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I need help with the audio side

I am a novice as far as high end audio and would like to upgrade my current setup. I have upgraded over the years from an older Bose Lifestyle 12 system (I know I just made a bunch of you cringe) to a Lifestyle 28 system. Then I learned that no highs, no lows, must be Bose and upgraded to a Harmon Kardon AVR 340 with Infinity TSS750 7.1 system. I have stayed with the Infinity's but upgraded the receiver to an Onkyo 804. I have it all tied into a Monster 3500 Power Center to try to clean up the power and used Monster XP speaker cable's and 1000 series HDMI and optical cables to connect the cable box, Samsung BDP1200 bluray, and Roku Soundbrige M1000.
My system sounds decent but I know it can sound better. Way better. I have listened to Definitive, Vienna Acoustics, Boston Acoustics, Polk, and Martin Logan and fell in love with the ML's and how clear and precise the sound was (like what I was listening to was live in front of me). I was looking at replacing the front 3 speakers, but would like some advice on brand/models to look in to. I am on a budget, so I know some of the extreme high end like Wilson audio is probably out of the question. I also need some advice about preamps and amps...mainly do I need them? Can I use the Onkyo as a preamp and maybe just get amplifiers?

I watch a lot of movies, but also love music (I listen to mostly everything except country and would say Pink Floyd is my favorite).

Any suggestions?
brooksd

Showing 3 responses by chaskelljr2001

chaskelljr2001's avatar
chaskelljr2001
476 posts
 
"Brooksd":

Then...... just like Jeff has said, get you some Vandersteens. I co-sign with him on that assessment. If lack of set-up issues, reasonable price, bass response, midrange and a nice high end will do, the only way to go is Vandersteen. I owned a pair of 2Ce's since 2005 and I love them.

I am driving mine with an Adcom GFA-5400 Power Amplifier and an Adcom GFP-750 Preamplifier Line Stage with MITerminator Cabling and getting excellent musical results from this combination. As far as separates go, this is not an expensive combination, but I have heard of people driving Vandersteen 2's with Krells and Levinsons before (something I wouldn't do, but just saying so out of reading and observation). The point I am trying to make is that you don't need to have expensive amplification to drive the Vandies and get good sound from them. What I would do is hunt down a nice integrated and drive them with that. If you prefer something with some quality behind it, I would hunt down something used. Something that you couldn't afford when it was brand new, but could afford now used (hint....... looked for a Krell integrated or a Classe).

Good Luck and Happy Shopping.....
chaskelljr2001's avatar
chaskelljr2001
476 posts
 
"Neway317":

"As for the amp recommendation, I originally went the same route that Chaskell did also, debating between a Krell KAV-x00i or a Classe 151."

Well, actually...... I only suggested the Krell and Classe Integrateds to "Brooksd" as possible budget alternatives to his speaker of choice. Those aren't the amps I am personally using. I am driving my Vandersteen 2Ce Signatures with an Adcom GFA-5400 and an Adcom GFP-750 with MITerminator Cables.

And being that the Vandersteens seem to produce a warm sound with plenty of deep bass and a clean and neutral top-end, I think that a used Krell KAV Integrated would be a good match for the Vandersteens, which should result in a neutral sound.

--Charles--
chaskelljr2001's avatar
chaskelljr2001
476 posts
 
"Neway317":

No Problem.....

My take on the MITerminators are that they're neutral and they make the midrange coming from the Vandersteens open up even further, expanding the plane of the speakers themselves. They also make the bass JUST a little more powerful, and slightly smooth out the top-end.

--Charles--
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