Finalized my HT for a while

ViperZ

I know, you people heard it all before, but my audio fund has been draining like crazy since I bought the house in December of last year. So I looked at what I had, and just decided to eliminate the weakest link and leave the HT like this for as long as I can.

I've been very happy with my HT for a looong time, mainly since I got the Rotel amp to match my B&W speakers last year. The only thing I wanted to upgrade was the audio processing. I really liked what PS3 can do: it plays blu-rays, streams files from your PC with built-in wireless card, runs Netflix, and you can play games if you want. So it does everything very well, but doesn't do any of these tasks (I guess, except for games part) perfectly.
I originally thought about upgrading my Onkyo 805, which I only use as a pre/pro. Then I started looking at my sources (PS3 and Toshiba HD-XA2) and thought it would be a great idea to find the "all-in-one" player that does everything as well or better than PS3 (I was using mainly XA2 for 2-channel duty, since PS3 CD playback is not that great at best).

Yesterday, I pulled the plug on Oppo BDP-93. So my HT setup is (hopefully) finalized for the next few years. BDP-93 has all the sound/video processing bells and whistles, dual HDMI (if I ever wanted to upgrade to 3D TV), and I don't need to upgrade my Onkyo any more, as all it will do is "distribute" sound to the speakers. :biggrin:

It took a few years and I did learn a lot from Club Polk members. It all started with a pair of busted-up Polk RT1000p (one tweeter dead, both amps blown, one cabinet damaged), and now I'm finally very happy with what I have. Of course, I still have my tube 2-channel rig with Maggies, but that rig hasn't been touched for over a year and will not go through any upgrades either. :biggrin:

Sherardp

The only thing your missing is a projector and screen. Other than that your good bro.

TECHNOKID

Sherardp wrote: »

The only thing your missing is a projector and screen. Other than that your good bro.

Fully agreed, your HT is not complete without a good PJ and screen! Take it as a good or bad news, but your HT set-up is not complete yet and you need to spent a few more $$$$. How about a 2nd mortgage?

HTguru1982

Also agreed. In all honesty, you should probably start over from scratch. Start with the projector and screen and go from there.



Seriously though, great system. I can't imagine anyone being unhappy with a set up like that.

nooshinjohn

Yeah man... Ihave to agree with the rest, and you aren't really doing yourself any favors by running B&W speakers either. Also took note that you do not have any Emotiva product in the mix. That is a sure indication that your setup has a long way to go to reach it's full sonic potential. If you buy now, Emo is giving away a free fire extiguisher with purchase, and an Emoette to set it up properly.:biggrin:

TECHNOKID

If you buy now, Emo is giving away a free fire extiguisher with purchase...

Wait; shouldn't be the other way around?



























I thought if you bought a high end fire extinguisher you were getting a free emo for target practice! :eek:

ViperZ

I wish I could afford the projector and screen, but like you guys mentioned, I will need a 2nd mortgage for that. 50" Panasonic definitely looks small in the dedicated room . The only (low-priced) upgrade that I will eventually complete is to add more acoustic panels to the room. I have two very large (almost 4'x8') panels behind my speakers and it really improved the room acoustics. Those were store-bought very expensive panels. I found out where to get the proper materials to build my own panels locally, so I'll start that project some time in the winter.
Regarding the Emo stuff... To be honest, I did look at replacing my Onkyo 805 with Emotiva UMC-1 pre/pro (someone local had it for sale for $300), but with the upgrade to Oppo, I will have no processing done by the Onkyo anyway.

TECHNOKID

I found out where to get the proper materials to build my own panels locally, so I'll start that project some time in the winter.

Here you go! Already found a down payment for your PJ by mean of DIY savings! How clever, won't need that high of a 2nd mortgage afterall!! Now, if you sold the remainder of your HD DVDs and the X2 player, here some more cash for the PJ, what a man!

Nice to hear you got the audio upgraded to your taste. Maybe the LSiM for next year upgrade?

Sherardp

Your setup is wicked, and apologies for not giving credit where it is due. Awesome setup man, even better and more immersive if you could do a budget PJ & screen.

100"screen and Epson 8350 projector for 1400. No second mortgage needed.

http://www.visualapex.com/projector-package-deals/home-theater-bundle-details.asp?chPartNumber=Home-Cinema-8350_100pkg&MFR=Epson

Definitely get props for the hardwork you put into what you have. Looking to put some more upgrades in my own setup.

ViperZ

Thanks for your kind words

Technokid, no Polk or any other speakers in my life for a loong time, seriously. I sold a bunch of Blu-Rays just to upgrade the Harmony remote, that's how tight my audio budget is (well, 0 tight).

My first decent set of speakers were Polks - RT1000p and CS400, later I added R15 as the rears. Everyone has a personal taste, which speakers/amp combination sounds the best to their ears. After listening to dozens of different speakers, I find that Rotel/B&W is what I want in my HT, and Maggies with my highly modded Jolida JD801A is what I like in the 2-channel system. If I will ever upgrade (in like 10 years probably) my speakers, I will go and listen to manyd different speakers, but I know that l may just get a set of Nautilus 803s or similar. This is the sound that I like. Matched with Rotel (or for higher-end, say, Linn) gear, these speakers provide a very fulfilling soundstage to me, definitely on the softer side. I listened to the similarly priced "mainstream" brands, which I could get my ears on, and always liked B&W over the rest.

ViperZ

Finally, "upgraded" the theater room. DIY 4" absorption panels on the sides and in the back (in addition to the big panels behind main speakers). (Windows were not a part of HT upgrade!)