I just sold my entire audio system to upgrade. I sold 2 polk rti12's fronts, a polk csi5 center, a velodyne spl-1200r sub, and a yamaha rx-v1700 reciever. I already purchased 2 Anthony gallo reference 3.1's. I am going to be running them with an old carver TFM-35 for now, until i can afford to upgrade to a newer, better amp. Ive spent hours researching forums and reading reviews, so now I'm asking advice on upgrading my other equipment. I am very picky about my sound quality, and I'd say as far as importance, its 60/40, music/HT. I don't want to have to upgrade again anytime soon, and hopefully i never will.
I have a friend that works for a wholesale company, and can get what his company sells at cost. The problem is that i cant demo anything before buying, so i have to base my purchases on research. I will list my potential choices, and their prices. I don't expect somebody to answer all these questions, but any advice would be greatly appreciated, even if you think I can get something different than what i list for around the same price.

Recievers: Id like to keep under $1300, and i am intersted in features such as True-HD and DTS-hd, but sound quality is ultimately most important

Yamaha rx-v3800.....my cost is $1080
Denon avr-3808ci.....my cost is $1100
Marantz 7002...........my cost is $925
Marantz 8002...........my cost is $1320


Center Channel: Id like to keep price around $350, id like to get the matching gallo center, but its $1300.

Atlantic technologies 4200ec....my cost is $360
Polk lsi..................................my cost is $280
Better suggestions around the same price would be great.


Subwoofer: This is the hardest part for me. Everyone seems to have their favorite. I liked the Velodyne spl 1200r, but it was a little overpowering for music, at least where i had it placed (right behind me). It was fairly accurate, but i had it turned down to only 20 percent to make it so. I was thinking a 10 inch sub may work better, but not sure. I don't want to spend too much more than $1000, under $1500

Sunfire true subwoofer EQ.................my cost is $1050
sunfire true subwoofer EQ signature....my cost is $1420

These are the only subs my friend has available but i know that there are many subs available around that price. Im not sure if anything will be better for the price from what ive read, but ive never actually heard it..I want sharp deep accurate bass that wont overpower my Anthony Gallo's.

Thanks for taking the time in reading my VERY long post. I appreciate any help anyone can give me.

I just sold my entire audio system to upgrade. I sold 2 polk rti12's fronts, a polk csi5 center, a velodyne spl-1200r sub, and a yamaha rx-v1700 reciever. I already purchased 2 Anthony gallo reference 3.1's. I am going to be running them with an old carver TFM-35 for now, until i can afford to upgrade to a newer, better amp. Ive spent hours researching forums and reading reviews, so now I'm asking advice on upgrading my other equipment. I am very picky about my sound quality, and I'd say as far as importance, its 60/40, music/HT. I don't want to have to upgrade again anytime soon, and hopefully i never will.
I have a friend that works for a wholesale company, and can get what his company sells at cost. The problem is that i cant demo anything before buying, so i have to base my purchases on research. I will list my potential choices, and their prices. I don't expect somebody to answer all these questions, but any advice would be greatly appreciated, even if you think I can get something different than what i list for around the same price.

Recievers: Id like to keep under $1300, and i am intersted in features such as True-HD and DTS-hd, but sound quality is ultimately most important

Yamaha rx-v3800.....my cost is $1080
Denon avr-3808ci.....my cost is $1100
Marantz 7002...........my cost is $925
Marantz 8002...........my cost is $1320


Center Channel: Id like to keep price around $350, id like to get the matching gallo center, but its $1300.

Atlantic technologies 4200ec....my cost is $360
Polk lsi..................................my cost is $280
Better suggestions around the same price would be great.


Subwoofer: This is the hardest part for me. Everyone seems to have their favorite. I liked the Velodyne spl 1200r, but it was a little overpowering for music, at least where i had it placed (right behind me). It was fairly accurate, but i had it turned down to only 20 percent to make it so. I was thinking a 10 inch sub may work better, but not sure. I don't want to spend too much more than $1000, under $1500

Sunfire true subwoofer EQ.................my cost is $1050
sunfire true subwoofer EQ signature....my cost is $1420

These are the only subs my friend has available but i know that there are many subs available around that price. Im not sure if anything will be better for the price from what ive read, but ive never actually heard it..I want sharp deep accurate bass that wont overpower my Anthony Gallo's.

Thanks for taking the time in reading my VERY long post. I appreciate any help anyone can give me.

receiver: take a look at the onkyo 705 and 805
speakers : theres plenty of good choices out there but take a look at the ASCEND ACOUSTICS SPEAKERS(sierras,and 340SE's)
subwoofers: theres plenty of choices
eD A7 - 450 $1300 SHIPPED
eD A5-350 with the 550 watts amp $715 SHIPPED 2 month wait
av123 MFW-15 $599 + shipping 2-3 month wait
SVS SB12-PLUS starts at $699 + shipping
EPIK CALIPER $699 + shipping
EPIK KNIGHT $599 + shipping

For the sub go for PB13-ultra.

If the Gallo center is too pricey for right now, just run your HT in phantom mode. Any of those centers you listed will stick out like a sore thumb when mixed with your 3.1s. If sound quality is paramount here, that's what I do.

Svs Sb12-plum
Epik Caliper
Epik Knife

For the sub go for PB13-ultra.

I agree, since he is 60% music I would think the Ultra would be an excellent choice. I also think the ED A7S-450 would be a good choice if the finish is not a problem.

The sunfire true subwoofer EQ signature is a good sub also.

If you can wait a few months, Gallo is supposed to be coming out with the Strada line. This is the top portion (two 4" drivers and the CDT) of the 3.1s in both vertical and horizontal configuration, which should be a perfect timbre match to the 3.1s. Pricing is possibly in $700-900 range. See: http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/news.phtml/12088/13112/anthony-gallo-acoustics-strada-speakers.phtml

If you can't wait that long, you can find the Gallo Reference AV on auction sites for around $900, including some that are brand new except for the fact the box was opened.

If neither works and you have to stay in the <$350 price range, use phantom mode or an A'diva Ti, which is supposed to be pretty closely timbre matched. Non-timbre matched centers ruin the experience, imho.

As for subs, I'm a huge fan of the SVS SB12+ if you don't need a strong sub 20Hz response. I haven't heard many other subs, but it is clearly my favorite so far.

I would have to put my recommendation in for the A7s-450 just becuase i know how amazingly capable these are for music/HT, but esp for music...everytime i listen to them im overly impressed....im sure you will be happy with any of the recommendation's...they are all good! thats just my 2cents. Good luck!

Ben