How Can I Best Upgrade My Home Cinema? Please read on for 2 mins!! Opinions Required!!

[admin_exported]

Hello All

I've always had a storming response from various forum members on questions I've had, and I'm afraid I'm looking for some more of your advice!!

I'm looking to upgrade my current system, sound or vision and would love some ideas on where you all think a few hundred quid would be best allocated?

My existing kit is:

• Pioneer PDP-4280XD Kuro
• KEF 2005 Eggs (5.1) and Original (Mended) Sub
• PS3 40GB for Blu-Ray
• Onkyo TX-SR605 AV Receiver
• Silver Anniversary Cabling
• QED Qunex HDMI
• Tacima CS929 Power Block
• Atacama Equinox AV (2 x shelves)

I really want to squeeze another dimension from my set-up. Whether its sound or vision, I'm open to some ideas.

My ideas so far:

[*]Replace PS3 with dedicated Pio BDP-320 or Sony S760 - will this really make all the difference to the picture quality?
[*]Add in 2 x floorstanders to make system 7.1 - moving 2 x eggs to the sides - does 7.1 really make all the difference over 5.1 - and what floorstanders to go for with the TX-SR605?
[*]Spend on new HDMI's and Power Leads - which ones?

I'm itching to hear from you all. Maybe you're system is similar? Maybe you know exactly where a few hundred quid would be best spent? Over to you all...........oh and massive thanks in advance.

Mart

 

[ElectroMan]

Hi, in my opinion:-

1. A good dedicated Blu-ray player will improve the picture quality, depending on the player.

2. Floorstanders for the front LR channels should be an improvement. So far as 7.1 is concerned, there are so few films that carry it that I wouldn't upgrade just to get 7.1, but it would be a bonus if you upgraded anyway.

3. No idea!

 

[simonlewis]

I would upgrade your tv to a 50" full HD 1080p.

 

[Ravey Gravey Davy]

I have the 606 and the 2005's and if and when I do upgrade it will be to the 3005 first as a cinema package and then a different amp to get more musicality cos I use the system for both music and cinema at the moment,but from a cinema point of view ,3005 first IMO. (assuming you want eggy stuff)

 

[scene]

slewis:I would upgrade your tv to a 50" full HD 1080p.

I'd agree, but it's probably stretching it to get a decent 50" full HD screen for a few hundred quid...

1. Yep, a good dedicated BD player would improve the picture, not sure which would make the most difference. I've got the Sony and it looks brilliant! And you'd probably get some improvement on the sound on BDs

2. I've got a pair of floorstanders and KEF eggs - but I've replaced the centre with an RS-LCR and IMHO speech on movies has got better, my room's quite big (6m x 6m) and the Egg wasn't up to the job. Maybe the centre speaker from the 3005's to improve. Also, the original bass on the 2005's is a weak point, so you might want to think about a meatier one...

3. Hmmm....?

 

[Cofnchtr]

Hi,

MART999:
Hello All

[*]Replace PS3 with dedicated Pio BDP-320 or Sony S760 - will this really make all the difference to the picture quality?

I changed my PS3 to a Pioneer BDP-320 after narrowing my choices to the aforementioned two players. I have found a difference in picture and sound quality. Definitely change to one of these players and you'll notice a difference.

MART999:
[*]Add in 2 x floorstanders to make system 7.1 - moving 2 x eggs to the sides - does 7.1 really make all the difference over 5.1 - and what floorstanders to go for with the TX-SR605?

As mentioned above, very few films actually contain a 7.1 track - while it may be a bonus initially, you may regret it when the speakers are silent...

MART999:
[*]Spend on new HDMI's and Power Leads - which ones?

I'm itching to hear from you all. Maybe you're system is similar? Maybe you know exactly where a few hundred quid would be best spent? Over to you all...........oh and massive thanks in advance.

Mart

Get a loan of some leads from a reputable shop on a 'try before you buy' arrangement. Try various cables for yourself and see if you can hear any difference. If you can, purchase. If you cannot, spend on BD films!

Enjoy.

Cofnchtr.

 

[Anonymous]

1. I replaced my ps3 with a sony 360 player, lovely picture, made all my lights come on but didnt handshake. 760 should be an even better improvement in sound and picture.

2. Buy some floorstanders and a second sub. very few movies contain 7.1 but you can use your 605 to matrix 7.1 with regular dvds but not dts/dolby HD 5.1 tracks. A second sub would give a better spread of bass.

3. Personally disagree with most power cable "improvements" apart from a good anti surge.

 

[aliEnRIK]

You could try a decent 'braided' type mains cable on the PS3. Made a hell of a difference to the sound quality as well as pic quality on my set up

 

[Anonymous]

I would do either of / combination of the following:

1. Replace the PS3, with a Sony BDPS760, better picture, better motion, better sound, no brainer. ( could consider the Pioneer 320 to match the TV also).

2. Consider selling the 605, and putting the profits towards a Denon 1910, much more detailed amp.

3. Replace your TV's power lead with smothing like Clearer Audio Alpha's makes a hell of a difference (£35).

I wouldn't change the TV personally, I know it is HD ready and not full HD, but its' picture is probably still much better that most new 42" Full HD TV's.

 

[nads]

replace the PS3 or just buy more BDs

 

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't replace the PS3 - a dedicated BD player can't play games ! If you like watching flicks, then I would go down the dedicated BD player route though.

As brilliant as the PS3 is, it's motion handling ain't the best out there. You're quite spoilt for choice now with a range of great value players on the market.

I fear upgrading your speakers might be a more costly option, though ultimately a more satisfying one.

 

[Frank Harvey]

The 2005's go so well with the 605/606/607 that it's hard to really upgrade that system for a few hundred quid. For a dworthwhile step up from that amp or speakers, I'd say you're looking around the £1k mark for each of them. So for now, either save it, or as already mentioned, invest in a dedicated Bluray player.

 

[Anonymous]

A massive thank you to all who responded here, really appreciatd!!

Some new power leads and a new blu-ray player it is.