Help with home audio for dummies

 

New member
Username: Alicat

Post Number: 3
Registered: Sep-05
I keep getting different answers from home audio stores so I thought I would try here. Note that I am totally clueless about this process, but if someone can tell me what I need to buy and why, I'll be so happy!!

We have 5 sets of ceiling speakers installed in our house. All wiring runs to one area in the main room. We have a Sony Dream System and a Sony 42 inch Grand Wega LCD TV and a Sony DVD player that needs to be hooked up in that area as well.

All I want is to be able to listen to music through the ceiling speakers in the house while someone else can watch TV or a DVD in the main room.

Some people say 2 amps, some say it must be custom (trying to avoid this as I can't afford 5K right now) some use the word 'loaded ??', and so on...

Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks
 

Silver Member
Username: Devils_advocate

Post Number: 407
Registered: Jul-05
I guess the first question is does the Dream System have an audio output/pre-out?
 

New member
Username: Alicat

Post Number: 4
Registered: Sep-05
I copied the specs from the sony website: Does this make any sense to you?!!

Amplifier
S-Master Digital Amplifier
Power Output - Front (RMS 10%THD): 133W x 2
Power Output - Centre (RMS): 133W
Power Output - Surround (RMS): 133W x 2
Power Output - Subwoofer (RMS): 135W
Power Output - Total: 800W

Inputs / Outputs
Audio Line IN (Analog): 1
Video Signal OUT (Composite): 1
Video Signal OUT (S): 1
Video Signal OUT (Component): 1
Speaker Terminals (Front/Centre/Surround/Subwoofer)
Headphone Jack (3.5mm)
Equalizer
Bass Boost Function: DSGX
Surround/Effects
Dolby Prologic II (all functions)
Dolby Digital
DTS
Multi Stereo (Link)
Virtual Speaker Mode (Headphone)
A/V SYNC (Lip Sync)
Other Functions
Dimmer
DEMO Mode
VACS
Timer (SLEEP)
Power Adjustments
Power Save Mode
Power Requirement: 120V AC, 60Hz
Power Consumption: 145W
Power Consumption at Stand by: Less than 0.3 W
Tuner
Band: FM / AM
Tuning Range (FM): 87.5 ~ 108.0 MHz
Tuning Range (AM): 530~1710 kHz (10k step)
Station Presets: FM-20 / AM-10
External FM/AM Antenna: FM- 75 ohm)
DVD / SACD / VCD / CD PLAYER
Mechanism Type: 5 DVD Tray
Tray Lock
Format: DVD / CD / Video CD
DVD / CD
CD-R / CD-RW Play Back
DVD-R/+R/+R DL/+RW/-RW/-RW(VR) Playback (* Some discs may not be played back)
DVD-RW(CPRM) Playback
J-PEG Playback
MP3 Playback
Video
Progressive Scan (NTSC)
Precision Cinema Progressive
VCD Version 2.0
Picture Navigator
OSD Control
Other Functions
Play Mode: (Shuffle / Program / Repeat) CD/VCD/SACD only
D/A Converter (Video): 108MHz/12-bit
Multi-Disc Resume (DVD,VCD): 40 discs
Flash/Advance (on RM)
Speakers
Front Stereo Speaker
Type: Micro Satellite (Net)
System: 1-way (Full Range)
Enclosure Type: Bass Reflex (Ported)
Impedance: 2.7 ohm
Woofer Unit: 6.5cm
AV Shield
Connector Type: Normal
Supplied Wire: 5m x 2
Centre Stereo Speaker

Type: Satellite (Net)
System: 1-way (Full Range)
Enclosure Type: Bass Reflex (Ported)
Impedance: 2.7 ohm
Speaker Unit: 6.5cm
AV Shield
Connector Type: Normal
Supplied Wire: 5m x 1
Surround Stereo Speaker

Type: Micro Satellite (Net)
System: 1-way (Full Range)
Enclosure Type: Bass Reflex (Ported)
Impedance: 2.7 ohm
Speaker Unit: 6.5cm
Connector Type: Normal
Supplied Wire: 15m x 2
Subwoofer

System: Normal
Enclosure Type: Bass Reflex (Ported)
Impedance: 2.7 ohm
Passive
Speaker Unit: 16cm
AV Shield
Supplied Wire: 5m x1
Connector Type: Normal
Remote Commander
Model: RM-ADU001
Battery (Size / Type): AA
THEATRE SYNC
 

Silver Member
Username: Devils_advocate

Post Number: 408
Registered: Jul-05
Yes; unfortunately since the Dream System itself doesn't have an audio output/pre-out, I don't believe you will be able to connect its player to a seperate amplifier.

However, you mentioned you have a seperate DVD player. You will need two items: a pre-amplifier and a multi-zone power amplifier. You will connect the DVD player to the pre-amplifer. The preamplifier will need a couple of stereo outputs; one for the Dream System, and one for the multi-zone amplifier. Since you have 5 sets of speakers to power, you may need more than one amplifier, which you need to keep in mind when you purchase a pre-amp as well.
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