Mmmmm THX...

[ufcrusher]

Out of curiousity why would you want to go THX-certified anyway? You just pay for the name, and the reality is unless you are going to sit there and redesign your entire room you wont get any added benefits. All that the THX certification means is that the machines have been based the minimum criteria to be certified and the company has paid a lot of money to good old George. Unless you are going to hire a THX certified engineer to come to your house and redesign your entire viewing room, pay for THX certified speakers, speaker wire, sources (such as you must have a THX certified dvd player, CD player, etc.), and Cables - in Monster cable you are in the reference line up running you hundreds of dollars per cable, and they would be the cheaper ones.

The reality is, there is going to be nothing worth the added cost for the equipment. One of the easiest ways to think about THX certification is that the receiver/amp is staple down at 2 ohms. Many of the machines have internal equilization equipment that you can use to read the acoustics of your room. The problem is that your room may have any number of materials which either dampen or enhance the sounds. That said, in my honest opinion unless you are going to go hog wild and spend all that money and effort, its really not worth it.

BTW, if you still want advice about the receivers, etc. let me know and I will be happy to provide it.

For starters decide if you want to go with separates or an integrated receiver. I recommend separates for the clarity and cleanliness. You can look at the Denon AVR5800 for an integrated machine. Some of the Onkyo Integra models should also be looked at. For separates, it really depends on what you want to spend. If you want to be on the lower end cost wise, you could go with some Parasound separates. HCA 2500 is a 205 watt x 5 amp. Then you could choose which of the two preamps that you want to go with, but in order to keep it THX I believe you have to go with the upper preamp. That is, if memory serves, the AVC2500. Those are pretty nice machines.


[Edited by ufcrusher on 02-24-2000 at 06:00 PM]

[rev_buddy_love]

If that's the case, and THX cert is not worth the extra cash, what equipment would you guys recommend?
-Rev

[rev_buddy_love]

Hey everyone.
I am putting together a new system and would like some advice. I am going to purchase a 36" TV, a dvd player and a THX cert. receiver and speakers. I am looking for any advice on best systems for the $$. Thanks in advance.
Rev

[DARTH]

All I can say is absolutely go with the Energy Take 5 speakers. Leon told me about them and they are great. Also I went with a JVC Progressive scan DVD player. As far as sets go, I would Say the Sony WEGA 36" XBR or I like my Toshibia 43in HD-Ready.

[Leon]

The Energy's aren't THX certified. THX speakers are expensive, so I can't recommend anything until I know what your relative price range is.

[rev_buddy_love]

My plan was to find the best system for the cheapest price (good plan huh). but i was planning to let the quality of the system dictate the price. I don't mind spending $$$ if the system will rock, but if I can get a similar product and save $600 because it's a different brand or something, i'm game.

[Apex]

Your best bet for DVD players short of the Ayre D-1 (with VR2 progressive scan card)

http://www.ayre.com/products/d1info.htm

which, unfortunately is $9000 is probably the $1075 Sony S9000es:

http://www.audioreview.com/reviews/D...ct_68211.shtml

I'm actually working on trying to get a machine from the OEM that makes the Sony S9000es with a few added features (MP3 capable, CD-R and CD-RW capable thanks to an improved laser, 3 microphone in ports instead of 2. Hopefully, it'll be less than the Sony too, thanks to the lack of a Sony nameplate. Keep your fingers crossed. If we can pull this one off, it'll be absolutely incredible.