Although I am starting with plain stereo, down the line I will need to hook up a bunch of sources and I hope to end up with 5.1 speakers.

My plans are:

Phase 1 (hopefully very soon now):
A pair of M80s driven by an Emotiva XPA-2. Source will be Squeezebox Touch. No preamp.

Phase 2 (by Christmas?):
Add a sub-woofer.

Phase 3:
Add TV, Blu-ray player, TiVo and Xbox. Will need a HT pre/processor at this point.

Phase 4:
Add surrounds & center. Will need an XPA-3 at this point.

Eventually my sources will be:
- Blu-ray player (HDMI)
- TiVo HD (HDMI)
- XBox 360 (HDMI)
- Nintendo Wii (S-Video/Component)
- Squeezebox Touch (RCA audio only)
- A media player? (HDMI)

The Emotiva UMC-1 looks ideal on paper, but I am seeing some pretty negative opinions on many forums. Mostly to do with software bugs, it seems.

What other devices should I look at?
The sound quality must be good (in line with XPA-2 + M80).
Price should be below US$2000, preferably more like the UMC-1 ($700).
Not really interested in tubes for maintenance reasons.

Most of the non-insanely priced models (I'm looking at you, Denon) were listed here, early this morning:
http://www.axiomaudio.com/boards/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=316034

When you refer to Media player Henry what do you mean? the Xbox 360 will do a whole lot of media playing/streaming. I keep looking at things like the boxee box or a HTPC but the only thing that I find they do that my xbox doesn't do is .mkv files and Hulu.

I'd go used on multiple high end 2 channel amps which can be had for a song in this economy. Save a bundle, and get real quality, 4 ohm stable components. Check amps from Yamaha, Harman Kardon, Kenwood. Flagship models form the late 70s and 80s are terrific buys.

I'd also consider used speakers for surround duty. If you can get your hands on some Mission 77ds surrounds for about $100 a pair you will have some great surrounds for another song.

It makes sense to get new full featured preamp/processors and DVD/Blu Ray players.

I don't know exactly what I mean when I say media player because I have not bought one yet.

However .mkv files are exactly what I would want to play.

Oppo's BD players can handle .mkv files. Also in many cases they can be re-wrapped into M2TS files, and then be played on most any HD player.

Thanks for the ideas, 2x6spds. I have an irrational dislike for getting used stuff, but surrounds at that price might be worth a try.

Have a look at the Integra DHC 40.1

+1 for quality used amps.I run two 2 channel carver amps from the 80's, one of which I bought new in '85. Never had a minute's trouble with either.

Going to find some wood to knock on now.

Knock really loudly.......

That does look very intriguing, thanks.
Can't find many online sellers though. Are Integra one of those brick-and-mortar-only brands?

Integra is Onkyo's installer's brand. Their mostly carried by professional A/V installers. But they can be had for individual purchase sometimes, if you search around.

http://www.spearitsound.com/


your in NH, i lived in New Market, just outside of Portsmouth... I went to visit Spearit Sounds store down in Boston. You can demo many pre-pro's from them, from Nad, to Denon, to Krell and Rotel...


Before i went down there, i was using a Nad processor, after leaving i now have all Krell equipment. They are super cool guys, and they sell new/pre-owned/ and refurbished depending on the brand... i got my electronics from them pre-owned...


even if you dont buy anything its a cool experence... if you do go to the boston store, there is a parking garage just to the east of the store, parking there is 4$ for all day i think.

Give them a call, i would Highly recommend checking them out.

Aha! Thanks. So is there an Onkyo model that is equivalent to the DHC 40.1?

Thanks Dakkon. I was aware of Spearit, I just hadn't thought of them recently. They no longer have a store in Boston and their Northampton store is about 3 hours from me. Still doable as a day trip, though, and I will probably visit them soon.

no store in boston anymore?!?!?!?!

Boston was a much better day trip than northampton.....


Damn, change sucks

Not when the streets are full of college-aged girls!

Windows 7 will stream .mkv to the Xbox 360 just fine. You just need the Divx 7 Plus codec pack. Not sure about Vista.

Vista is the operating system of the computers of all who are condemned to eternal suffering in hell. It is part of that program.

Xbox 360 is loud, isn't it?

What is the highest quality format you can save music on a computer for streaming?

The new 360 is pretty quiet, as is the new PS3 (which also can receive streamed content from DLNA servers).

You can stream PCM .wav files. DLNA servers other than Windows Media can transcode FLAC to PCM on the fly.

Well I have no knowledge of Boston or the surrounding area, but I can tell you that step 1 in your plan is going to bring you months of ear to ear grinning enjoyment!

The M80's stand on their own without the need of a subwoofer as far as music goes. You will miss out on the bottom end when it comes to watching movies, but the music base will be covered.