This is the hobby that can break the bank, but I love it. I have upgraded none stop for about a year now. I going slow down for a while and try to match the best cable for my system. Once I and done with that I will be adding the Conrad-Johnson MF2500 amp and another pair of M20's to go to 7.1.
Update: I am also getting to sell the Servo15 and go with the Revel B-15 sub.
Update 8/29/03:
I have done some chances to my system since the last update. I did add another pair of Revel M20's for my 7.1 and i must say it added to my home theater more than I thought it would. I have a large room and this really helps fill in my surounds. I also changed my speaker wire for the front three to the BetterCables Blue truth. I is a wonderful sounding cable. It bought out details without sounding bright. Another big change is I bought the new Rotel RSP-1098 with the TFT screen. It's new so I am waiting for it settle down alittle, but it has some really nice feathers. I do a better review after it breaks in.
One more coment from me on your system's development. Try later versions of EAD if you want movies and audio sound great. I had a chance to hear most of them, SSP's, and you would love soundstage and sound quality this company offer. Possibly, the best around.
Cmp, power depends not only on your speakers, but on the size of your room and listening habits. If you want musicality of C-J but demand more power in your situation (only you may know that), Simaudio's "Titan" will give you that.
My speakers have the same rating as your Thiels. The CJ 5600 does a great job handling my Revels. I am planning to add a 2ch CJ amp (MF2500) to go to 7.1. The extra power to would help me get a bigger sound stage. As for the Pre/Pro, I am sold on the Lexicon. I am going to upgrape to the new MC-6 when it comes out, but the MC-1 is great. I have had the Rotel 1066, and the Sunfire TGIII. They could not touch the Lexicon. Good Luck!
How does the MF-5600's 120 wpc do in driving your speakers at decent levels? How efficient are the speakers? I ask because I've earmarked the c-j for my HT system, which has all Thiels, rated at 86db/W. What else were you considering for the pre/pro, and what sold you on the MC-1? I also have a DC-2 or MC-1 on a list of possible choices. Your system sounds like a nice one. Enjoy.
Friendly advise to Paul: don't change the amp in this system on BAT or any other unless you need a lot more power. C-J (even Solid State) sounds like C-J. Period. Having "tube" amp in your Home Theater, what else would anyone want, aspecialy if this is your double duty system, audio-video. And your bank account would appretiate this as well.
Please listen to the BAT 6200. You can get it in two channel form for $5000 list and add up to four more channels for $1250/each. This amp was compared with a dedicated two channel amps costing more, and the two channel went out the door no questions asked. This is a multi channel amp that needs no apologies.
Thanks for the clarification. It sounds as if you've been on somewhat of a "rampage" recently in terms of trying different combo's to build your system. For the sake of your bank account, let's hope this is as good as it gets : ) Sean >
Sean, I ran the front 3 speakers balanced. The others were RCA. At the time I was using a Sunfire Amp. As for the TGIII vs. the Rotel, I thought the Sunfire sounded better. It's hard to really do a comparison, because I was running a different amp when I had the Rotel. I feel that an amp makes a better impact on the sound of your system.
Your system sounds great. I own the M20s, too. (I'm a two channeller, though) Anyway, if you want to go where you've never been and not change a thing: just add an Audio Magic Stealth. Plug in your stuff and you'll go to places you never thought possible. An addition you won't regret.
Paul: Were you running the Sunfire in balanced or RCA mode to your amp ? What were the strong points of the Rotel in comparison to the Sunfire and vice-versa ? Hope you don't mind : ) Sean >
I just broke the seal on the Lexicon box, so I don't know how it will sound. I have owned both the Sunfire TGIII and the Rotel 1066. The 1066 was great for the money, but lacked some things I was looking for. The sunfire was very forgiving to bad recordings, but lacked the refinement I was looking for. I am looking forward to try the Lexicon's Logic 7. I'll let you know how everything sounds once I hook it up.
Nice choice with the Revel's. I have a Lexicon pre for my surround sound system and some say it is a bit warm sounding. It seems that way to me, but I like it fine for how I use it. What's your perception? Have you compared it against other pre's? I did not have an opportunity to do so and would appreciate your observations. Thanks.
