Complete system for 10k (Audio+video)

Well not knowing anything about your room size, this is what I'd go with many if this price can be gotten right off Audiogon or a deal on close out. This is just my opinion what do other people think. I didn't put any speakers down I think it's an item you need to here in your room with the equipment that you decide to go with. But Company's like Mirage, Definitive, Martin Logan , Polk all have good speakers reasonable priced that work well with both Home Theater and Audio. B&K Ref 20/30has a tuner and also 2 channels so audio will sound better. , but I think the Lexicon is a better Video sytem if a tuner is not important. Cables I don't think are as big of a deal if your not doing true audiophile listening. To recreate an explosion is much easier then a tuned instrument. Just don't go out and buy rat shack cable. Just get good cables(although your componient cables, S-Video, Digital Coaxial should get the most attention) This is my opinion what do others think? TV Mits 45-50 big screen(not HDTV ready) $1500-2000 Pre-amp Processor DD, DTS(upgradeable) B&K REF20/Lexicon DC-1 $1200-1800 AMP 5 or 6 channel (100watts) B&K AV5000/ATI1505 (5 channel) $ 700-1200 DVD HDCD Toshiba 3109/Sony DVD/SACD $ 300-1000 Speakers Fronts $1500 Center $300 Backs $300 Sub $500-700 Cables: Audioquest, Tara, XLO $400

You may get some interesting responses to your question, with some widely varying opinions. I have been an audiophile for a long time, and a HT fan for about 5 years. After a lot of trial and error, I'm very pleased with my current system, which may be a starting point for you (and work within your $10K goal). TV monitor: 36" Sony WEGA TV, or a HDTV-ready rear-projection system in the same price range (such as Toshiba 43"). Front and speakers: Vandersteen 3A's (or used 3A Signatures). Center channel: Vandersteen VCC-1. Rear surrounds: I don't particularly like the Vandersteen rear speakers (too big), so this choice is open. I am currently using a pair of Coincident Triumph Signatures (acquired for $650 used). Surround pre/pro: several choices here, such as Adcom GTP-760 (available for about $1300), or similar units by Rotel, B&K, Anthem, etc. The Bryston SP-1 is a fine unit, but somewhat expensive at $3800 list (can be bought for about $2800). Amplifiers: Bryston 9B-ST 5-channel amp, or Bryston 4B-ST and 5B-ST combination (which is what I am using), or good 5-channel amp from Rotel, B&K, Anthem, Parasound, Acurus, etc. DVD player: lots of choices here, and the final decision rests on how elaborate you want to get. The Pioneer DV-37 is a very good, medium-priced unit (can be gotten for about $650). You should also consider the Sony and Toshiba units with MSRP's in the $1200 range. If you have extra cash that you want to spend on the DVD player, check out the new Pioneer DV-38A (MSRP $1800). With some serious shopping, you can buy the system I have outlined for under $10K (maybe as little as $8K, depending on your choices.)

In the post I just made, I forgot to mention that Vandersteen sells a home theater package, which consists of the Vandersteen 1C main speakers, the VCC-1 center channel, a pair of VSM-1 side/rear speakers, and their 2W subwoofer. I've heard this package, and it's pretty good, but would be much better with the 2Ce front speakers. One of the reasons I suggest looking at the Vandersteen is the emphasis on value (performance vs. appearance), and the fact that the system gives you good full-range performance. There are certainly a number of other good full-range systems, but most cost considerably more than the Vandy system.

1.5k for a tv.
tag av32r-ex (around 2.5k)
b&w n804 main (2.7k)
b&w nhtm2 center (0.7k)
b&w n805 srround (1.5k)
bryston 9bst (2k?)

Martinparel -- If I had only $10K (which is NOT chunk change by the way) to spend on an entire Home Theater system, here's the way I would go about it.

Speaker System -- Vandersteen (Get the 2Ce's (not the Signatures, but the standard 2Ce's) for around $1,300.00, the VCC-1 for about $850.00, and the VSM-1's for about $700.00 for the entire pair. I am also going to include the Vandersteen 2WQ Powered Subwoofer here, but only as an option. The reason I say this is because the Vandersteen 2Ce's seem to go down pretty low all by themselves (to about the mid-to-upper 20's in terms of Hz.), and depending on the size of your room, that may negate the need for a subwoofer. Try this combination without the subwoofer first and see what you think. Get the 2WQ only if you must need it. The Vandersteen 2QW lists for $1,250.00). The reason I went with Vandersteen in this system just like Sdcampbell did was while you can get other HT Speaker Systems out there that does the same thing that this Vandersteen setup does, they're also going to cost you more money. A lot more money as a matter of fact. The Vandersteen system offers a lot of great sound and performance for the money. Otherwise, I would ask that you would look into a setup that I have picked out in lieu of putting together a [hypothetical] $20K Home Theater system in "Yahoo's" High-End Home Theater Club (PSB Stratus Mini's -- $1,150.00/Pr (x2). + PSB C6L -- $900.00 + Velodyne HGS-18 Powered Subwoofers -- $3,000.00 each...... $6000.00 for the pair). But that setup is too expensive for this system, and that's why I elected to go with Vandersteen instead.

Power Amplifier -- Rotel RMB-1075 (120 Watts Per Channel X 5) -- $1,200.00 to $1,300.00.

Surround Sound Processor -- Rotel RSP-985 (Dolby Pro-Logic, Dolby Digital, DTS and THX) -- $1,000.00 to $1,200.00.

DVD Player -- Pioneer Elite DV-37 (again, until I have talked with "Sdcampbell", I would not have even looked at this player. After talking with him and then actually auditioning this player at a local high-end A/V dealer, I have come to love this player and now, it is at the top of my shortlist. Was going to consider either a Pioneer Elite DV-09 or a Sony DVP-S7700 at a closeout sale before checking out the Pioneer DV-37. I am a month away from getting mine) -- $1,000.00 (MSRP), but you can get it from about $650.00 to about $800.00. If you have some extra loot burning a hole in your pocket or some extra room on your Visa or Mastercard, check out the Pioneer Elite DV-38A (about $1,800.00) as well. If I am spending more than $15K on a home theater system, this would be the player I would go for. It is included on my hypothetical $20K system on "Yahoo". In my (MUCH) more modest system, the Pioneer Elite DV-37 is a better match. And have I mentioned that the DV-37 has progressive scan capability??

TV -- Sony KV-36XBR400 Direct-View TV -- $2,700.00. For a $10K home theater system, I think think that a high quality direct-view TV is the way to go in my opinion. This TV gives you the best of both worlds. It gives you the best that analog TV has to offer to you right now, and when you are ready for HDTV, just go out and buy an external HDTV decoder, and you are set. HDTV or HDTV-ready RPTV's start at $3,500.00 and go up from there. Anything below $3,500.00, and you might as well consider a "Direct-View" set.

That would be the way I would go right now. What do any of you think??

--Charles--