Huge rambling AV question
Posted by: Simon Perry on 31 January 2006
Hi,
I have been a devoted naimee for about 4 years, and am really happy with my existing stereo system (112/150, CDX2, B&W 805s, Rega P25, stageline). In the future I expect I will embark upon further upgrades - probably beginning with the pre and power amp. However, I am now interested in home cinema - specfically to buy a decent 42/43 inch plasma and a 5.1 system.
The layout of my lounge means that it would actually be very convenient to put the plasma on the wall in between where my speakers are already. Therefore, I am now beginning to think what was, until recently, the unthinkable, namely to integrate my two channel and home cinema set up. This then poses a series of practical problems and I'd welcome the thoughts of anyone here who has gone through a similar process.
1. This is going to cause a lot of black/silver box proliferation, how the hell do you tacke this whilst keeping the whole thing (1) neat and tify ie not mulitple racks strewn across the lounge, angering SWMBO, and (2) without sacrificing the quality of the stand that I have my naim steroe set up on (currently an ash design rack)? Current likely boxes include all of the above plus plasma media box, sky + box, games console, DVD player, AV receiver (frequently enormous great things), maybe even a DVD recorder/video
2. Should I go for Naim n-Vi, or another one box solution, or go the tried and tested yamaha /denon/ arcam separates route for the receiver and dvd player? So many options! One of the benefits of being into naim on the two channel front is that apart from the make of speakers, the decision making process is much easier.
3. Any views on compatible surround speakers for my B&W 805s? I would not be adverse to the matching centre but not interested in their huge ugly rears in that range. Considering their flat panel speakers for the rears.
AV2 seems out of the question at the moment as I don't want to constrain my 2 channel set up which will be upgraded over the next 2 years.
Any help/words of encouragement appreciated!
Simon
I have been a devoted naimee for about 4 years, and am really happy with my existing stereo system (112/150, CDX2, B&W 805s, Rega P25, stageline). In the future I expect I will embark upon further upgrades - probably beginning with the pre and power amp. However, I am now interested in home cinema - specfically to buy a decent 42/43 inch plasma and a 5.1 system.
The layout of my lounge means that it would actually be very convenient to put the plasma on the wall in between where my speakers are already. Therefore, I am now beginning to think what was, until recently, the unthinkable, namely to integrate my two channel and home cinema set up. This then poses a series of practical problems and I'd welcome the thoughts of anyone here who has gone through a similar process.
1. This is going to cause a lot of black/silver box proliferation, how the hell do you tacke this whilst keeping the whole thing (1) neat and tify ie not mulitple racks strewn across the lounge, angering SWMBO, and (2) without sacrificing the quality of the stand that I have my naim steroe set up on (currently an ash design rack)? Current likely boxes include all of the above plus plasma media box, sky + box, games console, DVD player, AV receiver (frequently enormous great things), maybe even a DVD recorder/video
2. Should I go for Naim n-Vi, or another one box solution, or go the tried and tested yamaha /denon/ arcam separates route for the receiver and dvd player? So many options! One of the benefits of being into naim on the two channel front is that apart from the make of speakers, the decision making process is much easier.
3. Any views on compatible surround speakers for my B&W 805s? I would not be adverse to the matching centre but not interested in their huge ugly rears in that range. Considering their flat panel speakers for the rears.
AV2 seems out of the question at the moment as I don't want to constrain my 2 channel set up which will be upgraded over the next 2 years.
Any help/words of encouragement appreciated!
Simon
Buy an n-Vi, hook it up to you screen and your unity gain AV input.
Buy a sub, centre and rears that match sonically to your B&Ws....
All you need is one lead into your 2 channel from the n-Vi, one to your display, 3 speaker cables, a sub lead and a mains socket.
Any other way of doing it will create more spaghetti, probably not sound as good, and involve more boxes.
The n-Vi works very well, I've seen it running, and as someone who's had a 5.1 system since shortly after Laserdisc started providing this, let alone DVD, I'm impressed by it.
Buy a sub, centre and rears that match sonically to your B&Ws....
All you need is one lead into your 2 channel from the n-Vi, one to your display, 3 speaker cables, a sub lead and a mains socket.
Any other way of doing it will create more spaghetti, probably not sound as good, and involve more boxes.
The n-Vi works very well, I've seen it running, and as someone who's had a 5.1 system since shortly after Laserdisc started providing this, let alone DVD, I'm impressed by it.
I wouldn't put the sub down as a question mark...
Even with full range speakers to all channels the sub still has its' own " .1" channel to deal with, and its' ability to help out the centre and rears is also quite important....
Even with full range speakers to all channels the sub still has its' own " .1" channel to deal with, and its' ability to help out the centre and rears is also quite important....
My pleasure Simon. Not sure if you place much store in reviews (I enjoy reading them but like to think & listen for myself!) there is a rather OTT review of the Arcam AVR300 here: http://www.iar-80.com/page130.html
BTW, I just saw a cute picture in todays Daily Mail of David Beckham's new AV kit being delivered - a huge mound of boxes outside his house. Surpisingly there's a Lexicon box in there, although the Mail didn't pick up on that piece
BTW, I just saw a cute picture in todays Daily Mail of David Beckham's new AV kit being delivered - a huge mound of boxes outside his house. Surpisingly there's a Lexicon box in there, although the Mail didn't pick up on that piece