I'm a noob at HT Audio

[Zapablast05]

Originally Posted by Redeemed

You can easily find recievers that have built in DVD/CD Changers... but as for the tape deck... more than likely that'd have to be a seperate component. The recievers with built in CD/DVD Changers are usually referred to as "Home-Theater-In-A-Box", and if quality is anything you're concerned with I'd recommend staying away from such a unit (we have one in our living room and it works well, it's just for the same price I could have gotten something quite a bit better).

I'd encourage you to get a seperate reciever, seperate CD/DVD Changer, and seperate tape deck. The only units that have all three as one would be your bookshelf systems. Just do some research on the components. You could pair something together for quite cheap:

Sherwood RD6500 Not the best reciever out there, but it'd do the trick. $69.95

Sony 5-Disc CD/DVD Changer w/ 1080i up-conversion. Again, not the best but it'd work for what you're after. $109.95

And finally the cassette deck. This will be the most expensive unit, probably due to them being more rare. Anyhow, take your pick. I'd go for the one that'll convert the cassette to MP3 for your PC.

Altogether you're looking at right about $330.00 for a complete new setup that'd smoke any pc-speakers while adding greater functionality (5-disc CD/DVD changer and dual cassette deck). Then, when you have the cash, replace those surround speakers with some proper bookshelf speakers- like these. You'd then have a rockin' setup. And if ever needed, replace you're current center speaker with something along the lines of this. Again, none of this is top-of-the-line equipment. There's definitely significantly better components out there... but it'd work for what you're after.

Lol, well the tape deck isn't really necessary. All of that stuff looks tantalizing. I'll definitely take it into consideration and once I get my next paycheck, I'll see what I can do. If I don't have enough, I guess I'll have to opt for the Z-5500 speakers. I can't wait to start setting up a home theater, lol. First the TV, now the audio! It's exciting, dude! If anything, I'll probably end up making a dedicated HTPC strictly for HT, maybe something with a AzunTech XPlosion, HDDVD/Blu-Ray drive, AM2 mobo/CPU, and a 9600GT.

[crainger]

No need for a separate sound card in HTPCs any more. Both nvidia and AMD are releasing motherboard with HDMI and optical supporting DDL and DTS connect.

[Zapablast05]

Originally Posted by crainger

No need for a separate sound card in HTPCs any more. Both nvidia and AMD are releasing motherboard with HDMI and optical supporting DDL and DTS connect.

Lol, I realized that when I was on newegg putting one together.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813186141

I'm thinking of slapping on 2GB Crucial Ballistix Tracer, an EVGA 8600GTS, AMD Athlon X2 4850e, 550W Rosewill Stallion PSU, 320GB Seagate Barricuda HDD, and a Lite-On Blu-Ray drive all inside an ARK 400BA HTPC case.

Grand Total: $891.76

[BronzeGod]

ZapaFAIL. Z-5500+optical=t3h sex

[Zapablast05]

Originally Posted by BronzeGod

ZapaFAIL. Z-5500+optical=t3h sex

Thread title: "I'm a noob at HT Audio"

BronzeFAIL.


.

Do you use Z-5500 speakers via optical?

[Redeemed]

Originally Posted by BronzeGod

ZapaFAIL. Z-5500+optical=t3h sex

Would be difficult running the Z5500s into a CD/DVD changer, Tape deck, and PS3 all simultaneously I'd imagine. Unless the Z5500s have multiple component hook-ups like a reciever would.

Otherwise, I'd agree.

[Zapablast05]

Originally Posted by Redeemed

Would be difficult running the Z5500s into a CD/DVD changer, Tape deck, and PS3 all simultaneously I'd imagine. Unless the Z5500s have multiple component hook-ups like a reciever would.

Otherwise, I'd agree.

I think it has S/PDIF Optical and Coaxial.

If I get the Z-5500, I wont have to worry about the CD changer and Tape deck.

[Redeemed]

Originally Posted by Zapablast05

I think it has S/PDIF Optical and Coaxial.

If I get the Z-5500, I wont have to worry about the CD changer and Tape deck.

Not sure how you'd figure that. Would you be using the Z-5500s with your PC then? Otherwise, you'd still need the CD/DVD changer and cassette deck.

[Zapablast05]

Originally Posted by Redeemed

Not sure how you'd figure that. Would you be using the Z-5500s with your PC then? Otherwise, you'd still need the CD/DVD changer and cassette deck.

I would use it for home theater. I'm gonna just build an HTPC so I don't need a CD/DVD changer. When I get my own place, I'll put together a HT Audio system with ceiling speakers and all that.

[Redeemed]

Originally Posted by Zapablast05

I would use it for home theater. I'm gonna just build an HTPC so I don't need a CD/DVD changer. When I get my own place, I'll put together a HT Audio system with ceiling speakers and all that.

Hmm... I think I see what you're getting at. Not a bad idea. You gonna' be selling your big speakers then?

[bacon12]

Good choice and like i said for the money there isn't anything that can compare. They aren't going to blow you away or anything, but you can rest in the fact you didn't spend a grand either.

Enjoy them

[CaptNKILL]

If you're building an HTPC I recommend getting a board using the Geforce 8200 chipset with hybrid power.

It'll disable your video card and use the onboard when you don't need the extra processing power. It'll make the system much quieter, cooler and energy efficient.

The 780G chipset looks fantastic and probably out performs the 8200 in gaming, but the 8200 hybrid power feature is impossible to beat if you're putting together an HTPC with a separate graphics card.

If I build an HTPC any time soon I'm probably going to use one of these.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128340