What UPGRADE First?? Your Opinions Please.

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post #1 of 8

3/26/07 at 2:26pm

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PhilT3
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My system consists of:

Samsung 50" DLP
Denon AVR-1803 (80 wpc)
Denon 5-disc DVD player
Focal Chorus 826v for fronts
Focal Chorus V Center Channel
NO Surround Speakers
Velodyne 10" subwoofer

The next two upgrades are:

1. Emotiva DMC-1/MPS-1 combo.

2. Upgrade 826's to 836's (full trade-in value) & Focal Chorus Surround Speakers

I will be ready to pull the trigger on ONE of the upgrades in about 3 weeks. The next upgrade could be as soon as another 3-5 months (if I make quota and bonus).

The deal I am getting on the Focals MAY not be available in 2,3,4+ months as my sales guy may be leaving the business.

In addition, I am wondering if Emotiva will start charging for S&H or change their prices over the next several months.

What upgrade would you do first?

post #2 of 8

3/26/07 at 4:04pm

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If you are feeling the urge to upgrade, and those are the two choices, I would go with the speakers since you MAY only have a small window of opportunity. The S&H charges on the Emotiva would be cheap in comparison to missing out on full trade in value on speakers, no? Perhaps I'm wrong.

post #3 of 8

3/26/07 at 4:29pm

petergaryr
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Classic wisdom says make sure you have done all you can to treat the room first. If you have, then speakers will typically give the greatest perceptible change since they are the only things that actually generate sound.

post #4 of 8

3/26/07 at 4:32pm

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I agree. Complete your sound system by adding the surrounds, then start upgrading as you see fit.

post #5 of 8

3/26/07 at 5:38pm

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PhilT3
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thanks for the input. anyone else.

surprisingly, my girl thinks I should do the pre-pro/amp first for the fact that the speakers are under-powered by the Denon.

anyone else?

post #6 of 8

3/30/07 at 4:03pm

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PhilT3,

I echo stevdart's comment on upgrading your speakers first due to the diminishing window of opportunity to trade the 826V in for full value. There will be a noticeable improvement in your sound with going to a separate pre/pro and separate amp but this can be done later. The Denon 1803 does not have preamp outs so merely adding a separate amp is not feasible. You'll have to make the tough choice of one or the other.

post #7 of 8

3/30/07 at 4:15pm