System edited: Just did a major overhaul of my Audiogon system. I moved apartments in the last year and there have been a good number of changes. Since last I posted: Sold my Panasonic AX200U projector + Carada screen, moved to a 54" G10 plasma; Sold my Cambridge Audio 540C cd player, currently I primarily stream FLAC with the Airfoil program through an Airport Express, connected to the Musical Fidelity V-DAC. I also picked up a Sony PlayStation SCPH-1001 (for $10!!) for when I want to spin a physical disc. I also find I'm listening to a lot more records on my Rega lately (my LP collection is growing!), which has me thinking about upgrades on that front... the front-runners being the Ortofon 2M blue cart, Musical Fidelity V-LPS, and eventually a table upgrade, probably to a Rega P3-24 or perhaps even a P5. This might not happen for a while :( . I'm also thinking about getting the Skiing Ninja crossover upgrades for my X-statiks (and at some point the X-voce as well). I still can't help looking at new speakers [currently thinking the Nola Boxers looks pretty great! As well as other like Dynaudio Contour S1.4, Dali Helicon 300, or perhaps some Salks], but then I step back and realize the X-statiks are really great performers, and I love their "wall of sound" presentation for movies, balanced with pretty strong imaging for music, and it might just make more sent to hang on to them and upgrade the crossovers -- I hear it really transforms these speakers. I could also add bi-wire capabilities and Bi-Amp them using the Arcam's 6/7 channels]. Finally, I do want to get around to getting an Oppo blu-ray player to finally take advantage of the HD Audio formats via analog outs to my Arcam; I'd also like to get into SACDs, particularly with an eye towards the Steve Hoffman mastered Blue Note titles. I'm looking forward to seeing how the new Denon universal blu-ray players in the <$1000 category compare to the Oppos (BDP-80, 83, 83SE).

rgrignon May 20, 2010 18:19

Thanks Ryan. I'm in Chicago.

I'm running Canare 4S11 star quad from Blue Jeans Cable for my speaker cables. I've dressed them up with Carbon techflex and use locking banana plugs, also from bjc. I followed this tutorial for making them: http://av123forum.com/showthread.php?t=17963. The pictures in that link pretty much look exactly like how these turned out, very nice indeed.

I do believe that cables can make a difference, but there's also some seriously diminishing returns there. The Canare cable, from all I can gather, is quite a good performer, especially at $1.05 / ft.

I used to run Audioquest Bedrock, but that was with my previous Paradigm speakers, so making any comparison to the Canare is kind of pointless, but I will say that I am in now way disappointed with the performance. As you can see from my system, I also use a number of cables from Frank at Signal Cable, and I've been very very pleased with their performance... I was strongly considering buying his Ultra Speaker Cables, but in the end I decided I'd try out the Canare, and a diy project seemed fun. If I ever have some extra funds burning a whole in my pocket, I may order them and do a little comparison, but for now I'd say I'm quite happy.

rgrignon October 20, 2008 02:33

Thanks Ryan! Good to see another av123-er on audiogon. I heared some Ninja Rocket 850s / Bigfoot at the Chicago gtg this spring, and WOW do they ever punch you in the chest. Absolutely stunning sounding speakers. I can only use so much bass in a city apartment, but I really appreciate the open airy sound of the x-statiks, and the soundstage is MASSIVE. Watching movies on this setup with the projection screen is just awesome, you feel completely enveloped in the viewing experience. And listening to music is a huge treat too, I've been listening to cds non-stop since added the Azur 540C this week. I think I'm happy enough with the 540C that I'm in no rush to sell... I'd rather make a bigger leap eventually instead of going in small increments. Thinking about the likes of the Rega Apollo or the new Arcam CD17... nice looking piece. That's probably a year down the road though, for now I'm going to kick back and enjoy some music! Cheers!

rgrignon October 17, 2008 22:31

System edited: Just completed a massive update to reflect my current setup. Still need a few pics, but there's a ton of new stuff to check out. Absolutely loving the x-statik / x-voce, and adding the Cambridge Audio Azur 540C made a dramatic improvement to my cd playback. Always looking for the next upgrade! Any suggestions you guys have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

rgrignon October 17, 2008 22:24

System edited: Added a couple pictures of the av123 x-statiks and ELT525M monitors. I'm absolutely loving them so far (and really want to add the x-voce center). When I get a little time I'll add some more pictures and impressions.

rgrignon September 07, 2008 22:12

System edited: Still quite a few things I need to add/change, but I wanted to put up a picture of my current (messy setup). Recently purchased Panasonic AX-200U projector, 96" Carada Criterion Brilliant White screen, Rega P1 turntable, Parasound PPH-100 phono pre-amp, Playstation 3 (for Blu-ray), and Sennheiser HD-595 headphones. More pictures to come...

rgrignon March 25, 2008 05:34

System edited: Updated many of the pictures and comments to reflect my most recent additions.

rgrignon December 13, 2007 19:43

System edited: Just added a Toshiba HD-A3 HD DVD player. Picture is absolutely fantastic with HD discs (slightly bests my Xbox Add-On). For SD content, it's definitely an improvement over my Arcam DV78. Blacks are blacker, colors are more vibrant, and the picture is sharper. Audio wise, the digital output is indistinguishable. The Arcam is now strictly going to be used as a cdp, so I'm thinking I ought to sell it and purchase a better dedicated cdp.

rgrignon December 12, 2007 01:23

System edited: Edit: Replaced whole system picture now that I've painted the wall and added the Nintendo Wii.

rgrignon October 15, 2007 23:21

System edited: Just added a Nintendo Wii! Wow is this little system a lot of fun. I'm having a blast playing Metroid Prime 3 and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Finally something has broken me of my Guitar Hero addiction (well, until October anyways).

rgrignon September 18, 2007 19:28

System edited: Added: (1) Arcam DiVA DV78 DVD player (replaced a NAD T533). (2) VTI BL-503 tv stand. (3) Signal Cable interconnects (Magic Power Digital Reference power cable, SPDI/F Digital Coax, Analog Two Interconnect, Sub cable) www.signalcable.com -> highly recommended

rgrignon January 30, 2007 23:34

System edited: Swapped my Bell'O AT-423T equipment rack for a VTI-BL 404 rack. It's quite inexpensive but it looks fantastic and feels quite substantial to me. The poles can be filled with metal or sand, which I think I'll probably do at some point to make it even sturdier.

rgrignon January 20, 2007 02:03

System edited: Added an Auralex Gramma isolation pad under my PS-1000 (also moved the sub). The sub sounds far more musical now, and hopefully will bother my neighbor less. Fantastic $50 spent to cure upgraditis. (I'd been considering buying a more "musical" sub, but now my setup sounds good enough that I won't consider buying a new sub until I live somewhere that I can listen at higher SPLs.)

rgrignon January 18, 2007 01:21

System edited: added pictures

rgrignon January 13, 2007 22:05