Time to upgrade my home theater

[Pop Bumper Pete]

Time to upgrade my home theater

Time to upgrade the Amplifier/ receiver in my home theater set up

I currently have a Yamaha amp, but it is only 5.1 and predates HDMI

I see there is a new standard ATMOS? worth looking at or as pointless as 3D tv?

Any recommendations?

[McKie1]

Hi Peter. From what i've read, atmos allows for heaps of speakers in many locations.

In a home theatre probably overkill imho.

We have 7.1 plus a 2.0 second zone and this works perfectly for us.

Depending on budget, split receiver and amp is better for future proofing as much as possible. We have an integra receiver and power amp which didn't cost that much more than a decent all-in-one receiver/amp.

Next time you are over you can have a gander if you like.

Kids, Joanne and I love watching movies together now :)

[oldskool1969]

I have very strong opinions about amplifiers, but, I think you should speak to a hi fi specialist with your needs and room set up. Opinions on a pinball forum will blur your views badly. Very subjective topic, like DMD man to EM man.

For me ,
I run a yamaha RX-V500D 5.1 ( totally adequate ) internet ( network capable ) DAB+ ( digital radio ), lots of output and inputs.  This is a superb little amp. I didn't get caught up in the wank factor, but in saying this my needs were very basic  as I have a smallish room and full blown 7.2 ( or more setup ) is just going to be wasted here.

Please don't start me on speakers and devices  

[Pop Bumper Pete]

Please don't start me on speakers

ohh, that was the next question

[MartyJ]

Make sure to try and have at least two data points installed with ya gear.  Internet streaming on demand is the future... As for the rest best to get an expert in to measure and see exactly what your needs are.  Easy to flush a couple of NIB purchases worth of cash into a set up.

[Strangeways]

The most important part of the Cinema setup is to make sure the popcorn is the coloured type for the first "Pinball Meet and Cinema Night at Pete's".

Sorry, I have nothing to offer here. But a friend in the industry once told me "everyone's eyes and ears are different. Look and listen before you buy".

[Pop Bumper Pete]

Make sure to try and have at least two data points installed with ya gear.  Internet streaming on demand is the future... As for the rest best to get an expert in to measure and see exactly what your needs are.  Easy to flush a couple of NIB purchases worth of cash into a set up.

I Hear what you are saying
I just upgraded to a new smart TV, and with the NBN being run down my street right now. I will have to take online viewing into consideration

I am asking here first as I have found specialist home theater businesesses don't listen to what I want

[oldskool1969]

Make sure to try and have at least two data points installed with ya gear.  Internet streaming on demand is the future... As for the rest best to get an expert in to measure and see exactly what your needs are.  Easy to flush a couple of NIB purchases worth of cash into a set up.

I Hear what you are saying
I just upgraded to a new smart TV, and with the NBN being run down my street right now. I will have to take online viewing into consideration
I am asking here first as I have found specialist home theater businesesses don't listen to what I want

It is all wireless now as a general rule of thumb so need for data points. just a wireless router etc.
What do you want it to do? specifically?

[McKie1]

Hard wired for netflix 4k ;)

I thought you were the customer Peter!

[pinball god]

The world of home cinema can be more involved than putting a man on mars. First off check out your room. If its not the right shape, acoustically perfect, your search for perfection is a waste of time and that is the position most of us are in. So choose the size/picture quality you're after and buy that gear and then find the size and quality sound system you'd like and can afford. Try to keep as much of the sound from the same manufacturer and proportional in size/output. You should be ok.

Getting into the science of home cinema will do your head in and your wallet and you'll end up chasing ghosts. I have 11.2 capability and there aint nothing to utilize it and by the time it does my system will be obsolete. I reckon my extra speakers do make a difference like I might hear a bird tweet through my front highs and thats it for the movie but can't be sure. So its probably wank factor. 7.1 is all you need at most in my opinion unless you like tinkering like me.    

[pinball god]

I forgot to mention. I upgrade every 5 years or so when warranties expire and tech progress warrants it. And then I try to buy the latest and greatest I can afford to hopefully keep up with any advancements until the next upgrade.

[Zedman]

Before upgrading get your ears tested. Results may help judge if its worth the effort. Unfortunatley hearing degrades naturally with age, much to my annoiance!

[delarge]

Getting a house built at the moment and had my "data guys" over at the block yesterday installing network points in the majority of rooms and running network cable to where the data cabinet is going. I have put up with wifi for years and it falls down when you are streaming high definition movies. Lots of stutter.

The rumpus room is split home cinema and pinball/arcade room. 7 in-ceiling speakers purchased from Selby Acoustics in Melbourne, Onkyo TX-NR636 amp, 150" projector screen and a Benq W1070 3D projector from Officeworks. My home cinema was a mix of nice features plus sticking to a budget. My past projector setup relied on a Sony Home Theatre in a box 5.1 setup, so I've never been super picky (or wanted to spend the money on expensive audio systems), but this new gear will definitely be a step up.

Cheers!
Adam.

[Caveoftreasures]

I have purchased 2 x LG,s latest Home Theatre Surround Sound Systems and the system is mind blowinging awesome.

The system comes with a huge bass, 4 x stand up speakers (2 x front - left n right) 2 x rear (left n right rear) and there is 6 speakers in each tower with tweeters and various other design types I couldn't mention the names of but the towers are awesome. The speaker that sits in front of the TV offers clear speech mostly and the overall High End LG package which incl the Blu Ray 3D player is magic.

Never heard a surround system so clear and loud and under 1 grand easily.
Can be used for a large lounge or main bedroom.
Menu setup allows you to tune the system many ways incl setting each speaker distance wise from the player.

You can search the LG website or buy from places like JB Hi Fi who sometimes wholesale systems for half price if a new model is coming out. This is how I bought two systems for the price of one. They were only visually different from the previous model so bargains can be had. You don't have to spend huge $.
LG has some great products and have surpassed many other companies and are punching well above their weight.

[oldskool1969]

See what I mean, your head must be spinning.