HT upgrade questions

[Tedrick]

Sorry if this gets a little long-winded, but here goes.

I'm currently using an old Yamaha DSP-100 digital signal processor, Yamaha MX-35 4x35 watt amp, low-end Yamaha surrounds (came with the amp and processor as a package) with KEF Reference 102's driven by an Adcom GFA-535 for mains. The Yamaha DSP actually provided for up to 8 channels of sound (2 mains, 2 front effects, 2 rear effects, 1 center, and 1 sub), but I've never used it with a center or sub. I've had this system for over 16 years, and I've got the upgrade bug in a HUGE way. I plan to use my 80's-vintage Infinity RS-IIIb's driven by an Adcom GFA-555-II for my front mains, and I've acquired an Adcom GFA-6000 5-channel amp to replace the Yamaha to get a total of 7 channels of amplification. I plan to use the system about 50/50 for music and movies, but music matters to me more.

So, I have two big questions:

1) Is the 5.1/7.1 decoding that much better than the old DSP technology that I should scrap the Yamaha and get a 5.1/7.1 rig and never look back, or is the Yamaha that much better for music that it's worth keeping?

2) I've been watching the used gear market for a while for an older Infinity bookshelf and center channel speakers with the Emit tweeter, but so far the pickings have been pretty slim. My question is, will Infinity's Beta, Interlude, or Primus series speakers work ok for surrounds and center? I'm thinking about getting a pair of Beta 20's for the surrounds and a Beta C360 for center, and then adding another pair of Beta 20's or ES250 dipoles later for the surrounds and shifting the other Beta's to the back speakers in the 7.1 set-up.

Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions? All are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[RichPA]

1) Is the 5.1/7.1 decoding that much better than the old DSP technology that I should scrap the Yamaha and get a 5.1/7.1 rig and never look back, or is the Yamaha that much better for music that it's worth keeping?

I'll try to answer this one - I think you will be much happier all around with a more up-to-date processor. I have a Rotel 1066 that I bought used, and I like it a lot. For music, though, I prefer plain two-channel, so you may have a different view.

[Clmrt]

Find an inexpensive, modern 5.1 receiver with pre-outs. They're cheaper than dedicated pre/pros and easy to find under $500. Use it as a processor since you've got the amplification covered.

I know of no DVD's are authored in 7.1, so any 7.1 listening will be matrixed for those two additional channels - that is, they are extrapolated from the 5.1 and added to the mix in a way the producers have no control over.

As acceptance of 7.1 becomes more prevelant, you may see more clues on releases that may have 7.1 content encoded in the 5.1 bitstream - Lord of the Rings, for example, has the Logic7 logo on it. I don't have 7.1 speakers, 5.1 here, so I didn't really care to spend another $200 on matching NHT's and mounts and cables to try it.

I've been supremely happy with my HK AVR110 then the 325, driving Advents, Athena and NHT. No sub right now, there's enough bass coming from the Advents, and the rest of the household disallows loud listening anyway.

http://harmanaudio.com/search_browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=AVR%20325-Z&status=

[thedelihaus]

As for the 5.1 to 7.1 format, as Clmrt mentioned, there's no "real" 7.1, but indeed there are 5.1, and a few (not many) 6.1 recordings.

I like the 5.1 and 6.1 ability of most modern HT receivers. My HT receiver is a 6.1- this means it will play 6.1 DVDs, and any 5.1 DVD will matrix to take advantage of that 6th channel capability.

As for the speakers, I find, in my experiences, my tastes, speakers for film, television and the like to be less of a worry for me compared to the speakers I choose for music. For all the dialogue, special effects, explosions, ambient noise, ect, my humble setup does me well.

I run (currently) some Polk R15s for fronts, a Cambridge Soundworks center channel, a Cambridge Soundworks Subwoofer, and Minimus 7s for surrounds.

I get much pickier with my stereo speakers, either run off the stereo "B" channel of my HT receiver, or off, my preferred choice, a dedicated stereo integrated amplifier.

Here I run a vintage Int. Amp, and plenty of improved quality vintage speakers (Polk, EPI, ADS, Boston Acostics, ect).