Don't laugh...Kirsch speaker system

My next door neighbor is a plumber and we barter for helping each other. I fix his computer, he does my plumbing work.
Today I was telling him about my new FIOS TV service and he asked me if I know anything about TV/stereos/etc.
I walked into his living room and he told me about this speaker system he'd recently bought.
http://www.kirschloudspeakers.com/pr...s.php?value=20
He only paid $200, so it's not too bad. I didn't have the heart to tell him the truth.
The problem he has is the system is powered and has only analog inputs, two stereo inputs and a 5.1 input. His equipment only has digital outputs (a DVD player and a cable box).
I guess the easiest thing would be to find a cheap receiver that has two digital inputs and use the power amp on there and not on the Kirsch. Then use the sub out to feed the Kirsch subwoofer.
Any cheap receiver suggestions? Or any other cheap way to get from digital to analog (5.1)?
I gotta say...I took my SACD player and Steely Dan (Hey Nineteen) didn't sound horrible. It's no Nautilus 803/805 w/ HGS-18 like I have, but not too bad for someone that doesn't know better.

Scott

[JCD]

Yeah, that doesn't sound good. I was trying to understand exactly what the setup is really like -- are they active speakers or powered someone through the subwoofer (e.g., like the bose system).

During my search, I came across this link. Looks bad.

In any case, I'm still not sure what the setup of these speakers are -- how are they "supposed" to be hooked up? If the speakers themselves are powered, then you should be using a preamp or a receivers preouts and running speaker wire to them. There are some great "powered" speakers out there, but they're usually used in the recording industry and nearfield monitors. Mackie 824's are one of the best deals out there for any kind of speaker and they're a powered monitor.

JCD

Yeah..I know it's a scam. He told me it was a $2500 system that he got for $200, I knew the scenario. I don't think I need to tell him the truth. I've been approached by the guys trying to sell Dahlton speakers. I toy with them for a while and then get scared I'm gonna get jumped, so I leave.

The amp for all the speakers is in the subwoofer.
Inputs are mp3 (1/8" headphone), aux (L/R RCA), and DVD (5.1 RCA). Outputs are 5 speaker level (and the built in subwoofer).
Not sure if the x-over is in the speakers or on the amp side. So using a receiver to power the speakers might be disastrous.

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

The amp for all the speakers is in the subwoofer.
Inputs are mp3 (1/8" headphone), aux (L/R RCA), and DVD (5.1 RCA). Outputs are 5 speaker level (and the built in subwoofer).
Not sure if the x-over is in the speakers or on the amp side. So using a receiver to power the speakers might be disastrous

So basically, it’s an oversized computer speaker system. Until someone makes a home theater receiver with a 5.1-capable, volume-controlled coaxial output, your buddy’s out of luck as far as using them in the living room.

Regards,
Wayne

[khellandros66]

Well.. he is actually not out of luck just yet, if he gets a receiver and you take the wires (usually an RCA type connector on the end) coming out of the speakers and strip the first layer of coating iff there is two wires ans positive and neagative, you spilce other cable to them or leave the lengths the same if you can. This is if my ssumption that they are similar to computer spreakers like Logitechs, etc.

The sub I assume as some analog 5.1 inputs? if so run the normal LFE into the sub

~Bobby