My Audio/Video Experience - Page 8

Hello PC.

Long time, no post! How are things going?
Anyway, thank you for the kudos. My next project is music streaming. I want to replace my Homedock iPOD docking station with something more user friendly and versatile. I'm currently researching different concepts. mconley hipped me to Squeezebox and ddgtr suggested Foobar2000 which is more of a software app. Apple TV is still in the running also. I would like to also pick up an external DAC to increase SQ. The new Cambridge Audio DACMagic looks pretty nice and affordable.

Regards.

Hello plasmattack.

Thank you for the compliment on the setup. Yes, I am somewhat over populated with boxes! The wife didn't have a problem at all with the setup being that it is down in the basement (The Cave). To a certain extent, she is in full support of my obsession. As long as I keep it manageable and my purchases do not effect our living expenses, she's cool with it!

Not to mention that I supplied her with a full range 5.1 surround sound, user friendly, high definition capable system in the family room.
42" Samsung 720P LCD,
Yamaha RX-V3000 AV Receiver
Polk Audio RTi70 speaker pkg. w/Velodyne CHT-12 Subwoofer
Verizon Fios HD STB
Sony DVPNC875S DVD Changer
Marantz DV4500 CD/DVD player
Mitsubishi S-VHS VCR (for her old favorites)
1st Gen. MS XBox Gaming System
Panamax M4300-EX Power Center
and a Harmony 880 universal remote. She's good to go!
She'll be getting the Samsung BD-P1200 when I finally purchase a new blu ray player.

Regards.

Hello Phil.

I look forward to seeing your system's makeover!
You know, lately I've really been considering streamlining my system also. I've talk about it before, but wasn't really serious or quite ready to give up some of my components. But, efficiency is really starting to look favorable to me. Not that my system is lacking efficiency, but, now that I'm considering servers for music streaming, the CD and DVD changers and maybe even the CD and DVD recorders are losing their relevance, becoming obsolete. I will keep you posted of my progress.

Regards.

Hello Mike.

Thank you for the link. And you are right about the Marantz SR9300 DAC's. It's hard to tell the difference between it's digital to analog conversion compared to the Cambridge Audio 640C or the Denon DVD2910. It really depends on the recording though.
So adding an external DAC could easily be redundant!

Thanks again.

Regards.

Hello ndskurfer.

Thank you for the kind words. Yeah, it can become very intense in this small area. I watched, "Quantum of Solace" on Bluray and at -17db, it was deafening!

I'm still reading up on the Squeezebox, Apple TV and Foobar200. Actually, I like all three.

Hopefully, I'll come to a conclusion by the weekend.

Regards.

Hello plasmattack.

Oh yeah, I forgot to include the Yamaha RX-V3000 AVR. (Has been added to the listing in the previous post.) Old, it may be, but it's still a beast!

As far as purchasing nice equipment goes, Thanks, but my system is the epitome of bargain shopping! Finding closeouts, well maintained pre-owned components and having the right timing is essential to acquiring high decent quality on a tight budget. If you were to ask most of us here, the MSRP of their current system and how much they actually paid, you will probably be floored by the disparity. Keep your eyes and ears open and always be prepared. You could easily find yourself with a great system at close to a 50% savings. I know I did.

Regards.

As some of you already know, I have an affinity for 3 rack configurations.
Below are photos of the gradual progression of my AV System.

In the Beginning, circa 2004. This is how it started! I had just moved into a condo after selling my house. The room was 18.5 x 10 x 8.5.



The equipment you see is a mixed bag. Some components are carry overs from a previous setup and some were new additions.
Yamaha RX-V3000 AV Receiver
Sony DVPNC875S DVD Changer
Pioneer Elite DVR7000 DVD Recorder
Mitsubishi HS-U746 S-VHS VCR
Comcast DCT3412 HD/DVR STB
Philips CDR950 CD Recorder
Yamaha CDC-685 CD Changer
Panamax Max5100 Power center
Polk Audio RTi70 Speaker Package w/Velodyne CHT-12
Cables: Monster M-Series, Acoustic Research, Key Digital, Radio Shack Gold Series.
The Racks: Cheap Kmart specials!
Obviously, no TV in the photos. I was still deciding on whether to purchase another plasma or opt for an inexpensive CRT with hi-def capability. My first plasma was damaged during the move. Plus it sucked anyway! The picture (480P) was horrible!

The first 3 Rack setup!
I decided on the inexpensive hi-def capable CRT. A Samsung Slim Fit 1080i TX-R3079WH. A Pioneer DV-578A Universal player was added. I also acquired an inexpensive TV stand, so now you are witnessing the origin of my 3 rack configuration concept which eventually became an obsession!
There's also a center channel stand accommodating the Polk Audio CS400i.


Yes, I had the audacity to take a screen shot!


Check out the angle! I just knew I was the man! A true amateur!

The Polk Audio RTi70 pkg is replaced by the Klipsch RF35 pkg. Not that anything was wrong with the Polks, because there wasn't! At the time, i just thought that the Klipsch Reference was an upgrade. Well I eventually realized that it was only a lateral move. They just sounded different, not better. The Klipsch Ref, IMO does have the aesthetic edge over the Polks!
There are also some new components. The Sony DVPNC875s has been replaced by the Sony DVPNC555ES DVD Changer. The Marantz DV4500 CD/DVD player and the 1st gen. XBox occupy the lower shelves of each audio rack. I also used the laptop occasionally for music playback. (Rhapsody and iTunes). And let's not forget the new headphones: Sennheiser HD535's. I'm moving up in the world! The glass head accommodating the phones was a gift from the wife! It's an antique!

Did you notice that the sub is no longer up front? It has been moved to the back of the room.

September 2006: I buy a townhouse and move in September 2006.
Aspirations is for this townhouse to become an investment property and with the profit from the house sold in 2004, buy a lot and build a home to my specs.
Well, a new house deserves a new TV! Enters the Samsung LN-S3251D 720P LCD. Beautiful flat screen, great picture, and WAY too small! Even though it was a 32", it looked smaller than the 30" CRT it replaced. Anyway, I had the crazy idea of placing the flat panel on top of the Klipsch RC35! I figured that because of the light weight, it would be fine. I seriously underestimated the criticisms that would immediately follow the posting. In another forum, I posted this photo and I could have swore that the members of that forum was going to show up at my front door with torches and pitchforks! They crucified me on that website! Quotes like, "Are you nuts?!" "Sacrilege!" "That's an abomination, you should burn in hell!" I'm not kidding!
But on the positive side, there are other new additions to the setup. The Cambridge Audio Azur 640C CD player replaces the Marantz DV4500 and the Denon DVD2910 Universal replaces the Pioneer DV578A.


Well after I recovered from the tirade, I tried to create a quick fix until I had the available funds to purchase new racks. My remedy was met with self-esteem deflating laughter and more criticisms. Understand that at that time I was also a member of AVS Forums, but I did not dare post photos of the system in it's current configuration. As far as I was concerned, AVS Forums was the pinnacle! Your system had to be on point and totally together to even consider posting photos. Now that I've been on this site for the last 4 years, how off was I with that assessment?! Have you seen some of the systems that have been posted?!




It looks crazy doesn't it!?! Initially, I thought the idea was clever! Yeah right! It might have worked if I had the wherewithal to paint the makeshift speaker housing black. That arrangement lasted for about 48 hours before I had the new racks purchased, in the house and assembled!

Well, not only did I acquire new Audio racks and a matching TV stand courtesy of the wife,..... Nice scarf over the window, huh?!
I also purchased a 50" Samsung 720P plasma.


Along with the new TV, came the HDMI-less Marantz SR9300 AV Receiver which replaced the Yamaha RX-V3000. An HDMI switcher was added to accommodate the HD cable box and the Denon DVD2910 HDMI connectivity. A new Panamax M4300-PM power center was added to help accommodate the growing number of components populating my system. It was as if my system was reproducing/giving birth to a new component every month!





The black curtains were added to cover up the window and to improve the look of the room. Because of the thickness of the fabric, the curtains also help with absorption, lessening the intermittent echo or unwanted reflection.

I later upgraded the M4300-EX power center with the M5400-PM.



Since then, the additions have been:
Samsung BD-P1200 Bluray player
DLO Homedock iPOD Docking Station w/30GB Video iPOD
Marantz MM9000 5 Channel Amp
XBox 360 Pro Gaming System and
new Verizon Fios Wireless Modem
And let's not forget the Cable management project!


More adjustments, enhancements and modifications to come! Thanks for viewing!
The End!


Regards.

Thanks Daman S.

But I have seen some of your progression and it has been a real treat!
Your room is surely one of the better theaters posted.

Regards.

Thanks plasmattack.

I'm still not satisfied completely. I want to try to clean up the area behind the AVR. The connections at the AVR still look messy.

Regards.

Hello Matt.

That was a very kind observation your gave regarding my transformation. Yes, it's very much like watching a child grow up. I have grown by leaps and bounds over the years in this hobby. I still have alot to learn. The growth is never ending. That's what makes it so fun.
I must say though, I am fast approaching the finish line of this type of configuration. New components will have to be acquired for me to experience the ultimate performance in hi-def audio and video. But in due time. Right now, I'm still having fun.

Regards.

Hello WaveyD.
The OCD....., I get it from my father. Military upbringing! Thanks for the compliment regarding the setup.
The Klipsch RF35's were discontinued and replaced by the RF82's. There were 2 other models available in the Reference line up. The RF-5 and the RF-7. Both were were higher in the Reference hierarchy. And you actually had the RF83's!?! And you took them back?! And replaced them with the 683's?!
The RF83's are very formidable speakers, but I guess they aren't for everyone. The RF63 Pkg will eventually replace my 35's. Although the 35's have been great performers for me, I can only get the clarity and the low end performance I desire, at higher volume levels (-20dB and above). I do know that with the 63's, they'll achieve the same clarity and low end punch at lower volume levels (-30db and maybe a little lower).

Anyway, the B&W 683s are fine speakers and very accurate.

Regards.

Hello WaveyD.

I have not had the chance to audition the Palladiums yet. The only dealer that has them setup and ready is easily an hour away from me. I do know that the quality is superb and from what I've read, a far cry from the traditional Klipsch signature sound. According to some reviews I've read, they are every since of the word "dynamic", but much more refined than the RF83's. And the dedicated mid-range is the main reason why.
Again, all here-say because I haven't heard them myself but with a starting price point of $8000.00 for P37F's, they better be the best Klipsch has ever created!

Regards.