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Any "Deadhead" audiophiles out there to help

Looking to fine tune my system for mostly music and then home theater. As apparent I am a deadhead since the early 80s and love the music and grew up on the sound. I have not really swayed much from that genre but do have an ear for classical too. I play a lot of SACD, DVD Audio and blu-ray DVDs. Currently I have a mix bag system and was wondering if I could tighten it up or move some things around. Unfortunately my room is awkward with 8 foot ceilings and 25 by 13 with an extended room open from the length to add about another 12 feet from the front speakers. This creates an "L" shape room, it was a remodel job from the prior owner converting the single car garage into another sitting room with a woodstove. I have been slowly building my system and would like any and all input on changes that could make it sound even better. This is a living area so I must keep it wife approved, as she has embraced this change as well. Now you know most "deadheads" aint got major loot, but I do save and will spend for the right gear. Here is my setup..

Pioneer Elite VSX 94TXH
B&K Reference 200.7
B&W CDM 7NT fronts (Bi-amped)
B&W CC6 center (looking to improve to CDM CNT version)
B&W 602 S1 (Bi-wired) rears along with 2 Athena bookshelfs near the ceiling
Martin Logan Motion 4's and 2-Mirage Nanosats for Side surrounds
Paradigm PDR-10 sub
Oppo BDP 93 player
Panasonic 50 inch plasma

I also have a few other mirage nanosats in other rooms to provide music in those locations and split that with a niles speaker selector
shakedown

Showing 12 responses by shakedown

shakedown OP
135 posts
 
Any good suggestions on speaker cables as I prefer the bi-amp sound vs the bi wire method..I have a run of 12 feet that is needed for my fronts, figure I woould start their first..

Thanks

Shakedown
shakedown OP
135 posts
 
Many thanks for the responses..I have been considering an upgrade or additional sub to be added..looking towards REL or SVS..any suggestions there??
shakedown OP
135 posts
 
Dserota...many thanks...please give me some suggestions on a pre pro setup that could not break the bank at $3K or less
shakedown OP
135 posts
 
Peter:

While it may seem that I have more speakers than one can concieve it actually works fairly well in real good harmony. But I will say that it does seem to lack something on certain tracks but I am sure it is the recordings. I will admit that the 2 channel is probably not my desire as my reciever does give me the opportunity to relieve any sort of musical temptations or coloration. I am sure that this does not fit certain audiophile expectations but the Pioneer does provide this trait. I think that I might venture towards the upgrade of the center channel and subwoofer. I had a good line on a SVS Ultra 13 but decided to pass and get his power amp instead. That has made a great improvement so the quest continues....
shakedown OP
135 posts
 
Yep...sub and the cc are definitly the next to be upgraded..I have been looking / saving for about 6 months now and ready to cash in...Ts, yes the Oppo does play HDCD and all others, this is a mean machine and it just got a killer updrade to You Tube "Leanback" which plays back the videos in full screen rather than a small picture area. Plus it alos added Pandora which is nice too..And yes I do stream some of the torrents through my Pioneer via my laptop...checkout Jamtopia website
shakedown OP
135 posts
 
Replaced the center channel with the CDM CNT version, almost night and day differnce to the CC6. Still playin around and tryin to get it seated in right. Seems to be a bit more forward.
shakedown OP
135 posts
 
My best friend has these I believe, I know they are the 2 series not sure on the exact model. I have a restriction of my ability to come from the wall. Currently my speakers are about 16 inches from the wall only because of the room layout I cannot bring them forward anymore. I did enjoy my friends Vandersteens but did note that they were a bit excessive in the bass dept though. Could have been his setup and arrangement too.
shakedown OP
135 posts
 
Adam:

Very nice system and glad to bring you back to the "Golden Road"..Happy New Weir
shakedown OP
135 posts
 
Does the Oppo have to go into a DAC or could it be just an integrated amp with HT Bypass??? How about Krell or Parasound would either of those work so they could be passed through my Pioneer and B&K???
shakedown OP
135 posts
 
Could this be a possiblity..Bel Canto S300i USB Integrated Amp to give me the 2ch and bypass that you speak of?? This is in my budget range. Anyone have comments about this amp?? A question I have is the line out on the unit, as I read the PDF it says that it can go to the sub or another amp...In my setup it would go to the amp and not the sub right??
shakedown OP
135 posts
 
Still trying to wrap my head around improving my system. I still feel its lacking fullness. Its nearly there, just can't quite put my hand or ear on it. The new center channel was an improvement ten fold (got the CDM CNT). I am still torn to see if new front full range speakers would provide me a LARGER sound. Or is this pre-amp or integrated amp the ticket to this achieved sound. Would love to consider a speaker that is Bi-amp capable and would sing with the rest of my equipment (I can dream can't I). I can only move the speakers out about 13-15 inches from the wall, so any suggestions would be great...Got about $3k to play with..
shakedown OP
135 posts
 
I have read great stuff about Bel Canto...Which version do you speak of???
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