Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners What would you buy next?

Um, try A/B'ing that DVD player with a higher quality one. You will see and hear a difference. That is nto to say the DVD player you mentioned is crap, but there are noticable differences in that one and, say, the Denon 2200.

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2. Now I'd buy the Panasonic F85 DVD player. It has a five-disc changer for playing CDs, it costs $125-135 at many stores and Internet outlets, gets great reviews, and it will play pro scan DVDs, DVD Audio, and SACD along with the expected run of everything else.

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According to the information online that I have been able to find, the Panasonic F85 does not play SACD's...unless you know something we don't...

Just an FYI,

WhatFurrer

Thats just what I was going to ask about the Panasonic player.

The HK 525 looks pretty good though, except no phono jack, and I was just thinking of trying to play some vinyl after about 20 years of being away from it. Decisions, decisions.

Though I'm pretty much set on rounding out my speaker set now. I just missed a VP 150 for $225 on Audiogon!!!

Thanks for all the well thought-out input. I really appreciate it.

Walt

My mistake on the SACDs - you're right, so that could be a sticking point for those banking on SACDs.

My interest in the Panasonic F85 started with Gene DellaSala's recommendation for it as a choice component for an under $3000 HT set-up. I'm sure one could find some differences on more expensive machines, but if you're looking at a $3000 system more or less, I'd go with Gene's advice. And if you're edging over $3000, I'd put the money on speakers first, receiver next, and only then, if there's money left over, would I look at an expensive CD and DVD -- and I'd do blind testing on any coveted expensive players before spending.

Gene DellaSalla's review: http://www.audioholics.com/showcase/systemguide/entry_system.php

Your system is better than you're giving yourself credit for.

I'd start with the speakers to finish off your 5.1 setup. QS8s are amazing, and virtually eliminate the need for 6.1 anyway. The VP150 is great, but unless your room is large I'd buy a VP100 and get a few extra DVDs.

The Denon 2200 will be the last player you'll need to buy for years, and plays everything wonderfully. Pioneer and Onkyo make universal players that are cheaper, but the Denon is well worth the extra bucks.

As far as your display, the X1 and Z1 are both great buys, as is the Hitachi Home-1. You might also save your cash for the Panny or Sanyo Z2, which offer big performance improvements. Get out and audition.

Your receiver is more than adequate. At the worst, if you decide on the VP150, you may need a monoblock for the ever-starved-for-current center channel.

Walt, so far as better sound goes, you certainly should go with the new sub and speakers. A new player or amp would probably do little or nothing for sound quality and should be left for last. Incidentally, relating to your comment about not having room for back surrounds, have you tried the Virtual Matrix feature on your 1075 to create virtual back surround on 5 channel material?

If despite your comment that your list wasn't in any particular order, your itch for the projector and screen is number one, in the absence of Sushi I'll suggest that it wouldn't be a bad thing to do that first if it fascinates you.

The x1 is cheap entry level projector with great picture quality. I can vouch for that. The Panny 300 is also great but I have heard lots of quality control issues and low bulb life on their units. The Sanyo Z1 or Z2 can be another option.

JohnK is talking about our much-loved, much-missed FP guru who goes by that username, not raw fish rolled in rice.

As much as I think about FP, I don't think we have enough information to know if it makes sense here, especially given the budget. How is the ambient light control in the room? How big is the room? What is the split usage between HT and music? How serviceable ARE the existing speakers? How committed are you to SACD and/or DVDA?

I'm pretty much with austinbirdman on this deal so far, I think. I guess the cost of the projector and screen would pretty much preclude ANY other upgrades except the sub, and I don't know if it would be worth it - especially since you've already got a very large display.

btw, I think most Denon receivers at the 1804 level and above have phono inputs. You might like a 1804/2803/3803 or something. I don't know anything about the Sony, so I'm just flapping my lips here.

This has been a regrettably beer-free thread so far. What kind of beer do you drink in this room? The acoustical diffraction from pilsner glasses is VERY different from tulip glasses, for instance. Not to mention the absorbency from stouts vs. Belgians.

Geeez, a little help here...

One more note on the inexpensive DVD/CD/SACD/DVD-A front: On another thread Spiffnme recommended the Pioneer DV563A, which plays all these formats and retails for about $150 at etronics (I know nothing about etronics, but they seem to reflect base street prices):

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/product/detail/0,,2076_15020669_2046370,00.html

It's a one-disc player, not the 5-disc changer that the Panasonic is. I don't know about its outputs -- don't know it from Adam, in fact, but Spiffnme always seems to know what he's talking about. Perhaps worth a look. I'm sure the Denon Universal is the best, but it does cost about $1000.

i suggest you spend 2000 bucks on ONE kick ass speaker and build your way up from there.