Upgrading to separate prepro&amp

bkwong73,


What exactly do you miss about your Denon? I would think that your EAD setup would give you everything that the Denon did and more!? Plus it would seem that the EAD system would be able to nicely combine 2-channel music and great HT, just like you said.


I'm curious because I'm actually going through the same process. I just bought a used EAD PM 2000 and am going to use it with my Denon 5800, until there is a higher end pre/pro (EAD or CAL, I'm thinking) that handles all the formats that the Denon does (I can't give up the back channels, they add so much in my opinion).


Stefan,


As you can see I know your pain. It may be too late for both of us. As the guy who I bought the EAD PM from said, "You're on the audio train now. Where will you get off?". This from someone who was upgrading FROM the EAD! For me the impetus was getting the Sony 777ES SACD player. It sounded so much better even on regular CD that my speakers became the noticeable weak link, so I upgraded them. But they are very power hungry, like yours, so suddenly even the 170WPC that the Denon (supposedly) puts wasn't enough. Hence, the EAD for the fronts and center, the Denon for the rest. Of course, now I'm thinking that maybe the pre/pro of the Denon will be the weak link - honestly, I hope not...I want to get off now!! At least to rest, if you know what I mean.


But something that may help you is to check out Audiogon.com. It is a great source for buying and selling used audio equipment. They also have forums for info there, though not as informative as AVS. That is where I bought my EAD at, and let me tell you, paying a little over half of retail for an amp that was under a year old made it a lot easier so stomach the expense. Check it out.


Good luck,


Brian

Stefan,


A separate, more powerful amplifier should significantly help the sound of your system. With the Goldi's I would look for no less than a 150W/ch amplifier, and a healthy one at that, 200W/ch would be more comfortable in my mind. Consider more power if you either don't have a subwoofer in the system, and/or if you have a largish listening area. More power will definitely help, but also be sure you have your center and rear speakers set to "small." Since your Sony allows different crossover settings, you are all set on that front. In fact, if you have a really healthy subwoofer, you can try setting a crossover for the main speakers as low as possible (I know the Sony can do 40Hz, can it do any lower?). This will relieve both your amplifier and your speakers allowing them to play louder and cleaner. It should be an interesting experiment if nothing else.


As for amplifiers to look for, the EAD amps are great sounding amplfiers, as are those from Aragon, Parasound, Krell, etc. For the most part, you will get more power amp for your dollar when going with a 5ch amp as opposed to 2 and 3 channel combos.


Mark Seaton

Dear BSteinke


All I meant in my message was that I really liked the Denon 5600 receiver for it's hometheater surround. Especially the THX 5.1 processing. Don't get me wrong the EAD TheaterMaster Signiture digital preamp is awesome on 2 channel music. It is a phenominal 2 channel audiophile dac. But I liked the ease of use and the surround processing power of the less expensive Denon flagship receiver.


My advice is if you are looking for better 2 channel music. I would wait to buy a universal dvd/dvd audio/ sacd player. And upgrade your Amplifier.


Just before I switched to EAD. I bought a Krell KAV 300i integrated amplifier and used it for the 2 channel power. The krell kicked the Denon's ass in terms of musicality, dynamics. I bought a used Krell 300i for only 1500(US). It is a great integrated amplifier for that price. I would hold off upgrading your digital gear untill DVD-audio or SACD is resolved.


Just my two bits, bkwong73

karos,

Not sure if you are aware that Sony Just did release a

software upgrade to the TA-E9000ES Pro-Pro.

You can read more about it Here: http://pub7.ezboard.com/faussiedvdan...formationforum
www.planetaudio.net/tae9000.htm


Additional Functions in Version 2.01 for the TA-E9000ES


1. Digital Cinema Sound Function additions (7 modes)

CINEMA STUDIO EX A (*1)

CINEMA STUDIO EX B (*1)

CINEMA STUDIO EX C (*1)

VIRTUAL MATRIX 6.1 (*2)

SEMI C.STUDIO EX A (*1)

SEMI C.STUDIO EX B (*1)

SEMI C.STUDIO EX C (*1)

*1: When this mode is selected, the EQ Bank function is not operative.

Within the set parameters of this mode, the surround equalizer settings

(bass, mid, treble) are the same as the following modes:

CINEMA STUDIO EX A == VIRTUAL THEATER A

CINEMA STUDIO EX B == VIRTUAL THEATER B

CINEMA STUDIO EX C == VIRTUAL THEATER C

SEMI C.STUDIO EX A == V.SEMI THEATER A

SEMI C.STUDIO EX B == V.SEMI THEATER B

SEMI C.STUDIO EX C == V.SEMI THEATER C

*2: In Virtual Matrix 6.1 mode, the surround equalizer function is not operative.


2. Speaker Setup Menu Function additions <<<SP SETUP>>> LFE High-Cut 40 Hz - 200 Hz


3. Surround Setup Menu Function additions

<<<SURROUND>>> VIRTUAL SP ON/OFF (*3)

<<<SURROUND>>> SCREEN DEPTH OFF/MID/DEEP (*3)

<<<SURROUND>>> SCREEN DEPTH OFF/ON (*4)

<<<SURROUND>>> REAR ENHANCER ON/OFF (*3)

<<<SURROUND>>> 6.1 MATRIX ON/OFF (*4)


*3: Operative for Cinema Studio EX A, B, C, and Semi-Cinema Studio EX A, B, C

*4: Operative for Virtual Matrix 6.1.


4. Level Setting Menu Function additions

<<<LEVEL>>> HP Level +/-10dB function addition

<<<LEVEL>>> The upper limit for the LFE-MIX setting range

has been extended from 0dB to +6 dB


5. Customize Setting Menu Function additions

<<<CUSTOMIZE>>> ABS.PHASE NORMAL/REVERSE functions added

<<<CUSTOMIZE>>> NOISE BAND STD/WIDE/NARROW functions added

<<<CUSTOMIZE>>> Input function for function names added

(possible to load into remote controller, up to 8 lines).


6. When the power is turned on, the new version number is displayed.


NOTE: The new functions which have been added cannot be operated with the

two-way remote controller originally supplied with the TA-9000ES.

(Please use the remote controller supplied with the VUCD-E9000A Upgrade Kit

for the operation of the new functions.)



[This message has been edited by Diode1 (edited 12-21-2000).]