Audio Systems: Hi Kevin, We are not audioheads,..., sony str de595, satellite tv service

Question
Hi Kevin,

We are not audioheads, but are needing to purchase some stereo gear and a DVD/VCR to go into a vacation house we just purchased.  Seems to me that we should be able to integrate all this instead of having a bunch of separate components, but I don't have a clue about how to start.   

We aren't looking to spend more than $500 since the TV is used mostly for kids programming, unless there is something too great to miss out there.  We do have satellite TV service.

Thanks for any insight you can give me.

Answer
Dear Tracy,

I'd recommend the Sony STR-DE595 receiver ($200); Toshiba SD-V280 DVD/VCR combination player ($115); and a pair of PSB Alpha A/V speakers ($200) to start. You can get the Sony and Toshiba units at any Best Buy or Circuit City. Check www.psbspeakers.com for a PSB dealer near you.

BTW, the Sony is a 5.1 receiver, so if you want to, you can afford to add surround and center channel speakers and a subwoofer later on.

An alternative is an all-in-one package (they're everywhere from WalMart to Best Buy to Costco) for about the same overall price. However, most of them don't have a VCR player and their reliability is an issue. Further, the sound quality is generally much poorer than what I've recommended.

Good luck. And thanks for choosing allexperts.com!

Kindest regards,

Kevin