[Toys7505]

Just curious if any other members are from the area and have the same addiction I do

I live in the Metro west area of Boston. Just trying to see if there is any interest out there for a gathering.........New member recently but been a lurker for a while.


Hit me up

Peace!

Chris

 

[Daman S]

Chris, I'd be willing to meet up sometime if we can get other folks interested. I'm a little north of you in Nashua, NH

 

[jamis]

I'm in the Leominster/Fitchburg (North Central Mass) area.



I know there are a few other New Englanders in the Home Theater Builder forum..

 

[Toys7505]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Daman S /forum/post/15413055


Chris, I'd be willing to meet up sometime if we can get other folks interested. I'm a little north of you in Nashua, NH

Quote:
Originally Posted by jamis /forum/post/15413192


I'm in the Leominster/Fitchburg (North Central Mass) area.



I know there are a few other New Englanders in the Home Theater Builder forum..

Guys, glad to get some responses. Almost felt like Will Smith in "I am Legend"

I would like to get together as well if others are interested.

Daman, can you tell me if you have visited Ensemble A/V in Nashua? They are a Rotel dealer and was thinking of auditioning there new pre/pro.

thanks,

Chris

 

[Daman S]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Toys7505 /forum/post/15419975


Guys, glad to get some responses. Almost felt like Will Smith in "I am Legend"

I would like to get together as well if others are interested.

Daman, can you tell me if you have visited Ensemble A/V in Nashua? They are a Rotel dealer and was thinking of auditioning there new pre/pro.

thanks,

Chris

Chris I guess we all New Englander's are quiet after the playoff bid failed for Pats

I have visited Ensemble, and they have very helpful and knowledgeable staff. I would suggest you give them a call first(603 888 9777) to make sure they have the Rotel models you want to audition. They have some nice demo rooms as well and also a good choice of speaker selection.


And while you are visiting this side, if you time also check out Fidelis A/V which is a little further to the north in Derry, NH
http://www.fidelisav.com/news.html

 

[teknoguy]

Hi,

Stumbled onto this thread...I'd be interested in meeting other HT owners in the NE area.


Is Ensemble in Nashua the place on Daniel Webster HWay? Set off in a strip mall area?


-t

 

[Toys7505]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Daman S /forum/post/15447511

Chris I guess we all New Englander's are quiet after the playoff bid failed for Pats

I have visited Ensemble, and they have very helpful and knowledgeable staff. I would suggest you give them a call first(603 888 9777) to make sure they have the Rotel models you want to audition. They have some nice demo rooms as well and also a good choice of speaker selection.


And while you are visiting this side, if you time also check out Fidelis A/V which is a little further to the north in Derry, NH
http://www.fidelisav.com/news.html

Daman, thanks for the lead to FidelisAV. Looking around there site, I have never heard of most of the manufacterers they carry except for B.A.T. (my father has some of there stuff = WICKED NICE

) I will definitely have to go and check them out while I'm at Ensemble.

The rotel I was interested in is the RSP-1570 (new pre/pro). Also looking at Classe's SSP-800, Parasound, B&K ref 70 among others.


To all, do you have a preference when a meet is held and would anybody be willing to host it? I wouldn't mind doing it but didn't know if all were willing to drive out my way.


Let's keep discussing.......

 

[hrd]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Daman S /forum/post/15447511

Chris I guess we all New Englander's are quiet after the playoff bid failed for Pats

I have visited Ensemble, and they have very helpful and knowledgeable staff. I would suggest you give them a call first(603 888 9777) to make sure they have the Rotel models you want to audition. They have some nice demo rooms as well and also a good choice of speaker selection.


And while you are visiting this side, if you time also check out Fidelis A/V which is a little further to the north in Derry, NH
http://www.fidelisav.com/news.html

But I've come alive again after watching Indy lose.

I'm in Watertown and interested in area gatherings.

 

[Daman S]



Quote:
Originally Posted by teknoguy /forum/post/15454171


Hi,

Stumbled onto this thread...I'd be interested in meeting other HT owners in the NE area.


Is Ensemble in Nashua the place on Daniel Webster HWay? Set off in a strip mall area?


-t

Yes, its in the same strip mall where Furniture world used to be, probably quarter mile down the road from best buy.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Toys7505 /forum/post/15457908


Daman, thanks for the lead to FidelisAV. Looking around there site, I have never heard of most of the manufacterers they carry except for B.A.T. (my father has some of there stuff = WICKED NICE

) I will definitely have to go and check them out while I'm at Ensemble.

The rotel I was interested in is the RSP-1570 (new pre/pro). Also looking at Classe's SSP-800, Parasound, B&K ref 70 among others.


To all, do you have a preference when a meet is held and would anybody be willing to host it? I wouldn't mind doing it but didn't know if all were willing to drive out my way.


Let's keep discussing.......

Fidelis carries some nice line of speakers as such, and if you are in the area and have the time i figured you can listen to some Sonus Faber's or Focal-JM Labs etc. I always enjoy visits to stores like this and spend some time chatting up with the people over there(if they are not busy with something else that is). A while ago i was doing some speaker shopping so visited almost all the high-end stores in the NE area.


If you ever get to Waltham, Goodwins high end has probably the best demo rooms in the area. In fact they allow you to book a time and come and sit in their rooms for however long to demo.


Talking about Pre-pros i recently went with the Marantz AV8003 and am really pleased with its performance. I'm running some Dali Helicons off a Gemstone amp. Wonderful sound all around, if you are interested to listen to the Marantz do let me know.


I would have been willing to host the meet but as it stands my theater is still in the works and i have seating for only 3 people, so maybe some one else can host??

Quote:
Originally Posted by hrd /forum/post/15460531


But I've come alive again after watching Indy lose.

I'm in Watertown and interested in area gatherings.

Ah yes, that did bring a smile to my face

Now only if the Bolts loose in their next game as well

Next week should be exciting too, im really starting to feel Ravens are SB contenders.

 

[hrd]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Daman S /forum/post/15462276


Ah yes, that did bring a smile to my face

Now only if the Bolts loose in their next game as well

Next week should be exciting too, im really starting to feel Ravens are SB contenders.

Exactly, there was no way both teams could lose yesterday, so what's the the ideal result? The despised team that will lose on the road next week advances, while the despised team that has a chance at the Super Bowl does not. I was kind of hoping Miami would win the Super Bowl, because Super Bowl teams usually do not do so well the next few years and that could mean less competition in the division.


I've been to Ensemble several times to demo their projectors and screens. Nice place.

 

[Toys7505]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Daman S /forum/post/15462276


Yes, its in the same strip mall where Furniture world used to be, probably quarter mile down the road from best buy.



Fidelis carries some nice line of speakers as such, and if you are in the area and have the time i figured you can listen to some Sonus Faber's or Focal-JM Labs etc. I always enjoy visits to stores like this and spend some time chatting up with the people over there(if they are not busy with something else that is). A while ago i was doing some speaker shopping so visited almost all the high-end stores in the NE area.


If you ever get to Waltham, Goodwins high end has probably the best demo rooms in the area. In fact they allow you to book a time and come and sit in their rooms for however long to demo.


Talking about Pre-pros i recently went with the Marantz AV8003 and am really pleased with its performance. I'm running some Dali Helicons off a Gemstone amp. Wonderful sound all around, if you are interested to listen to the Marantz do let me know.


I would have been willing to host the meet but as it stands my theater is still in the works and i have seating for only 3 people, so maybe some one else can host??

daman, the marantz 8003 is on my list as i have read about it on this forum and people are quite favorable towards it.


Goodwins high end I have heard about. They use to have two stores, one in Shrewsbury and one in Boston when they were called Goodwins Audio. I lost my cherry from them and purchased my first pair of Adcom separates and was addicted to 2 channel stereo going forward.


As far as hosting, I can hold 6-8 people in my living room. We could all bring "test" material and maybe a peice of equipment or two to try out.


Currently running PSB Stratus Minis (fronts), Stratus C6 (center), PSB Image dipoles (surrounds) and one earth shattering James Subwoofer (I love this thing

) alll being pushed by 2 B&K amps. I think it sounds amazing but would be interested in what others thought.


So let me know what everyone wants to do.........


Chris

 

[teknoguy]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Toys7505 /forum/post/15469963


daman, the marantz 8003 is on my list as i have read about it on this forum and people are quite favorable towards it.


Goodwins high end I have heard about. They use to have two stores, one in Shrewsbury and one in Boston when they were called Goodwins Audio. I lost my cherry from them and purchased my first pair of Adcom separates and was addicted to 2 channel stereo going forward.


As far as hosting, I can hold 6-8 people in my living room. We could all bring "test" material and maybe a peice of equipment or two to try out.


Currently running PSB Stratus Minis (fronts), Stratus C6 (center), PSB Image dipoles (surrounds) and one earth shattering James Subwoofer (I love this thing

) alll being pushed by 2 B&K amps. I think it sounds amazing but would be interested in what others thought.


So let me know what everyone wants to do.........


Chris

Chris,

Thanks for the proposal for hosting but I guess I'd be out of your league when it comes to equipment!

I have a modest setup in comparison that consists of Onix Rocket speakers, Marantz Receiver (8400) and SVS sub.

I love looking and especially listening to the hi-end stuff but college payments for 2 kids put a severe crimp on my buying opportunities. Took me a couple of years to assemble what I have!


-t

 

[Daman S]



Quote:
Originally Posted by hrd /forum/post/15469088


Exactly, there was no way both teams could lose yesterday, so what's the the ideal result? The despised team that will lose on the road next week advances, while the despised team that has a chance at the Super Bowl does not. I was kind of hoping Miami would win the Super Bowl, because Super Bowl teams usually do not do so well the next few years and that could mean less competition in the division.


I've been to Ensemble several times to demo their projectors and screens. Nice place.

Very well summed up

I agree on all counts. Well hopefully the Steelers will knock out the Bolts next week. The Ravens/Titans game should be really good as well. Pity Miami went in after all that drama only to loose their first game.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Toys7505 /forum/post/15469963


daman, the marantz 8003 is on my list as i have read about it on this forum and people are quite favorable towards it.


Goodwins high end I have heard about. They use to have two stores, one in Shrewsbury and one in Boston when they were called Goodwins Audio. I lost my cherry from them and purchased my first pair of Adcom separates and was addicted to 2 channel stereo going forward.


As far as hosting, I can hold 6-8 people in my living room. We could all bring "test" material and maybe a peice of equipment or two to try out.


Currently running PSB Stratus Minis (fronts), Stratus C6 (center), PSB Image dipoles (surrounds) and one earth shattering James Subwoofer (I love this thing

) alll being pushed by 2 B&K amps. I think it sounds amazing but would be interested in what others thought.


So let me know what everyone wants to do.........


Chris

That setup sounds sweet, i would love to listen to it! I can bring along the Marantz if you want to have a listen to it as well and get some demo CD's/SACD's/Bluray's also. The only one thing you should be aware about Marantz is that it cannot apply Audyssey to bitstreamed HD audio. However if your player is capable of decoding the HD audio signals and can send it as LPCM to the Receiver then Audyssey works fine. In my case i use a PS3 that decodes all the audio before sending it over so it was not an issue. Sound quality wise Marantz came out very well(i believe 2nd most favoured) in the recent shootout the guys did over in Receiver/Pre-pro section of the forum.


I have one B&K stereo amp myself that i use for the rears. I earlier powered the fronts with it and found it to be effortless.

Quote:
Originally Posted by teknoguy /forum/post/15471718


Chris,

Thanks for the proposal for hosting but I guess I'd be out of your league when it comes to equipment!

I have a modest setup in comparison that consists of Onix Rocket speakers, Marantz Receiver (8400) and SVS sub.

I love looking and especially listening to the hi-end stuff but college payments for 2 kids put a severe crimp on my buying opportunities. Took me a couple of years to assemble what I have!


-t

I have heard some very good things about those Onix speakers, how do they pair up with the Marantz? I've always loved the Marantz sound and had a SR7500 receiver before i moved to their pre-pro. I love my SVS as well, but hope to upgrade it to PB13 once i can get wife approval.. err i meant cash flow

 

[teknoguy]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Daman S /forum/post/15473277


Very well summed up

I agree on all counts. Well hopefully the Steelers will knock out the Bolts next week. The Ravens/Titans game should be really good as well. Pity Miami went in after all that drama only to loose their first game.


That setup sounds sweet, i would love to listen to it! I can bring along the Marantz if you want to have a listen to it as well and get some demo CD's/SACD's/Bluray's also. The only one thing you should be aware about Marantz is that it cannot apply Audyssey to bitstreamed HD audio. However if your player is capable of decoding the HD audio signals and can send it as LPCM to the Receiver then Audyssey works fine. In my case i use a PS3 that decodes all the audio before sending it over so it was not an issue. Sound quality wise Marantz came out very well(i believe 2nd most favoured) in the recent shootout the guys did over in Receiver/Pre-pro section of the forum.


I have one B&K stereo amp myself that i use for the rears. I earlier powered the fronts with it and found it to be effortless.


I have heard some very good things about those Onix speakers, how do they pair up with the Marantz? I've always loved the Marantz sound and had a SR7500 receiver before i moved to their pre-pro. I love my SVS as well, but hope to upgrade it to PB13 once i can get a little cash flow

I fat fingered the Marantz model...its a 7400 not the 8400.

I also love the Marantz sound and with the Onix Rockets, I've been very happy. I heard two other setups with Marantz and Onix Rockets before buying the Rockets. I bought for the Mains RS-550, Center RSC-200, Rear Surrounds RSS-300. The SVS is 20-39Pci. The sub I may move around...right now due to cable length issues, it's to the right of the seating on the side wall. Putting it in the front would have required a 60' run. Wasn't sure if this would work and also how much a quality cable would cost to do this. Didn't want to see the cost so never looked into it.

BTW, checked out your Basement Build photos. Clever idea for the storage of the DVDs!! Looks like your own design?? Do you have any notes on how it was built and what materials you used? I may do something similar since I'm running out of bookshelf space even though I told myself that I would RENT my DVD movies and not BUY any. Well 100 DVDs later....

-t

 

[Daman S]



Quote:
Originally Posted by teknoguy /forum/post/15474431


I fat fingered the Marantz model...its a 7400 not the 8400.

I also love the Marantz sound and with the Onix Rockets, I've been very happy. I heard two other setups with Marantz and Onix Rockets before buying the Rockets. I bought for the Mains RS-550, Center RSC-200, Rear Surrounds RSS-300. The SVS is 20-39Pci. The sub I may move around...right now due to cable length issues, it's to the right of the seating on the side wall. Putting it in the front would have required a 60' run. Wasn't sure if this would work and also how much a quality cable would cost to do this. Didn't want to see the cost so never looked into it.

BTW, checked out your Basement Build photos. Clever idea for the storage of the DVDs!! Looks like your own design?? Do you have any notes on how it was built and what materials you used? I may do something similar since I'm running out of bookshelf space even though I told myself that I would RENT my DVD movies and not BUY any. Well 100 DVDs later....

-t

I've just been reading about the Onix speakers and im sure they sound fantastic, have come across all glowing reviews so far. I would really like to listen to them given an opportunity. Talking about SVS i remembered something from some emails i exchanged with Ron(owner/founder of SVS) a long time ago. He mentioned that a near field position(behind-to the side of the couch) works very well for the subs.. its partly the reason i have my subwoofer right behind the recliners. I experimented with a few positions around the room(including the front where it just started bottoming out) but the sub i have is too small for my room to fill it up so this position works very well for now.


I cannot take the credit for building the dvd storage cabinets, they were installed by the original owner of the house. He was probably using it for kids toy storage since they are in a smaller room just adjacent to the hallway i use for HT. I did find a better use for them though

If you want i can take some detailed pictures of the unit and send them along to you, maybe that would give you a better idea of how they are constructed? It seems to be pretty straight forward construction to me but im not very savvy with woodworking so i might be wrong.

 

[teknoguy]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Daman S /forum/post/15475236


I've just been reading about the Onix speakers and im sure they sound fantastic, have come across all glowing reviews so far. I would really like to listen to them given an opportunity. Talking about SVS i remembered something from some emails i exchanged with Ron(owner/founder of SVS) a long time ago. He mentioned that a near field position(behind-to the side of the couch) works very well for the subs.. its partly the reason i have my subwoofer right behind the recliners. I experimented with a few positions around the room(including the front where it just started bottoming out) but the sub i have is too small for my room to fill it up so this position works very well for now.


I cannot take the credit for building the dvd storage cabinets, they were installed by the original owner of the house. He was probably using it for kids toy storage since they are in a smaller room just adjacent to the hallway i use for HT. I did find a better use for them though

If you want i can take some detailed pictures of the unit and send them along to you, maybe that would give you a better idea of how they are constructed? It seems to be pretty straight forward construction to me but im not very savvy with woodworking so i might be wrong.

Now that you mention it, it does look like a toy-box!

I wouldn't be making it exactly like yours since yours is attached to the wall. I have a seating cushion taken from a hope chest that got ruined in a flooded basement. Still has the cedar paneling attached to the bottom of it. When I saw your storage, it sparked an idea for the seat.

Nice idea for DVD storage!

-t

 

[Toys7505]



Quote:
Originally Posted by teknoguy /forum/post/15471718


Chris,

Thanks for the proposal for hosting but I guess I'd be out of your league when it comes to equipment!

I have a modest setup in comparison that consists of Onix Rocket speakers, Marantz Receiver (8400) and SVS sub.

I love looking and especially listening to the hi-end stuff but college payments for 2 kids put a severe crimp on my buying opportunities. Took me a couple of years to assemble what I have!


-t

T - my intention wasn't to upstage anyone. Just to give an idea of what my HT consisted of to see if anyone was in the market to purchase PSB speakers or B&K amps or had something similiar to my setup. I hope you would still attend if and when a meet is agreed upon.


Chris

 

[Toys7505]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Daman S /forum/post/15473277


That setup sounds sweet, i would love to listen to it! I can bring along the Marantz if you want to have a listen to it as well and get some demo CD's/SACD's/Bluray's also. The only one thing you should be aware about Marantz is that it cannot apply Audyssey to bitstreamed HD audio. However if your player is capable of decoding the HD audio signals and can send it as LPCM to the Receiver then Audyssey works fine. In my case i use a PS3 that decodes all the audio before sending it over so it was not an issue. Sound quality wise Marantz came out very well(i believe 2nd most favoured) in the recent shootout the guys did over in Receiver/Pre-pro section of the forum.


I have one B&K stereo amp myself that i use for the rears. I earlier powered the fronts with it and found it to be effortless.

Daman, thanks for the offer. I would definitely take you up on it. I currently have my BD player decoding the audio signal - passing through to my B&K ref 50 S2 as a 5.1 analog input. I'm still messing around with the Pioneer's settings on it though. I seem to have a huge "bass hole" in the soundstage which is stemming from the player's internal crossover point. The Ref 50 doesn't apply any bass managment or time delay on the analog input which irritates me to no end.

I've owned B&K amps for over 10 yrs now and I haven't found anything that would make me jump to another manufacter w/o breaking the bank

Chris

 

[teknoguy]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Toys7505 /forum/post/15479348


T - my intention wasn't to upstage anyone. Just to give an idea of what my HT consisted of to see if anyone was in the market to purchase PSB speakers or B&K amps or had something similiar to my setup. I hope you would still attend if and when a meet is agreed upon.


Chris

Chris,

Sorry if it came across that way (another case of how things written can be mis-construed ), I didn't mean for you to take it that way.


I should have called it "equipment envy"!

If my Rockets were small enough, I'd bring them up to attach to your amps just for A/B comparisons. Can the B&K handle different speaker impedances? I'm assuming all amps can but here's where my knowledge of certain things becomes weak.


-t

 

[Toys7505]



Quote:
Originally Posted by teknoguy /forum/post/15482349


Chris,

Sorry if it came across that way (another case of how things written can be mis-construed ), I didn't mean for you to take it that way.


I should have called it "equipment envy"!

If my Rockets were small enough, I'd bring them up to attach to your amps just for A/B comparisons. Can the B&K handle different speaker impedances? I'm assuming all amps can but here's where my knowledge of certain things becomes weak.


-t

T - just wanted to make sure I didn't offend anyone. No apologies necessary! As for my B&K amps, they are 2ohm stable and can handle almost anything we were to throw at it.

When I am watching a heavy action packed movie (i.e. Lord of the Rings), the temp. rises about 6-8 degrees in the room and must open a couple of windows to bring it back in line (even now at this time of the year)


Chris