First, understand that this is going to be a slow and thought out process. If you impulse buy on electronics you will likely regret your choices in the future. It has taken me about seven years to get my system to where it is today, and I’m still not finished (Shh… don’t tell my wife). So don’t be disappointed if you do not have everything in place by the time Star Wars is released on Blu-Ray this September.
To begin, start with something. (No-brainer right?) After all, something is better than nothing. And once you have something in place then your search for quality pieces can begin. Research what is out there and get familiar with higher end brands like Klipsch, JBL, B&W, Paradigm, etc. Often these are not house hold names, but if you know what you are looking for you can spot a good deal when you find it.
If you are going to invest any considerable money in your electronics I would suggest it be in your speakers. Yes new speaker technology comes out every day, but speakers are a lot less likely to be outdated by new technology than say your TV or Surround Processor. In fact good speakers are a lot like wine, if they are well cared for they will last a long time and may even sound better with age.
You can often get really good deals on floor model or demo speakers from high end dealers, especially in today’s market where AV Companies are all scratching for a buck. Craigslist is also a great resource for anything you want to get a deal on, but make sure you know your stuff and have some specifics in mind when searching the web.
After you get your speakers situated you should probably move on to your amplifier and processor. You can purchase these separate or get them all in one piece as an Audio/Surround Receiver. The advantage of buying separates is that as new audio technology comes out or they design a new plug-end you only need to replace the processor and not the whole thing. The processor or receiver is where it would be wise to invest in newer technology, as much as your budget allows. You can find great deals on B stock or last years refurbished models. I recently purchased a Marantz receiver for about a third of what it listed for and still received all the manufacture’s warrantees because I purchased it through an authorized dealer.
When purchasing your amplifier or receiver you are going to want to keep your speakers in mind. The wattage rating is very important to pay attention to. So, if your speakers are rated for 100 watts RMS, then you are going to want to go with an amp that runs about 110-120 watts. No, you will not blow your speakers, but if you go lower in wattage it causes what is called a clipping effect. And a clipping effect will blow your speakers faster than over powering them will.
The last thing you will want to buy is the TV. Find something of good quality and again buy a closeout or floor model, or better yet, buy your brother-in-law’s year old TV when he goes and drops three grand on the newest fad out there. Do your research and know your stuff. You can get a good TV that will last you a long time, but you are going to have to do your research. Features and specs change so fast in the TV world that it may be hard at first to keep up, but stay at it and you’ll get exactly what you are looking for. Whatever TV you do buy make sure you do not buy your cables and accessories from a box store. You will save 60% to 70% if you do a quick search online, and will probably get a better product.
Finally when you have your system all set up and are sitting there enjoying the best entertainment experience your money can buy, don’t look back. Technology is always advancing and thus will always push the cost of older technology down. Yes in two months you will probably be able to buy that same TV for $300 less, but appreciate what you have now andbe proud of yourself for finding great deals and getting exactly what you really wanted.
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