I did a search for Swan and found your system. I presently have the 4.1's but I'm in the middle of negotiating for a set of 6.1's. I'm really impressed with the Swans so far. How do you like yours? I really thought I'd find more than one system. I guess mine will become number two once I post it. Nice looking set up by the way.
I agree with your assessment of the Sony LCD rear projection. I just purchased the Grand Wega 55" and made the decision to buy after comparing to Samsung, Toshiba, Panasonic, Sharp and Pioneer.
The Pioneer Plasma was first choice ($11,000.00) and the Sharp direct view LCD was second choice ($7000.00) but at $2600.00 the Sony was close enough for a guy like myself that prefers to listen to music.
I was attracted to your system when I read "shared with a toddler." When my son was barely tall enough to reach my turntable, I taught him how to cue up an LP. The look on his face was PRICELESS when the music burst out. I still have an old Polaroid of one of those music sessions with him and it's among my favorite photographs.
Teaching your baby boy how to use the equipment now means he will respect it later. Best of all, when he's grown and in college like mine he will sit with you as an adult and listen (especially if you can accept his music years from now).
LCD projection TVs are fine....they don't have the true Blacks, which is my only gripe, but the image is really nice on the Sony GWIV engines. I compared them side by side with some Sammy DLPs and Hitachi Ultravisions, etc, and the Sony XS was the better picture overall.
With DVDs, the Picture Quality really depends on the Player itself....do NOT attempt to play your Walmart $99 crapolla on these TVs. I had to really step it up to get a really nice PQ, and thus, ended up with a DEnon 3910 player. I went from a Sammy S97, to a Denon 2910, to a competition between the Pioneer 59avi and the Denon 3910 and ended up with the 3910...could not be happier....also, very Little MacroBlocking if at all. Some DVDs are trully pseudo-HD like (such as Fifth Element-Ultimate Edition, and the Shrek/Incredibles/Nemo/etc animations)
Nice System. I like the TV... I heared lots of conflicting reports regarding the quality of the LCD projecton TVs with regular DVDs, they are great in High definition.
