Help me spend some extra cash

EndersShadow
EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
edited May 2011 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
Ok, so here the deal. I worked some overtime this week and have some extra cash coming into play in the amount of about 200 in a week or so (after I pay of Doro for the awesome LSiC he sent me). I am in need of some help figuring out what, if anything, will make the most bang for the buck as far as upgrades. I am thinking based on equipment the office probably has the most stuff that it needs, but I still want your opinions.

From where I sit I have 3 options:
  1. Upgrade/add something to the main HT rig
  2. Upgrade/add something to the Office rig
  3. Save for a more expensive upgrade later on to either 1 or 2

Right now this is what I have in my main Home Theater rig:

TV: Panasonic 56" DLP
Pre-amp: Integra DTR 5.9
Amp: Carver AV-705x (connected to Integra w/ SignalCable Analog 2 interconnects)
Sources (all connected via Monoprice HDMI cables w/ ferrite cores): Xbox 360, Samsung BP-1600 (Pandora streaming), Uverse DVR box

Speakers:
Fronts: LSi 15s modded with db840 sub (bi-wired using Audioquest FLX 14/4 wire and GLS Audio locking bananas)
Center: LSiC (wired using Audioquest FLX 14/4 wire and GLS Audio locking bananas)
Surrounds (Wall Mounted via PinPoint AM40 brackets): Infinity Primus 162s (wired with Monoprice 14 gauge wire Monster Cable safe connect bananas on speaker end and GLS Audio locking bananas on amp end)
Sub: PSW125 (connected via MonsterCable LFE coaxial cable)


Here is what is in the office rig:

Receiver: Harman Kardon 3490
Source: Computer (connected to HK via Monoprice Coaxial Cable)
Speakers: Polk Monitor 60s (wired w/ Monoprice 14 gauge with MonsterCable Safe Connect bananas)


I can see a couple different possible upgrades for either of these setups. I could:
  1. HT: get some bi-pole di-pole speakers as I have had some offers within my price range
  2. HT: get better speaker wire?s for the LSis (dont think I really need to though as the Audioquest seems quite good to my ears)
  3. Office: get a USB DAC or just a better DAC than the HK
  4. Office: leave the HK as the DAC but get a better coaxial cable and better speakers wires (possibly the MITs on sale). I would probably need 20 feet for the left speaker and maybe 10 for the right.
  5. Office: Get a dedicated 2 channel amp (not really much in the sub 200 price range that is better than the HK)
  6. Unknown: Something you point out I havent thought of lol...
  7. Nothing, leave everything as is....

So I would love some advice on the best way to spend my money, since its what we are all good at :smile:
"....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
Post edited by EndersShadow on
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Comments

  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,454
    edited May 2011
    Grab a set of MMG's and don't tell the wife... just let her be surprised
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited May 2011
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    Grab a set of MMG's and don't tell the wife... just let her be surprised

    LOL.... yeah I dont have the power needed to run those John.... but you know they are on my "list"
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,604
    edited May 2011
    Wish I had that problem...needing help spending money! :eek:

    My problem is needing help deciding what to buy first.
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited May 2011
    halo71 wrote: »
    Wish I had that problem...needing help spending money! :eek:

    My problem is needing help deciding what to buy first.

    Hehehe...technically that is the same problem I have....

    Hence posting at Club Polk, where they are happy to help you spend your money :wink:.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited May 2011
    Another option would be a dedicated amp to drive the LSi 15's. I know the Carver has been doing that with no problems, but something tells me a good 2 channel amp would be better.

    However finding that type of amp at under 200 shipped is the problem lol.....

    I do have a Parasound HCA-1000A thats on the local CL I might shoot an offer of 200 for if its still around come payday (its too listed too high for me currently), but I am not sure its going to do a much better job of driving the LSi's than the Carver.....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited May 2011
    I think Music Direct is still running a special on Shunyata Venom3 Power cords - get two for the pre and amp in your HT rig.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • jinjuku
    jinjuku Posts: 1,523
    edited May 2011
    Room treatments?
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited May 2011
    Erik Tracy wrote: »
    I think Music Direct is still running a special on Shunyata Venom3 Power cords - get two for the pre and amp in your HT rig.

    Ok, will look into that. It would only be one though. The Carver does not have a IEC connection, but the Integra does. So does the PSW125 come to think of it....

    That and I honestly might just hit up Pepster. His power cables seem to be quite a success.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited May 2011
    jinjuku wrote: »
    Room treatments?

    hehehe....not really an option in the HT. The setup basically puts a window at one reflection point, and the opposite side is open.

    The office I "might" be able to get away with it, but WAF factor plays in here. Thats the main reason I didnt really post that as an option lol....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited May 2011
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Ok, will look into that. It would only be one though. The Carver does not have a IEC connection, but the Integra does. So does the PSW125 come to think of it....

    That and I honestly might just hit up Pepster. His power cables seem to be quite a success.

    Or - save some more and replace the PSW125 - that sub is holding your HT rig back.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited May 2011
    Erik Tracy wrote: »
    Or - save some more and replace the PSW125 - that sub is holding your HT rig back.

    I am aware, but with living in an apartment my gain right now is like at 2 amso its not high on my list as its not really hurting me (but it does drive me mentally nuts).

    The plan is to replace it with a SVS PC-12+ at some point and then another later on....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited May 2011
    any other suggestions?
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,604
    edited May 2011
    Run a dual sub set up? Anything on your local Craigslist?

    EDIT: Opps, didn't see post #12.
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • audio_alan
    audio_alan Posts: 770
    edited May 2011
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    I am aware, but with living in an apartment my gain right now is like at 2 amso its not high on my list as its not really hurting me (but it does drive me mentally nuts).

    The plan is to replace it with a SVS PC-12+ at some point and then another later on....

    My first thought was a better subwoofer as well, but if you're living in an apartment, that might just get you into trouble. Even if you didn't turn it up "louder", the lower frequencies generated from a better sub would travel through to other units much easier.

    How about adding a front projector to your home theater? Having a 92", 106", or bigger image is awesome! You need to have a dark cave for best results with a front projector though...

    My last suggestion would be a tube amp or tube pre-amp. I recently purchased a Dared Sl-2000a and have been having a lot of fun trying different tubes in it... not to mention, it sounds great!
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited May 2011
    audio_alan wrote: »
    My first thought was a better subwoofer as well, but if you're living in an apartment, that might just get you into trouble. Even if you didn't turn it up "louder", the lower frequencies generated from a better sub would travel through to other units much easier.

    How about adding a front projector to your home theater? Having a 92", 106", or bigger image is awesome! You need to have a dark cave for best results with a front projector though...

    Both those suggestions are on the list of things to upgrade, but only when we get a house. My wife has stated more times than I can count she refuses to get a projector in our apartment :frown:. I wish I could go that route as I have a nice brown wall I would happily paint all black for a screen lol. That and as you stated you need a dark room which I dont have with a window on one side of the room and a sliding glass door at the other end of the dining room the room opens into.
    audio_alan wrote: »
    My last suggestion would be a tube amp or tube pre-amp. I recently purchased a Dared Sl-2000a and have been having a lot of fun trying different tubes in it... not to mention, it sounds great!

    Now that is a good idea as well, but we will see. The wife is talking about using it to pay off one of my credit cards and while my want to spend the money on myself is greater, I think she has a better point with paying off some extra debt so that might happen instead.

    Plus I won some Treatment Panels on Karma from NooshinJohn I am picking up this Sunday so that might fix my upgraditus for a bit. Who knows lol....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • audio_alan
    audio_alan Posts: 770
    edited May 2011
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    ...
    Now that is a good idea as well, but we will see. The wife is talking about using it to pay off one of my credit cards and while my want to spend the money on myself is greater, I think she has a better point with paying off some extra debt so that might happen instead.

    ^^^ +1000

    Paying off debt first is a great idea! Interest will eat you alive and you'll have less to show for it in the long run. I know, it's not nearly as fun as buying a new toy, but it's definitely smarter...
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited May 2011
    audio_alan wrote: »
    ^^^ +1000

    Paying off debt first is a great idea! Interest will eat you alive and you'll have less to show for it in the long run. I know, it's not nearly as fun as buying a new toy, but it's definitely smarter...

    Oh I know, especially since we are hoping to get approved for a house next year....I just like new toys lol....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • audio_alan
    audio_alan Posts: 770
    edited May 2011
    Yep, I guess you know what you "should do" then... :wink:

    Not to mention, the sooner you get into your house, the sooner you can start working on your man cave! :biggrin: With a projector, of course...
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited May 2011
    audio_alan wrote: »
    Yep, I guess you know what you "should do" then... :wink:

    Not to mention, the sooner you get into your house, the sooner you can start working on your man cave! :biggrin: With a projector, of course...

    LOL...trust me I know. Although to start out its prob gonna be with our current 56" DLP. I dont think its worth selling once we get our LCD whenver that is and the picture is still friggin awesome since we got the bulb replaced.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • audio_alan
    audio_alan Posts: 770
    edited May 2011
    Yeah, you might as well keep the DLP. Resale on TVs isn't that great (especially those large rear-projector types). After you get a projector you could use the DLP for casual watching of the news or sitcoms, etc, and save the projector for watching blockbuster movies. That's what I do. It saves the bulb life on the projector for movies that are worth it. I mean, do you really need to watch the news on a 106" screen? :rolleyes: Well, on second thought, I suppose it depends on how hot the female newscasters are... :biggrin:
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  • dorourke07
    dorourke07 Posts: 298
    edited May 2011
    Pay off debt - get house - then get a big sub. perfect plan IMHO!
    Mains - LSi9's
    Center - LSiC
    Surround - pair of TL3's
    Amplification - Parasound 2125
    AVR - Onkyo 706
    CD/SACD - Onkyo DV-SP506
    SUB - MartinLogan Abyss
    55" Panasonic Viera TC-P55GT30 3D
    Bluray - DMP-BDT310 Panasonic
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