I am very pleased with the Arcam. Not a lot of set options but it has great sonics. May very well be upgraded to the 350 soon. I have upgraditis again!
The Genelecs displaced B & W's (Which found there way into a bedroom system). Possibly because the Arcam didnt have quite enough juice. The Genelecs absolutely excel at dynamics. They have very refined bass, seductive mids, with a forwardish presentation. They do roll off above 17khz and its noticeable to me.
The sub has been with me for years. Its a great sub for movies but it falls a little short with music.
The Denon is very good with upscaled video and par for its cost with audio. I prefer the DACs in the Arcam on most CD's. SACD is very acceptable but, to be fair, I dont have a lot of experience with the better SACD players.
The Genelecs will stay on as surrounds when this system and the two channel system get integrated and placed into a much larger room. In fact, I may just get three more Genelecs for center and back surrounds in a 7.1 setup. The future setup is more than likely going to be Meridian. Though, I may go back with Bryston which was a solid performer.
Multi Channel Receiver. Not the most powerful or the most versatile. Sounds good for a receiver. Virtual Dynamics Power 3
Denon DVD-3910
DVD-V/DVD-A/SACD pretty nice machine. I like the video upconversion. Decent as a transport feeding the DACs in Arcam. One of the better analog output DVD players for redbook I have used. Harmonic Technologies Pro-Silway IIIs to Arcam and Virtual Dynamics Power 3
Soliloquy 6.2
Two way 6.5" Midwoofer 1.125" Silk Dome Tweeter A fine sounding speaker. Very seductive mids and highs. Bass is plentiful, rolls off around 35Hz in room. Virtual Dynamics Audition Bi-wire.
Artison Surrounds
Bipole with 4
Monster Power HTS-3600
Surge protection
Velodyne SMS-1
Digital Xover, with room correction, and equalization. Can make the normal sound magnificent.
N H T Sub Two i
Dual 12" NHT 1259 Woofers Dayton 1000 watt plate replaced the NHT plate. Tons more power. Controlled by the super flexible Velodyne SMS-1. External Digital Drive Xover. Xover 28hz @ 12dB per Octave. The SMS is awesome when using high level inputs.
This system is undergoing renovation and downsizing basically because I am building a small two channel and need some components. Due to financial reasons we are holding off on building so the dedicated theatre/listening room is, well, I guess thats mostly self explanatory.
The equipment list is up to date. The pictures are not, sorry. I'll snap some in the near future and post 'em.
The little Rotel has good synergy with the B & Ws and the Bryston Processor. Its surprising after using multiple amps how balanced the sound is when going back to a single 5 channel amp. Power is obviously down but the balance is great.
The ASW2500 sub is quite a remarkable sub. Very Articulate and blends seemlessly with the CDM9s. Not exactly a rafter shaker but for music it absolutely excels. Anyway I have the dual 12's in the NHT. Though I prefer leaving it off most of the time.
Sold the Jolida CDP and miss it. Its really a nice piece. The Bryston has a superb DAC and so it is serving as main DAC as well.
System edited: I have been running Telefunkens in the JD100 and really like them. I have also upgraded from the Bryston 4B-ST to the 4B-SST. It was a nice improvement and definately has great synergy with the SP1.7 Processor.
I added a Synergistic Research AC master. So far it works best on my Pre/Pro. It wasnt a huge improvement over the Signalcable PC that I was using, but it did improve the dynamics and blackened the background without a significant change in tonal balance. Which is good, because I like it pretty well now. Serious, I just cant help myself when it come to tweaking.
Speaking of tweaking. I removed the fixed power cable from my Sony DVD and replaced it with a Female IEC connector. I have a dremel and a soldering gun so what the heck. It's still burning in, but I think it sounds better already and video looks better as well. Even though this machine isnt "all that" it does a pretty good job at video playback, and the jury is still out on SACD. I have been enjoying the sound of my Jolida CDP so much lately that I really havent played many SACDs.
I still havent upgraded the TV yet. I am seriously eyeing the Samsung DLP rear projection. Maybe after Xmas.
Thanks Tvad. I have really been enjoying the system since the HT cables went in. I have some inexpensive(50.00) DH Labs BL-1s from the Jolida CDP to the Pre/Pro, and I really like them. Articulate bass, smooth mids, and extended highs. I have a Synergistic Research PC on the way!!! Cant wait for that one. I took a MIT Z cord from the CDP and tried a SignalCable PC and it made a small difference. I liked the Signalcable better, more coherent midrange. I have been eyeing the Truthlinks for a little while now. I may just bite the bullet and get some. Thanks again for your post.
System edited: Added a photo of the sources, Jolida JD-100 and a Sony DVP-NS900v. I hate having to stack them. Sorbothane feet are under the Sony and Vibrapods under the Jolida. Signalcable Analog 2 RCAs and an MIT Z-Cord 2 are currently in use on the Jolida. I am thinking of upgrading both of these, probably used, with a budget of around $300.00 for both. I am considering Harmonic Tech Truthlinks and ProAC11. Virtual Dynamics and Synergystic are both in the running for the PC as well. Any thoughts on either are appreciated.
Unclejeff, Thanks for the website. As far as a thread on A'gon, that sounds great. I think A'gon spawned a new site called Videogon.com, which I am gonna check out right after this.
UncleJjeff, Oh I get it now. Thanks for straightening me out, I had no idea.
I dont like video running through my audio. For starters, my processor doesnt have video switching or any on screen menus. Only my DVD does, no problem, I am using a relatively cheap($50.00) component cable from DVD straight to TV. The digital out from the DVD goes straight to the Processor. I plan on keeping the two(audio/video) as seperate as possible.
I really didnt like the TV when I bought it, =), I am itching, but I think patience is in order. Prices are coming down regularly.
Unclejeff, thanks so much. Yeap I really need to do something about about video. I was very frugal when purchasing that TV, knowing what was in the pipe. I do love the Plasma, its just so expensive, and to top it off, if I do go Plasma I want to change my audio rack from vertical to horizontal. So even more of an expenditure.
I dont know that much about video. I have just started reading up on it. I am fairly content right now, with my DACs. External and internal, in the Processor. If you will, please elaborate on the Plasma and DAC situation. Is it the video bandwidth? or diaglog difficulties with the flat screen? Just guessing.
Thanks Capnizzy. I hope your demoing goes well and you find a Pre/Pro that meets all your needs and then some. While I have never heard EAD products, I live in the sticks, I have read quite a bit about them......and not one word was bad.
I liked the Bryston amp almost immediately....They certainly arent the last word....but overall they provide alot for the money.
The Jolida is right at home...she is all burned in as of tonight. I really like this player. I am beginning my tube play, that may sound dirty =) but its really a good thing. I just love audio and this gives me something to tweak without having to blow the vacation fund.
I tried some newer GE 5751 JANs in place of the Electro Harmonix 12ax7eh's and liked their bass, but was disappointed with imaging and depth. I am considering some 1960s RCA 5751 black plates. Any thoughts appreciated.
System edited: I guess it really isnt a starter anymore. I finally got the pictures to take after three tries. Added a Jolida JD-100 CD player....My first tubes. I am going to try a few different tubes out, starting with EH 12ax7 and GE 5751, tell me what you think sounds good in your gear. Anywho, I think I might leave it alone for now.
Well the Bryston is in place and Burned in. In one word....WOW. I listen to alot of 2 channel and the analog 2 channel bypass is stunning. Having compared several pre/pros this one walked off with the 2 channel trophy, easily. However for HT purposes they all fall fairly close, having compared Classe(ssp30), B & K(ref50), Krell(showcase), Integra(rdc7), and Rotel(RSP976/1066).
I am now making the jump to XLR connections, so I am in the process of evaulating cables, next up is a Harmonic Tech Pro Silway III. I will post more on cables later.
Foreverhifi, I do use analog in, from both the RCD971 and the Theta DAC. Its a toss up right now, they are only ever so slightly different in sonics(more may be revealed as cables are improved).
Thanks for your recommendation of Classe Pre/pros. I gave them a try, but the Brystons dynamics and extension in bypass was superior, by my ear anyway. I should say, that I like detailed highs. The big Classe was out of my price range, it may be a superior unit, but that will have to wait.
