HT component system purchase - expert advice required

[ashpai]

hello,

after reading up on the forums here and elsewhere on the net & doing some auditions, we've zeroed down on components for our HT system. we request expert suggestions to advise if there are further better alternatives.

primarily, we (wife & me) listen to western music (classic rock, country.. sometimes hip hop) from audio CDs and mp3s & occasionally switch to 107.1 FM (we're in mumbai) in the nights for english music. there is also a healthy balance of movies that we watch, but usually the ones dished out through star movies and likes.

considering all the factors, and having auditioned the following avrs and speaker systems:
avrs - compared onkyo 608, denon 1911, yamaha (forgot the model)
speakers - compared bose (acoustimass), klipsh, jbl, jamo, deftech procinema 800 (all wall mounted systems)

we have zeroed down on the following.
avr - onkyo 608, speakers - deftech procinema 800

room size is about 300 sq feet, and placement of speakers would be wall mounted

please suggest if there are better alternatives, good dealers in mumbai and suggest if any special cabling is to be taken up for this..

thanks for making time to read my query ..

warm regards
ashwin

 

[venkatcr]

we have zeroed down on the following.
avr - onkyo 608, speakers - deftech procinema 800

Both are good choices. Go ahead.

Cheers

 

[ashpai]

thanks venkat .. what could be a competitive price for both? we're being quoted deftech - 65k and onkyo - 48k. Is that good?

 

[Kittu]

Ashwin,

The prices are on the higher side. You could get marantz 5 series avr for that price which is more musical compared to Onkyo. Do audition few other HTIB packages like Paradigm cinema 110 ct, Energy , Boston acoustics , CA minx and polk series.

Onkyo shld be available for 40k (best I have heard so far).

Thanks

Kittu

 

[ashpai]

MRP for onkyo 608 is around 48k, where did you hear 40k? was it with the warranty / bill ?

also, do you think it would be a good idea to source these systems from singapore? what could the damages by way of customs etc be ?

 

[jatinmalhotra]

Try Minx system with Denon 1611, it was a good combo.

 

[ashpai]

Some questions:

The dealer says he will give me a procinema 1000 centre speaker with other speakers from procinema 800. my questions:
a. does it make a difference to audio output ?
b. is it advisable ?

Planning to use a 16 guage monster cable for the speakers. Should a different guage cable be used for the sub woofer?

Between Denon 1911 & Onkyo SR608 - which is better ? I've read about Onkyo getting hot and stuff. Personally, I lean towards Onkyo for output quality, but how susceptible is it to problems from heat

Onkyo, I'm told is put together in Bangalore ??? is that true ? I couldn't believe my ears when the dealer said that ! ..

some help pls ..

 

[venkatcr]

Between Denon 1911 & Onkyo SR608 - which is better ? I've read about Onkyo getting hot and stuff. Personally, I lean towards Onkyo for output quality, but how susceptible is it to problems from heat

You should go with the one your ears like. There will be no difference in internal production/parts quality between the two brands. I have been using an Onkyo for 3 years without any issues, and I have seen brand new Denon's that are dead on arrival. The vice versa is also true. As long as you get good dealer support, don't worry about the brand.

Yes, the Onkyo's do get hot. They use what is called Darlington Push Pull technology for amplification and this does to generate heat. Onkyo's new models come with an internal fan, or you can always keep a laptop cooler on top of the AVR. Onkyo's sound signature is unique and because of their amplifier design will sound clean and powerful. My son uses an Onkyo 608 and that is on for nearly 10 hours a day. When I gather the guts to talk to him about heating and all, he gives me a strange look, shakes his head, and walks off. He feels I fuss over equipment too much.

Onkyo, I'm told is put together in Bangalore ??? is that true ? I couldn't believe my ears when the dealer said that ! ..

Quite possible. Is this because of the Tsunami in Japan? They may be importing the AVRs as SDK and assembling them in India.

Cheers

 

[afj]

ashpai also think of a stereo setup. you wont have surround sound but you will hv much better sq at the same budget

 

[ashpai]

thats true afj, but dont have the budget nor the sq ft to put up a stereo and a HT. besides, its a system for the family .. so, settling for the HT system.

 

[wlg]

Hi
If you are still looking for a system I suggest Onkyo 3300 approx. 22K should suit your room size and budget, its good for movies & Ok for music, or go to JP Road Andheri (near The Club) they have a vast audio setup for auditioning, may find something you like.

 

[just4kix]

Yes, the Onkyo's do get hot. They use what is called Darlington Push Pull technology for amplification and this does to generate heat.

I thought that all mid/hi-end AVR's employed the Darlington pair to generate the final power. Do others use different technology?