need help on 2-channel music system

jsf0656
jsf0656 Posts: 8
edited February 2014 in 2 Channel Audio
hi, i'm new to the forum but have used polk speakers in a previous HT setup. to make a long story short i had a pretty good HT setup 3 years ago but due to alot of health issuses and losing my job i had to let go everything that i had. i loved concert dvds and that is what i used my 5-1 HT for. now i am wanting to start a 2-channel music system and i am going to start cheap for now. i bought a refurbed onkyo TX8020 from accessories4less and i just purchased a set of monitor 30's from newegg for 99 bucks to go in my bookcase. living room is about 15x15 with vaulted ceiling. i will need a new dvd player and i'm looking at a basic cheap sony from walmart. i am hoping for some opinions or advice and am i heading in the right direction since this 2-channel system is new for me. thanks
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    edited February 2014
    It all depends on your budget.

    If you are on a severely limited budget and want to buy all new, than that Onkyo, the Polks and a basic dvd player may be all you need.

    Your money will stretch a lot farther, however, if you are willing to buy used and have patience.
    2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
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  • jsf0656
    jsf0656 Posts: 8
    edited February 2014
    the sony dvd player supports the dolby formats so can my hdtv incorporate the dolby formats from the dvd player since the tx8020 does not have any digital outputs and will i be able to hear a difference with the monitor 30's being a small bookshelf speaker.my panasonic hdtv has the necessary hookups in back and does it matter with a 2-channel system?
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  • drummer86
    drummer86 Posts: 441
    edited February 2014
    I got a pair of Monitor 30s in 2004 and still have them. They have served me well as fronts in a TV only system and as rears in a 5.1 system but when I pulled them out of the closet for a placeholder between speaker purchases they really underwhelmed for music. For the money I think you can do a little better if you plan on listening to a lot of music. For movies/tv you'll be fine. Any DVD player with the features you need will be okay.
    Display: LG 47" LCD | AVR: Marantz SR5005 | BD: Panasonic BDT-210 | CD/SACD: Oppo 980 |
    Amps: Rotel RB-990bx | Marantz MA-500 | Speakers: Totem Mite : Totem Mite-C : RC60i | Sub: HSU VTF-2 MKIV

    HK AVR635 | Polk R30 | Sony DVD/SACD Player
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  • vinyladdict
    vinyladdict Posts: 32
    edited February 2014
    Onkyo 8020 , great small receiver .Have it in my setup running 2 polk monitor 75t's with a ADC equalizer behind it . Awesome sound . It's only 50W a channel into 8 ohms but it's more than enough to peel the paint off the the walls with the polks . You can get a Sony blueray player that plays dvd's ,cd's etcc for $100 . Myself I prefer a separate for a CD player and have a high end Marantz CD player for my setup . The onkyo even has a phono input if you are a vinyl addict like me. Also have a magnavox dvr hooked up which plays dvd's, cd's records tv shows and can convert vhs to dvd's , great little unit . I actually have a pair of 30's on my downstairs stereo behind a Sony stereo 100 watt amp . I don't consider the Sony to be as good as the Onkyo . Nice sounding little speakers really not close to the monitor 75's though.

    jsf0656 wrote: »
    hi, i'm new to the forum but have used polk speakers in a previous HT setup. to make a long story short i had a pretty good HT setup 3 years ago but due to alot of health issuses and losing my job i had to let go everything that i had. i loved concert dvds and that is what i used my 5-1 HT for. now i am wanting to start a 2-channel music system and i am going to start cheap for now. i bought a refurbed onkyo TX8020 from accessories4less and i just purchased a set of monitor 30's from newegg for 99 bucks to go in my bookcase. living room is about 15x15 with vaulted ceiling. i will need a new dvd player and i'm looking at a basic cheap sony from walmart. i am hoping for some opinions or advice and am i heading in the right direction since this 2-channel system is new for me. thanks
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  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    edited February 2014
    Do you have money for a sub in you budget?
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  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    edited February 2014
    deronb1 wrote: »
    Do you have money for a sub in you budget?
    If so......I have a Polk PSW 111, (practically new) that i am not using and could make available
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


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  • jsf0656
    jsf0656 Posts: 8
    edited February 2014
    yes i have a velodyne 10'' sub that i got about 5 years ago so i can make do with that for now. but thanks anyhow. but i'm confused as to which post that i need to wire the speakers to the upper or lower connections on the back of my monitor 30's?
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,287
    edited February 2014
    The 30's should have come with a binding plate which I would replace with a 14/16 awg wire. Then you hook up to the lower or upper
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • jsf0656
    jsf0656 Posts: 8
    edited February 2014
    yes it does. thank you very much. is there any difference between the lower or top post as far as sound?
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,287
    edited February 2014
    Nope
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • jsf0656
    jsf0656 Posts: 8
    edited February 2014
    thanks again for everyones help!
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  • jsf0656
    jsf0656 Posts: 8
    edited February 2014
    this may be a dumb question but can i put 4 monitor 30's or 2 monitor 30's and 2 monitor 40's 2 up high and 2 down lower in a bookcase for increased pressence in front using my TX8020 A and B speakers connections?
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  • jsf0656
    jsf0656 Posts: 8
    edited February 2014
    jsf0656 wrote: »
    this may be a dumb question but can i put 4 monitor 30's or 2 monitor 30's and 2 monitor 40's 2 up high and 2 down lower in a bookcase for increased pressence in front using my TX8020 A and B speakers connections?

    am i phrasing this question right?
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