Home Theater, shake.. shake.. BOOM!

by joeyboynj on Home Theater

Description

An elegant Reference HT system. I accomplished my goal to use low cost beginner reference level equipment to achieve a very pleasurable, resolving and natural HT system for the living room. It is very versatile as I use it for parties, to watch TV and movies, (2) sets of 3D glasses and casual 2-channel music. The key here was smart cable and equipment choices. I have all this equipment beautifully installed into a brand new all cherry wood CRATE AND BARREL equipment stand.

TOTAL SAVINGS OFF RETAIL FOR THE ENTIRE SYSTEM IS APPROX: 40% I NEVER PAY RETAIL!!!

02/04/09: Upgraded to Morrow SP1 speaker cables all around. Huge improvement in dynamics, clarity, soundstage and transparency. Also, upgraded the rear channel speaker stands to something more stable. To improve clarity in the rear channels.

12/01/09: Installed a brand new and recently released Harman Kardon AVR 3600 with the latest Dolby Volume feature and lots of other fun features to try. Also had upgradable software via USB Flash Drive.

06/24/10: I'm very happy with this system now for a while. Constantly looking for overachieving cables and equipment and I have consistently and successively achieved my goals.

8/28/10: Upgraded the firmware in the Harmon Kardon AVR 3600. A great improvement in the interface and the whole system runs smoother. Also, added compatibility for HDMI Version 1.4a including 3D TV. WOW! It brought this receiver up to date. I still think this is one of the best bargains on the web.

4/04/11: Installed and upgraded to a Oppo BDP-95 Universal Player

11/11/11: The system has been totally dismantled and is being redesigned with new technology and a better media rack.

6/2/13: Up and running and looking awesome with a brand new all cherry wood equipment stand.

11/01/13: Installed a new 1080p 55" LED Television working at 480HZ. (240HZ times 2 for 3D TV) I love watching 3D movies onDemand by Comcast. I get about 30 to watch each month!!!. WOW what a picture in full HD with audio in Dolby Digital HD. Samsung has the best looking LED Tv's in the business. With great pricing. I've had Sony for years and now Samsung is king in my house in every room. I got 6 Samsung LED TV's in all different sizes and models from low to high. The Smart TV interface in this unit is fast cause of the dual CPU processors. Plus I can use any bluetooth keyboard and mouse to browse the internet. I'm starting to use my laptop less and less.

07/01/14: I removed the Harmon Kardon and installed Marantz Reference level SC-7008 Receiver. Now this system offers a lot more options and features. I picked it up on Amazon and got a greatly reduced returned unit in PERFECT condition at 33% off. A great deal!!!

TOTAL SAVINGS OFF RETAIL FOR THE ENTIRE SYSTEM IS APPROX: 40% I NEVER PAY RETAIL!!!

Pending upgrades:

- Shunyata Research Venom HC Power Cord for the Marantz Receiver.

- Wireworld Starlight 7 HDMI Cable for the Marantz Receiver to Samsung TV.
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Marantz SC-7008 Reciever
    New for 2014 9.2 Digital surround, 125 Watt per channel. Very nice lush sounding audio with a great GUI interface and lots of excellent features. Works well with the Morrow cables to provide ultra clear dialog. Includes Audyssey MultEQ XT32 and Installer Pro ready, Gold plated inputs and speaker terminals, Bass Management, AirPlay, DLNA 1.5 certified Audio/Photo Streaming, Internet Radio, Streaming service capability (Pandora/Spotify/SiriusXM/flickr), and an Bi-amp any of the speakers.
    • Wireworld Silver Starlight 5.2 HDMI Cable
    Two Meter cable connecting the Receiver to the LED TV monitor. Dont skimp here!!! I have (3) Silver Starlights conneced to the HK and one to the LED TV. I use the Marantz for all my HDMI connections. I tried a lot of HDMI cables from cheap to expensive. This is the very best HDMI I ever used. I highly recommend a demo! The picture this cable produces is stunning and I will not accept anything less from a Wireworld HDMI cable. It is well worth its price and more. The color saturation is very high. Better than most HDMI's out there. The audio is very neutral. This model can be founded heavily discounted. Because Wirewold has version 7 out and performance is about the same but the newest version has the latest updates in HDMI standards. This version can be bought here on A-gon for 1/2 and lower off retail price.
    • Shunyata Research Venom 3
    1.5 Meter. Using this on the Marantz receiver to power strip. Very full and musical and nice black backgrounds. Very good and highly regarded and I agree. This power cable gets the job done at a great price.
    • Samsung UN55F6400AF 55 inch LED 3D TV Monitor
    1080p 55" LED Television working at 480HZ. (240HZ times 2 for 3D TV) I love watching 3D movies onDemand by Comcast. I get about 30 to watch each month!!!. WOW what a picture in full HD with audio in Dolby Digital HD. Samsung has the best looking LED Tv's in the business. With great pricing. I've had Sony for years and now Samsung is king in my house in every room. I got 6 Samsung LED TV's in all different sizes and models from low to high. The Smart TV interface in this unit is fast cause of the dual CPU processors. Plus I can use any Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to browse the internet. I'm starting to use my Laptop less and less.
    • Wireworld Super Nova 5+ Toslink
    1.5 meter. Polished Glass Toslink from LCD to Receiver. Ultra clear and neutral digital cable. The best Toslink Optical at this price point and I have tried many. The newer models just keep getting better. Demo the new version 7 and compare to Audioquest. My two favorite brands for Toslink cables.
    • HIFI Tuning C7 Power Cord
    1.5 meter. Power Cord used on the Samsung TV. I still think this cable is one of the best upgrades for replacing the TV power cord. One of the best power cords for digital components and best kept secret. I tried many C7 power cords and the HIFI Tuning C7 Power Cord is the best C7 available today at a great price. This PC greatly increases TV performance and the picture just POPS OUT WITH COLOUR SATUATION. FUN TO OWN AND USE. I only can find these at The Cable Company.
    • Oppo BDP-93 Blue Ray Player
    Plus Media Server. Simply the best amazing picture for all DVD's and Blue Ray discs plus bang for the buck performance. True giant killer.
    Has 3D capability which I use very often.
    • Wireworld Silver Starlight 5.2 HDMI Cable
    1 Meter. From Oppo to Marantz. See my first comments on this cable above.
    • Shunyata Research Diamoundback Platinum Power Cord
    1.5 Meter. Using this from Blue-Ray player to power strip. Very full and musical and nice black backgrounds. Awesome bang for the buck.
    • Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 Speakers
    Finally upgraded to a bigger monitor in the front. Hugh difference in soundstage and overall quality of the sound using these bigger speakers.
    • Sanus EF28B Speaker Stands
    Sanus EF28B Black Pair 28" Front Speaker Speaker Stands. Perfect height and looks very nice in my room. Sturdy and enhances the height and width of the front left and right speakers. An smart improvement in sound.
    • Herbie's Audio Labs Cone/Spike Grounding Base
    Three used under each rear speaker stand for added stability. (6 total)
    • Definitive Technology ProCinema 1000 Center Channel
    Voiced matched to the satellites. Loud and and clear voices. Again, ultra clear dialog is a must and with current cables it does its job excellently.
    • Definitive Technology ProMonitor 800 Satellites
    Hidden on the left and right side of the sofa. These are used for two rear channels. These are a steal at this price. Many great reviews on this system. Works with both movies and music, which is a must for me. Again, ultra clear dialog is a must and with current cables these do the job excellently.
    • Sanus EFSat Speaker Stands
    The SANUS Euro Series EFSat is an adjustable-height speaker stand for satellite speakers up to 10 lbs. It includes a high-mass, cast-iron base with rubber feet and adjustable carpet spikes. Its sturdy steel pillar can be adjusted from 26 to 42 inches and features a concealed wire path to organize cables. It includes 2.5 by 3.25-inch and 5 by 5-inch top plates.
    • Morrow Audio SP1 Speaker Cables
    (3) 3M cables for front channels. (2) 8M cables for the rear channels. I'm very happy with these cables. The soundstage is huge and ultra clear with lots of detail other cables just cant produce.
    • Rel T1 Subwoofer
    300 Watt, 10" 300 Watt Subwoofer. Rel makes the best subwoofers today. Great price points and lots of hook up options. This one shakes the house as called on from movies. Awesome effect and great on 2-channel. This is the very best in quality and consistency and VERY reliable. I only buy Rel. The new models get better and better.
    • Morrow Audio SUB3 Reference Subwoofer Cable
    With upgraded Copper Bullets, this subwoofer cable compliments and works well with all the other Morrow cable in this system. Nice tight tuneful NON flabby bass.
    • Herbie's Audio Labs Big Fat Dots
    Four used under the Subwoofer for added stability.
    • PS Audio AC-5 Power Cord
    This 1M excellent subwoofer cable is used on sub with ground pin removed to remove a nasty ground loop. Perfect solid bass from this high gauge cable.
    • Synergistic Research QLS-9 Power Strip
    This is the ultimate power strip. No conditioning is needed. The system sounds perfect and video looks incredible. This power strip is non-current limiting in anyway. The soundstage is huge, airy and transparent. The plugs match and complement the Teslaplex outlet.
    • Synergistic Research Core Power Cord
    1.5 Meter. OR an updated AKA Precision AC Basik PC. Using this from outlet to power strip. Very full and musical and nice black backgrounds. It won an award in a PC shootout in Absolute Sound magazine. This power cable gets the job done at a great price.
    • Synergistic Research TeslaPlex
    Ultra clear, transparent and a soundstage that floats in front of you. The best outlet currently on the market next to the TeslaPlex SE.
    • Acme Audio Wallplate and LaunchPad
    "non magnetic" Stainless Steel Wallplate and LaunchPad Duplex Outlet wall Isolator. It isolates your wall receptacle from mechanical vibrations, and dampens resonances. As an added bonus, it insulates your outlet too!
    • Wireworld Silver Starlight 5.2 HDMI Cable
    1 Meter. Connects my Comcast HD cable box to the Marantz receiver.
    • Synergistic Research XOT - Crossover Transducer
    Incredible on the Def Tech Bookshelf speakers. Soundstage more liquid, transients just flow. The black background is stunning. These just makes the stereo sound so much more real. Top to bottom. These may not be for everyone because they do change your soundstage. In my system was for the better for the bookshelf speakers but not in my 2-channel Focal speaker system.

Comments 44

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Congratulation on your new receiver.
Your seem like a big Def Tech fan. I know REL subs are very good, but are DefTech subwoofers any good? I purchased their Mythos SSA50 sound bar for a 2nd room and I'm wondering about their matching sub. Do you have any experience?

mjcmt

Owner
I decided to go with the Marantz SC-7008 Reference level Receiver. New for 2014... Features: 9.2 Digital surround, 125 Watt per channel. Very nice lush sounding audio with a great GUI interface and lots of excellent features. Works well with the Morrow cables to provide ultra clear dialog. Includes Audyssey MultEQ XT32 and Installer Pro ready, Gold plated inputs and speaker terminals, Bass Management, AirPlay, DLNA 1.5 certified Audio/Photo Streaming, Internet Radio, Streaming service capability (Pandora/Spotify/SiriusXM/flickr), and is capable of Bi-amp any of the speakers.

joeyboynj

Owner
Or maybe the NEW Onkyo TX-NR838 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver looks AMAZING!!!

Any help on picking out the latest and best receiver around $1,200 is much appreciated. Thanks! Joe

joeyboynj

Owner
I'd really like to upgrade someday soon to a Pioneer Elite 2014 receiver with ESS Sabre32 Reference DAC's with the new Bowers & Wilkins 600 S3 speakers (686 S2 Front, HTM62 S2 Center and M1 Surrounds). Also get one of the new Wireworld Silver Starlight 7 HDMI cables for the receiver and Shunyata Research Venom 3 HD Power Cable for the receiver as well. That is the next upgrade I'm working on.

joeyboynj

Owner
Mjcmt, Thanks for your comments. That was my intention all the way. and your confirmation is much appreciated..!
Some of the components are aging a little and I'm getting the upgrade bug for a new receiver. I demo'ed recently a Pioneer Elite and it sounded wonderful with my current speakers plus its has a great upgraded DAC. Therefore, that maybe my next upgrade. What do you or anyone else think?

Thanks again, Joe

joeyboynj

From what I can see is a handsome house with nice furnishings and a HT that doesn't dominate the esthetics.

mjcmt

Owner
System edited: Early Christmas present added to my HT system and highly needed. A brand new Samsung 1080p 55" LED Television. The Smart TV interface in this unit is fast because of the dual CPU processors. Plus I can use any bluetooth keyboard and mouse to browse the internet. I'm starting to use my laptop less and less.

Also, i'm hoping to upgrade to a new Marantz receiver and Martin Logan's new motion speakers. I recently heard these and they sounded fantastic together. The new Martin Logan Motion 15 bookshelf speaker in high-gloss black cherrywood finish is incredible visually and in sound quality. I was in awe with the new folded Motion tweeter.

joeyboynj

Owner
System edited: I took some Quick photos today. I will have better ones up soon. The lighting today was too cloudy outside. :-)

joeyboynj

We're all waiting for your new pix.

mjcmt

Owner
The tweaks and cables are almost completely hidden and paid very little to none for them. Left overs from the big system and some free cable hand outs from shows from vendors.

joeyboynj

Owner
System edited: I had to delete the pictures because I upgraded to a HUGH 55" Samsung LED 480HZ 3D Monitor. Next getting all Martin Logan speakers and a Marantz receiver. Time to upgrade to the latest and greartest. NEW PICTURES WILL BE POSTED SOON! This system is already looking ultra modern and a ton of fun to use. Cant wait to get 4k capabilities later down the road. More soon...

joeyboynj

Simply a beautiful system and room. It is a nice uncomplicated system...other than your tweaks and cables.

mjcmt

Owner
System edited: New pictures uploaded.

joeyboynj

Owner
Done. Pictures to come. ;-)

joeyboynj

Owner
System edited: Totally new is coming soon. :-)

joeyboynj

Joe,
Well what gear did you choose for your new HT system?

mjcmt

Owner
As of yesterday, the whole home theather was taken apart and components will be sold and new furniture is on order.
How exciting to redesign this system with better quality equipment.

More soon! Joe

joeyboynj

Owner
Yes, I will be upgrading the whole system to something bigger in the next few months. Also, getting a new furniture for the room and a bigger LED TV. So Stay tuned. Should be a fun project.

joeyboynj

It seems like you outgrew your hutch, so I'm looking forward to seeing your newly redesigned system. Please include photos of the individual components in their listing.

mjcmt

Owner
I may completely redesign this system over the next few months.

joeyboynj

Owner
System edited: Installed and upgraded to an Oppo BDP-95 Universal Player. It’s clearly an improvement all around over the previous Oppo unit.

joeyboynj

Owner
I decided to keep the T3 power cord and upgrade it to the new SE version
with 3 active shield filters and G07 wall plug and IEC. This power cord is
a big leap from the previous version.

joeyboynj

Owner
System edited: Installed Herbie's footers under my rear speaker stands and under the Subwoofer for added stability and clarity. Going to demo the Synergistic Research Precision AC Basik power cord against the T3 power cord the cost 3 times the price to see if further savings can be made. Looks like a fun project to me. I love evaluating power cords.

joeyboynj

Owner
I chose the Definitive Technology Pro Cinema 800 system because of its size and performance. These really do play louder than their small size. I compared the Definitive speakers to Polk speakers and the Definitive’s were way better. In addition, this speaker system won many awards. Do a Google search on them and the Klipsch for reviews. Also, a good quality sub is key. I sold the Definitive sub and got a Rel used here on Audiogon. I would look at getting a used Rel or JL Audio to go with any speakers you settle on. In my opinion, matching is not important for the sub. But matching all the 5-7 channels is and that goes for the speaker cable as well.

joeyboynj

I'm moving away form 2-channel to HT and have a few questions.
Are you satisfied w/ your Def Tech speakers? What other speakers have you considered before you chose those? I heard the 600's and they sounded good, but I'm also considering small Klipsch small speakers to go with my Klipsch sub.

mjcmt

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