What Should I Upgrade Next?

GoBigBlue

What's up Club Polk? This is my first post on here, but I've been floating around reading a bunch of threads.

My question: What should I upgrade next?

I initially wanted a Klipsch 5.1 setup, but I went to Best Buy and wanted to listen to some speakers and I was amazed at the quality of sound the Polk TSi100's made compared to the various Klipsch speakers. The Klipsch were just too bright for my taste.

I bought a pair of TSi200's today on eBay for $189 shipped, which I thought was a steal. These will replace my L/R speakers.

I want to know if I should upgrade my center channel or the surrounds first? I was thinking the CS20 to replace my center and the TSi100's for the surrounds.

My set-up as of now:
-Yamaha RX-V367 Receiver - My temporary receiver, probably the last thing I want to upgrade
-2 Large Vintage Technics L/R Speakers
-1 Vintage Technics Center Speaker
-2 Vintage Technics Small Surround Speakers
-1 Klipsch Sub-12

NewHTguy

I believe making sure that the front three speakers are timbre matched is most critical. (I'm cheating a little by using a CS20 with Lsi fronts.) However, unless you're listening to multichannel audio, having the surrounds mismatched is not likely to be a big issue. Of course, this is all from the perspective of what is MOST important.

dane_peterson

Keep in mind that the sound of your speakers is greatly limited by everything that comes before them... IE, the receiver. I do agree that the center would be the next logical move, but the Yamaha is without a doubt the bottleneck of the system as it stands.

GoBigBlue

dane_peterson wrote: »

Keep in mind that the sound of your speakers is greatly limited by everything that comes before them... IE, the receiver. I do agree that the center would be the next logical move, but the Yamaha is without a doubt the bottleneck of the system as it stands.

I agree with you 100%. A friend had it lying around and sold it to me for $50. I definitely want to upgrade it, but I need to save up some serious cash to get a real nice receiver sometime in the future. But for the time being it's not too bad, and it's not a terrible receiver.

I'm upgrading slowly and I'm taking the LSi200's, a center, a sub, and the Yamaha with me to my apartment when I move in for college.

Can someone recommend a good receiver?

PSOVLSK

GoBigBlue wrote: »

Can someone recommend a good receiver?

Budget? Used okay? Need HDMI?

I agree with the others regarding the center before the surrounds.

GoBigBlue

Let's try to keep it under $1000 new.

My Yamaha has HDMI ports, but I use optical cables instead. Is hdmi better?

PSOVLSK

Obviously lots of choices with that budget, but nothing that I have personal experience with that I can recommend. Check augiogon.com if you don't mind used. Since you don't need HDMI, you could very likely get a great deal on an older model.

HDMI isn't better, just more convenient because one cable takes care of both audio and video.

GoBigBlue

Thanks for the help guys. I'll be getting the CS20 next and a PSW111 to take to my apartment. I don't want to lug all 50lbs of my Sub-12 back and forth during holidays.

renowilliams

Welcome to CP. Don't forget there is a great used market out there for recievers, as Psovlsk mentions. I bought mine that way and have been very happy. You sometimes can get a great deal on a better avr. As far as hookups go, an optical cable and component video is just fine. HDMI does cut down on the amount of cable required. I use an HDMI to go from my computer video card direct to my tv and use an optical cable for sound to my avr.

bopicasso

For 500-700 dollars you can get a receiver that will push your speakers well enough and they have pre outs for external amp if need be. Also they are up to date with hdmi and hd audio formats.
I would consider Pioneer Elite or Onkyo at this price point. The Pio elite 21txh can be had for under 500 while a used 805/6/7 could be had between 500-700. Both would work in your setup.

dane_peterson

Do keep in mind you can't transmit the new HD audio formats via optical. But it doesn't appear that you're running Bluray, so perhaps it's a non-issue.

$1000 is more than enough to get what you need.

GoBigBlue

I've always like Pioneer so I'll probably look into getting a nice Pioneer receiver around Christmas time. Thanks for recommendation, Picasso.

I have my PS3 hooked up to my Yamaha using an optical cable. And my MacBook Pro uses an optical cable, too. I was just wondering what the advantages were concerning sound quality regarding HDMI. I'm sure I have some HDMI cables lying around that I can use.

dane_peterson

The advantage is HDAudio. Uncompressed formats that exceed the quality of standard Dolby Digital.

bopicasso

dane is right, the only difference will be able to use the new hd audio formats with a new receiver. Its a big difference when watching a movie on your ps3.
I have owned receivers by pioneer, onkyo, and harmon kardon, and prefer pioneer hands down.
Also when you go to buy, look online first. I bought my 21txh for 465 shipped and it was for sale at best buy "on sale" for 700.

woodguru

bopicasso wrote: »

For 500-700 dollars you can get a receiver that will push your speakers well enough and they have pre outs for external amp if need be. Also they are up to date with hdmi and hd audio formats.
I would consider Pioneer Elite or Onkyo at this price point. The Pio elite 21txh can be had for under 500 while a used 805/6/7 could be had between 500-700. Both would work in your setup.

Ditto on the Pioneer Elite, they are nice.

Keep the center and fronts timber matched for a convincing sound stage and imaging as was mentioned, it's half the tuning battle.

Use an affordable neutral cable like DH Labs Q-10 for front and center if you have bi-wireable speakers, T-14 if not and to the back, it's amazing the difference that this will make, it opens up the system. Neutral cable will give you a smoother sound.

dane_peterson

Are you seriously telling this guy to invest 3x the amount into wires as he has into the speakers?? :rolleyes:

GoBigBlue

Haha! I'm really diggin' the responses, guys. They're much appreciated!

I try to look at Newegg or TigerDirect first and then go to eBay when I want to buy electronics and such. I know there are other reputable retailers out there, but I just don't know where to look. Can anyone recommend another good place to buy stuff?

I only go to Best Buy as a reference to listen to or test products. I hardly do any buying offline. I kinda like the anticipation of waiting for a package to arrive.

GoBigBlue

Got my new TSi200's today!!! I definitely need the CS20. Of course my TSi's are black and the only ones Newegg has in stock are cherry. Awesome.

dane_peterson

www.dealnews.com occasionally posts a great deal on a receiver. Though they're usually entry-level crap, every once in a while a nice one shows up. You can also use www.crutchfield.com, www.buy.com, or any links on the top of www.avsforum.com

jayman_1975

This one would make the hair stand up on the back of your neck and you wouldn't go back to your pioneer.

GoBigBlue

I'm kind of a name brand guy. I just can't get away from that habit. I don't recognize that brand, but I'll definitely give it a look. Thanks for the suggestion!

PSOVLSK

I believe Arcam is pretty much a brand name in the higher end of of audio if that makes any sense. Not well known by the general public because it's only sold at higher end places. I don't mean this to sound like Arcam is the highest end stuff you can get, just better than H/K, Pioneer, Onkyo, etc. and probably even Adcom, Rotel, Outlaw, etc. (Someone please correct me if I'm wrong) I've never had the privilege of hearing any Arcam gear, but I've never heard anything but positives.

I guess my point is this: if you're going to spend $650 you'd do well to strongly consider the AVR that jayman linked.

Congrats on the new speakers. Let us know how you like them.

GoBigBlue

Well, if Arcam is good enough for you guys, then it's good enough for me! I'll definitely look into one.

I love these TSi's so much I want to sell them so I have money for an LSi set. And I need to get rid of this Yamaha receiver. It's just not cutting it. Of course, I'd be able to afford this stuff if I had a job.

jayman_1975

I had the avr300... it was the next up from that avr250 i recommended. I tried a rotel 2 channel power amp using the pre-outs from the avr300 to power the my front speakers. I sold it... it did not sound as good as the amps in the arcam. I then tried an Anthem mca5. 5 channels at 200wpc. I sold that as well. The arcam amp section still was cleaner with more sparkle. The only power amp i tried and kept was the Arcam p1000.

I would see if you can get that avr250 for a little less cause i have seen the avr300 go once and awhile for that price. If you arent in a hurry you could keep your eye out for a deal on a 300. If you are considering Arcam i would seriously consider reading this. The review is long... very long and a shade over the top but still... it's a cool read. You will get a good idea of where Arcam falls in the pecking order.