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I'm looking at HT also because my TV of 15 years is near it end days. It's still a open question for me. I've looked at various screen technologies (CRT, LCD, Plasma, DLP, LCoS, front projection). For me it comes down to how it will be viewed. We all know CRT already. DLP is cheaper, but viewing angle is restricted in the vertical plane - not a problem if you sit on a couch most of the time, but will be if we sit on the floor. The bulb is expensive to replace unless you get lucky and get a new LED light source.

Plasma is great but pulls more wall juice than LCD. Both have good angle of view, and differ in contrast ratio, LCD is better from what I gather. LCoS I think has better contrast.

Front projection needs a dark room and a good screen, otherwise the picture loses a lot of contrast.

There is technology coming that is basically a flat-screen CRT. If that comes soon, I may go for it, as it will have the color, contrast, brightness of a CRT in a flat screen.

As for receivers, I don't know what to recommend. My problem is that it took a long time and work to get my two channels sounding so good, that a 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 receiver won't match, and I don't feel like improving another 4, 5, or 6 channels to match my first 2. You'll need to listen and see/hear for yourself, and evaluate the features.

Sorry I'm not much more help.

I won't pretend I know much about the home theater angle, and I'll leave it to someone else to recommend a good amplification arrangement for you. Speaker-wise, I think you'll be very pleased with what Paradigm has to offer. They produce a wide range of loudspeakers, and you'll be able to find products that integrate well with your plans. They make floorstanding and bookshelf models of all sizes and price points, subwoofers, in-wall/in-ceiling, and outdoor solutions. Paradigm is a value leader in the industry, offering great sound at realistic prices. Okay, that sounded like an ad, but I assure you they're not paying me. I'm just a satisfied owner.

Where do you live? Are those Aussie dollars? I was working with $4000 USD! Oops. I didn't know Paradigm was so expensive overseas. The Monitor 7's are about $700 stateside.

Ohhh, I see. My brain is still in stereo mode. Full system, gotcha.

For amplification, you might consider NAD or Outlaw Audio.

Well, that depends upon how you define "problem". The Monitor 7's are designed to be freestanding, and will produce the best sound out in the room. You can put them in cabinets if you wish, but you won't be experiencing them in top form.

Since the speakers come to $2500, you're not working with a huge amount in the amplification and source department. If you can stretch it, avoid the receiver altogether and get a separate preamp/processor and multichannel amplifier. If you'd prefer to stick with a receiver, NAD and Outlaw are still good names to check out.

I've been neglecting to employ the K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid) method. Since you're getting a sub, there's not really any reason not to get the Titan combo for $300 less than the 7's. The advantage of a floorstander (full cabinet to floor) versus a bookshelf (stand-mounted) is primarily low-frequency performance. The subwoofer will fill in whatever the Titans miss. The midrange and treble in the Titans will equal, perhaps even surpass, that of the 7's. Okay, now you're speaker-beautiful for $2195.

Amplification. I'm going to do a 180 here. Yes, get a receiver. It will fit better with your budget and intended use, as well as eliminate a bunch of cables.

There are surely many receiver choices, but I'll stick with NAD and Outlaw for the sake of simplicity. The NAD T744 sells for $800. Its big brother, the T754, goes for $1000. The Outlaw Audio 1070 splits the difference at $900. You can hear NAD at dealers, but the Outlaw is only sold direct through their website. That point is nearly moot, though, since you're out in the heart of the heartland. For the best sound in your budget, I'd go for one of those three. Even though I'm a big NAD fan, the Outlaw 1070 looks very compelling. Outlaw is a name you'll see A LOT on more A/V-oriented forums.

Alright, we need to get you a source. An Oppo DV-981HD might be nice at $230. It plays every audio format under the sun, up-converts to 1080p, has a Faroudja chip, and even comes with an HDMI cable, which are very expensive, if you haven't looked at them yet. Word on the street is that those Oppo machines sound very good, especially for the money.

So, you now have a receiver, speakers, a video source, and a music streamer. If we hypothetically give you the Outlaw 1070 and the Paradigm Titan system, you come in at $3625, plus tax. Your main room is covered, but not the secondary rooms you mentioned. I'll leave it to somebody else to tell you how best to accomplish your multi-zone goals.

A Squeezebox for each room gets your music there, but you still need to amplify it and send it to a pair of speakers. You could drop your main room to 5.1 and use the spare outputs to power one room, but you wouldn't have volume control in the room, as far as I know. I can tell you that you probably won't be able to do the main room and two secondaries without breaking your $4,000 budget, unless you compromise quite a bit in your theater, which I'm guessing you'd like to avoid. Powered speakers might be an option, though, since convenience trumps quality in the secondary rooms. There I go, giving you multi-room advice when I promised I wouldn't. Someone more knowledgeable in that regard might be able to sort it out for you. I sure can't.

Keep coming back with questions and concerns. Also, don't feel limited to my suggestions. This is your baby! I've tried to put together a system that will sound the best and (hopefully) do what you want it to do. At the end of the day, come home with what fits your needs and lifestyle.

All the best,

If you do decide to go smaller with the front speakers, you could optionally shave another $1000 off your cost by getting the Atom-based system. I use Atoms in my secondary system, and they are very satisfying. Full-range they are not, but you'll have a subwoofer. Food for thought.

Erik,

Do you have any sense of how the respective audio receivers, the NAD C720BEE or Outlaw RR2150, would match up w/ Monitor Audio RS8's, B&W 604's, &/or PSB T-65's?

I don't have any direct experience with the Outlaw, but the C720BEE has the same gain stage as the C320BEE integrated amplifier. It should pair well with any reasonably efficient loudspeakers. NAD has a pleasant, laid-back sound that I really enjoy. Some might call it a deficiency of detail, but to each his own. I don't know about the Monitors and the PSB's, but the B&W's (a bit "rough around the edges", imho) might benefit from the NAD's smooth output.

As always, go and listen for yourself. This hobby is about as subjective as any I know, and one man's cup of tea is swill to another.

Regards,

Thanks for the response. We're replacing a NAD 7130 receiver, which I've been very happy with & like its sound (in some old Norman 3 ways). The Outlaw's a total unknown to me. We're starting to listen to a higher grade speaker (& stretching the budget there) than we'd orignally started out looking for, & I was worried that we might be considering something that would want more power than those receiever's amps deliver.

FWIW, we listened to the RS8's, 604's & T-65's this afternoon (all different stores
& felt best about the Monitors.

That looks like a solid deal. I don't understand why they're selling the 7's for so much, but at that price, the 11's for $200 more are no-brainers. Marantz makes good gear. I prefer NAD, but Marantz amplification is very satisfying, and will certainly kill most mainstream receivers. It will also pair well with a Marantz DVD player, if you're so inclined. Anyway, you're looking good. If you want a stamp of approval, consider it stamped.

Before I go, why do you think you still need a preamp? The Marantz is a receiver, which integrates the preamp and power amp stages. You don't need a preamp, just a DVD player.

Oh! Okay. Good! Your multi-room problem is solved. Hooray for dealers and their expertise.