Page 1 of Building a surround system.

I`m putting a system together and like the idea of using a few Aego 2 kits rather than a P5 which is not as flexible and lacks Pro Logic II. I already have one Aego 2 which sounds great. I tried a Sony Davs 550 and was not impressed.I was thinking of getting a Yamaha 800 decoder but it doesn`t have DPL II, are these available in silver? anyone heard if they`re bringing out a replacement with DPL II? do I really need a separate amp. I may go for a Marantz 7300 but it`s BIG. and how can 3 Aego systems be run with just 2 subs as suggested by westy Any ideas?
Cheers

Dave (Westy) gave me lots of advice when I was looking at setting up my first home cinema system. The advice included his personal recommendation of 3x Aego 2`s + 2 subs as you have detailed.

The description was fairly long and complex but unfortunately I`ve deleted the email he sent to me.

Your best bet is to email him directly using the "Ask Westy" link at the bottom of his column (oo-er)

I don`t think he`ll mind me saying that he is a committed home-cine-freak, and will probably be only too pleased to give you a helping hand with your Aego problem.

: )

Big A

I let my mind wander....and it didn`t come back.

DrStrangelover,
If you get this system up and going, let us know what you think. I for one have been interested in setting this up myself. Is it true that the Aego 5 has it`s own amp? Does the Aego 2 also have it`s own amp? I`m thinking of possibly getting a separate amp (maybe Marantz 4300) and running speakers off that. Let me know how you get on, and what kind of quality you get for audio CD playback as well. Just interested. :)
Cheers!
Rainbow6

Ok Dr, i`ve also sent this by email to you but thought i`d post here too.

First the Marantz is the best base to do all the decoding and the only affordabel amp of the new bunch to have a full set of 6.1 pre outs with which to run the Aego`s effectively, (i`m amazed that Yamaha have ommited this on the new 440).

Marantz 4300 here; http://www.unbeatable.co.uk/default.asp?src=pricerun&page=product&sku=107819 for £274 delivered.

Superb 6.1 reciever with DD Ex and DTS ES 6.1 plus Dolby Pro Logic 2 for making the most of CD`s and Sky/Cable broadcasts. Amazing i guarantee.

Speakers.

Acoistic Energy Aego 2 sub sat

Here; http://www.hifibitz.co.uk/warehouse/details.asp?ProductID=AEAEGO2WH

You`ll need 3 sets of these at £300 the lot. 3 sets!! Yes 3. Simply use one set run from the front pre out of the amp as the front left/right, another pair run from the centre and surround centre pre outs for the centre and rear centre sound, and then the last set run from the surround left/right for...er...the surrounds. The best bit here is, all of the channels will have totally effective bass management, due to having 3 subs, (you don`t have to use all 3, you could just use 2, under my guidance :-)), that very capably handle all the low frequencies very nicely and can be hidden from sight with no fuss! They are absolutely amazing speakers made by one of the UK`s top speaker manufacturers, believe me they are quite superb, and so bloody small!

All you need then is some phono leads to hook up the speakers and a digital cable to hook dvd to amp, http:www.beyondhifi.net is a great place to get some ace quality good value leads. You`ll need 3 pairs of these at your desired length http://www.beyondhifi.net/shopping/MoreInfo.asp?ProductID=290&CatID=98 remembereing they`ll need to be shorter at the front to connect to the Aego subs, (the sub has all the amplification built in with power for 3 channels in each sub), and then a longer for the rear. All you need to do is just seperate one of the twin pair by just pulling the wire apart at the `seam` that holds the cable together in the middle, which will then give you 2 single phono`s to use for the centre and surround back channels.

Sound complicated, it`s not in reality!! I will steer you the right way should you need the help! If you do, click on Ask Westy just to the left in the Opinion section and click the link at the foot of the page to get more in depth advice!!

And to answer your questions Rainbow - indeed the Aego`s sub has built in amps so you just run them at line level from the Marantz reciever, which effectively becomes a pre amp to do all the decoding - and puts less stress on the power amps leaving the highly efficient Aego subs to do the rest. CD sound with the Marantz and Aego`s is fabulous considering the tiny proportions of the speakers and the low cost of the amp.



Hope this isn`t too confusing, first steps are always daunting when you`re first buying, but we`re all here to help.

Cheers



Westy

Site Technical Help Editor and Moderator

Home Cinema Editor - Area450

Finally got it all up and running.
Try Richer Sounds For Marantz SR4300 £199. + if your`e quick Currys for Aego 2s at >£80 a pop. Spent a mint on cables to wire it all up though. Sounds ace. Maybe not quite as detailed as my previous system, a Marantz CD10, Cyrus 7 and Acoustic Energy AE1s but not bad considering the whole lot cost less than each one of my previous components. I`m thinking of bolstering the low bass by swapping one of the Ae subs for maybe a Rel q150 or perhaps a Quake anyone tried these out?

Thanks for your Advice.