[Frank_S]

I'm currently looking for an upgradable pre/pro and 5-6 channels of amplification.

I would like to hear 2-channel music in its

wonderful splendor as well as enjoy movies

to the fullest. For speakers, I currently

have: B&W 603S2(mains)LCR6S2(center)602S2(surr)

I may upgrade speakers too.(but later)

Roomsize is 12 x 17(8 ft. ceiling)


Current considerations:


Parasound AVC-2500,HCA-1205a

Marantz AV-9000,but that's a maybe.

B&K, also a big maybe.


I need more than these to consider, I also

may go with 2 amps, as you can see, I could

use some help here. Thanks in advance!

 

[Deniz Mutlu]

Go and listen to the Meridian 561. I'm sure you will be blown away.


If you want the upgradability path, spend a bit more to get the Meridian 568. Both these units are way ahead of the competition.


[This message has been edited by Deniz Mutlu (edited February 24, 2000).]

 

[paulsan]

For this price range, I would definately listen to the equipment before you buy. Most dealers should let you do an in-house demo.


I have the Acurus ACTIII and the Acurus 5x125 Amp with B&W CDM1-SE and CDMC for the fronts and CDM2 for the rears and am pleased with the sound. I had the same setup with Rotel gear and was pleased with the sound, but wanted the base management stuff in the ACTIII so I could make my sub crossover lower than 80hz.


There is a lot of gear in this price range and all of it has different features/sound. Take the time and be overly critical so you will be happy with your purchase.


Paul

 

[Frank_S]

Thank you for the helpful advice, the trouble

with the dealers who sell these products, Meridian, Classe, Proceed etc. don't let you

take demos home. There are very FEW dealers

who sell high end stuff like you mentioned and I live in San Jose,CA. I have 3 dealers within a 45 mile radius. They usually only have 1 each of these hi-end units on hand, and they're using them as demos themselves.

I have been able to demo from 1 dealer, but

he doesn't sell any pre/pros I'm interested

in, just amps. My only option is to purchase

the item and take it home for a weeks listening. If I like it, it's a keeper. If

not, it goes back.

Originally, my budget was $3,000 for both

the pre/pro and amp, then I raised it to $4k, now it may have to go up to $5k, where

does it end? Oh well, it sure is fun torturing myself, can't wait to sit back and

enjoy the results, whenever that may be!

 

[migliore]



listen some ead products too.

www.eadcorp.com


rob


------------------
Migliore Theater

 

[rich wu]

Try San Francisco Stereo in SF and Berkeley. They have Krell, Classe and Proceed. I know that the Berkeley store does allow take home demo.

BTW the I have the EAD Signature processor

Quote:

Originally posted by Frank_S: I'm currently looking for an upgradable pre/pro and 5-6 channels of amplification. I would like to hear 2-channel music in its wonderful splendor as well as enjoy movies to the fullest. For speakers, I currently have: B&W 603S2(mains)LCR6S2(center)602S2(surr) I may upgrade speakers too.(but later) Roomsize is 12 x 17(8 ft. ceiling) Current considerations: Parasound AVC-2500,HCA-1205a Marantz AV-9000,but that's a maybe. B&K, also a big maybe. I need more than these to consider, I also may go with 2 amps, as you can see, I could use some help here. Thanks in advance!

 

[Frank_S]

Thanks for the info, I'm still open for suggestions on pre/pro & amplification.

Over the weekend I upgraded my front 3 speakers, got CDM7SE's(mains) and CDMCSE(center)for minimal cost. They are much

better,more open than the B&W 6 series, I'm

happy and I'm sure they will sound better when fully broken in, now the pre/pro needs

to be addressed! Keep suggestions coming, I

really appreciate the help. I've been doing

a lot of reading on most of the units in my

price range, I just need to be able to listen

to each of them for the real test. http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif

 

[Frank_S]

Paulsan, I'm bringing home the Acurus ACT-3

with the 125 x 5 amp this weekend to demo.

I also own CDM7SE's and CDMSE(center), the

pre/pro I'm going to demo does'nt have the bass management upgrade installed. How should

I set up the unit as far as x-over selection

since I won't be able to have the many x-over

options available? Any help would be appreciated, I'll only have the system for

1 full day so I want to make it count. Thank

you in advance! http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif

 

[paulsan]

Frank_S,


I would have opted for the CDM7SE for my fronts if I could have fit floor standing speakers in my install. A friend of mine used them for his theater and is quite happy with them.


I am assuming that you have a subwoofer. The specs on the CDM7SE go down to 40hz and the CDMCSE goes to 50hz. I would try 60hz on the three fronts for starters. I'd say 55, but unfortunately the ACTIII does not have this as an option. It may take you a while to get your sub so that the volume is correct (it's easy to get it too boomy). If you have something like Video Essentials, it is a little easier than the test tones on the Acurus (personal opinion). Watch a movie or at least 30 minutes continuous. It's easy to like something on the action scenes and not realize that the dialog or more quiet scenes aren't quite right if you skip scene to scene.


I would then try bumping the front left and right down to 50hz and leave the center at 60hz. You may have to adjust the sub again. Try watching the same material to get a comparison. If you are going to use the system for music, make sure to listen to some in stereo mode. Again, the longer the better.


If you aren't too tired, you might even try the system in default (80hz) mode. Since I was replacing a receiver, I ran mine at 80hz for a few months to get used to the new sound before bumping things down. I ran my fronts (CDM1SE and CDMCSE) at 65hz for 3 months and recently moved down to 60hz.


It's tough to get an idea in one day, but it is still much better than not being able to take it home. Comparing the Acurus to the Rotel gear I replaced, I found the sound stage to be larger and the over all system to be brighter. The sound stage took some getting used to, but I like it. I found the system too bright on the high end. I made some corrections to my room and found the sound amazing. The corrections were minor, untoed front left and right speakers and put sound absorption on one side of room (probably should have done this sooner).


Good luck.


Paul

 

[Frank_S]

Thanks Paul, B.T.W. I have a B&W AS6(12"driver,100 watts)sub at the moment.I'd

like to upgrade that after the pre/pro is taken care of. Since the Acurus demo I'm

borrowing does'nt have the bass management

upgrade I guess I will run it at 80hz since

you don't have the many x-over selections

to choose from. I assume there is an 80hz

x-over selection? Anyway,thanks Paul for taking the time to respond to my questions,

I will make sure to listen closely to 2-channel, that's one thing I don't enjoy with my current setup. I'll let you know on Monday how it works out.It's possible that

I'll audition the ATI 1505 along with the Acurus, don't know if I'll be able to pull that off though.

 

[Rachael Bellomy]

Paul,I have the Marantz 9000 and I

like it very much.The remote is just

too cool! I run 2 vcrs,LD,CD,MD,TiVO,

TV,oh DVD,and JVC video switcher and

cable box.It's backlit and it's bad!!!

Oh,there's 5.1 input and component

switching.The remote is mostly easy

to program. Macros are a little harder,mostly 'cause the manual is a

bit long-winded in places.4 dig. in's,

2 dig. out.The front panel leaves

something to be desired but mostly I'm

on the sofa with the hand phaser!


------------------


Ms. Bitchlist

 

[Brian B]

Frank, if you don't have the bass upgrade then you will get much better results with all the speakers set to full range. Use the crossover on the sub to adjust it's frequency until it blends well with the fronts. 2 channel might help you set this to an average level, and then you can readjust it for theater. I think it is either mode 0 or 2.


Brian


Also, NAD has a silver series amp/pre combination which sells for $5000 which is right in your price range.


[This message has been edited by Brian B (edited March 01, 2000).]

 

[John Tuohy]

The meridian 561 can probably be had for less than 4K and the ATI 5 channel amp or if you want to stay lower the outlaw


Enjoy!


------------------

John Tuohy

 

[Frank_S]

John, I'd like to own the Meridian 561, but

it's $5k retail, that's what my dealer wants for it and there are'nt too many dealers

around, at least within a 50 mile radius.

I don't want to buy used or via the internet

for this large a purchase. Although I hate to

pay full price(or close to it),I'd rather

have the option of returning the unit or if

it should ever need replacing or upgrades,I'd

like to be able to have the local dealer handle it. Any sources in the bay area who

sell Meridian, other than Century Stereo?

 

[John Tuohy]

Frank:


I am not certain but I thouht this unit was discontinued as such you should be able to get a discount. Most hi end stores will give at least 10%. Check other authorized dealers

in your area or give HomeImax an E-mail( member ). It will be worth your efforts to get this and 4k is only 20% of a discount off retail which is attainable.


Good Luck!


------------------

John Tuohy

 

[rich wu]

Frank,


Pro Home System or Theater in Oakland is a Meridian dealer. They have pretty good sales people there and you can probably negoiate price. There is also House of Music in San Francisco near downtown.

Quote:

Originally posted by Frank_S: John, I'd like to own the Meridian 561, but it's $5k retail, that's what my dealer wants for it and there are'nt too many dealers around, at least within a 50 mile radius. I don't want to buy used or via the internet for this large a purchase. Although I hate to pay full price(or close to it),I'd rather have the option of returning the unit or if it should ever need replacing or upgrades,I'd like to be able to have the local dealer handle it. Any sources in the bay area who sell Meridian, other than Century Stereo?

 

[Brian B]

Frank, email me about the 561.


Brian

 

[Darian]

EAD TheaterMaster Ovation

EAD PowerMaster 500


This will give you music!

 

[Frank_S]

Thanks for all the input, I will try to get

Century to give me 10-20 off but they are

VERY tight on their prices, that's why I'd like to be able to negotiate with other stores on the Meridian 561. The 568 is way out of my budget(which has grown)so the 561

or equivalent would be as high as I'd go.

The EAD from what I understand only operates

via the remote, is that true of all their pre/pros? I can check out the Proceed AVP also but video switching is not important to

me, just as mult-room function is'nt either.

I'd like to have adjustable bass management,

analog pass through,software and hardware upgradability,individual speaker delay for

all speakers,including the sub,all d.a.c.'s

the same. The Proceed AVP uses different dac's for the mains and the center/surrounds

although I've heard that this unit is a good

performer. Anyway, I'm going to demo something this weekend, I'll see what I can

get my hands on. Thanks again, Frank. http://205.232.82.242/ubb/smile.gif