[DoctorG]

I've recently purchased a used Aragon Soundstage preamp. I am presently debating the DSP upgrade. That would put the total cash outlay at around $2000. Anyone out there have the upgrade performed? Was it worth the additional modes? Please advise your thoughts both positive and negative.


Thanks

Gregg

 

[AKA-Chuck G]

Gregg, I recently got a Soundstage as well. My thoughts about the upgrade would be to go for it if you want/need 7.1. I don't need anything but 5.1 speaker setup. I am not sure the $800 for pro logic 2 and 24/192 dacs is worth the upgrade with a 5.1 speaker setup.

 

[DoctorG]

Chuck, I am leaning towards staying put as the main reason for getting the Soundstage was for the stereo direct pass thru.


Regards

Gregg

 

[m_l]

Like Chuck already said, I don't think it worth it for DPLII. The difference in the DAC's won't be noticeable. If you go to the Klipsch forum and search around you'll come up with same conclusion.

 

[SSSound]

My wife had her Act-3 upgraded to the equivalent of the Soundstage. Personally, I don't think it was worth it. Even after extensive time tweaking/setting things up, all the digital modes seemed extremely bass heavy. I guess that is not necessarily a bad thing for movies but you definitely would not want to use the DACs for music. The pass-through modes were also pretty "muddy" sounding. Musically, there was absolutely no comparison between using the 2 channel pass-through and a good pre-amp (a Marsh P2000b in this case). The Marsh was better in every possible way (tight bass, clarity, etc.).


At this point, we use the upgraded Act-3 just for movies and any time we want to listen to music we unplug it and use a real pre-amp.


Julian

 

[AKA-Chuck G]

Julian, my Soundstage direct mode is not "muddy" sounding. Of course I don't have a Marsh pre to compare with but I had a Sony TA-P9000es, which is pretty transparent. The Soundstage in the direct bypass mode is as good as that at least. Are you sure you selected the "stereo direct" mode and were not in "stereo analog" mode? Just curious.


Also, you should be able to tame the bass heavy effect for digital with the setup options and/or the variable EQ.

 

[DoctorG]

Thanks for the responses. Looks like I will stand pat and put the money elsewhere in my system.


Gregg

 

[Ricky]

From my email(s) with Adam at Aragon regarding the upgrades to the Act3:


"In the ACT-3, the analog output section actually does not change, it is just configured a bit differently. However, the ACT-3 did not have analog passthrough, so that is an added feature. The DSP module is also significantly more advanced than the one previously in the ACT-3 offering

substantial improvement."


I don't think the analog section of the Act3 is near the quality of the Aragon Soundstasge/Aurum. The upgrade did enable pure passthrough without A/D and D/A conversions.

 

[whisper8]

DoctorG,


I went through the same thought process several months ago and concluded the same.


jmj

 

[DoctorG]

In a related subject I posted the following on the Klipsch Forums and have gotten no replies as there seems to be little trafffic there. If anyone could help me on this I'd appreciate it.



"I recently purchased a used soundstage and the manual I received was a print out of a pdf file version 1.5. I downloaded version 1.7.


Both point to an "Appendix A" for programming the remote for other devices but neither of the manuals I have include Appendix A. Would someone have a file they could post that has this information?


Also, on page 11 there are 2 remote illustrations which cover up the button functions. Is there a clean page 11 out there as well?"



Many Thanks


Gregg

 

[whisper8]

My manual was in copy form, which was supplied with the new unit. I'll check for the Appendix this weekend. If I don't have it you can try customer service support. I had to call them about the remote. Excellent support.


jmj

 

[AKA-Chuck G]

Ricky, it sounds like ACT3 owners who value 2 channel may be better off selling the ACT3 and getting a used Soundstage. The money outlay would be about the same---sell ACT3 for $500 and get a Soundstage for $700-$900 more OR upgrade the ACT3 for $950. See what you have done to me! LOL

 

[AKA-Chuck G]

DoctorG, if you provide the components you need the codes for, I can post the 3 digit codes you enter to make that component work with the remote.

 

[Ricky]

Chuck,


I agree, the upgraded Act3 and used Soundstage are two excellent, yet differentiated choices in the 1400 range. The upgrade makes more sense for the Act3 because it adds the 7.1 inputs (and therefore analog passthrough). The Soundstage already has 5.1 inputs and the Aurum.

 

[DoctorG]

Chuck, I've sent you a pm with my request. Thanks for the offer.


Whisper8, if you do by chance have the appendix, I would like to add it to my manual.


Thanks to all who posted their opinions here. I am enjoying my new aquisition.


Gregg

 

[whisper8]

I have version 1.5, 23 pages, no appendix.


Page 11 is clean. Wouldn't know how to post it on this forum. If you still need, I could fax. Send PM.


jmj

 

[DoctorG]

jmj, thanks for the offer but today tech support sent me a pdf file of the page I needed and also the manual for the remote. Chuck, check your pm's.


Boy, i am lovin this piece!


Gregg