Real HI-FI or surround sound?

[admin_exported]

Hi,

I have a modest 2yr old hi-fi system, probably considered "budget" by most, however I am very pleased with the sound I get from CD or MP3.

The question is; if I was to sell my current amp and CD player and buy a new surround sound amp and blu-ray player and some extra surround sound speakers, how much would I have to pay to match or surpass the sound from the Marantz kit I have (I guess that’s the budget)?

MarantzPM7001
MarantzSA7001
EposM5 Speakers
Soundcraft spk stands
QED Silver Anniversary spk cable
Chord interconnect cables
Chord power cables
ACRAM R-Dock

smallish TV room and a Philips 37" LCD and XBOX360

Thanks

 

[Gerrardasnails]

synergy:
Hi,

I have a modest 2yr old hi-fi system, probably considered "budget" by most, however I am very pleased with the sound I get from CD or MP3.

The question is; if I was to sell my current amp and CD player and buy a new surround sound amp and blu-ray player and some extra surround sound speakers, how much would I have to pay to match or surpass the sound from the Marantz kit I have (I guess that's the budget)?

MarantzPM7001
MarantzSA7001
EposM5 Speakers
Soundcraft spk stands
QED Silver Anniversary spk cable
Chord interconnect cables
Chord power cables
ACRAM R-Dock

smallish TV room and a Philips 37" LCD and XBOX360

Thanks

Quite a lot. I would guess at £1k (at least) for the receiver. You could add a centre speaker, sub and rear speakers for about £700 and about £400 for a BD player (although that wouldn't match your cd player).

 

[John Duncan]

Some have said three times as much for the amp, which makes it about a grand for that alone. Then add a blu-ray player with facility for music (4-500) and three extra speakers to match your Epos (call it another 500). So two grand at a guess, less what you'd get for the Marantz pair.

Haven't heard them, but I'd guess the Marantz BD7004 and SR6004 would be the place to start, if you enjoy your current pairing.

There is another option, however, if you a) have the space and b) value music over movies. Get a reasonably priced AV receiver with preouts, and integrate the PM7001 into your AV system by taking a signal from the AV amp to the stereo amp. This will mean that you continue to use the 7001 for music but also for two of the channels of movies, while the receiver handles the rest. You could have bluray and surround from:

[url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-BDPS360B-Profile-Blu-ray-Player/dp/B0027FFX4O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1259753675&sr=8-1>Sony BDP-360 - 130 quid

 

[John Duncan]

Gerrardasnails:I would guess at £1k (at least) for the receiver

jinx

 

[Anonymous]

now that does suprise me 1k? I thought any £500 receiver would match my current hi-fi amp for sound quality, although it backs up what my loacl hi-fi dealer said to me. I think I might stick with the Marantz pair for now then, and plug the Bluray (when I get it) into the TV which has stero phono out, which I currently use for the Xbox, COD, Beatles rock band & "Need for speed" sound great in stereo anyway (no doubt better in surround tho).

One more question please, I would like to get a blu-ray player, is the PS3 slim any good for that, it has the added bonus of another games console, but I want the best picture and sound for £250, I read lots of reviews but want a definitive answer to does the PS3 slim compare in picture and sound to a same price dedicated blu-ray player?

now be honest

great advice guys - thanks

 

[Gerrardasnails]

synergy:
now that does suprise me 1k? I thought any £500 receiver would match my current hi-fi amp for sound quality, although it backs up what my loacl hi-fi dealer said to me. I think I might stick with the Marantz pair for now then, and plug the Bluray (when I get it) into the TV which has stero phono out, which I currently use for the Xbox, COD, Beatles rock band & "Need for speed" sound great in stereo anyway (no doubt better in surround tho).

One more question please, I would like to get a blu-ray player, is the PS3 slim any good for that, it has the added bonus of another games console, but I want the best picture and sound for £250, I read lots of reviews but want a definitive answer to does the PS3 slim compare in picture and sound to a same price dedicated blu-ray player?

now be honest

great advice guys - thanks

To be honest, your amp is pretty good and I would be surprised if a £1k receiver would be a match. You might have to go to something like the Sony 5400es to get there.

If you like gaming, can put up with the look of the PS3 in your set up (two no's in my book I'm afraid), it's probably your best bet. I would say that the difference in PQ is relatively small compared to the Sony's and Pana's and the like at the price range. And what you don't know, won't hurt and all that.

I've just noticed you've got a 37 inch screen and a smallish room, even less reason to dismiss the PS3 on PQ as you would need very good eyes to notice anything but a great bluray picture from it.

 

[Anonymous]

thanks for the advice, yeah the TV / games room is quite small, may well get a PS3 slim then at least I can play some online gaming against my mate who still nags me for getting an XBOX! he said the XBOX is louder than his water boiler

I tend to agree........at least the PS3 slim is quiet!