sell for $550 at Best Buy can be had for $360 on Amazon.

Right now, I thinking about getting Pioneer VSX-1020-K.

Speakers seem to be a confusing mess to me.

 

[mshan]

Polk LSI7 should be just over $500 a pair on eBay ( http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/polk_lsi7.htm )

The Pioneer AVR might be able to power them adequately if you don't play too loud.

Used VSX-1018, VSX-01, or VSX-03 would be better, as they share samebeefier power supply that was THX certified (even though 1018 didn't have that label). New models might have better digital processing and slightly better Dacs (slightly higher resolution, lower noise, probably just sound slightly cleaner and more pristine), but have no way near real world power of the previous generation (they weigh a lot less, probably reflecting much less beefy power supply).

If you can find one, 1018 should be under $350 shipped used, I am guessing. You can get an lightly used -03 for about $500 on Audiogon ( http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?miscrcvr&1301884382&/Pioneer-elite-vsx-03txh-mint-c )

There is also a VSX-01 on eBay for #499 + $40 ship from Concord, CA.

 

[s44]

Onkyo or Denon for the AVR. The 1018 is the last decently-powered 10xx Pioneer, but even the entry-level Onkyo/Denons have more juice. 1120 is nice but too pricey and still relatively underpowered.

 

[misle]

Looking around at some used speakers, which is the better deal:

Number One ($400):
Infinity RS-8
Infinity Entra Center
Infinity Entra One Surrounds
Infinity OWS-1
Klipsch 8” sub (sometimes it works...)

Number Two ($400):
Klipsch F-3 Synergy (pair)

 

[mshan]

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=15

What sounds good for home theater may sound like total crap for 2 channel music.

 

[misle]

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=15

What sounds good for home theater may sound like total crap for 2 channel music.

Good point. Never thought about that.

 

[soulcougher73]

Id probably get this as you receiver: Denon 1911
http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-1911...9020968&sr=8-1

The new Pioneer Speakers at BB are supposed to be very good bang for buck speakers. If you must do BB. If not other popular bang for buck speakers are

Polk Monitors (but not a Polk sub)
Infinity Primus

For subs as another mentioned. Epik, SVS, HSU. Those may push your budget. But a good budget sub is the BIC Acoustech F-12, H-100, or H-200.

If you can stretch the budget a tad and want a whole 5.1 system i really like this system: With coupon code TV15 it comes to $1041.
http://www.sounddistributors.com/buynow.asp?action=detail&prid=516&crid=188&cat_name=Search

 

[kornphlake]

I think restricting yourself to BB because they have good financing is a bad way to go about this.

I think financing audio equipment for home use is a bad idea. Hopefully you're considering financing because you have the money and want to get >0% interest over 2 years instead of spending it all now and earning no interest over the next 2 years.

If you're spending $1000 for 2 channel sound you're really into the audiophile price range, I'd look at some of the stuff on audiogon. You could probably find a nice 4 ohm stable amp and some really nice speakers. Streaming audio is fun, but the quality isn't that great, if all your going to listen to is lossy sources you really don't need the best speakers or amp. Quality audio starts with the source, that doesn't mean you'll hear a huge difference between a Sony CD player and a Yamaha CD player, but you will hear a huge difference between a tape deck and a SACD player.