How best to spend £1,000 upgrading?

[Fulmer]

Hi everyone. New to the forums but long time reader and I am looking for some advice. Although I used to have a fairly nice Arcam setup (A85/P85/CD92/DT81) it was sold over three years ago as the kids took over the living room and now I have a complete hodge podge of equipment doing triple duty for music, home cinema and gaming needs.

Problem is that I am slightly frustrated by it all on a number of fronts from the sound of the home cinema to the various haphazard connections and remotes so what I want to know is what is the best way to spend £1,000 upgrading my set up to improve the sound and ease of use?

TV: Sony KDL 32D3000
Amplifier: Sony STR-DB940QA
Satellite: Humax Foxsat-HD (TV via QED HDMI-P, HDR via QED P2110 SCART)
HDR: Sony RDR-HXD970 (TV via QED HDMI-P, Amp via QED Performance Coax)
Console: Playstation 3 original 60Gb (TV via QED HDMI-P, Amp via QED Performance Optical)
Console: Nintendo Wii (TV via Nintendo component cable)
Media Server: Mac Mini G4 (TV via standard RGB cable at 1024 x 768, Amp via standard mini to phono)
Cinema Speakers: Elac Cinema 1 (via QED silver anniversary & QED Performance Subwoofer)
Stereo Speakers: B&W DM601 (via QED silver anniversary)

I already don't have enough HDMI inputs (i.e. the Wii on component) and I am about to replace my Mac Mini G4 with a 160Gb Apple TV so I have been thinking about replacing the Amp with a Sony STR-DH800 which would handle 4 HDMIs through that would require me to have to use the Amp all the time. The cables (with the exception of the Mac Mini) are probably good which leaves the Elac's to upgrade but again, I am not sure.

All advice greatly appreciated!

 

[Torres09]

Hi Fulmer, welcome on board, just a few questions to kick things off, What size is your room? Do you want a full size 5.1 set up (i.e Floorstanders) or a Style Speaker Package (i.e KEF 1005, Jamo A102) ?

 

[Fulmer]

Hi Torres! The room is slightly larger than 12' x 15' (3.8m x 4.5m) with the TV in a corner between a fireplace (long wall) and a window (short wall). There is a sofa on a wall opposite the fireplace and a pair of chairs opposite the window.

Given the room layout, size and the fact we have three small children I am leaning towards another pair of "style" speakers for positioning and keeping out of reach of small fingers. I am also hoping to replace my sold Arcam setup in another room later next year for stereo listening.

 

[Fulmer]

*bump* - any ideas?

 

[Torres09]

Hi Fulmer, I got the Jamo A102 HCS paired with Onkyo 606 and I find they work well together, a few others to consider are KEF KHT 1005.1, Boston Acoustic Soundware XS and Q Acoustics

The new range of Yamaha amps seem pretty well spec'ed and can be had for reasonable money.

Also if you don't mind going down the second hand route there's a Silver Onkyo 606 and KEF 1005.1, again in Silver, on Boards going for silly money?

 

[kinda]

Hello,

What is it you want to do with the system? It looks like films, games, and music all feature, but you've got the PS3, Mac, and now Apple TV maybe.

I'm just wondering what the balance of films, games, and music is, and what format are these being played in, (MP3, BluRay, MKV, etc).

I'd say there's some scope to streamline the system perhaps.

 

[f1only]

Hi Fulmer looking at what you have, mainly Sony equipment & you are looking at the STRD800 a/v amp, why not fork out on the newer STRDH810 amplifier, it is a bit more future proof, available here for £279.95

Connecting via HDMi will clear up most your cables.

As far as speakers go well thats down to you & your ears demo demo demo.

 

[Fulmer]

@Torres - I certainly don't mind second hand kit, but I'm in Ireland so the shipping probably makes the Onkyo deal a no go.

@F1Only - Oddly enough, I was thinking of the STR-DH800 seemed like a good replacement for my old STR-DB940QS (which could go in the family room with the Elac Cinema One for the boys to use). It's got four inputs, does HD sound and has the S-AIR slots which I could use to cover the rear channels. Just thought I might wait until next month's award issue to see is something replaces it in the budget cinema amplifier category.

NB: anyone have any experience of the S-AIR system - good or bad?

@Kinda - I would say that at the moment it is probably films, games then music. However we have over 300 CDs and I rip them all in AIFF so the music isn't compressed any further than it already is. With the Apple TV recently acquired, it will be easier now to have some of the library locally on the device for listening (as well as streaming) so I am hoping that the order will probably be 1) music, 2) films, 3) games.

Ultimately what is looking like making sense is a combination of the STR-DH800 with the B&W MT-25s to me. A bit over my budget but I was thinking it makes sense to save another month or two and do it that way. Thoughts?

 

[Anonymous]

Dont pay more than £230 for 800. Richersounds might have some left for £200

 

[Torres09]

Fulmer, sorry i should have been clearer, the Onkyo 606 and the KEF 1005 package are for sale on Adverts.ie -this is an Irish site, I've used it loads of times ( living in Dublin myself ). Sorry I cant post any links as it's against House Rules but you should find it easy enough

Also check RicherSounds.com, and not the .ie site-it's useless, and ring the Belfast store as they will ship most items to the South.

Other sites that I have used that ship to Ireland are AudioAffair, SuperFi and Audiovisualonline ( Some restrictions with Audiovisual ) so happy hunting

I could be wrong but I think you will find it hard to get the B&W package as most retailers will sell in store only-you will be lucky to find any that ship B&W to Ireland.

 

[Fulmer]

Thanks Torres, didn't realise you were here! I've taken a poke around the site but it looks like the set is gone. I'm quite familiar with SuperFi as I bought my previous Arcam set up from them when I lived in the UK; didn't realise they shipped to Ireland - cool!

I'm reconsidering the STR-DH800/810 at the moment as I didn't realise that it doesn't have an on-screen system and doesn't upsample inputs. Feeling totally confused now about which amp to get - *sigh*

Anyone have any recommendations? I'm looking for something with at least four HDMI inputs, 7.1 support, HD Audio and ideally support for 3D (though I don't expect to use it for a while I don't expect to replace this amp soon!).

 

[Torres09]

Hi Fulmer, i'll give it another shot! I've just checked, the Onkyo 606 and KEF 1005.1 are still available on Adverts.ie, (in Silver) should get both for ?550?

Check here for the Yamaha 3D ready range of receivers, and they ship to Ireland free!

http://www.audioaffair.co.uk/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=4219

Finally, check here for the Jamo A102HCS :

http://www.shopireland.ie/electronics/detail/B000QEB270/jamo-a102hcs5-5.1-speaker-package/

Hopefully theres something in there for you