Page 1 of Which Home Cinema System to Buy ??

Could I ask for advice re above as I am new to the DVD/Home Cinema scene I a have no idea of the merits of the below options. At present I have a Goodmans Pro Logic GHC 70 Twin Tower System , but I will shortly be getting a Sony Wega 32" Wide screen TV and a Pioneer DVD 535. And I would like to get the most from Dolby Digital 5.1 & DTS.

I could buy a Yamaha RX-V596RDS receiver and get a set of Yamaha NSP-300 speakers for free total cost £399 from advert in What Video & TV. OR buy from a well known Co buy inter site a Pioneer VSX-709RDS receiver £219 and a set of JBL SCS-75 Home cinema speakers £119 total cost £338.

I will be siting the receiver some four feet away fronm the DVD player and connecting via a optical cable or co ax cable. Also will I be able to use the above receiver/speakers to play my CDs ie in stereo or will I have to use my existing CD player & speakers.

The room measures 11` 6" by 14` 6" and is 7` 10" tall the TV will be sited in the corner and the viewing position will be in the centre on the diagonal to the TV.

Many thanks in anticipation of your advice

ianws

The Yamaha Receiver is better than the Pioneer one for sure, but it`s still pretty good. If you don`t need a radio then have a look at the Yamaha DSPA5 which is better than both of them.

I`ve got no experience with either speakers sets so no comment on that, although aren`t the Yamaha speakers just 2 speakers (ie not 5.1)?

Make sure you use coaxial cable as this will work much better over four feet than optical cable would. However, I`ve found that using a short coaxial with the DVD player right next to the receiver with a longer cable (S video or scart) to the television usually works better.

Also, you can play your CD`s in stereo on your new kit, whatever you choose. All of the amps/receivers allow you to choose between Pro Logic, Stereo and DTS/AC3 so there`s no worries there.

Make sure you demo them first as it`s a lot of money if it sounds wrong in your room.