A side discussion on sound gear.  Ive never fallen for the More Money Better Quality argument.  Sure, you can get some excellent stuff in the high dollar number, but I go for what is serves my needs effectively for a modest dollar number.

My entertainment center surround sound system for example?  I purchased an Insignia brand model HC049417 cause I was more interested in all the input and output options it offered.  Come to it the thing sounds good and performs all functions well.  It has six discrete composite video (red/white audio, yellow video w/S-video alternate), six discrete stereo audio inputs, two ditital audio inputs/outputs and two TV IN inputs.  Two composite video w/S-video out serve my TV AND computer.

Im running a DVD player into it with S-Video and digital audio.  A VCR by S-video and stereo audio. An iPod dock with S-Video and digital audio. Two tape decks.  A turntable, yes, a turntable.  An HD radio receiver (the Insignia does have built in AM/FM).  The TV audio signal and the satellite audio signal in.  And the remote is relatively simple and easy to use.

Speakers for this system come from a defunct Aiwa stereo that had front/back stereo plus center speaker.  The surround unit has ports for a subwoofer and two side speakers as well.  I do not use these as the five speakers serve my needs in my small house.

$149 on sale at Circuit City, already had the speakers and had to buy some speaker wire and connectors to run the wires in the attic as well as buy some cables to run all the equipment to it.  I get complements all the time as to how good the system sounds.  And all for less than one speaker from some companies.

Moral?  Get what sounds good to YOU.  Not what the graphs, pundits and hyped company ads say is good.  And what the old budget can afford.

The Bad Penny HAS Pontificated!