Karaoke Forums

I have been reading this forum and its been helpful.  I've taken the plunge to build an in home system.  I am trying to set up a system for basement use only - but i do want a pro sounding system.

Starting from scratch I purchased the CAVS 203G, Bouston Acoustic VR-1 speakers, a sony SDG500 receiver and Shure sm58 mics.
While the CDG's sound fine, the vocals were distorted.  Thinking it was the speakers I replaced the Acousticss with an old pair of Cerwin Vega's (MV15B) from my band playing college days.  Still got vocal distortion.  
I'd wanted to try to have a system that would allow Karaoke as well as Cd/home theater ability.  Sounds like I can't have the best of both.  I'd prefer the karaoke sound to be better than home theater.  

Is it my reciever that is the weak link?  I don't want to spend more than $300 on a reciever.  Would there be something better than Sony SDG500?  

Had I kept the Acoustic VR1's would they sound better with a powered amp/mixer?
I think my player and mics are fine, I just want to have a decent amp/speaker set up and keep those 2 components under $600.  The VR's were a great deal for $250/set (Best Buy closeout) as opposed to the $599 I see on the internet.  Should I have kept them and just gotten a differnet reciver/amp?  How important is a mixer.  I don't need a lot of reverb/echo, etc.


Thanks for all of your guidance.

Brad.

Well the problem is mainly you are going through the players mic inputs, these are just for a basic use, not eq'd or anything & no good preamps - recommend a small mixer.
2nd, you are running through a home stereo receiver - not designed to reproduce live vocals.
3rd assuming you are also running through home stereo/theater speakers - not designed to reproduce live vocals.

Even with a pro PA mixer/amp, the VR speakers would be prone to distortion from the vocals, although would be a little better sounding because of the mixer.  However, you will also have a bigger chance of blowing the speakers as they aren't designed to reproduce live vocals.  Same with the home receiver with PA speakers.

You'd be a whole lot better off just getting a small PA you can designate strictly to karaoke.

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thanks for the quick response.  What pa (amp/speakers?) would you recommend in the $600 range that would still double for home theater (not surround) just front left/right - the fender passport seems too generic for me but I may be wrong.
Would the behringer minimix800 be a waste of money?
thanks lonman