Below is my preferred "wish list".
n.b most are available used (just subject to availability)

Projector either V8's or Century

Lamphouse Super Lumex

Automation either Pennywise, Cine q, or Component TA 10

Processor either CP 65, Ultra Stereo or Panastereo.

Amps QSC

Booth Moniter either QSC or Smart

Slide Projector Telex

Platter AW5

Try for a DTS processor

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l. Century SA
2. Good Choice.
3. TA-10 (although many will disagree....)
4. CP-65
5. Good choice
6. QSC
7. AW5? You are better off with 2 each three stackers if you have the room.
6. DTS-6D

As far as a slide projector goes, Kodak makes the Ektagraphic III-A projector which works great Run $300-350 new, can be found on E-Bay used.

I am not a tech and don't have a lot of knowledge of the other items mentioned.

Lamp: Excellent choice! If you are going larger than 2500W, the Strong Super 80 is your lamp.

Auto: I too prefer the CE TA10 or Strong/Eprad CPA10

Processor: Any of those processors are fine for what you are planning to do. I would lean for the CP65 or Panastereo if I had to.

Amps: QSC amps, great choice.

Platters: I would use a pair of AW3's (or MW3's if space is an issue) rather than a five-decker.

Monitor: My preference for monitor would be the Component MS-100, THX 3417 or USL CM35, but if you get the QSC amps with the 'plug-n-play' monitor hookups, then the QSC is the way to go.

Slides: NONE. But since some of us have to, go Kodak. The Telex slide projectors are total crap.

Digital: DTS-6D or Dolby DA20/Cat 699/700/701. Avoid SDDS like the plague.

-Aaron

Do you really want DTS? It's a nice system for first-run houses that play mainstream titles, but make sure that you can get the disks before you decide. If this is a 35/70 installation, you will want DTS and the 70mm reader (as well as mag).

DTS - Over the past month only 2 movies recieved have not had discs enclosed.

Cinemeccanica V8 - Loads of parts in N.Z. Also good reports from users.

Screens - Have a reasonable quote for Harkness.

I know the tech at one of the competing circuits and he has an AW5 that he hates hates hates. I only use AW3's and I've been very happy with them. Whatever you do, stay far far away from the ORC platters - they are baaaad news. In fact, I've had a bad experience with ORC in general. The stuff is just too old. Don't go there unless you're flat broke, very patient and also a really sharp-shooting tech/electrician. (**Just my opinion.)

I'm also very happy with the Pennywise automation, but they are expensive and I wonder if you'd be able to find them used. Stay away from ORC and anything that resembles their series VII - it's a clumsy, inflexible system.

I'm also not thrilled with the Ultra-Stereo booth monitors. The volume tends to be too low for proper monitoring and the volume pot goes scratchy very quickly. I've heard that the newer ones are improved...but you're buying used, right? So guess what you'd be getting!?

Generally, I'm very happy with DTS (the way it sounds) but, as others have pointed out, there may be an issue with getting the discs. There's not much point in spending US$6000 on a system you don't get much use out of. If I could turn back time I would probably have spent the extra US$4000 and go with Dolby and almost every movie will have digital audio. But...then I'd only have one digital house. It's something you have to really think about once you have all of the facts. Your market might have a better DTS hit:miss ratio as far as getting the discs are concerned.

How come nobody's mentioning the Dolby CP-45 processor? I like mine just fine. If you can't find them used, then ask if there's any B-Stock.

Amps...Well my preference is QSC, but I've had some good results with Ashley, too. Just make sure they're not a mis-matched hodge-podge.

Lamphouse: Super Lume X is good, but let's not forget Christie's current line

Automation: Pennywise CA21 all the way, but DO NOT BUY USED!!! I bought two booths of used CA21s at a good price and ended up spending far more in the end after shipping back and forth to Australia to have them upgraded to run what I thought were normal commands as if I had've just bought them brand new. With you being in New Zealand, that may not be such an issue though. (Email me for I have an idea to save you some money in this department.)

Processor: CP65 all the way

Amps: QSC is the best in my opinion

Booth monitor: I've been very pleased with Component Engineering's monitors. The Ultras are just not loud enough, their speakers will pop from bass in the stage speakers and the pots get scratchy overnight.

Slide projector: Telex - I've had tons of problems with Kodak's line, but never had any problem with Telex units.

Platter: TWO Chrisite AW3s. Threading, trailer changes and makeup/breakdown is MUCH easier with 2 separate units. Also should you have something major happen, you don't want to knock out BOTH screens.

Digital player: SRD is first preference, DTS second since you are not in the US and getting discs is such a problem.

Screens: Put my vote down for Harkness. Damn good screens!

Speakers: Are you planning on having sound in the auditorium? Stick with JBL.

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The VIC8 is the rolls-royce of projectors .If you can get one
"get it".If not try an find a cinnemeccanica-VIC5 on a CC7040-H console these are a good buy and will go for ever.

Automation. Have a look at the CA200 from panalogic it's a all in one automation unit including a booth monitor and will controll your side show.

...Processor ...Booth Moniter . what ever you can find in a dolby,panastereo or DTS-AD [Try for a DTS processor]. stay a away from ultra stereo

...Amps. If you can! Use QSC DCA AMPS. On that note most of todays amps are of good high quality. eg Australian Monitor amps ,crown amps,Yamaha amps.Powersoft has deveioped some innovative amps that run at 95% efficiency and only dissipat 5%of input power as heat.

...Slide Projector. Recomanded KODAK EKTPRO 5020 WITH A HIGH QUALITY LENS

...Platter.Would use a cinemeccanica CNR 3-35N.

THE WORLD IS YOUR OSYTER good luck.

Ahem.. I do believe that title is already taken... by the Norelco AAII/Philips DP70