RENAMED: Help with my receiver...speakers

[longballmaniac]

im just interested in why most people build these. im aware of its TIVO like abilities, but are these machines capable of replace A/V receivers altogether? im in the market for a home theater system (reciever, speakers) and i though id ask about these first.

i dont have an HDTV but my tv does have component inputs. is there a way to basically make the HTPC my receiever for things like my PS2 and dvd player to run through?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

If you get unpowered speakers, you're still going to need a receiver or at least a multichannel amp to get the speakers running.

 

[Pariah]

In the most basic configurations, it can, but beyond that, no, it is not capable, and should not be used as a replacement for a reciever. A "true" HTPC should just be another component in ahome theater setup that connects to your reciever.

 

[longballmaniac]

gotcha thanks....im not planning on spending a great deal of money as im not audiophile at all.

im planning on getting this reciever http://www.ritebuys.com/viewitem.php?IndexID=13990&section=

and i know anandtech forum junkies will crucify me for saying but im looking to add a decent (not too terrible) set of speakers with a powered sub that isnt to expensive. talking 100-120 range. help would be much appreciated if you know of any. preferrably 6.1 setup to go with the receiver but a 5.1 should do for now.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

You might be better off getting a Logitech z-5500 set or something on that budget.

 

[longballmaniac]

that wouldnt be a problem but those usually have the wrong type of connectors that im looking for. i was considering going over budget a bit and getting 3 pair of polk bookshelf speakers from outpost.com for like 50 a pair. only thing is then i have to find a power subwoofer and from what ive seen those are usually not to cheap.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: longballmaniac
that wouldnt be a problem but those usually have the wrong type of connectors that im looking for. i was considering going over budget a bit and getting 3 pair of polk bookshelf speakers from outpost.com for like 50 a pair. only thing is then i have to find a power subwoofer and from what ive seen those are usually not to cheap.

Check out my Dayton sub thread in Hot Deals.

What kind of connections do you need?

 

[longballmaniac]

i shoulda given you the amazon link for the receiver theres a great pic of exactly the kind i need. i do know i need a powered sub and i dont know what they call the type of connection the other speakers need. its just where you connect the wires to terminals.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007Y...nce&n=172282&%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance

about half way down the page is a great pic of the terminals. i'll take a link to yer hot deals if thats possible.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

The speaker terminals on the reciever are banana plugs. You can insert bare wire and screw it down. But what's better is attaching a banana plug on each lead, and inserting the banana into the hole, for a tight, positive connection. No jokes, plz.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: longballmaniac
i shoulda given you the amazon link for the receiver theres a great pic of exactly the kind i need. i do know i need a powered sub and i dont know what they call the type of connection the other speakers need. its just where you connect the wires to terminals.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007Y...nce&n=172282&%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance

about half way down the page is a great pic of the terminals. i'll take a link to yer hot deals if thats possible.

Those are binding posts.

I meant: What kind of inputs do you need on the receiver that a Logitech z-5500 set wouldn't offer?

Dayton subs

 

[Pariah]

With that budget, I would scrap the receiver idea, and just spend all $300 or so on the best set of PC speakers you can get in that range. You'll end up with a less versatile setup, but it will sound quite a bit better. Something like the Creative G500 Gigaworks or Klipsch Promedia Ultra's would work well.

 

[longballmaniac]

i bought a less versitile setup already and am returning it for the receiver speaker setup. im still fiddling with the money to get the best value and the best speakers and sub to go with that receiever.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

You might want to concentrate the money on just a receiver and two speakers for now, adding to the system over time.

 

[longballmaniac]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pioneer-Home-Theate...47QQcategoryZ71570QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

hope that link worked....anyway they are some pretty nice pioneer speakers from what i gather. 400 bucks usually.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
You might want to concentrate the money on just a receiver and two speakers for now, adding to the system over time.

Going with a reciever and big boy speakers will always give better results, but at a higher price. Starting out with a stereo pair and adding more later is popular, and logical, way of building a system. I'm helping one of the guys at work with his system. He definately prefers the sound from his new pair of JBL's over his old 5.1 whatevers.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
You might want to concentrate the money on just a receiver and two speakers for now, adding to the system over time.

Going with a reciever and big boy speakers will always give better results, but at a higher price. Starting out with a stereo pair and adding more later is popular, and logical, way of building a system. I'm helping one of the guys at work with his system. He definately prefers the sound from his new pair of JBL's over his old 5.1 whatevers.

JBL northridge is pretty affordable too.

Something like a pair of factory refurb JBL E80s only runs a little over $200 shipped if you get a good auction.
ebay seller harmanaudio

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Yup, I forced BB to audition the Northriges for him, and he took em home. They resist doing a decent setup unless you're shopping in the "Magnolia" high end section. Although I do like the Boston Acoustics they carry, the JBL's have great bang for the buck.