My System is finally taking shape

rdb2001

Well Guys, I finally have a great update. It has been about 9 months since I sold off my last system. My wife gave me the go ahead to put together a system that I wouldnt want to upgrade from for a while. She just made it known that it was something that we would pay for over time so I wouldnt be getting it right off and that Oct-Dec would be about the time when we could do it by saving. My original plan was 802 diamonds with Odyssey Audio monos for the front 3. Well that plan was killed when I purchased a car a few months later. My entire budget changed and now I had to get the best speaker I could for my budget and not just one I always wanted.

Through a lot of researching, Monitor Audio GX line comes to mind. They have alot of the technology from the Platinum line. Also alot reviews suggest the bigger gains in Monitor Audio's speaker line were from the RX to the GX lines and that the GX was not that far away from the Platinum line as far as performance. It was settled. I setup a demo at a local dealer and was sold. Monitor Audio GX line was what I was going with.

With my budget changing, I had to change what amps I would use. I no longer had the budget for the package I had put together with Klaus. Talking with Klaus, we decided to go a with a different setup. When I am ready, I can send the 2 channel amp I decided on back to him and we will convert it to monos. Amp situation settled.

Now the wait. My wife had a hard date of Oct to order my everything else. My amps were already paid for and she just did not feel like spending anymore money at the time after my amps and my new car.

Fast Foward to Sept 19th. My wife gives me the go ahead to order everything else to complete the system. I call my dealer and he informs me that they dropped Monitor Audio September 1st. They could no longer get them. This crushed my day. I spent so much time researching and finally choosing the speakers I wanted and to now have to start over. I started looking at Sonus Faber Luito Line and Martin Logan Theos. Same price range. With everything else that was going on in my life, I was hoping this would be the bright spot.

At this point, I really did not want to look for anymore speakers. Finally, I get a call the next day. My dealer says, my boss pulled some strings and we are able to get you the Monitor Audio GX speakers for you. I immediately placed my order for the speakers and everything else I needed to complete my system. He did inform me however that it may be 5 weeks before I see them because everything was special order. I was cool with that, as I had already waited that long. See equipment list below

Pre Amp/Process -Denon 4311 in pre amp mode
Fronts- Monitor Audio GX300
Center- Monitor Audio GXC350
Surrounds - Monitor Audio GXFX
Bluray- Denon 1713 3d universal player
Power Conditioner- 2 Panamax 5400 PM
Music Streaming/DAC - Marantz NA7004 streaming player with built in 24/192 dac that also can be used as outboard dac
Subs - 2 Deftech Trinity Subwoofers
2 channel Pre - Upgraded Odyssey Candela Vacuum Tube Pre with HTBP
Amps - 2 channel Stratos Extreme Amp with Kismet Upgrades and 3 channel HT3 Extreme amp with Kismet upgrades
Cabling - All Audioquest cabling through out

So this is my entire system. I hope it will sound as good as I think it will. I received most of my gear Monday. I still awaiting my amps from Klaus and a couple of small items.

rdb2001

leroyjr1

Very nice! How do you like the subs?

SolidSqual

OMG two Trinities in one room . . . jesus christ literally . . . those subs were built to play the low notes of the organ in Trinity Church in New York. http://www.avrev.com/home-theater-loudspeakers/subwoofers/definitive-technology-supercube-trinity-signature-subwoofer.html

rdb2001

leroyjr1 wrote: »

Very nice! How do you like the subs?

I have not listened to them yet. Never heard them before or anything. I am waiting on my amps to come in. A good friend is letting me borrow his omni mic system as well for calibration. I probably will not hear them until next week. Kind of worried as they maybe too much. They are huge, but I shouldnt need any more subwoofers for quite awhile. Please excuse the mess as I am still in setup mode. My wife is having a cow right now because of that.

SolidSqual

rdb2001 wrote: »

They are huge, but I shouldnt need any more subwoofers for quite awhile.

Umm no, make sure you have a pack of these next to your popcorn machine: http://www.depend.com/the-great-american-try-on

rdb2001

SolidSqual wrote: »

OMG two Trinities in one room . . . jesus christ literally . . . those subs were built to play the low notes of the organ in Trinity Church in New York. http://www.avrev.com/home-theater-loudspeakers/subwoofers/definitive-technology-supercube-trinity-signature-subwoofer.html

I had the opportunity to get 2 at a price that was a no brainer. The only bad I read about them was 60hz and up. My towers can go down to 30hz so I am not really worried about 60hz performance as I will probably set a 50-60hz crossover.

codyc1ark

Very nice. I got to demo those same GX's this week and found them very pleasing, very clear on some tube gear. Congrats and enjoy!

rdb2001

codyc1ark wrote: »

Very nice. I got to demo those same GX's this week and found them very pleasing, very clear on some tube gear. Congrats and enjoy!

They are really nice speakers. It came down to them, the 804 diamonds, and Sonus Faber Luito. I just couldnt justify the price of the 804's compared the the gx300s. The GX300's in my opinion outclassed the 804s in everyway. If I were to every do a strictly 2 channel system, Sonus Faber would be my speaker choice by a wide margin. I needed a dual purpose speaker, and the the GX300's were the best for me. They do sound good with tubes, that is why I purchased a tube pre for 2 channel playback.

Geoff4rfc

SolidSqual wrote: »

OMG two Trinities in one room . . . jesus christ literally . . . those subs were built to play the low notes of the organ in Trinity Church in New York.

Now that cracked me up :-)

rdb2001 wrote: »

Well Guys, I finally have a great update. It has been about 9 months since I sold off my last system. My wife gave me the go ahead.

You have got to be more than pleased! Very nicely done. And isn't it great to have a wife that gives the go ahead? I've only been involved with this hobby (obsession) for that last 3 years and have upgraded my speakers three times, my wife just looks at me and shakes her head, she's learned to say, "why don't you just pick out what you really want and go for it instead of working toward it", I'm like, OK wifey, thank you very much!!!!!

polkfarmboy

That is a real mans system you have right there, I cant imagine how awesome it is going to sound with a good bluray. The cabs on those monitors look dreamy, very elegant and stylish but ready to kick the **** out of some sheet rock. I bet those surrounds will fill your room with ear candy too. Your lucky too have such a nice wife who obviously loves to make you happy by showering you in toys

heiney9

Very nice, I think you will be pleased for a dual purpose system.

H9

mystik610

Very nice! I'm a fan of the Monitor Audio Golds.

rdb2001

Geoff4rfc wrote: »

Now that cracked me up :-)



You have got to be more than pleased! Very nicely done. And isn't it great to have a wife that gives the go ahead? I've only been involved with this hobby (obsession) for that last 3 years and have upgraded my speakers three times, my wife just looks at me and shakes her head, she's learned to say, "why don't you just pick out what you really want and go for it instead of working toward it", I'm like, OK wifey, thank you very much!!!!!

I do have a great wife. She supports me in all my expensive hobbies. I have been deep into this hobby for about 4 years now and had upgraded every year since 2008. Well my wife said, instead of constantly making incremental changes, sell of your system, and save up for the system that will keep you happy for years. I said ok and thats what I did. I suggest you take her advice, I think its cheaper that way:cheesygrin:

rdb2001

polkfarmboy wrote: »

That is a real mans system you have right there, I cant imagine how awesome it is going to sound with a good bluray. The cabs on those monitors look dreamy, very elegant and stylish but ready to kick the **** out of some sheet rock. I bet those surrounds will fill your room with ear candy too. Your lucky too have such a nice wife who obviously loves to make you happy by showering you in toys

Thanks for the compliments. I do have a good wife which I stated earlier but she gets her fair share as well lol

rdb2001

heiney9 wrote: »

Very nice, I think you will be pleased for a dual purpose system.

H9

mystik610 wrote: »

Very nice! I'm a fan of the Monitor Audio Golds.

Thanks guys. I hope to not have the upgrade itch for a while. I hope to just sit and enjoy.

SolidSqual

I hope that picture frame above your TV is nailed and epoxied to the wall.

badchad

I'd like to see a shot of the surrounds when placed! looks nice.

mystik610

rdb2001 wrote: »

Thanks guys. I hope to not have the upgrade itch for a while. I hope to just sit and enjoy.

The Monitor Audio Platinums are beckoning :twisted:

11tsteve

shouldn't you have a bigger screen????:cheesygrin:

chumlie

11tsteve wrote: »

shouldn't you have a bigger screen????:cheesygrin:

Thinking the same thing.

rdb2001

11tsteve wrote: »

shouldn't you have a bigger screen????:cheesygrin:

chumlie wrote: »

Thinking the same thing.

Thats a 60". I want to get a 65" panny. My wife is totally against it right now though. We plan to move into a bigger house within the next 6-8 months and I will go front projection then so she is against buying anymore tvs right now because I will be buying a projector here soon. 60 will have to do for now.

chumlie

Nice setup. TV just looked smaller than a 60''. Good luck with the new house and projecter. And congrats on finding that wife of yours.

rdb2001

I thought I would update with updated pics. I decided to go another route with amps and 2 channel pre. Went with a Bryston 4bsst2 and 5bst for amps and a Cambridge audio 840E pre. I am enjoying the setup to say the least. Still have a little wire management left to do. I had to take the doors of my rack to accomadate my amps until the 17inch non rack handle faceplates arrive.

cnh

Very nice. I remember hearing any number of Monitor Audio setups in showrooms in E. Asia (China and Japan) when I was there. I was pretty impressed with what I heard!

Those subs, look MONSTER. What are the specs on those?

Enjoy!

cnh

polkfarmboy

That bryston is really cool looking under the pre, I love silver audio gear

leroyjr1

Hope those amps and receiver don't run hot. Not a lot of ventilation there.

Killer system!!!

rdb2001

leroyjr1 wrote: »

Hope those amps and receiver don't run hot. Not a lot of ventilation there.

Killer system!!!

Thanks. I have an 8 fan configuration on the back that cools the equipment.

hochpt21

Can you hear those fans at all?

I have all my gear in audio racks with glass doors on the front. I left the backs off everything and the only thing that gets a little hot is my HK, but I've still thought that fans may help.

Nice looking system BTW!

audiocr381ve

Wow, awesome setup! I'm a huge fan of the Monitor Audio Gold's as well. I regret selling my RS6's! There is a pair of RS8's locally that I'm thinking about picking up

Congrats!