Pioneer VSX-518K

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S3th13

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Aug 2, 2007
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Decent receiver? I can get one for free. Would this be decent to power a nice set of book shelf speakers and possibly a sub? If so, what speakers would you recommend sub-$300?

Thanks!
 
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That Pioneer is a great entry level receiver and will power a pair of bookshelves and subs perfectly fine. Here's a review of the older version of that receiver: http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/pioneer-vsx-517k.

For speakers AV123 has the ELT525s on b-stock right now for $179.99 plus shipping, you can also get the PSB Alpa B-1s for around that price new. Energy, Paradigm, and Infinity also makes good bookshelves in that price range. There have been a slew of threads about this kind of information lately so scroll through through the past couple pages and you'll find lots of speaker suggestions in your price range.
 
Those ELT525s look like a great deal. How would they sound while gaming? I'm sure I don't have to ask about their music/movie quality.
 
S3th13 said:
Those ELT525s look like a great deal. How would they sound while gaming? I'm sure I don't have to ask about their music/movie quality.
Click to expand...

Lol?

Speaker's Audio Reproduction Difficulty Comparisons:
Music>Movie>Games

Headphones' Audio Reproduction Difficulty Comparisons:
Music>Movie>=Games

Therefore, your last statement and question doesn't make sense.
 
Alai said:
Lol?

Speaker's Audio Reproduction Difficulty Comparisons:
Music>Movie>Games

Headphones' Audio Reproduction Difficulty Comparisons:
Music>Movie>=Games

Therefore, your last statement and question doesn't make sense.
Click to expand...

I guess you're right. I'm looking for a set of nice book shelf speakers that will really knock my socks off, and I'm trying to cover all the bases.
 
ELT525M will be pretty amazing at under $300. Especially if you get a receiver for free. The ELT525M are really power efficient, so you don't have to worry about being underpowered. Other options I would consider are the CBM-170 SE from Ascend Acoustics and LSi7 (used or refurbed) or RTi6 (used or refurbed) from Polk Audio.

Keep in mind, the Polk speakers may require a sturdier provider of power (amplifier).

The x-series from AV123 are also supposed to be pretty sweet at under $300.
 
What kind of cable would I need to connect my receiver to an Sound Blaster X-fi Platinum sound card (It doesn't have optical out)? Also, where can I find a cable like this along with speaker wire with the plug ends for cheap online?
 
check monoprice.com

if it doesn't have optical out, you have to use a headphone to RCA adapter.. but I thought the x-fi did have optical, it is a much better solution to your problem to use optical
 
JacobC1983 said:
check monoprice.com

if it doesn't have optical out, you have to use a headphone to RCA adapter.. but I thought the x-fi did have optical, it is a much better solution to your problem to use optical
Click to expand...

Would I lose any sound quality going this route?
 
King of Heroes said:
http://us.creative.com/products/pro...ter Digital I/O Module&dcs.acsF_X=Product Img

You need that to give optical out to your X-Fi. You plug it into the black port.

EDIT:

Aaaaand its out stock, I didn't notice that immediately. :eek:

I imagine its easy enough to find on Ebay or Amazon though.
Click to expand...

I don't understand the logic behind this solution. Analog port --- Digital port --- Digital port

Doesn't the initial analog connection negate any reason to use a digital cable?
 
Alai said:
Therefore, your last statement and question doesn't make sense.
Click to expand...

That would stand if it was a purely pony-and-cart problem, but it's not entirely true. There are some resonant qualities to the ELTs which tend to enhance the perceived quality of a musical reproduction yet which can be a little less than optimal for spoken dialogue. Think like the concert hall problem - you can build room acoustics for music or for voice, but one is typically less than optimal if not outright bad for the other.

ELT's are great for music, and do well for movies/games. There are probably better options if e.g. you're building a home theater for movies only. If games are the main interest...well honestly the requirements there are usually so low that the problem I'm outlining is a non-issue.
 
S3th13 said:
I don't understand the logic behind this solution. Analog port --- Digital port --- Digital port

Doesn't the initial analog connection negate any reason to use a digital cable?
Click to expand...

While it uses a 3.5mm jack, when used with that attachment, it doesn't send an analog signal. It carries a digital-electrical signal that is either converted to a digital-optical signal or just continues on as a digital-electrical signal through one of the coaxial ports.
 
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