[Waffen]

this thread is right up my alley. A/V is one of my main interests :3

my set-up is still being constructed so there isn't any pictures yet but here's a rundown of what I'm putting together:

TV: 43" Pioneer plasma 720p. Got it about a year ago and now the 50" is the same price :(
while its still the best, plasma is getting its ass kicked by cheapskate consumers and all the DLPs and LCDs they've been buying. prices on plasmas are going down down down.
video is just being input via component because I only have a 360 Premium (no Elite yet) and my satellite box doesn't do HDMI. I need to call Dish Network and have them send me a newer model.
TV also takes VGA input so I've got a long-ass VGA cable I plug into my imac sometimes (with a mini-VGA adapter ofcourse) that I can run white screens on to help out with burn-in and to watch things from the internets.

Receiver: Pioneer VSX-917. 110 watts x 7 channels, 2 HDMI ports, 3 optical ports, Sirius, XM and LCD remote. Still waiting for this to be shipped but when it arrives all my audio and video switching will be managed by it. I don't have anything that has HDMI that I can plug into it yet but eventually I will (maybe a PS3 someday?). atleast I've got optical audio input from the 360 and satellite box. supports SR+ plasma control so lots of functions are displayed onscreen like receiver volume and surround sound settings. can't wait for this thing to arrive :)

Speakers: Polk Audio RM6750 5.1 surround sound. this set sells at the box stores for $500 but I found it online for $275 shipped.
they're decent speakers, sort of entry-level and will probably be upgraded at some point but they're good enough for now.
satellite speakers are getting mounted on some nice stands I picked up and the speaker wire is 16 gauge Monster THX wire with Monster banana clip inputs into the receiver and Monster mini-plugs into the speakers. no twisted up wires shoved into sockets here folks!

Extras: Pioneer ipod dock. cool little dock for my nano with yet another blue light that has a video ouput so you can scroll through your playlists and stuff on-screen with the little remote. nice to be able to pick a song and play it!
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PSN Online ID: SylentButDeadly

[Waffen]

on the totally opposite end of the HT spectrum of HDMI, surround sound and Dolby Digital EX Pro Logic II here is a stereo tube amplifier that my brother bought this weekend from a little company in Annapolis, MD:



doesn't do much for $600 but its supposed to sound real good.
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PSN Online ID: SylentButDeadly

[Waffen]

yeah they're pretty durable. I'm pretty sure they don't like "blow out" or anything on a regular basis.
and if they do the place that makes them is only a couple miles from where my brother lives.
I guess you can change out the tubes to get different types of sound too.
thats sort of how you "tune" those amplifiers I guess as opposed to a digital EQ like our jap receivers have.
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PSN Online ID: SylentButDeadly

[Waffen]

I've been building my system for awhile too but only in the last month did I really throw down for the big things like the new Polk speakers and Pio receiver.

in the last month I've made so many goddamn trips to Fry's for cables, wires and adapters you would not believe it and everytime I go there I get more and more blown away by the stupidity of the employees there.
amazing!

I'll also have to take a pic of the shelf in my entertainment center that will house my new receiver. all my cables and wires are going in there and they're just waiting to get plugged in. there must be like 20 different speaker, TOS and component cables in there. good times!
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PSN Online ID: SylentButDeadly

[Waffen]

mcdonalds =/= big box stores

keep that in mind and you'll be ok the next time you go to best buy looking for speaker stands or something.

the people who work there are there for a reason- its currently the best they can do and thats it.
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PSN Online ID: SylentButDeadly

[Waffen]

the same clientele is employed in both industries.

basically run of the mill idiots.

I base this opinion on all the follies I've been through with employees at both types of businesses.
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PSN Online ID: SylentButDeadly

[Waffen]

my receiver should be coming in today so my whole "theater" should be done soon.

too bad my stupid 360 broke yesterday :( I was really looking forward to rocking Gears of War in surround sound.

but hopefully I can get some 5.1 content from regular TV to test my new system out.

pics will be posted soon.
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PSN Online ID: SylentButDeadly