What other equipment does your Father-in-Law have? How dead set is he on getting a full Surround Sound system?

In my view if he does specifically need a Surround Sound system, then there is no point in buying one.

The Marantz CD-KI-Pearl-Lite Player has 1x Optical, 1x Coaxial, and 1x USB inputs on it, meaning not only is it a CD Player, but it is also a stand alone External DAC [Digital to Analog Converter].

Connect your video player to the TV via HDMI, the connect the Digital Optical Audio Out of the TV to the Optical Input on the CD Player, then you will be able to hear the TV from the same port as the CD Player. This will work very well for movies, if you have a decent Stereo amp and decent speakers.

Consider this -

£650 to £680/ea = Marantz PM-Ki-Pearl-Lite AMP, 70w/ch £550/pr = Tannoy Revolution DC6T speaker [an excellent bargain considering the retail price is £850/pr] -- £1200 = TOTAL

OK, over budget, but not by much.

Other speakers to consider in roughly the same price range -

£499/pr = Dali Zensor 5, 2x 5" bass, ~35hz @ -6dB

Dali Zensor 5 Speakers [Pair] at Audio Affair

£650/pr = Dali Zensor 7, 2x 7" bass, ~32ha @ -6dB

Dali Zensor 7 Speakers [Pair] at Audio Affair

£550/pr = Tannoy Revolution DC6T, 2x 5", 34hz [retail £850/pr]

Tannoy DC6T Speakers [Pair] at Audio Affair

£499/pr = Monitor Audio BX5, 2x 5" [140mm], 36hz

Superfi - MONITOR AUDIO BRONZE BX5 FLOORSTANDING SPEAKERS [PAIR]

£650/pr = Monitor Audio BX6, 3x 6.5" [165mm], 34hz

Superfi - MONITOR AUDIO BRONZE BX6 FLOORSTANDING SPEAKERS [PAIR]

£499/pr = Wharfedale Diamond 155, 2x 6.5" bass, 35hz @ -6dB

Wharfedale Diamond 155 Speakers [Pair] at Audio Affair

£699/pr = Wharfedale Diamond 157, 2x 6.5 bass, 5" [130mm] mid-range, 35hz @ -6dB

Wharfedale Diamond 157 Speakers [Pair] at Audio Affair

Also keep in mind there are still some of the older Diamond 10 speaker available, but limited to existing inventory.

For example - Diamond 10.7, equivalent of the Diamond 157, price at about £575/pr, though you might be able to find better prices.

Wharfedale Diamond 10.7 Speakers [Pair] at Audio Affair

AV Bristol - Wharfedale Diamond 10.7 Floorstanding Speakers

Also, the Diamond 10.6 [£399/pr] is roughly the equivalent of the Diamond 155 -

AV Bristol - Wharfedale DIamond 10.6 Floorstanding Speakers

In amps, consider the following -

~£450/ea = Marantz PM7004, 70w/ch

Superfi - MARANTZ PM7004 AMPLIFIER

~£650 to £680 = Marantz PM-KI-Pearl-Lite

Superfi - MARANTZ PM-KI PEARL LITE INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER

£230/ea = Yamaha AS500, 85w/ch, [inventories are shrinking]

Superfi - YAMAHA AS500 AMPLIFIER

£355/ea = Yamaha AS700, 90w/ch

Superfi - YAMAHA AS700 AMPLIFIER

£599/ea = Rotel RA-12, 60w/ch, 1x Optical, 1x Coaxial, 1x USB media only [no computer], Blue Tooth capability

Superfi - ROTEL RA12 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER WITH DAC

The Rotel is a very sweet amp, I heard it effortlessly drive some 4 ohms speakers. It has a built-in DAC to allow connection of the TV, and the Blue Tooth allows streaming of music from any Blue Tooth enabled device like Smart Phone.

However, you don't really need the DAC, bacause you can use the DAC [digita to analog converter] in the Pearl CD player. In that can consider the Rotel RA=1520, also 60w/ch -

£695/ea = Rotel RA-1520, 60w/ch

Superfi - ROTEL RA1520 AMPLIFIER

I will add one additional amp. though there has been a recent price increase. That is the XTZ [Sweden] A100 D3, 110w/ch, 1x Optical, 4x Digital, Price &

8364;850 [£735]

XTZ Class-A 100 D3 Silver/Black - XTZ Hifi

This is a massively powerful amp with a HUGE power supply and massive current reserve. Several member in the Forum have this amp, if you search, I'm sure you will find nothing but positive comments. Really pushing your budget though.

In my limited opinion, assuming likes both Marantz and Tannoy, this would be the system -

£650 to £680/ea = Marantz PM-Ki-Pearl-Lite AMP, 70w/ch £550/pr = Tannoy Revolution DC6T speaker [an excellent bargain considering the retail price is £850/pr] -- £1200 = TOTAL

Yes, over budget, but substantial quality and substantial value. If not that amp, and he likes Marantz, consider the PM7004 for about £450.

The Rotel RA12, while not hugely powerful, it is a very sweet amp, and should nicely drive just about any speakers, and if you feel the extra Digital input and the Blue Tooth are of value, it are certaily worth considering.

//www.avforums.com/forums/hi-f...otel-new-ra-10-11-12-series-asleep-wheel.html

The Tannoy Revolution speakers should have a voice similar to the Mercury V4's, but they should be a very substantial step up in sound quality.