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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
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Most are deadheads.
whitecap
111 posts
 
For true Phil Bombs, consider a (or, better, two) JL Audio F112 (or two F110s). Beyond that, and recognizing that you enjoy the surround/multi channel experience, if you are really looking to capture the live Dead sound, you should still consider going 2-channel. Peter S (and others) makes good suggestions about electronics. Re speakers, given your room size and configuration, consider switching to floorstanders with more cabinet heft and lots of mid-range clarity, extension and power handling -- so essential for Jerry's guitar work. I really question whether you're current multi-set up comes close (it may well; but I fear you are missing the core; and you must too, hence this thread). Or, get monitors with those qualities and add two subs. The advice about room treatment is spot on; it makes a huge differenence, and can be accomplished with WAF.
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dangelod
40 posts
 
Peter's response is right on. For 2 channel, which is key if u r doing some serious sessions w/quality live or studio dead, get strong 2 channel amp and a quality dac/pre w/ht bypass and true high quality analogue output stage and gain control(w4s and bel canto come to mind; if bigger budget the new amr dp-777 is unreal)and fully separate 2 channel from HT. You will be amazed. Also, a few bucks spent on the ICs and speaker cable fro main speakers can be meaningful.
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.
peter_s
1,318 posts
 
I don't know if your living space can accomodate, but Vandersteen 2CE signatures and Vandersteen subs together can be quite satisfying and not too hard to drive. You need to be able to pull the speakers away from the wall by a couple of feet though. I've been impressed with this many times. You may want something more detailed though, given your enjoyment of B&W's. Something to consider.

Are you using fully digital sources or do you have any analog sources? That could affect the W4S recommendation above.
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