Newbie looking for system recco's

tommy417
tommy417 Posts: 5
edited August 2003 in Speakers
Hello all. I am a complete newbie to the world of home theater and would appreciate some advice. I will break this post into 3 sections: receivers, thoughts on a used system I've been offered to purchase, and from reading earlier posts, my ideal system.

1. I am currently looking at purchasing either the Onkyo SR600 or Pioneer VSX-912K. I can get either for about $300 and am leaning toward the Pioneer because of the auto-setup feature. Any thoughts or recommendations?

2. A co-worker of mine has the following setup for sale:

Fronts: Polk RT600i's
Center: Polk CS145
Rears: Polk R10's
Sub: Polk PSW250

I can purchase this package for about $700. They are 2 1/2 years old.

3. After reading through many posts, this looks like my ideal system, at least for the fronts:

Fronts: Polk RTi70's
Center: Polk CSi30 or CSi40?
Rears: ??
Sub: ??

I don't know whether to buy the used speakers or splurge another $500 or so and go with all new speakers. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Post edited by tommy417 on

Comments

  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited August 2003
    Welcome to the forum :)

    Your friends setup is ok, but not ideal. The center mentioned is C145i...do you mean C175i/C245i? I don't know of that model #.

    If it is a C245i...then maybe pick it up along with the RT600i's, but ditch the rest. That would be a good voice matched front stage. If it is C175i, then MAYBE pick up the RT600i's, but you will be sourcing all older stuff for your setup.

    It would probably be better and more beneficial to go new. The new line is coming out soon, so the recent product line is selling at great prices.

    Your idea of RTi70/CSi30(40) is an excellent start. Just based off you comments I suggest this as a outstanding 5.1 setup:

    RTi70 Mains
    CSi40 Center
    RTi38/FXi30(50) Surrounds
    CSi30 Rear Center (6.1)

    The subwoofer issue is very convoluted. Polk doesn't make amazing subs. They are adequate for basic performance. Do a search on that issue. SVS has a large following here in the forum.

    www.svsubwoofers.com
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 8,774
    edited August 2003
    I'm sure you'll get a lot of suggestions for receivers. My comment would be on your buddies $700 used system. Pretty pricey I think. I bought my 600's for $200 new. I've heard of people getting them for $150. W/O doing a bunch of research I'd say used pricing for the remaining speaks is considerably less than $500. Some others will probably pipe in with a better idea of used pricing. Keep an eye on the current RTi line. There are a lot to be had at good prices (and getting better) as stores are making room for the new models.
    Good luck and welcome to the forum:)
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited August 2003
    I should add, always think big in a center channel and subwoofer. You can't go wrong with that thinking.

    Onkyo or Pioneer? Honestly I don't prefer either, but Onkyo would be my choice out of those two.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 8,774
    edited August 2003
    Originally posted by dorokusai
    I should add, always think big in a center channel and subwoofer. You can't go wrong with that thinking.

    Onkyo or Pioneer? Honestly I don't prefer either, but Onkyo would be my choice out of those two.

    Come on Doro, say it. OK, I will. For $350, I'd take my DA1ES anyday. NIB, 5 year warranty, does a great job for me. Plus with Sonys new ES line coming out there's probably going to be some better deals to be had.
  • tommy417
    tommy417 Posts: 5
    edited August 2003
    Thanks for the input so far, and for making me feel so welcome. :)

    You're right, the center speaker in the used setup is actually the CS175, but not the CS175"i". Do you know the difference between the two, besides release dates?

    I am open to any other receiver recommendations, but would like to stay in the $300 range.

    I've read various posts about the CSi40's being well worth the premium price over the CSi30's. Being on somewhat of a budget, I would like to revisit that and here any other thoughts.

    Speaking of budgets, would the RTi28's suffice as rears? Thanks again.