[MADMAX111]

I am looking for a HT system (Minus the TV as I have decided on Sony KLV 32W400) which is good at playing music and OK with movies. I am on a budget (30-50 K) and would ideally be interested in an All In One System, but am not averse to a component system if unavoidable.
The Requirements in Order of Priority:

1. Good Stereo Sound for Music. Tight punchy bass. Listen to Rock, Hip Hop, Slow Rock, Country,
2. FM Tuner Must with acceptable reception.
3. Acceptable Movie Sound quality.
4. Acceptable Picture quality.
5. Fewer the speakers the better but no Sound Bars.
6. Can do without a sub if the speakers are floor standers and produce good bass. Biased towards bigger
speakers (Laws of Physics)
7. Additional features welcome.
8. Reliability.

After a bit of research I have short listed a few systems/components in mind but nothing is final and I am open to all suggestions. The alternatives I have in mind are as given below:-

Option I
Onkyo LS-V501 . An all in one System (DVD Player, FM Tuner, 2.1 Ch Amp, 2.1 speakers, Virtual Surround sound, HDMI
connection). Auditioned this one, did not like the sound. What Hi-Fi gave 4 stars to the AV receiver unit DR 501
which is let down by the speakers. Cost 41 k with speakers.
Pros- All in One, Saves Space, Looks, Meets all specifications.
Cons- Average Sound quality, probably because of speakers.
**Any suggestions for another 2.1 speaker system with this receiver Unit??

Option II
PS 3 as a player and DVR. ( Not sure whether it can record programmes from Tata Sky)
Onkyo AV receiver SR 506 – 7.1 sound, FM tuner HDMI (cost approx 25 k)
Speaker Set Up – Open To suggestions.
Pros- PS3 good as a package. In which case willing to shell out another 25 K for speakers.
Cons- Please advise if any.
** Have no idea about musical abilities of PS3 as a CD player and Onkyo reviever’s musical capabilities.
** Please advise on speakers for Onkyo receivers if this is OK.

Option III
Player- Samsung DVD HD780- Not sure about its musical abilities??
AV Reciver from Denon/Yamaha- Suggestions welcome.
Speakers – Suggestions Welcome.

As you can see I am totally in dark and highly confused. So gurus please help.

[linuxtechie]

How about HTPC?

If you build one / get one, nothing beats it in its features.

~LT

[reignofchaos]

With a budget of 50k, I'd get a pair of speakers (30k), an integrated amp(20k) and a dvd player(5k). My suggestion would be a pair of bookshelves for 25 grand and a pair of stands for 5 grand. Floorstanders in that kind of budget are a completely compromised design.

[MADMAX111]

More specific and detailed replies as requested would be welcome. Where are the gurus??

[anuragn]

I would suggest you to hunt around for deals in big stores like Croma, Reliance Digital, Electronics Bazaar (Big bazaar) etc. You might get a good AV receiver (Onkyo, yamaha or denon) alongwith good 5.1 speakers for 40-50K. Even i have the same requirement of HT, budget being under 50K, but mostly for viewing movies, and only occassional music listening. At this budget, we cannot just pick up a very good receiver and matching speaker set without touching a lakh.
Another option is to simply shelve the idea of HT, and go for a Good stereo system as suggested by ROC.

[navin]

Originally Posted by MADMAX111

I am on a budget (30-50 K) and would ideally be interested in an All In One System
Option II
PS 3 as a player
Onkyo AV receiver SR 506 – 7.1 sound

FOr that budget I'd first consider just a 2.1 system. the other 3-5 speakers can be added later. Start with the PS3, a decent AVR from Denon/HK etc.. 2 6" 2 ways and a active sub. Build slowly.

[MADMAX111]

Point taken guys. May be you can suggest a good (musical) AV reciever from Denon/Cambridge Audio/Matrantz/Onkyo (other brands are either expensive / not easily available or both)and a pair of floorstanders to which speakers can be added later. Music is more important and I will definetly not go beyond 5.1. However comments on specific componenets in my post would be welcome.

Any views on Onkyo LS-V501 or its integrated amp DR-501??

[navin]

Originally Posted by MADMAX111

Denon/Cambridge Audio/Matrantz

stick to these 3. I'd look at Cambridge, Arcam, or NAD. Onkyo is a budget option. For speakers consider Epos 12, Quad 11L, Monitor RS1 etc..

[anuragn]

@Navinji,
I don't understand this: You suggested PS3 as the source whereas his budget is max 50K for the entire system. Won't a basic DVD player be more cost effective (at <5K) Vs PS3 @25K?
And my one question? I am also on the lookout for a budget HT system within 50K (w/o TV). Should I rule out Onkyo as against Denon & Marantz? Worth to mention: My use would primarily be movies, and occassional music.
P.S. No intention of hijacking your thread MADMAX111, but found it to be a suitable opportunity for clearing my doubts as well.

[MADMAX111]

While searching various sites came across these midrange/budget AVRs as being adept at Audio and Video both - Cambridge Audio Azur V2 (35k), Denon 1507 (25k), Denon 1908 (36k), Onkyo 505(25k, not aware whether still in production).

Any experiences with these and comments?? Comments on Marantz AVR s3001(25k)

Speakers - Monitor Audio Bronze BR5 Floorstanders for a start(33K), Monitor Audio Bronze BR2 Standmounts (29K), Tannoy Mercury F1 Standmounts(10k/pair, 5.1 set up 68 k), Q Acoustics 5.1 system (41K).

Question- Are these speakers Ok to act as front two speakers in a 5.1 set up when I add other speakers later.

Any comments and who stocks Monitor Audio??

Dealers for Wharfdale Speakers please!!!

[MADMAX111]

Anuragn, you are most welcome. We are all learning here so let the Gyan flow. Cheers.

[appuchan]

Please check hifivision forum. Dealers for most brands are also listed there.

HiFiVision.com - India's Audio Video Hi-Fi Forum

[reignofchaos]

If you are looking for musical enjoyment, let me tell you no HT amp will come close to a good integrated amp designed with music in mind. HT amps are like the jack of all trades while an integrated is a master of just one thing... pure music.

[MADMAX111]

You are right roc but I want only one system which is good at music and ok with movies.

[navin]

Originally Posted by anuragn

@Navinji,
I don't understand this: You suggested PS3 as the source whereas his budget is max 50K for the entire system. Won't a basic DVD player be more cost effective (at <5K) Vs PS3 @25K?
And my one question? I am also on the lookout for a budget HT system within 50K (w/o TV). Should I rule out Onkyo as against Denon & Marantz? Worth to mention: My use would primarily be movies, and occassional music.
P.S. No intention of hijacking your thread MADMAX111, but found it to be a suitable opportunity for clearing my doubts as well.

I thought he already had a PS3 so I figured it could be used as a source.