n-vi vs. DVD5 with AV2 - only DVD

If you are likely to really get into surround sound and movies then the DVD5 + AV2 is the mutts nuts and will be better than an N-Vi. If you want excellent surround sound to compliment your system, but are not full time home theatre buff then an N-Vi will easily suffice and I'm sure you will not be disappointed.

On the centre question, whilst it is technically possible to run a surround system without a centre you can't really do surround justice without a centre or rears. If you're prepared to spend £3k or more and still not have a centre there is just no point as I'd say 80% of a movie comes out the centre speaker. It would be like buying the stereo kit you have but only running it through one speaker! If you really can't have a centre then I would say there is no point in buying an AV2 or N-Vi and any cheapy surround and DVD would suffice.

Reto,

You can run a AV system without a center if you want. It's termed using a 'phantom center'.

I ran like this for about a year, against the advice of a friend. I then got a center and really understood where he was coming from. I would seriously consider a center channel, as when watching a movie, 80% of the dialogue comes from the center and focuses your attention on the screen.

Roy.

quote:

Originally posted by SimonJ:
...the DVD5 + AV2 is the mutts nuts...

Gotta love those British expressions!

quote:

quote:
Originally posted by SimonJ:
...the DVD5 + AV2 is the mutts nuts...



Gotta love those British expressions! Big Grin

I think SimonJ was being polite

ok i see - a center is a must have with a n-vi or av2. Is it possible to run a n-vi like a av2? I mean, i do have a good preamplifier (52) und and two stereo amps (250, 180)....

Maybe i stay with the av1 and just buy a DVD5...

Tanks a lot

Cheers, Reto

quote:

Is it possible to run a n-vi like a av2? I mean, i do have a good preamplifier (52) und and two stereo amps (250, 180)....

That is an excellent question Reto.

One that I'm sure Adam will be able to answer better than anybody.

cheers

Don

The blurb says it is a pre and a power amp, which would suggest it will be able to integrate perfectly into a stereo system if you should already have one or if you don;t you can use it on it's own and at a later date add one. Any AV amp nowadays can do this except maybe the very lowest £300-400 models.

Yes - no problems combining with your stereo. Yellow banded interconnect - reverse 5 pin DIN - 5 pin DIN.

You ideally need a unity gain mod for one of your inputs on the 52....otherwise you will have to keep changing the volume.

quote:

Yes - no problems combining with your stereo. Yellow banded interconnect - reverse 5 pin DIN - 5 pin DIN.

???

Should this not be a standard DIN 5-5, instead?

Yes, Dave..

it is supposed to be a standard 5:5.

Hang on! You can't attach both the 52/250 and the 180 for the rears to the n-Vi. You can slot the n-Vi into a stereo system, use the stereo system for fronts and the n-Vi's own power amps for centre and rears. You can't (as I understand it) add extra power amps.

If you want to use the 180 as well you'd have to go with the DVD5/AV2 route and add a centre power amp and speaker later. This solution would give you better fidelity in the home theatre solution so if you like watching live music videos, which I suspect may be the case if you have an AV1, this would be a preferable route to take.

Alternatively you could sell the 180 with the AV1 as a package and offset that cost against the n-Vi. Your choice really...

Reto,

If you watch TV and movies in your listening room then go AV2.

If instead you kicked the TV out to get rid of the family so you could listen to music in peace then you should buy an n-Vi and n-System for the room they use.

C