Best improvements for $600

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  • wkjeffers
    wkjeffers Posts: 139
    edited November 2012
    get a $400 cd player from marantz or cambridge audio and save the $200 for a good $1000 integrated amplifier and you will not be dissapointed. room treatments and cabling can help incrementally but the electronics are the biggest thing you need right now.
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  • seabeerob213
    seabeerob213 Posts: 1,843
    edited November 2012
    harman has avr in the 500 range that have pre-outs for all channels
    2 Channel(work in progress):DAC: Schiit modi 2 uberAmp:Parasound 1200 MK IISub:RBH 1010-SEP Speakers: Monitor 5A peerlesscurrently running some krk rokit 3g since the HK pre outs died and i need to start breaking everything down to move in a couple monthsHeadphones:Source: tidalDAC: schiit modius epre: schiit sysAmp: AQ dragonfly black/ schiit magni2 Cans: Velodyne V-True, Grado SR225i, sennheiser x drop gaming headsetPC:DAC: schiit modius e(over spdif)pre: schiit sysspeakers: prenous eris 5 xtSub: Earthquake Sound MiniMe-P63most of my comments are passing on of info, im a noob, im just trying to help how i can, if im wrong or out of place to comment, dont hesitate to let me know :)"WITH WILLING HEARTS AND SKILLFUL HANDS, THE DIFFICULT WE DO AT ONCE, THE IMPOSSIBLE TAKES A BIT LONGER, WITH COMPASSION FOR OTHERS. WE BUILD - WE FIGHT FOR PEACE WITH FREEDOM"Seabee Memorial, Arlington, VA
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  • sk88
    sk88 Posts: 159
    edited November 2012
    Yes, I've been considering the following three models
    - Integra DHC 80.3 and a separate 5-ch Amp
    - Denon AVR-4520CI (150W x 9ch)
    - Pioneer Elite SC-68 (140W x 9ch)

    I almost pulled the trigger on the 4520 but the retail store didn't have enough sales to answer my call on BlackFriday. Then, I came across the SC-68 in some reviews. It caught my attention because it is the only AVR that has an integrated asyncronous USB 32bit/196kHz DAC. It is designed for people like me who wants to use a laptop/PC as a media center. Many reviews has recognized its 4ohm speaker handling and SQ. They are all around the same price. I think I'll make my final call on CybereMonday.
    • Online - Focal Solo6 BE, Polk PSW10, Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 DSP, Lenovo x220t
    • Music/HT - Lsi25, Lsi9 (Vr3), Lsi7, LsiC, Pioneer SC-68 & BDP-62FD, PS3
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  • sk88
    sk88 Posts: 159
    edited November 2012
    I ordered a pioneer sc-68 today and also a pair of lsi7 last week heading down the road for a 7.2 system. :smile:
    • Online - Focal Solo6 BE, Polk PSW10, Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 DSP, Lenovo x220t
    • Music/HT - Lsi25, Lsi9 (Vr3), Lsi7, LsiC, Pioneer SC-68 & BDP-62FD, PS3
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  • sk88
    sk88 Posts: 159
    edited December 2012
    Just want to give a last report on where I am on this thread. I can say now that I've pretty much taken all the advices received on this thread one way or another plus some more. The only advice that I can't do much is room treatment.

    Yes, I over spent my initial budget several folds. In summary, these are the improvements altogether (not in any order):
    1. install speaker spikes
    2. replace speaker and interconnect cables
    3. new pair of Lsi7 and LsiC for 7.2
    4. new AVR Pioneer SC-68
    5. XO mod on LSi9 and Lsi25 plus Blackhole 5
    6. dump mp3, switching to flac and use Spotify
    7. dump ipod earphone connection, connect media laptop to SC-68 via USB DAC or DLNA

    The focus is still 2ch music, it's just nice to pick up 7.2 for HT at the same time.
    • Online - Focal Solo6 BE, Polk PSW10, Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 DSP, Lenovo x220t
    • Music/HT - Lsi25, Lsi9 (Vr3), Lsi7, LsiC, Pioneer SC-68 & BDP-62FD, PS3
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