Topic: Best approach for music & video?

[scervin]

What is your budget?

[taylorc]

What is your budget?

Kind of hard to put an actual figure out there, but for two mains, center, sub, two or four rear/sides, and pre-amp & amp(s), I want to keep it under $10k.

Ran Schoeps>AD-1000 for years, so I like my music to sound as natural as possible. 

oxymoron 

nah.  not at all.  schoeps>lunatec...that would be an oxymoron.

[scervin]

For that budget you have many options. 

Processor:
Anthem AVM-20 ($1800-2000 used)-
-Good 2 channel through Analog Direct (assuming nice transport and external DAC)
-near best for movies
-Anthem has modular design for continuous hard/software upgrades

Sherwood Newcastle 965 ($1500)-
-Reports say this is best buy for the money


Emotiva ($3000)
-based on Sunfire Theater Grand core
-upgraded 2 channel performance
-reports are that this is very nice for music
-lacks a few features

Amp:
Sherbourn used 7 channel ($1600 used, $2000 new)
-monoblock design

Emotiva ($2K)
-monoblock design
-talk about 5 channel version

Any used 7 channel amp ($2K)

Speakers:
B&W 700 series (never heard them)  $5K depending on which ones and how many
B&W 800 series (803, 805, HTM) $7K
Onix Ref package (Ref 2, Ref 1, Ref 100)  $4K
Paradigm Studio line
Von SChweikert (VR4jr, LCR15, TS-150, VS sub) $6K
Onix Rocket (RS750, RSC200, RS250) $2500
Onix Rocket (Rs1000, RSC200, RS250) $3500-3800?
Energy Veritas line  $6K
many many many more!

Subs (fot HT):
SVS PB2-ISD $900
SVS PB2-plus $1200
SVS PB1-plus $1100 great sub with parametric eq built in, more cosmetic options
So many more, Earthquake, Adire, REL, HSU, etc.  Depends on room and desired placement (must be in corner or not)

Subs (music)
REL $2-3K??? used

Just don't forget
cables- $1000
Power conditioner- PS Audio $1-2K
Surge - Brickwall (no MOV's) 20A version is $600

I think I remember you saying more listening falls into music.  I'd get some really nice floostanders that go low and use these for the music. Some go the monitor sub route and there is nothing wrong with that, but I prefer to use large speaker because they look cool   What I listed is just few to get started and get an idea on prices.  I personally would start with a 5-channel system and add later on.  It will save you a fe $$$ up front and there really aren't many 7.1 movies out currently. I've heard DPLIIx and it is nice FYI.  Also, don't for get room treatments.  What are the dimensions of the room?  Basement? Windows?  What type of display are you using?

SC

[jpschust]

wanted to throw a few other things in there

for cables, im of the opinion that www.bettercables.com cannot be beat for price and quality. 

additionally, i hated the b&w 700 series after listening to the 800 series.  cymbals on the 700 series sounded grainy and awkward to me. 

As per subs, don't forget velodyne (the DD series).  great subs, quick and punchy.

one site with great pricing and great information is www.acousticsounds.com.  my turntable came from them and i consult with them about a lot.  don't focus on their prices on the site, they will play with those for you on larger orders.

[taylorc]

Processor: Anthem AVM-20

scervin, thanks for the lists.  The Anthem AVM's really grab my attention.  I'm probably going tube-amp for my front 3.  Any suggestions for powering the rear two (& two sides)?

for cables, im of the opinion that www.bettercables.com cannot be beat for price and quality. 

I had been eyeing http://www.catcables.com/.  Thanks for the link...the bettercables look good.

[scervin]

I'm not sure about a tube amp for HT....  I've never really liked it.  It just didn't have the slam and lacked something.  but if system is mainly 2 channel that is another story. 

[jpschust]

i have an amp i would suggest- the belles 150a.  the thing smokes.  i actually have one that ive been thinking about selling and if you would want to demo it and decided you didnt like it, all id ask is that you pay shipping

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

  I'm probably going tube-amp for my front 3.  Any suggestions for powering the rear two (& two sides)?

If you want both slam and tubes, get front mains that can be bi-wired.  Get a SS amp for the lower driver and drive the mid/tweeter with tubes.  Of course, there are some tube amps like the Premier 8 that will give you all the slam you'll ever need. 

If you want a tubey sound, you can get CJ MV50s relatively inexpensive (~600) or an MV52.  The MV50 drips tubey warmth and goodness.   The sonograph SS stuff is relatively inexpensive.  I don't know that you need tubes all around.  I would think that the rears and center, being reenforcement, would do well with SS.  Get your tube blend from the upper mains where it will be most dominant. 

One thing that I would highly recommend is to get your tube and SS amps from the same manufacturer or get amps that share a characteristic sound.  Get all your speakers from the same manufacturer.  Integrating divergent sounding gear might not be as satisfying as you would like. 

I've been through a few Conrad Johnson pieces.  I really fucked up selling my MF2300a.  I have a Premier 11a but if I had the forethought I would have kept the 2300a for just what I describe using the 2300a down low and the 11a up top.  The 11a isn't very tubey so the match would be good.  That pair might put 5 channels out of your range though. 

[taylorc]

I'm not sure about a tube amp for HT....  I've never really liked it.  It just didn't have the slam and lacked something.  but if system is mainly 2 channel that is another story. 

I won't be going the mass-market route for a tube amp.  I'm working with a small-business manufacturer that has made amps for a number of tapers/friends.  Knows his stuff...otherwise I wouldn't meddle with tubes.

i have an amp i would suggest- the belles 150a.  the thing smokes.  i actually have one that ive been thinking about selling and if you would want to demo it and decided you didnt like it, all id ask is that you pay shipping

CAD, thanks for the offer, but I haven't reached that stage yet.  I have a clearer vision for a processor, main+center amp.  Just need to sort through everything and find a solution for the rear+sides.

I don't know that you need tubes all around.  I would think that the rears and center, being reenforcement, would do well with SS.  Get your tube blend from the upper mains where it will be most dominant. 

One thing that I would highly recommend is to get your tube and SS amps from the same manufacturer or get amps that share a characteristic sound.  Get all your speakers from the same manufacturer.  Integrating divergent sounding gear might not be as satisfying as you would like. 

I'm headed in that direction.  The rear+sides will be solid-state.  Additionally, as you pointed out, if going with the Anthem AVM-30, I would think the back four channels would be better suited with an Anthem amp.  Ideal wpc for rear & side channels?

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

Additionally, as you pointed out, if going with the Anthem AVM-30, I would think the back four channels would be better suited with an Anthem amp.  Ideal wpc for rear & side channels?

Talk to your Anthem rep.  When matching the ancillary channels to the mains, you need to consider the efficiency of all the speakers and the amount of tuning that you can do at the surround processor.  The rep should be able to guide you.  Maybe you can find someone who has done it before and has a reference system.  My guess would be that the mid and rear would require less power than the mains, but there are alot of multi-channel amps out there with the same power on all outputs.

[taylorc]

...you have many options. 

Where do Krell & Sunfire fall into line (w/processors)?  I see a lot of them around. 

Better yet, what's to consider as the defining difference(s) in processors?

[Lee]

phoam-

Are you in Alabama, or just a tide fan?

(just curious)

-Lee

[scb]

>>Von SChweikert (VR4jr, LCR15, TS-150, VS sub) $6K
<<

the vr-2s can be great fronts and a grand+ cheaper

[taylorc]

Are you in Alabama, or just a tide fan?

Both.

[Wes]

Where do Krell & Sunfire fall into line (w/processors)?  I see a lot of them around. 

Better yet, what's to consider as the defining difference(s) in processors?

Krell and Sunfire are considered by most audiophiles as "reference".  They are expensive and have very little compromises in regard to cost.  I have a Krell Showcase, so I can comment on it..  The D>A is absolutely FANTASTIC.  Unrivaled by anything I've ever heard.  The only significant complaint I have about it is that the volume gain is too dramatic.  It can be hard to find the perfect listening level.

I think some of the most important things to look at in processors are (in no particular order)
1.the d>a stage
2.supported formats
3.upgrade ability
4.Video stage
5.Dual or more zone control (for whole house applications, etc..)
6.Remote