B&W: 703, old 800 or new 802D series for my HT? (Poll)

[norpus]

SYSTEM G:

ELECTRICALS:
Classe CA-5200 $8000
ROTEL 1098 $2000

SPEAKERS:
BW 802D $12000
BW HTM2D + stand $5000

= $28,000

New equipment wiring: $500 [reasonable?]

BW ASW 500 (old)
BW LCR 60 S3 (old) [rear center?]
Interconnects (old) [monsterXP nw wiring and decent plugs]
Denon DVD 900 (old)

My wife has always been interested in the Video/screen part of the system. She said she wanted to chose the projector yesterday and I'm like.. well love that's just 10% of the budget we are spending on the rest (she doesn't mind not having the SIM2 because she would like the ability to place the projector where she wants and is assuming that in the next upgrade in 3 years we will get better video.

For the first time she began reading a little of this thread asking me loads of questions...

OK, given your need for HT over 2ch, and your burning for the 802d, this system G of yours works for me. The centre and sub are most important speakers in HT. The sub will have to be an upgrade as you cannot afford 802d and everything else at that level. Use of the older gear is $smart. At least you have the front 3 covered and the good amplification to match - should last you 10 years +. So that is good and you will be happy.

Must say I bit the bullet on the 802d this year for exact same reason - never wanted to die wondering and I know I won't have to replace them for a long long time. So I understand your desire. They are wonderful pieces of functional furniture

[ti33er]

Hey Babar

Have you thought about an Infocus 7210 Projector - I have just ordered one from a website in Ireland (not sure if it is a scam or not but hoping for the best, Credit Card co. will refund me if it is) for £1399.00 (RRP £3500)...they are just as good as SIM2 imo

http://www.luzerntech.com/Projectors/

[sikoniko]

I like this better... same price too...

ELECTRICALS:
Classe CA-3200 $6000
classe ssp-300 $4000
rotel 1075 - $1000

SPEAKERS:
BW 802D $12000
BW HTM2D + stand $5000

= $28,000

New equipment wiring: $500 [reasonable?]

BW ASW 500 (old)
BW LCR 60 S3 (old) [rear center?]
Interconnects (old) [monsterXP nw wiring and decent plugs]
Denon DVD 900 (old)

[ti33er]

Sorry to be a little off-topic and a party-pooper gents but this whole HDCP issue that I have been investigating, apparently all the components in the chain need to be HDCP compliant for BluRay or HDDVD protected content to display over an HDMI connection, or else you get standard definition output in 480p, even over analogue. To make matters worse they are talking about an HDMI Version 1.3 to become standard soon (Higher bandwidth, 48bit colour) ...is this not a concern with the Classe gear currently (if you want to use the pre/pro as a hub at least)? ...just thought I better mention it as it is making waves over here and most people are feeling a tad confused... this is another good reason for me to hold out ...disregarding these previous statements I like Sikoniko's idea because you can get rid of that Rotel kit easier in the long run without burning a hole in your pocket...


Babar, my honest opinion....buy the 'good investment' house now instead of renting, come back to this forum when it goes up in value in a year, as you will be able to remorgage your home and buy all your gear with that extra 'fake' money!

[babar]

The preferred system looks like:

SYSTEM H:
ELECTRICALS:
Classe CA-3200 $6000
Classe SSP-300 $4000
rotel 1075 - $1000

SPEAKERS:
BW 802D $12000
BW HTM2D + stand $5000

= $28,000

Old Surround Equipment:
BW ASW 500
BW LCR 60 S3 rear center
Minipods x 5 for rear and perhaps sides

Old Source:
Denon DVD 900

PROS:
All components have been tried by others and are reccomended together; thereby eliminating potential risk of Rotel paired with BW802D's
Great building block for future upgrades

CONS:
HT experience may suffer due to lesser quality surrounds
DVD player is old
HDCP compliance issue
No projector, etc

MY feelings:
I like the way the system stacks up. For my budget I am getting really good and well matched components. More importantly the worry of Rotel and BW is negated. No compromise on purchase.
Additionally, I think it will take me a while to appreciate the new equipment and get used to the 'better' sound than I am used to. So when I do upgrade the DVD, I will be able to tell the difference and appreciate it more.



Questions:
1. What other options exist besides the Rotel 1075? As I am going over store credit anyway, my options for this unit are open.
2. How much is the minimum I should spend on video interconnects keeping in mind my old DVD player and current 42" plasma?
3. Do Classe come with audio wires for the three prong plugs as seen in the brochure? if not how much should I spend on this? (again, as over budget I can purchase elsewhere).

Ti33er, the dealer with whom I have 'store credit' currently is not selling real estate
The new home will take time to construct and I don't want to begin construction until we have a family and/or better understanding of our needs.
Can you please elaborate on the concern you expressed of Classe with HDCP / HDMI and specifically what you mean by using the pre/pro as a hub? (you lost me there).

[sikoniko]

The preferred system looks like:

Ti33er, the dealer with whom I have 'store credit' currently is not selling real estate
The new home will take time to construct and I don't want to begin construction until we have a family and/or better understanding of our needs.
Can you please elaborate on the concern you expressed of Classe with HDCP / HDMI and specifically what you mean by using the pre/pro as a hub? (you lost me there).

HDCP will not be used until 2010 or 2011 and would only apply to component use. for now you can use the analog outputs of the dvd player and the hdmi for video directly into your tv. it will yield the same results as a one cable solution. the only difference is use will use the bass management on the source instead of the pre/pro. not really a big deal.

[misterdoggy]

You're getting there.

You might want to think about keeping Amp Brand the same. Same sound.

I mean you are working on a sculpture here and it would be great to get as close as you can to what it should be.

Also, Cables in a good system should be on the average 10% of the investment: good interconnects, speaker cables and power cables.

Also in a "modern system" you may want to think about up a video upscaler for you plasma

By the way I've owned a 1098, Krell hts 5.1, Parasound Halo C1 and now Lexicon MC12B, but I must say the 1098 Rotel was a great Processor. They were all great and in this domain they are closer together than what you would think.

It had a great software with ease of use. The best thought out of all the afore mentioned models. They really have it together. Of course, I would not give up my lexicon for it, but the Lex retails for $10k.

[babar]

Sikoniko: why will the bass management be handled by the DVD and not the Pre-pro? Also what do you mean by component use? (am still learning the lingo)

Misterdoggy: have you heard the Classe I am considering?
What speakers were you using with the Rotel 1098?
The plasma is a 42" Panasonic. Do I need an upscaler at this point- both plasma and dvd player are 36 months old.
You mention that I will should try and keep all components with the same brand. Can you please suggest a configuration you would perhaps prefer keeping the budget contraints, store credit and my preference for HT (80:20) and desire for 802D's in mind.

It has been recommended (and on other threads on htguide.com) not to pair the BW802D's with a Rotel amp. Basically, Does it make sense to drop the SSP-300 for a Rotel 1098? I do not foresee an upgrade within 3-5 years of the pre/pro.
Also, will the proprietary connections between the Classe make a difference?

I can save $2000 (quite a bit when you consider I am over budget) by going Rotel pre/proc and Classe-3200, but what are the trade-offs?


Thanks. Truly Appreciate all the advice I am getting on this and am very grateful for everyone's help. 8O

[misterdoggy]

Sikoniko: why will the bass management be handled by the DVD and not the Pre-pro? Also what do you mean by component use? (am still learning the lingo)

Misterdoggy: have you heard the Classe I am considering?
What speakers were you using with the Rotel 1098?
The plasma is a 42" Panasonic. Do I need an upscaler at this point- both plasma and dvd player are 36 months old.
You mention that I will should try and keep all components with the same brand. Can you please suggest a configuration you would perhaps prefer keeping the budget contraints, store credit and my preference for HT (80:20) and desire for 802D's in mind.

It has been recommended (and on other threads on htguide.com) not to pair the BW802D's with a Rotel amp. Basically, Does it make sense to drop the SSP-300 for a Rotel 1098? I do not foresee an upgrade within 3-5 years of the pre/pro.
Also, will the proprietary connections between the Classe make a difference?

I can save $2000 (quite a bit when you consider I am over budget) by going Rotel pre/proc and Classe-3200, but what are the trade-offs?


Thanks. Truly Appreciate all the advice I am getting on this and am very grateful for everyone's help. 8O

I don't think all your components need to be the same brand. Components are DVD players, Cd players, Preamps, Amps the "pieces" rather than the speakers or players, but the term could also be used as the different components meaning things.

I did say that I think you should keep your Amplifier brands the same if you have more than one. You may consider just a 5.1 system which is less costly than 7.1 (extra Amp)

I had 804S with the Rotel 1098. It has great separation of sound and control over the system, but the Stereo was only so so...... Having a dedicated Preamp or dedicated anything is usually better quality than Multi somethings ie: Receiver rather than processor and separate amps

[ti33er]

Sorry gents, no offence meant to anyone but just to clarify...what I mean by a 'hub' is using your pre/pro as the central unit whereby you plug everything into and control your devices from...like most of us do I would think?

HDMI Version 1.3 will be sported on the new "Playstation 3" FYI in November this year (a meagre 3 months away?) ...Considering that one can already buy BluRay players in parts of the world, Sony will certainly be pushing BluRay movies shortly...Microsoft and the others following suite will be pushing HDDVD too (Windows VISTA is HDCP compliant FYI, one of the big selling points...everyone will be upgrading their graphics cards and PC monitors too it looks like, provided they want the functionality of VISTA and it's hi-def media)

HDMI is to be the new interface for all audio and video they way I enterpret it, 1 cable to rule them all! ? ...if the digital amp revolution ever succeeds, HDMI Version x.x is certainly going to be the way to go for ALL future connections imo ...or how else will one play Home Theater media in all it's future glory?

Babar is generally a Home Theater man (like myself) if I am not mistaken so this should apply.

Anyway if you are happy with current technology and don't think that you will suffer upgradeitus in the not too near future, go with the suggestions in this thread and be happy!

[misterdoggy]

HDMI is a one cable solution, but it is not "the" solution. For the moment there aren't many Processors that do upscaling as well as a separate upscaler (Anthem does). There are still many bugs with hdmi as it is early in the game.
Ie: Even though the new lexicon supports hdmi, it doesn't upscale. Or Even a top upscaler like DVDO loses sound when multiple hdmi sources.

If you want all your sources to come out 1080p theres work to do. Hdmi version 1.3 isn't supported by many Components including Plasmas.

True HDDVD and Blue Ray are 1080p output, but its probably not far away where Processors will be able to deal with it all.

Its a moment of great change. For the moment I am using a separate upscaler "DVDO" that handles ALL my Video like a Video Hub and a Lexicon Processor to handle all digital Audio and a Preamp to handle Analog output.

There are some processors that upscale like Anthem that does it all but nothing to handle hdmi 1.3 yet. And still nothing sounds better with Stereo than good all preamp, 2 channel, not hdmi, but good old interconnects Analog

[sikoniko]

I agree. The only difference between what we have now, and what we will have with hdmi 1.3 and above is the move to a one cable solution for audio and video. hdmi is problematic at best right now.