I. Brief HistoryFirst set-up (no pics though):I got started on HT in 2002, when I set out to buy a dvd player. I chanced upon pinoydvd, met SGT (
the late Sonny Tuazon of Home Theater), and ended up with a Philips 25" flat CRT TV, a pioneer dvd player, the mission speakers and Onkyo 494 receiver described below.
Here's what I wrote in my blog about it:
It started with Diana Krall and the Bee Gees.
January, 2002.
I decided to buy a DVD player. After checking with the helpful folks at pinoydvd, I was introduced to a world where watching a movie at home was not just about turning on your tv, playing a disc and plopping down on your sofa with chips and soda within easy reach. It was all about experiencing the movie - seeing the images in the manner which the filmmakers envisioned, and being enveloped by the sound of it.
I scoured the metro for shops selling home theater systems and learned about speakers and amplifiers and wires. I also met a kind shopowner who loved Diana Krall's version of "Let's Face the Music and Dance" , and played it over and over, using different speakers and amps, just to demonstrate the nuances of each equipment. I'd never heard of Diana Krall before, and after one or two sessions with him, I went to a music store, got the album and played it on my cd player. It wasn't the same. I went back to his shop, and this time, he asked me to watch the dvd of the Bee Gees - One Night Only. I sat on his sofa, dreading the thought of listening to Night Fever and Tragedy, and found, to my chagrin, that I was tapping my feet in rhythm.
I ended up getting a bigger TV, an amplifier and front and center speakers (Mission M73 and the M7C1). On my wish list: a subwoofer and two rear speakers for 5.1 effect, and maybe a turntable.Second set up:September 2007: Got a Panasonic Viera 42pv70h from Theatre Works and got a new TV stand (Sabre Luna), but still had a 3 speaker set-up (
Mission M73 as fronts, M7C1 as center). As I lived in a studio-type unit then, there wasn't a lot of space. Here's a pic:
Upgrades over the years:October 2007: Got the Mission M30i as surrounds
November 2007: Got a Toshiba HD-DVD player. However, by the time it arrived in the Philippines, bluray had won the format wars
September 2008: I finally got my subwoofer (Velodyne CHT-10R). Finally 5.1!
March 2009: After 6 months of procrastination, a WD TV HD Media player!
December 2009: The condo unit I purchased was finally turned over to me. Since the floor area, while bigger than my rented unit, is still limited, I just tried to ensure that my set-up would look a bit better. Good thing my contractor shared my interest in HT, and gave some suggestions.
March 2010: This is how it looked like, after all the work was done. The Mission M73s are hidden in the cabinets, so is the sub (lower left hand corner).
Gears as of this time - Panasonic Viera 42PV70, Onkyo 494, Mission M73, M7C1, M30i, Pioneer DVD-266, Bada Line Conditioner
December 2010: I got an upscaling DVD player (Pioneer DV-420) to replace my oldie Pioneer DV-266.
January 2011: I got a PS3.
Also, I realized that if I upgrade my receiver in the future, it might not fit my shelves. So I had it redone a bit:
with the gears:
February 2014: After 12 years, I got Denon 1713 to replace my Onkyo 494
My only criteria for choosing this particular model, was that it was being sold at just about 50% off, and specs-wise, is already an upgrade over my Onkyo 494 because it has HDMI
Many thanks to Paul of Sound and Vision for the deal.
Humabol sa February 2014: Samsung 51F5000, to replace my trusty 7-year old Panasonic 42PV70. This one, from Abenson, and it's never ending Friday-Sunday promo of this model.
March 2014: I decided it was time to change my fronts/centers as well. After a few days of reading up on the brands/models which would fit my budget, and auditioning said models in various HT shops, I decided to get the Psb Image B6 + C5, thanks to Rex of Watts Hi Fi.
Also on March 2014: Some minor tweaks. Got a subwoofer riser and custom made center speaker stand.
And on the
last day of March 2014, I got a NAD516BEE after doing a home audition:
April 2014: Pioneer BDP-3220K (originally, Pioneer BDP-3120)
August 2014: Yaden 2000VA automatic voltage regulator, and for office set up: Fiio E18 Kunlun, audio technica ATH M50 headphone
September 2014: NAD DAC 1 Wireless USB
December 2014: Got a Chromecast as a Xmas gift
February 2015: Rega RP3 + Rega Fono Mini A2D
II. Set up as of February 18, 2015HTSamsung 51F5000 (previously, Philips 25" CRT TV and Panasonic Viera 42PV70)
Denon 1713 (from Onkyo 494)
Pioneer BDP-3220K (from Pioneer DV 420)
PS3 slimWD TV media playerFronts -
PSB Image B6 (previously, Mission M73)
Center -
PSB Image C5 (previously, Mission M7C1)
Surround -
Mission M30iSubwoofer -
Velodyne CHT 10RAudio-home useRega RP3 + Rega Fono Mini A2DNAD C516BEENAD DAC 1 Wireless USB DACNAD Viso HP 50Audio-officeMacbook Air 2012
AKG Q701
Fiio E18 KunlunUpdated group pic! (as of Jan. 31, 2015)Not included in the group pic:Velodyne CHT-10R with subwoofer riser from erwin allen
Mission M30is (rear speakers)
Group pic-office set upOthers:Yaden 2000VA automatic voltage regulator
Bada line conditioner
Logitech Harmony 525 universal remote
Radioshack sound level meter
HDMI cable (CDR-King and Monowire)
Speaker wires (fronts and center): Rega Quattro (previously, Ixos 6003)
Sabre speaker stand (4 pillars)
Center speaker stand from turbokiller
Subwoofer riser from erwin allen