I did a lot better this time around, I had a figure of around $4000 bucks to spend in my head, and the Epic 80/800 all from the factory outlet cost $4400. Not bad.
Expecially not bad considering my last HT debacle. I had a 36 inch TV in my basement that I wanted to upgrade to a big screen. I saw where our company gave discounts on a certain brand, I think it was perhaps Sharp or Zenith? Anyway, so I started looking at getting a 50 inch rear projection, that would cost $2000 bucks with my company discount. But then when I went down to HH Greggs (I'd been doing all my shopping online to that point) to actually see the TV in person, I fell for a Toshiba 65" rear projection that cost $3500. Then I decided to update my reciever from the crappy Sony thing (that came in one of those 'rack systems' they sold at Sears... A reciever, dual tape deck, CD player & two tower speakers for $400 bucks) I had to something better... well after scouring the internet I finally talked myself into the Denon 4802 that I currently still own, for a mere $2200 bucks (I say mere because it listed for over $3000 dollars on Denon's webste, but after endless nights searching for the best deal I could get, I found it for $2200... How could I NOT take advantage of such a deal, right?). Then came the 9 piece surround sound, wires (back then I fell for Monsters propaganda hook, line & sinker... I had over $1000 dollars in the wire, cables & of course their premium power conditioner. So 50% of my ORIGINAL budget I gave to Monster. Oh yeah, color me stupid), new DVD player, yada yada... All told my initial $2000 dollar budget ended up being a $9000 dollar home theater.
Which I enjoyed for years mind you, but let's just say the wife wasn't impressed with my lack of discipline for quite some time!
P.S. Of all my purchases, the Denon really did knock my socks off!
