| Author |
College student needs input for system upgrade |
Shutez
Rank: Sony Buff
Joined: Feb 04, 2003
Posts: 22
From: Penn St.
 |  Posted: 2003-02-04 23:12
Hi,
I am currently a penn st. student- this is my first posting on this board. I am looking for suggestions to improve the sound quality of my home system. I don't have surround right now. As eclectic and out of date as this is, I am currently running a Sony DVD model DVP NS-300 through my Sony HCD F-100 51 disc Cd changer / receiver. It isn't Dolby digital capable- but has surround outputs, through which I am running 2 RCA XTS-60AV (3 1/2 inch 2-way) speakers. In front I have two Sony SS-F100 speakers that came with my cd player. Right now our system sucks for surround (which I'm sure you know), but can kick out some decent quality stereo sound, so we are looking to upgrade the surround aspect of the system. The RCA speakers seem pretty decent all things considered, and the Sony speakers we have are alright. I think the thing we need most desperately is a Receiver, but we are poor college students- so does anyone have any suggestions on how best to improve this system? I'm looking for a workable surround system that might use some of what we have, and not kill our bank accounts. From my understanding, the very least we need to make it work is a center speaker, subwoofer and surround receiver. Any suggestions? Obviously I am not a guru on this subject, so I really value your input. Thanks
Tim
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DJ_Julez
Rank: Sony Addict
Joined: Dec 11, 2002
Posts: 170
From: south philly
 |  Posted: 2003-02-04 23:57
Welcome Shutez.
I am not sure of how much you are willing to spend. The Sony STR DE 985, which I just bought my brother, is a great receiver for a nice price. You can get it for $400-$500.
Under that, there is the Sony STR DE 685 receiver which runs for about $300. I haven't heard this one but I know others who have and they are satisified.
Both have Dolby Digital, DTS and Pro Logic 2 with the 985 incorporating Dolby Digital EX.
The 685 has 3 optical and one coaxial inputs while the 985 has 4 optical and one coaxial inputs. So you should have enough if you want true surround for your DVD player, Ps2, Xbox, etc.. Do you want/need S-video or component?
I will not go any further because I am unsure of how much you want to spend. There are other options with receivers as I'm sure others will post.
So let us know what we're lookin at and we'll help you out.
-----------------
DJ Julez "Turntable Technician"
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Shutez
Rank: Sony Buff
Joined: Feb 04, 2003
Posts: 22
From: Penn St.
| Posted: 2003-02-05 00:20
Thanks for the input- I was looking at those receivers. Have you ever heard of the Sony STR DE 725? I had the option of buying one on Ebay, but refrained.. What's the drawback of the cheaper receivers? I saw a STR DE 575 on Amazon for $150. If possible, my roomate and I would like to spend under $200, but if we are seriously sacrificing quality then we could hold out for a better model. We could handle it if we're giving up some bells and whistles for the cheaper model, without sacrificing too much in actual performance. What's the advantage of the more expensive models? Thanks again for your help
Tim
[ This message was edited by: Shutez on 2003-02-05 00:22 ]
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Tiny_Turtle
Rank: Sony Legend
Joined: Oct 09, 2002
Posts: 1116
From: Stockholm, Sweden
 | Posted: 2003-02-05 04:27
Tim,
I'd like to start of with something about the nomenclature Sony uses. Thereby I think you'd have a easier time trying to understand the model numbers used when searching for your future receiver:
Sony have has three "lines" of audio components, the cheaper "DE", the more expensive DB (a.k.a. "QS") and the top-of-the-line DA (a.k.a. "ES").
The first digit tells you what class (i.e. how much features) and the two last ones (normally) tell when the model was released (i.e. the DE875 was replaced with the DE885 and a DB870 cost more than a DE985). The current DE models end with "85".
Naturally a more expensive model normally has more bells & whistles, but switching from a DE to a DB unit would not necessarily mean more features, but rather better components – more "oomph" if you like. (This even though units might have the same specified wattage.)
You'd want a receiver with a built-in decoder for Dolby Digital (and possibly DTS aswell) as there's no decoder in your NS300. Today hardly any models come without a DD decoder, but earlier models like a 725 could be missing this.
Specify you budget a bit. Would that be ~$200 for a receiver or a receiver and some speakers? I'd say you could wait a bit with the sub and get a better one later instead of buying something extremely cheap right now.
Julez has a point with that talk about inputs. Will you be hooking up anything else to the receiver? (i.e. PS2/Xbox/whatever)
If you're willing to shop on eBay there's lots of possibilities. A few weeks ago I noted a STR-DA30ES (with an 1998/99 original MSRP of $799) going for $152! If I was in your shoes/budget/country I think I'd find this STR-DB830 interesting. It's a couple of years old but is a DB series with better quality (both build & sound) than a DE and enough inputs to keep you busy for a while and comes with both DD & DTS decoders. The last bid when I post this is $150 (might rise a bit over $200 before it's done though.) I personally use it's bigger brother the DB930 which I bought on eBay a couple of months ago and am very pleased with.
/Tiny Tip
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Tiny_Turtle
Rank: Sony Legend
Joined: Oct 09, 2002
Posts: 1116
From: Stockholm, Sweden
| Posted: 2003-02-05 04:57
One more eBay deal:
An unused STR-V444ES currently at $168. This unit is *way* better than anything you'd buy new in this price range. The only problem (which might help bring the price down) is that it's lacking a remote. The V444ES uses a 2-way LCD display remote called RM-LJ304. They too can be found on eBay separately. No one available right now, but I found an earlier version called RM-LJ302 currently at $11.50 that should take care of nearly all of the V444's features (Any objections on that one, guys?)
/Tiny Addendum
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Maxxwire
Moderator
Premium Member
Rank: Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25732
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
 | Posted: 2003-02-05 05:50
I agree with Tiny, if you want some quality for under $200 you will have to buy on the used market.
The V444ES looks good, but with a Buy it Now of $565 the reserve is probably over $400. If you keep an eye out though you will eventually find something in your price range.
If you have any questions on a particular model please feel free to ask.
- Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930
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VictorT
Rank: Sony Addict
Joined: Dec 30, 2002
Posts: 186
From: Texas
 | Posted: 2003-02-05 09:26
Hey dj_julez the 985 is no longer that expensive. I got mine around christmas and it was $350. I checked around and its still the same price. on a side note the 885 is a decent receiver and i bet if you shopped around you could get it for $300.
http://shop2.outpost.com/product/3330712
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Shutez
Rank: Sony Buff
Joined: Feb 04, 2003
Posts: 22
From: Penn St.
| Posted: 2003-02-05 14:01
thanks for all the input everyone- we are lookin to spend between $150-200 on the receiver. Later, we'll add the subwoofer and center channel. Does anyone know anything about the RCA speakers I have? Will they do the job with a decent receiver and the front speakers I've got? Thanks again
Tim
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Shutez
Rank: Sony Buff
Joined: Feb 04, 2003
Posts: 22
From: Penn St.
| Posted: 2003-02-05 23:42
Anyone know anything about the STR-AV920? I'm guessing it's an older receiver since it doesn't seem to fit any of the model #'s I've heard of before. I'm considering bidding on this on Ebay. Thanks again
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Tiny_Turtle
Rank: Sony Legend
Joined: Oct 09, 2002
Posts: 1116
From: Stockholm, Sweden
| Posted: 2003-02-06 02:16
It's older alright, – Around ten years old or so. This is not a unit I would go for if I wanted to watch (or rather listen to) DVDs. Models that old don't have neither a digital audio input or a analog 5.1 input.
I'll try and clarify a bit:
To listen to Dolby Digital (and the same applies to DTS) something has to decode the corresponding audio track on the DVD disc. This decoder can either be in the DVD player or in the receiver. If it's done in the player the audio track is separated into six separate channels and "outputted" through six RCA connectors on the back of the player. Using RCAs you hook these up to the corresponding six RCA inputs (refered to as "5.1 input" in feature lists) on the receiver which amplify the signal and send it to the appropriate speakers. If the decoding is done in the receiver, the still encoded digital signal is sent through the digital out (either a digital coax or optical (a.k.a. Toslink)) to a corresponding digital input on the receiver which then feeds it to it's own decoder before sending it to the speakers.
Since your DVP-NS300 does not have a decoder of it's own (just digital out and a red and a white RCA on the back, right?) you would need a receiver with a built-in Dolby Digital decoder (Note: Dolby Prologic/Dolby Surround is an older analog system). Since the STR-AV920 hasn't *any* way of getting the 5.1 audio in, you wouldn't be able to listen to the 5.1 sound even if you bought a new DVD player with an internal decoder.
Generally speaking, it's better to do the decoding in the receiver than in the DVD player.
/Tiny No Buy
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Shutez
Rank: Sony Buff
Joined: Feb 04, 2003
Posts: 22
From: Penn St.
| Posted: 2003-02-14 18:30
Hey everyone,
Here's a receiver we're lookin at on Ebay.
STR-DB840
I can't see anything wrong with it, but I'm a little confused why it is so cheap right now. Anyone have any clue? Is this a good buy? I understand that I'd have to get a remote for it, but it still seems like a good deal. What do you think? Thanks a ton
Shooter
[ This message was edited by: Shutez on 2003-02-14 18:32 ]
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n_plasma
Rank: Sony Aficionado
Joined: Sep 09, 2002
Posts: 122
From:
| Posted: 2003-02-14 19:09
What does this cost new? Current bid it $66, and there's $45 for shipping, so you're looking at $111 right now. That might not be bad, I don't know, but then you have to get the remote...
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Shutez
Rank: Sony Buff
Joined: Feb 04, 2003
Posts: 22
From: Penn St.
| Posted: 2003-02-16 21:39
Hey everyone- thanks for all the helpful advice. We got a STR-DE845 from ebay for $152 plus shipping, so will be under $200. Is this a good deal? Any advice for using this receiver? Thanks again
Tim
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Tiny_Turtle
Rank: Sony Legend
Joined: Oct 09, 2002
Posts: 1116
From: Stockholm, Sweden
| Posted: 2003-02-17 09:55
Now all you have to do is get yourself a RM-LP204 remote – I'd scour ebay and hope one pops up there.
/Tiny Remoto
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Shutez
Rank: Sony Buff
Joined: Feb 04, 2003
Posts: 22
From: Penn St.
| Posted: 2003-02-17 11:52
Tiny-
Actually it comes with the remote, so I think we're set. Do you have any suggestions for us as far as setup- or how to most effectively use the receiver? Thanks a ton
Tim
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