Help me upgrade from stereo to HT

[BigJim_inFLA]

I'm putting together a HT setup for the first time. I've had what I consider a pretty good sounding stereo for many years and would like to use any of my existing components if possible to save $$ in the initial stages. I have a ton of questions so please bear with me and I appreciate any help. This is what I currently have:

Carver CT-3 Pre amp (not HT compatable, I know)
Outlaw 970 Pre/Pro
Carver TFM35 power amp 2 x 250w
Klipsch Chorus II main speakers (large horn loaded w/ 15" woofer, very efficient, a bit bright)
DIY subwoofer that I just completed w/Behringer EP2500 amp (don't need to worry about a sub for a long time :B )
Cheap Sony DVD player (no progressive scan, no SACD)
Assorted CD, cassette, and phono gear that may or may not get used.

I just got the Outlaw on loan to try out the new sub that I built. I can keep it for some time and would like to avoid a pricey pre/pro until the HDMI 1.3 stuff is sorted out.

I do want SACD capability but don't want to buy a pricey DVD player until the HD DVD - BluRay things get sorted out.

I like building things and am in the process of building some of the DIY Modula MT speakers to use as surrounds for now. I will probably also build a center channel and eventually new mains. Did I say I like to build things?

So where do I go from here?

I need an amp most of all because when I finish my surrounds and center I have nothing to power them. Amp suggestions needed. Should I go for a 5 channel and just replace the Carver, or use the Carver for my mains and get something else for surrounds and center, use a 5 channel for everything and use the Carver for 7.1 later? Will the Klipsch speakers be OK for my mains until I can build new ones? Are there any good but not great DVD players out there that are progressive scan, SACD etc. that won't break the bank? Budget is about $3500, but the more I save now the more I can spend on HD-DVD or BluRay later. I'm also getting a new TV but that does not come out of this budget. I will be using this about 50/50 music/movies.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Jim

[dyazdani]

Jim,

Glad you are taking the plunge into HT. I'm trying to verify what exactly needs to be included in the $3500 budget:

• Amp(s): possibly utilizing existing amps along with some new amplification
• DVDp (prog-scan w/SACD, but reasonably priced if possible
• Do the speakers need to be in the budget also????

There are several ways you can do this. I think Sony has a couple of older model SACD capable players that won't break the bank, I'll check on the specifics. Since you seem to have a long term plan for building all 5 speakers, I would say using the Klipsch for the time being will be fine.

[BigJim_inFLA]

Speakers are not included in that budget. The sub is already built and I have already got the parts for the surrounds and center. Building the mains will be some time down the road so I'm not worried about getting them out of this money. Most important right now is amp(s) and DVD/SACD.

[dyazdani]

That's good, leaves a lot of possibilities open.

For a reasonable SACD/DVDp, Sony makes two models that are going for $300 or so used: the 555ES and 9000ES. Denon has a couple depending on how much you want to drop, the 2900 is pretty cheap. Cambridge has one (the DV87) for about $300 used, but I'm not familiar with it.

For amps you could go several ways...if you want to save some of your budget, you could get a 3 channel amp for the LCR and use you Carver for the surrounds. Or, you could get a 5 channel amp and take care of everything at once. In my HT, I'm using a nice but fairly inexpensive 3-ch amp for my LCR - I will eventually get a high-powered stereo amp and the 3-ch will then drive the center and surrounds.

As far as manufacturers, I would say to stick with the mid-fi guys in your price range - Rotel, Parasound, Bryston, etc. You could also find some deals on slightly older higher end stuff from say Krell or Classe.