Noobie question

[cutra]

Well this looks like a great site and the users seam great (after reading many posts).
Since i'm a true car audio guy i'm now starting a home audio system.

Here is my question.
To go either with a a/v all in one unit that does surround etc for my home theater or to do a separate component set up with amps etc.

On the side of separate components how do you do the surround part.
Are there surround pre amps? that go from your dvd to the pre amp and then out to your amps?

Next do you need to have multiple amps for all the channels? i think yes but i'm not sure.

Obviously i need help.

Lastly I really like the old ADCOM amps so would I need matching amps for all the speakers or can i get different amps for front rear etc.

Let me know guys.
thanks.

[scootchu]

An A/V Surround Preamp is called a Processor and you can hook that up to amps for the individual channels or I believe your fav company, Adcom, makes some multi channel amps just for that reason.

Good Processors are expensive, at least the one's I have looked into. Some Surround Receivers have preamp outputs, for all or some of the channels, but why buy the Receiver if you don't use the amp section? I dunno.

Myself I would buy a decently powered Surround Receiver and a nice surround satellite speaker system and a big subwoofer and enjoy. I would save my real power for a 2-channel system and listen to music on that.:music:

[avionic]

An A/V Surround Preamp is called a Processor and you can hook that up to amps for the individual channels or I believe your fav company, Adcom, makes some multi channel amps just for that reason.

Good Processors are expensive, at least the one's I have looked into. Some Surround Receivers have preamp outputs, for all or some of the channels, but why buy the Receiver if you don't use the amp section? I dunno.

Myself I would buy a decently powered Surround Receiver and a nice surround satellite speaker system and a big subwoofer and enjoy. I would save my real power for a 2-channel system and listen to music on that.:music:
Find a A/V processor with pre-outs for all channels not just a subwoofer out. Then you can easily utilize multiple power amps.

[scootchu]

Find a A/V processor with pre-outs for all channels not just a subwoofer out. Then you can easily utilize multiple power amps.

What I was saying is that I wouldn't blow a load on a home theater and waste nice amps for movie watching. I have a 5.1 setup with a Kenwood Receiver, an Infinity satellite group and a Klipsch 12" Sub and it is more than enough to do a movie justice. Some of those A/V Processors are $$$$. I guess if you are into it I could justify the expense.

[gyusher]

Its just like everything else. . . Some are happy listening to a transister radio while others want a full blown high dollar seperate system.

The advantages of seperates are the ability to upgrade one componet at a time either as it needs it or just because you want it. Generally using seperates when one componet dies you aren't out of business where a receiver everything has to stop.

The advantages to receivers is for the most part cost savings.

There are those who will argue over the quality of componets just for movies vs music. The theory is that distortion is distortion regardless if it a gun shot or a music passage. Some spend big bucks for state of the art gear and justify it because of this and other reasons. I'm sure pride plays a big part.

For a beginner shop and shop till you drop. Often a cheap HTIB (Home Theater in a box) will do fine for starting out plus some HTIB systems run into the thousands so quality can be had there too. It just depends on what you want.

Receivers can cost pennies or thousands of dollars some even more than a good seperate system. There are many makers of both sides. Do your homework and buy what you like.

[cutra]

thanks guys for your help.
I guess i need to figure out some things.