at a home theater crossroads and I don't know what to do... need suggestions

danger boy

so for about 10 yrs now I've had a full home theater system based on the older RTxxxi line.. all match and sound good for me the most part.. what doesn't sound good to me if of course the lack of a decent amp.

A few issues i'm trying to overcome are:

1. do i improve the amp for the speakers and see what happens, downside 5 channel amps are pricey.

2. the CS400i center channel is way to large for most TV cabinents.. I have not found one nice looking cab to hold the components in whereby the center channel fits.

3. i've gotten tired of the sound

things and directions I could go are:

1. get rid of the front 3 matching speakers and replace them with something up to date and probaby smaller.

2. go with a SurroundBar type of set up. (I honestly don't watch as many movies as I did in the recent past) maybe one two two movies a month in the home theater.)

3. replace the pre amp with a new receiver, and more up to date than the Outlaw Audio pre I have been using for a while. (I was waiting for Outlaw to release the V.2 of this pre amp. but it never materialized.

Although I don't have deep pockets to completely start over from scratch with new speakers and set up.. what suggestions do you guys have for a direction I should go? New front end Polk Audio speakers or new receiver or what?

nooshinjohn

I see the weakest link being that old reciever... time to join the ICE clube and get a Pioneer Elite SC.

Theheadsn

What kind of sound are you look for? I know the feeling where you feel "bored" of the same thing.

Like Noos said, I would look into a new receiver first. Save some money, buy used.

tonyb

Start with a new receiver, even a used pioneer sc model will save some coin and give you the best bang for your buck. After that, since coinage is limited,stay in the used department for speakers. You haven't said if you want this for strictly HT or music too. That will determine what suggestions pop up.

Joe08867

Receiver, get a nice Pioneer and see how that grabs you.

Maybe if that isn't enough go 7.1.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Did I miss it somewhere, or can you post your current setup? I don't understand how people are giving advice without knowing your current gear, so I assume I'm missing it somwehere.

Going on what you did post, I'd actually argue that the speakers are actually the weak link and an upgrade may be in order there, but again I don't know the specific gear you're running

Gadabout

Taking a quick look at the system showcase are you using the Marantz SR5000 for processing duties?

The biggest reason for me to upgrade my older HT 6 years ago was to take advantage of something that would process DTS HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD. The sound difference from the older Codecs and to the newer codecs made a world of difference (to me) in HT enjoyment.

A current list of equipment would help since the listing in the system showcase is over 5 years old. (Unless nothing has changed since then :biggrin:)


A list of your equipment would certainly help.

Scott

logo896

Id upgrade the power all first in my experience. Your never going to have a receiver amp that can keep up with an external. Lots of people on here like the pioneers for reviewers if you decide that route id go with something like an anthem any day. I don't like the bells on pioneers and personally prefer less. Your center would sound like a completely fifteenth speaker with some real power behind it. I prefer b&k personally. Even for 400the bucks on audiogon you should be able to pick up one that's either 3 or 5playing channel of real 125 @8

danger boy

sorry guys.. i should have listed the gear i'm using.. it hasn't changed in years, but here it is..

Polk RT800i's for mains
Polk CS400i for center
Polk surrounds that match the others
hybrid subwoofer, which I still love. i've never bottomed this thing out. SVS driver

Outlaw Audio 900 pre amp
3 Marantz 500 amps for fronts
stereo amp for rears

the rest of the components don't really matter for sound really.. but a Samsung BD player hooked up via 5.1 ch analog RCA's to pre amp.

I think the speakers could be the weak link.. just tired of their sound and maybe it's time to move in a different newer speaker direction. Speakers have come a long way in 10 yrs.

mdaudioguy

Well, seems like a change in speakers is in order. Do you see yourself sticking with Polk, or are you (gasp!) considering something different? :eek:

disneyjoe7

Any 2 channel music involved here? If so I say replaced the fronts, with something else, and replaced the AVR Pioneer is fine. Then add an amp down the road if it fits you......

mdaudioguy

disneyjoe7 wrote: »

Any 2 channel music involved here? If so I say replaced the fronts, with something else, and replaced the AVR Pioneer is fine. Then add an amp down the road if it fits you......

Dude's got 4 amps in his rig already...

Danger - You seem to want to move to something else, mainly due to boredom... familiarity... tired of the same old same old. If I were you, I'd be seeking out some Def Tech products. Or Paradigm. Or KEF, Axiom, B&W... So many choices, so little time!!

disneyjoe7

What's another Amp or two between friends

tonyb

You have some sort of budget in mind so we are not recommending Cary gear ?
That Outlaw is dated and I think with all the new processing in receivers these days, a new one will give you a significant uptick to the sound. Keep the amps. Speakers are another ballgame. If you like the Polk sound, RTIA7's seem to be up your alley. If you want something different to try, Dynaudio bookies, Legacy, Kef, Totem, just to start with as these are just a small sample of quality speaks that will be the best deviation from the Polk signature sound.....in a good way. Again, don't know what the budget is but still go used if you need to stretch your buying power. That center is pretty decent too and you may even be able to keep the center and surrounds for now until you find the right sound for your front stereo pair.

Myself and alot of others here who have been around the block a time or two owning/hearing almost every model Polk has made, have moved on from that signature sound. Not that it's bad, it's very good actualy, just time to experience something different. For me I moved up to the Legacy speaker line and since they have never failed to bring a smile to my face every time. Your journey may take you in another direction, I dunno, lots of choices out there bro.