Upgrade itch, time to scratch...

mu1166

The upgrade bug is finally biting like crazy. In everyones opinion, what would your next upgrade to my system be? In that upgrade, what would you recommend? This setup is used 99% for movies, the other 1% is for background music when working around the house, etc...

This is kind of what I am looking at, in no particular order. I'm all up for buying used and or reconditioned. Will most likely only do 1 upgrade for now as a new roof on my house is really calling my name this summer.

Receiver (Pioneer ICE, not sure on what model)
Add a amp (3-5 channel)(Have looked mostly at B&K and Sunfire, unable to listen since I live in the middle of bfe)
New Fronts (RTi A7 or A9's) (The A9's are really pushing my limit for what I want to spend at the moment.)

I'm open to any and all options. My setup now is due to the recommendations of this forum (sounds very good to me), just looking for a little improvement.

Thanks!

Erik Tracy

mu1166 wrote: »

The upgrade bug is finally biting like crazy. In everyones opinion, what would your next upgrade to my system be? In that upgrade, what would you recommend? This setup is used 99% for movies, the other 1% is for background music when working around the house, etc...

This is kind of what I am looking at, in no particular order. I'm all up for buying used and or reconditioned. Will most likely only do 1 upgrade for now as a new roof on my house is really calling my name this summer.

Receiver (Pioneer ICE, not sure on what model)
Add a amp (3-5 channel)(Have looked mostly at B&K and Sunfire, unable to listen since I live in the middle of bfe)
New Fronts (RTi A7 or A9's) (The A9's are really pushing my limit for what I want to spend at the moment.)

I'm open to any and all options. My setup now is due to the recommendations of this forum (sounds very good to me), just looking for a little improvement.

Thanks!

How big of a room are you in now?

If you think you need more room filling sound, then maybe towers up front first...stretch for the A9s.

If you aren't in a big room, even the RTiA3s and CSiA6 would benefit from more juice via a nice 2-3 channel external amp....then for a next step go up to A9s.

mu1166

Erik Tracy wrote: »

How big of a room are you in now?

If you think you need more room filling sound, then maybe towers up front first...stretch for the A9s.

If you aren't in a big room, even the RTiA3s and CSiA6 would benefit from more juice via a nice 2-3 channel external amp....then for a next step go up to A9s.

The room is 12x20. The tv is centered on the 12' wall and the couch is sitting 8' back from the tv. It's not the best for everything considering that it's hard wood floors, but it still works with my ears.

I'd love to do the A9's, but I'm not sure how well my receiver would push them.

Erik Tracy

mu1166 wrote: »

The room is 12x20. The tv is centered on the 12' wall and the couch is sitting 8' back from the tv. It's not the best for everything considering that it's hard wood floors, but it still works with my ears.

I'd love to do the A9's, but I'm not sure how well my receiver would push them.

If it were me - I'd buy a nice external amp first - I think you'll be surprised how much the RTiA3s (and the CSiA6) will benefit from good amplification with some more juice behind them.

Then, I'd upgrade the fronts and move the RTiA3s to the sides.

polkfarmboy

In a room that big your best bet would be to buy an amp and a projector

Epson has a dynamite model with the new panels inside it usually reserved for the more expensive models. At $1350 with a 50,000 to 1 contrast you cant go wrong and buy a 150 inch pull down from elite screens at $200 shipped and your ready for the HT experiance

cstmar01

The Pio ICE amps do work on a A9 set up. Yes they are very nice when you push them with some more power from an amp but I've run them just fine for awhile on the SC-05 in a room 18X20ish and work just fine for me.

Honestly a nice 2 or 3 channel amp would do it and then get some A9's or the A7s would still work nice in that size of room. The ICE pio's can drive the surrounds with ease any day of the week

mu1166

I will be installing a projector someday, but I am unable to in this room due to the number of windows. That will be done when I gut and redo my basement.

Right now I'm either leaning towards trying out a new/different receiver and/or adding an amp. I think either one of those would be a nice upgrade at the moment.

EndersShadow

I would go with an amp. You can get a more good amp for the a much lower price to get the same wattage from a reciever. Only thing that would switch that around is if your needing some additional features (like Audyseey MultiEQ XT or something).

You have HDMI 1.3 w/ your current Onk, probably 4 or 5 HDMI's so your not really lacking there.

Especially since you have the SVS 12 Ultra you really have no need for extra bass (from floorstanders) for HT since that will fill your space with more than enough bass.

Dedicated power will help you get some good performance for your mids and highs. You could even just go w/ a 3 channel amp and leave the surrounds on the Onkyo honestly.

mu1166

I will most likely go with the amp first, but the Pioneer receiver sure does look nice.

Not sure If I'll go for a 3 or 5 channel amp. Still just looking around.

vc69

Might I suggest floor and wall treatments? You would be amazed at the difference a few panels and a rug might make.

dorourke07

I would suggest the amp. The added clean power made a nice difference with my gear and it might tighten up your fronts. I am hoping the Onk is good for a awhile longer, it can still handle anything but 3D. Then you are ready to move up to the A9's in the fall.

thsmith

mu1166 wrote: »

I'm open to any and all options. My setup now is due to the recommendations of this forum (sounds very good to me), just looking for a little improvement.

Thanks!

If it sounds good why do anything?

Might consider sound panels/wall treatments, inexpensive and will improve your sound.

I bought 2'x4' Owens panels for like $12 locally and had my wife make covers to make the room.

mu1166

I like how it sounds, but I know that it could be improved... Plus it is kind of fun adding things to the sytem to see the difference...

Hopefully it will only be in this room for another few months. Then I may try the treatments later on. Going with a rug is a good idea though.

Heading to Des Moines tomorrow. Hopefully a couple places will have some amps that I can listen to...

SRTer

mu1166 wrote: »

I will most likely go with the amp first, but the Pioneer receiver sure does look nice.

Not sure If I'll go for a 3 or 5 channel amp. Still just looking around.

Well, I have the Pio Elite SC-35 with RTi A9's fronts and RTi A7's rears. I can tell you the Pio SC-35 with RTi A9's will be enough for most people.

If you get these two items first, you will enjoy yourself for awhile until you feel like getting an amp.

You will not regret these two purchases.

mu1166

What is everyone's opinion on Anthem Amps?

Found out that one of my college buddies owns an audio store. He deals with Marantz, Anthem, Paradigm, Magenapan, ec... Talked with him this weekend (after 13 years). He was really pushing Anthem on me... I've read a little about them, but I don't know much. Anyone here had much experience with them?

They are a little more than I was wanting to spend, but it's a pretty good deal going through him. Plus, I always like doing business with old friends.

jayman_1975

If i was you i would seriously consider a receiver from The Upgrade Company. They upgrade Marantz, Denon, and Onkyo receivers and sell them with the full factory warranty. I just bought their Onkyo TX NR 5008 and it is unbelievable. I had a $10,000+ Arcam separate system prior, and this unit beats it for both movies and music. I have even sold my monoblock amps, i just don't need them now.

jjk_reef00

mu1166 wrote: »

What is everyone's opinion on Anthem Amps?

Found out that one of my college buddies owns an audio store. He deals with Marantz, Anthem, Paradigm, Magenapan, ec... Talked with him this weekend (after 13 years). He was really pushing Anthem on me... I've read a little about them, but I don't know much. Anyone here had much experience with them?

They are a little more than I was wanting to spend, but it's a pretty good deal going through him. Plus, I always like doing business with old friends.

Anthem amps are nice, my friend has them and loves them. See if you can go listen to them on a set of speakers similar to yours. It will give you and excuse to meet up with your old friend again.

cfrizz

Get an amp first to get the full potential from your current speakers. Get a 5 channel 200wpc amp & be done with this upgrade, your receiver has the necessary preouts to do this. This will ensure plenty of power now and in the future as you upgrade your speakers.