best upgrade to system

tvwad
tvwad Posts: 9
edited November 2010 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
Hi,
I have been happy with my audio system for sometime, but am trying to figure out what might be the best upgrade or improvement I can do... I have RT800's purchased in 1999, a PSW350 sub, and a Harman/Kardon AVR65. My thought is external amp as the AVR65 does have Preamp outputs. With kids in college I have little $ to invest, but have also considered upgrading to the RTIA9's or upgrading the AV Receiver. Any thoughts as to what you would do to upgrade? Thanks for your input.
Panasonic 50" TV
SONY STR-DA4600ES
Main: Lsi25's
Surrounds: Lsi15's
Center: LsiC
Anthem PVA7
Post edited by tvwad on
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited November 2010
    What's your main source component?
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited November 2010
    It really depends--typically speaker upgrades give the most significant result, but if you like your current setup, why change?

    -Do you need more output? (seperate power amp)
    -Are you not happy with your sources' performance? (new source)
    -Are you wanting a change in tonal character? (speakers)

    This much I can say, to appreciably upgrade any of your existing components (pending source info), you'll need anywhere from $500-$1000 or more.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • tvwad
    tvwad Posts: 9
    edited November 2010
    LG 43" DLP TV
    I am also using a Panasonic HD DVD player (bought very inexpensively).
    Panasonic 50" TV
    SONY STR-DA4600ES
    Main: Lsi25's
    Surrounds: Lsi15's
    Center: LsiC
    Anthem PVA7
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited November 2010
    Well, using your Panny as a CD player is on par with the level of the rest of your equipment, so what are you wanting to change? Most important, what's your budget?
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited November 2010
    BTW welcome to Club Polk.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • tvwad
    tvwad Posts: 9
    edited November 2010
    What lead me to start considering a change was a question in the back of my mind as to whether or not I am getting the most out of what I have... Budget would be $1000 at max. I read just enough a/v info to make me dangerous. I have been reading some about power amplifiers and bi-amping trying to determine if that would increase the quality of sound with the system I have.
    Panasonic 50" TV
    SONY STR-DA4600ES
    Main: Lsi25's
    Surrounds: Lsi15's
    Center: LsiC
    Anthem PVA7
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited November 2010
    In your case, I'd recommend the speaker upgrade. There's some Rtia9's in the flea market---heck of a price, too. $700/pr

    Bi-amping with anything less than top-shelf stuff is a waste of time, IMO, and possibly a waste of time WITH top shelf stuff..
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • phocion
    phocion Posts: 157
    edited November 2010
    Depends on the purpose.

    Given your budget, for stereo listening, I would probably look at a 2 channel amp that puts out a little more juice, not for bi-amp, but just for good clean power with serious headroom. Your HK is only rated ~75wpc stereo, but you can use it as a pre-amp. A nice used 2 channel Adcom, NAD, or the like, will set you back ~$3-600, and you can continue to use that amp on future stereo upgrades.

    For movies, the number of channels is far more important, so get yourself a center and some surrounds. Get a beefy center, because 70-80% of the movie track will be piped through it, including most dialog.

    I also think bi-amp is generally wasteful.
    The secret for harvesting from existence the greatest fruitfulness and greatest enjoyment is to live dangerously. - Nietzche
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  • messiah
    messiah Posts: 1,790
    edited November 2010
    I would say Receiver first, then subwoofer, then speakers.
    "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
    Benjamin Franklin, February 17th, 1775.

    "The day that I have to give up my constitutional rights AND let some dude rub my junk...well, let's just say that it's gonna be a real bad day for the dude trying to rub my junk!!"
    messiah, November 23rd, 2010
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,050
    edited November 2010
    Speakers and amp. Then save for a dedicated CDP.
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette
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  • angelsfann02
    angelsfann02 Posts: 589
    edited November 2010
    Jetmaker737 wrote: »
    Speakers and amp. Then save for a dedicated CDP.

    I would have to agree.
    LIVING ROOM:
    Pioneer PDP-6070HD, Pioneer Elite SC-25, Pioneer Elite BDP-05FD,
    Emotiva XPA-5, Emotiva USP-1, Polk LSI15's, Polk LSiC, Velodyne 12", Mirage Nanosat Prestige rears, MIT AVT Speaker Cables, Audioquest King Cobra Interconnects, Panamax M5300pm Surge Protection/ Power Conditioning
    BEDROOM: VIZIO 32" LCD, Pioneer Elite VSX-23txh, Pioneer Elite BDP-23FD, Parasound HCA-2205A, Mirage Nanosat Prestige Speakers 5.1, Mirage S8 Sub, Monoprice cables, APC Surge Protection.
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  • dekuda
    dekuda Posts: 756
    edited November 2010
    tvwad wrote: »
    What lead me to start considering a change was a question in the back of my mind as to whether or not I am getting the most out of what I have... Budget would be $1000 at max. I read just enough a/v info to make me dangerous. I have been reading some about power amplifiers and bi-amping trying to determine if that would increase the quality of sound with the system I have.

    Man, how many of us on this forum have had that ever nagging question "considering a change was a question in the back of my mind as to whether or not I am getting the most out of what I have... " Some here are completely happy with what they have but most of us are always looking at upgrades and how this or that would improve our system. It can be a obssesion and It can take a heavy toll on the pocket book.
    But I totaly agree with Speakers, amp and dedicated CDP. that is the route I went and purchased all used to make the upgrade and am very happy.
    HT System
    Parasound Halo A51 Amp, Marantz AV 8003 Pre, Arcam FMJ CD36 cd player, Marantz 7007 BD/SACD player,Acoustic Zen Matrix IC's, Analysis Plus Crystal Copper Oval IC's, Acoustic Zen Satori speaker cables, B&W 703's Fronts, Center Martin Logan Motif hybrid, Surrounds DefTech BPX, 2 X DefTech Supercube Reference Subs, DSpeaker Antimode 8033 EQ.
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