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The Official Salk Sound Owner's And Discussion Thread - Page 250

post #7471 of 8730
7/10/12 at 5:54am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by raylover79 View Post

Hi Salk fans,
I am in the hunt for good floor stands. If I were in US, I would have bought the SS8 blind folded and relaxed henceforth, but I am in India and importing them would cost me almost twice.
So, I have few choices and I am expecting your advice regarding which floor stand I should choose. I have asked the same question in the Focal and Monitor audio forum and haven't got much feed back, so am expecting good feedbacks from you people.
My preferences are : Focal Electra 1028BE, Monitor Audio Pl200, Salk HT2Tl and KEF 203/2 (out of my budget. Expensive in my country).
I have only heard the Focal 1028 out of the above floorstands, and liked it a lot. The highs and mids were great but the low was not that strong (however that is not my concern, as I will import seaton submersive HP or JTR Captivator to handle the lowend freq.).
At first, I was strongly considering the Salk HT2TLs, but the Indian rupee has fallen considerably (from Rs.44 per $ to now Rs.55 to 58 per $), so importing this would cost me similar price to that of the focal and the monitor audio.
Out of these speakers, which one do you think is the best (though best is always subjective, I still wish to hear your comments).
Is the Raal, Seas excell combo in the HT2Tl that good?
We have Focal, Monitor Audio and KEF dealers in our locality, so buying them would be easy, but with the Salk, I have to handle the Customs hassle. So, which route should I take?
For electronics, I am considering the Emotiva xpa-5 and then upgrade to the xpa2 later or the xpr-5 (the xpr5 scares me with its 400W X 5) for Power amp. For prepro, I have no idea. is the yet to be released emotiva xmc-1 worth it? It's specs are very amazing on paper, however how it is gonna be translated on the realworld performance is anyones guess.
I only prefer the floorstands and not the Bookshes..
Expecting your valuable advice.

Yes, the Veractiy HT2-TL's are worth every penny. The Monitor Audio PL200's have an upper midrange/lower treble issue that I couldn't get passed, and while the Focal's are decent they have a thin sounding midrange and slightly bright upper end. This is just my opinion, of course.
Quote:
Originally Posted by guf View Post

thanks for the link! thats a interesting read. seems like if I only use a center channel a few nights a week and if 95 percent of the time I'm sitting in the prime listening spot, and my gf is only 2 feet away, and 99% of the time we are the only ones in the room, a Salk center channel would be fine. right? smile.gif

Right. Mounting the tweeter higher than the dual woofers seems to have helped alleviated some of the design trade-offs of your typical horizontal MTM design.

Quote:
Originally Posted by blackscorpio View Post

This is going to be 2.1 music setup no movies. aren't any of the nad, CA or rotel suitable for this job?

Which NAD and Rotel are you looking at? How much power do they provide?
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post #7472 of 8730
7/10/12 at 6:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by raylover79 View Post

Hi Salk fans,

We have Focal, Monitor Audio and KEF dealers in our locality, so buying them would be easy, but with the Salk, I have to handle the Customs hassle. So, which route should I take?
For electronics, I am considering the Emotiva xpa-5 and then upgrade to the xpa2 later or the xpr-5 (the xpr5 scares me with its 400W X 5) for Power amp. For prepro, I have no idea. is the yet to be released emotiva xmc-1 worth it? It's specs are very amazing on paper, however how it is gonna be translated on the realworld performance is anyones guess.
I only prefer the floorstands and not the Bookshes..
Expecting your valuable advice.


Don't be afraid of the 400w going to those speakers... I'm running 500w into my Salk SoundScape M7's and HT2c and have no issues whatsoever... you'll just gain a bit more headroom.. Most of the time, you'll not be using all that power at all... the amps will just be limping along. From 200w to 400w, you only gain 3db more in output.
I'm running Wyred4Sound and D-Sonic IcePower amps in both my systems, 500wpc for the front 3 and 250 for the surrounds... No Problem at all, and I push them hard all the time...
The Wyred4Sound amps are fantastic in SQ as well as performance....

For a Pre-Amp, Id suggest the Integra 80.3 - absolutely flawless performance with all the bells and whistles...
I sold my Anthem D2v and bought 2 of the Integra 80.3's with the money... Much better product IMO, and I'll never look back...
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post #7473 of 8730
7/10/12 at 8:02am
Thread Starter 
^ Great advice. The more power the better!
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post #7474 of 8730
7/10/12 at 10:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by raylover79 View Post

Hi Salk fans,
I am in the hunt for good floor stands. If I were in US, I would have bought the SS8 blind folded and relaxed henceforth, but I am in India and importing them would cost me almost twice.
So, I have few choices and I am expecting your advice regarding which floor stand I should choose. I have asked the same question in the Focal and Monitor audio forum and haven't got much feed back, so am expecting good feedbacks from you people.
My preferences are : Focal Electra 1028BE, Monitor Audio Pl200, Salk HT2Tl and KEF 203/2 (out of my budget. Expensive in my country).
I have only heard the Focal 1028 out of the above floorstands, and liked it a lot. The highs and mids were great but the low was not that strong (however that is not my concern, as I will import seaton submersive HP or JTR Captivator to handle the lowend freq.).
At first, I was strongly considering the Salk HT2TLs, but the Indian rupee has fallen considerably (from Rs.44 per $ to now Rs.55 to 58 per $), so importing this would cost me similar price to that of the focal and the monitor audio.
Out of these speakers, which one do you think is the best (though best is always subjective, I still wish to hear your comments).
Is the Raal, Seas excell combo in the HT2Tl that good?
We have Focal, Monitor Audio and KEF dealers in our locality, so buying them would be easy, but with the Salk, I have to handle the Customs hassle. So, which route should I take?
For electronics, I am considering the Emotiva xpa-5 and then upgrade to the xpa2 later or the xpr-5 (the xpr5 scares me with its 400W X 5) for Power amp. For prepro, I have no idea. is the yet to be released emotiva xmc-1 worth it? It's specs are very amazing on paper, however how it is gonna be translated on the realworld performance is anyones guess.
I only prefer the floorstands and not the Bookshes..
Expecting your valuable advice.

Since speaker choice is such a personal preference, it's impossible for anyone to tell you what you will like. When I was speaker shopping, I limited my choices to what I could actually hear in person. Personally, I wouldn't buy a speaker blind that I couldn't return.

Many people love Salk speakers, and many others don't. You can only know which side you would be on when by hearing them yourself.

My advice is to stick with speakers you can audition in person.
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post #7475 of 8730
7/10/12 at 11:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuance View Post

Which NAD and Rotel are you looking at? How much power do they provide?

I don't know, since receiver was suggested I was wondering if the integrated amps aren't good enough or what?

I have looked up some music halls on audiogon.

I already have 3312 for a pure HT setup and this is going into the bedroom. so, I want anything that can handle the salks.
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post #7476 of 8730
7/10/12 at 11:27am
anyone has HK 3490 Stereo Receiver driving their salks? how does that combination sound, any ideas? In another thread HK 3490 Stereo Receiver was suggested for the salks.
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post #7477 of 8730
7/10/12 at 11:50am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Saturn94 View Post

Many people love Salk speakers, and many others don't.

I only know of two people who didn't care for them, and one of those folks' recordings can be blamed for it, and the other person didn't like how they imaged in his room (which was an acoustic nightmare). Just sayin' biggrin.gif
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post #7478 of 8730
7/10/12 at 2:21pm
raylover79: The more you spend, the more likely you are to justify that purchase and never look back . smile.gif
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post #7479 of 8730
7/10/12 at 2:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pstrisik View Post

If I understand your situation correctly: HT2-TLs and a KEF center with an AVR coming.
I would wait until you have the AVR and try both with phantom center and using the KEF and see where you are at. If lacking, you can of course get an HTC, but you could also consider asking Jim about making a "supercharged song center". That is, a song center with the drivers to match the Veracity line. Or at least a song center with the RAAL tweeter. That would match better than a standard dome song center.


I tried the phantom center with my current avr thinking the salks would be much better. I decided i like a center channel. And yes i like all your suggestions of salk center options. thanks!
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post #7480 of 8730
7/10/12 at 3:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by guf View Post

I tried the phantom center with my current avr thinking the salks would be much better. I decided i like a center channel. And yes i like all your suggestions of salk center options. thanks!

You're welcome. I'm somewhat in the same boat. I have SS8's coming eventually. I currently have Paradigm Studio with their 590 center. I will try with phantom center and with the 590 and decide if I will go for a Salk center. I had Jim order enough veneer for me so that he can match the SS8's if I do. I probably wouldn't go for the SoundScape center though. It's just too big and heavy. I probably would go the HTC route as they have the same tweeter.
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post #7481 of 8730
7/10/12 at 4:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pstrisik View Post

You're welcome. I'm somewhat in the same boat. I have SS8's coming eventually. I currently have Paradigm Studio with their 590 center. I will try with phantom center and with the 590 and decide if I will go for a Salk center. I had Jim order enough veneer for me so that he can match the SS8's if I do. I probably wouldn't go for the SoundScape center though. It's just too big and heavy. I probably would go the HTC route as they have the same tweeter.
With those SS8s, I'd really want a CC to have a Raal tweeter and Accuton mid. You could ask Jim to make you something smaller, the woofer won't be as important since I'm assuming you'll be using a sub. I think matching the midrange where the CC is going to get a lot of action with voices is key.
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post #7482 of 8730
7/10/12 at 5:16pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by saeyedoc View Post

With those SS8s, I'd really want a CC to have a Raal tweeter and Accuton mid. You could ask Jim to make you something smaller, the woofer won't be as important since I'm assuming you'll be using a sub. I think matching the midrange where the CC is going to get a lot of action with voices is key.

This.
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post #7483 of 8730
7/10/12 at 7:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by saeyedoc View Post

With those SS8s, I'd really want a CC to have a Raal tweeter and Accuton mid. You could ask Jim to make you something smaller, the woofer won't be as important since I'm assuming you'll be using a sub. I think matching the midrange where the CC is going to get a lot of action with voices is key.

Possibly, though it may be that we are just getting up in size and weight to accommodate that. First is the decision about whether I will need the new center. I started out looking at Salks lower in the lineup, so it feels like quite a lot to just to acquire the SoundScapes as a first step. Of course I could have gone with stock cherry veneer and saved the money towards a center but, naahhhh! tongue.gif
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post #7484 of 8730
7/11/12 at 6:04am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pstrisik View Post

Possibly, though it may be that we are just getting up in size and weight to accommodate that. First is the decision about whether I will need the new center. I started out looking at Salks lower in the lineup, so it feels like quite a lot to just to acquire the SoundScapes as a first step. Of course I could have gone with stock cherry veneer and saved the money towards a center but, naahhhh! tongue.gif

LOL biggrin.gif

Well, I think you're taking the proper approach by listening first to see if you even desire a center channel. If you do, though, don't skimp on the most important speaker for Home Theater; definitely get the SoundScape C.
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post #7485 of 8730
7/11/12 at 6:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuance View Post

LOL biggrin.gif
Well, I think you're taking the proper approach by listening first to see if you even desire a center channel. If you do, though, don't skimp on the most important speaker for Home Theater; definitely get the SoundScape C.

I don't know.... I don't feel I'm missing out on anything running the HT2c with my SS's.... Unless your talking about 5 channel SACD stuff, of which I don't listen to ever...

Performance for TV and movie listening is not distinguishable to me whatsoever... I couldn't justify spending another $1500 and have that HUGE center for my smaller-ish type setup...
It would have looked goofy for my rig.... Not to say its not worth getting if you have the space....

HT2c
9" x 22" x 14"

SSc
12" H x 31.5" W" x 13" D
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post #7486 of 8730
7/11/12 at 7:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Warpdrv View Post

I don't know.... I don't feel I'm missing out on anything running the HT2c with my SS's.... Unless your talking about 5 channel SACD stuff, of which I don't listen to ever...
Performance for TV and movie listening is not distinguishable to me whatsoever... I couldn't justify spending another $1500 and have that HUGE center for my smaller-ish type setup...
It would have looked goofy for my rig.... Not to say its not worth getting if you have the space....
HT2c
9" x 22" x 14"
SSc
12" H x 31.5" W" x 13" D

Not to mention 40# for the HT2C and 86# for the SSC!
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post #7487 of 8730
7/11/12 at 11:41am
Thanks Saturn94, Nuance and Warpdrv for your reply.
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post #7488 of 8730
7/11/12 at 11:59am
Looks like there aren't any good integrated amps suitable for salks, since I didn't get any recommendations.

so, what should I be looking at? separates? budget?

to remind, I want to drive SongTowers with RAAL and Rythmic F15 sub in a pure music setup.

any suggestions, please?
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post #7489 of 8730
7/11/12 at 1:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by blackscorpio View Post

Looks like there aren't any good integrated amps suitable for salks, since I didn't get any recommendations.
so, what should I be looking at? separates? budget?
to remind, I want to drive SongTowers with RAAL and Rythmic F15 sub in a pure music setup.
any suggestions, please?

You'll be needing an integrated amp with bass management/subwoofer out capabilities. There are likely more than a few out there that will handle the power requirements of the ST's without a burp. You just need to look around...probably Audiogon.

A hidden gem, by the way, is the Denon PMA-2000ivr. It's an under-the-radar beast of an amp that (I think) Denon made for just one year (the ivr, not the regular 2000). 80 wpc into 8 and 160 wpc into 4 ohms. Be sure it's the ivr model, as it has sub out control.

You're going to like your new rig. smile.gif
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post #7490 of 8730
7/11/12 at 2:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by blackscorpio View Post

Looks like there aren't any good integrated amps suitable for salks, since I didn't get any recommendations.
so, what should I be looking at? separates? budget?
to remind, I want to drive SongTowers with RAAL and Rythmic F15 sub in a pure music setup.
any suggestions, please?

Im not sure if integrated alone would be the best choice.
My thought is that if you are planing to integrate with a sub, some processsing is good, at least it can give you high pass filter and let you delay your front for sub integration. Without processing of some kind, you will have to find your best sub location.
My plans, at least for now is to go with tube. thinking about decware CSp2 pre and audiospace galaxy34. The audiospace 34 is Hongkong company china made, but heard good reviews from them. Also, the integrated amp can work as a power amp. Next would MiniDSP2.1 for integration with rythmik.. Thats my plans for now.
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post #7491 of 8730
7/11/12 at 8:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mudslide View Post

You'll be needing an integrated amp with bass management/subwoofer out capabilities. There are likely more than a few out there that will handle the power requirements of the ST's without a burp. You just need to look around...probably Audiogon.
A hidden gem, by the way, is the Denon PMA-2000ivr. It's an under-the-radar beast of an amp that (I think) Denon made for just one year (the ivr, not the regular 2000). 80 wpc into 8 and 160 wpc into 4 ohms. Be sure it's the ivr model, as it has sub out control.
You're going to like your new rig. smile.gif

Denon PMA-2000ivr looks interesting but couldn't find any used or new. Found one refurbished, any ideas how reliable is the seller? two things caught my eye:
- component_type: Amplifier Unknown modifier
- audio_output_mode: Stereo Unknown modifier

looks like original parts were not used during refurbishing. If it is okay, I will get one.
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post #7492 of 8730
7/11/12 at 8:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RicardoJoa View Post

Im not sure if integrated alone would be the best choice.
My thought is that if you are planing to integrate with a sub, some processsing is good, at least it can give you high pass filter and let you delay your front for sub integration. Without processing of some kind, you will have to find your best sub location.
My plans, at least for now is to go with tube. thinking about decware CSp2 pre and audiospace galaxy34. The audiospace 34 is Hongkong company china made, but heard good reviews from them. Also, the integrated amp can work as a power amp. Next would MiniDSP2.1 for integration with rythmik.. Thats my plans for now.

I can't afford any one of those, how about something in $1000 range?
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post #7493 of 8730
7/11/12 at 9:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by blackscorpio View Post

Denon PMA-2000ivr looks interesting but couldn't find any used or new. Found one refurbished, any ideas how reliable is the seller? two things caught my eye:
- component_type: Amplifier Unknown modifier
- audio_output_mode: Stereo Unknown modifier
looks like original parts were not used during refurbishing. If it is okay, I will get one.

No, I believe you can get a decent one used from an outfit like Audiogon or other online forum for-sale section for half the asking price in your link. You might need a little patience for one to come up, though. They're not that common. I seem to see one every two months, or so. But there are other good options out there...the Denon just happens to be a favorite of mine.
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post #7494 of 8730
7/11/12 at 9:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mudslide View Post

No, I believe you can get a decent one used from an outfit like Audiogon or other online forum for-sale section for half the asking price in your link. You might need a little patience for one to come up, though. They're not that common. I seem to see one every two months, or so. But there are other good options out there...the Denon just happens to be a favorite of mine.


I will keep looking but in any case, what other options are there, that are good. TIA.
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post #7495 of 8730
7/11/12 at 9:15pm
Dang...with this new AVS format, I'm not sure how to edit a post.

I just wanted to add that the Denon has great channel separation, really robust power supplies, and a nice tube-ish presentation. If you look for some reviews or comments on this model, you'll see really glowing reports for good reason.

That said, there are other good IA's out there....new and used. I'm also partial to Van Alstine amps (and pre's). Surely others have some recommendations regarding sub-$1K IA's. For separates within your budget reach, Emotiva isn't bad.
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post #7496 of 8730
7/12/12 at 5:43am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by blackscorpio View Post

I will keep looking but in any case, what other options are there, that are good. TIA.

How about a used Parasound Classic 2100 preamp and Emotiva XPA-3?
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/emotiva-xpa-3-3-channel-amplifier

I may be selling my Parasound preamp soon, so combine that with the XPA-3 at that link and you'd have an awesome pair of separates for $1000 or less. The seller of the XPA-3 is looking for local pickup, but I bet he could be persuaded. smile.gif
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post #7497 of 8730
7/12/12 at 6:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by blackscorpio View Post

I can't afford any one of those, how about something in $1000 range?

You could get a Musical Fidelity A5 or a used Krell KAV250. Both would be good choices. I owned an A5 once and it was a solid integrated. A previous poster mentioned AVA - they make good kit and have an integrated new for $1,500.

None of them have any bass management though. The Parasound 2100 does however. I recently sold my old one for $400 so you can pick them up used which would leave you $600 for an amp. There is an Acurus 200wpc on Audiocircle for $400 I think. The two of them together would make for a nice system and you could upgrade from there.
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post #7498 of 8730
7/12/12 at 8:44am
While we're on the talk of amps and processors, I've got a nice 5-channel SongTower/Center/Surround setup. Have an older Denon AVR-5800 which has a great amplification section. Would love to add some HDMI processing. Any recs for an inexpensive processor where I could just use pre-outs from that unit to my Denon and keep using the Denon for amplification? The amp section on this thing is really good and I'd hate to re-invest. Thoughts?

Cheers,
Chad
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post #7499 of 8730
7/12/12 at 12:01pm
What is inexpensive?
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post #7500 of 8730
7/12/12 at 12:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrlittlejeans View Post

There is an Acurus 200wpc on Audiocircle for $400

I heard the Acurus 200X3 does not have speaker protection circuits at all ! eek.gif

One service tech told a forum member this when he repaired the 200X3.
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