System edited: Changed the powercords from JPS to Audio Magic Power Drive and what an improvement these made. More transparent and dynamic, just what the doctor ordered for true home theatre experience. Used to power the Adcom amps and REL sub.

cmk June 25, 2008 02:55

CMK,

I use PLXII w/ DD or DTS ususally. Sends info to the rear surrounds and really gives an enveloping image, especially if there are others around(totally agree w/ you). The Yamaha has a selection for rear surrounds or presence, so I guess I will leave as is. Thanks for the response...

zigonht November 20, 2007 12:56

Hi Zigonht
I did add them anyway, since its like small bookshelf speakers and a little more wiring.

I suppose it depends on your listening preference. Do you switch around with the surround modes? If you do, then you would use those front speakers, but if you normally just use the 5.1DD or other standard processing, I don't think it makes much of a difference, just like the 7.1, the 2 rear speakers are hardly used, except when the DVD has information coded for it. The situation is different if you usually entertain and have a big group of people, then the added rear channels would help to increase the soundfield.

cmk November 20, 2007 00:27

CMK,

I also have a Yamaha(1500) running through and Adcom 7607(7x125). You just cant beat the sound for the price. Had a quick question for you. I have my set up in a dedicated room and have always wondered about the presence speakers up front. I currently have 7.1 set up but was thinking of adding presence speakers..Is it worth the investment?

zigonht November 19, 2007 17:58

System edited: Replaced the Cardas Golden Reference powercords with the Audio Magic Power Drive to the amps. Its like somebody opened the window and let the air come in. The soundstaging is now much larger and better defined. Bass hits have more impact and the vocals have much better clarity, like you can hear dialog better.

cmk November 15, 2007 00:59

System edited: Replaced the aging Denon A11 (5900) with their latest 2930 universal player. Fantastic upgrade.

cmk December 19, 2006 01:33

System edited: After a good 3-4 years, the Epson TW100 died, so I replaced it with the new Optoma HD70. Great product and value.

cmk October 20, 2006 03:56

Correction to the last statement "This removed the hardness and in its place was a more 3 dimensional and musical reproduction which rivals my main stereo rig."

With my new Cabasse spks in my stereo rig, there is no comparison, stereo is still better. The tonal accuracy is similar being Cabasse spks, but the fine detailing is much more evident on the Baltics. So good is the sound that it sounds natural, that I forget I'm listening to hifi, just music, pure music...

cmk July 11, 2004 06:59

System edited: I had wanted to tweak the HT system to properly play stereo music without any compromises. I started by adding DH Super cones under the Yamaha and immeidately noticed a much tighter image focus. Balancing the cones as best I could, I next added another set of Super cones under the Adcom stereo amp. Again a tighter focused image, but less change than the first set under the Yamaha. Noticing that the sound was detailed but took on a certain hardness or lack of body, I then added a special rubber composite material below the cones under the AVR. This removed the hardness and in its place was a more 3 dimensional and musical reproduction which rivals my main stereo rig.

cmk May 23, 2004 14:50

System edited: Just replaced the Klotz GY107 with the Synergistic Research's AV Decor and found it to be superior in every aspect - better mids, better dynamics, better soundstaging plus its a great value, giant killer.

cmk March 26, 2004 10:40

System edited: Added the 8th Nerve "Seam" room treatment along the vertical edge of the display. This had a significant effect on the stereo image, providing better centre focus and reducing unwanted sound reflections which affected resolution. Now listening on music on the HT system isn't too far off from my main stereo rig.

cmk February 26, 2004 02:56

You've done pretty well yourself. ;)
I like your HOT dogs. LOL.

cmk February 03, 2004 04:13

Nice setup in a simply gorgeous room!!

brainwater January 30, 2004 21:33

Recent changes was the Denon A-11(or 5900 as it is known in the US market). I got this basically to explore hi-res digital and to improve the picture quality when watching DVDs.

As my previous Sony TAE9000 did not have 5.1 inputs, I decided it was time to retire it and get a newer pre/pro. Yamaha's recently launched RX-V1400 was the answer to search, in addition to having 5.1 inputs/outputs, it also had 7.1 Yamaha Cinema DSP, Dolby EX, DTS ES, and Dolby Prologic IIx, THX Select, ultra wide bandwidth, digital home theatre receiver. The good thing about the 1400 was that the vol controls for all channels are matched to within 0.5db and are done in the analog domain. Plus it has separate 24/192 DACs for each channel. Really feature packed and at the price a steal.

To get the full benefits of EX/ES and their Cinema DSP, I added 2 pairs of Monitor Audio Radius spks(in rosemah) for the front presence, and rear surround.

Listening to redbook CDs on the Denon was surprising good, with SACD and DVDA adding even more resolution. Diana Kralls' Love Scenes sounds particularly good with the 2ch 24/96 recording, as is Rebecca Pigeon on Retrospective SACD.

The icing on the cake was playing redbook CDs using the analog outputs of the Denon to the Yamaha, then using Dolby IIx Music processing to produce a realistic enveloping soundstage of the redbook. It was truly amazingly good.

A very satisfied happy camper.
Kenneth

cmk January 30, 2004 01:09