I'm Done!
Well...
After much reading, many telephone calls and a lot of driving, I'm done upgrading my system for now. As some of you may remember, my quest started when I had the opportunity to upgrade my Pioneer Elite VSX-26TX AV receiver to a 53TX at a VERY substantial discount a couple of months ago, thanks to Pioneer customer service. I had been using the 26TX with the Polk RM6500 satellite system for 4 years.
I started my speaker upgrade at the beginning of this month. For a total investment of a whopping $898.63, which includes tax, I have upgraded my speakers to all new (2) RTi70 fronts, (1) CSi30 center, (2) RTi38 surrounds and (1) PSW404 sub, I kid you not I'll either be selling the RM6500 system on ebay or give it to my 14 yr old son.
After a little dallying, I have all speakers set to "small", the sub connected to the LFE ouput and the receiver x-over set to 100hz, pretty straightforward. I really like this arrangement, I have much more flexibility than I had with the sub in the RM6500 system connected using the "Polk method." With the x-over set to 80hz, the bottom end sounded weak, at 100 hz, it sounds rich and full. The RTi70's are biwired, I did that a week ago and it DID make a slight improvement. I was also amazed that moving a speaker just one inch makes a difference in the soundstage! I have the fronts toed-in somewhere between a 5 and 10 degree angle. I have the volume control on the sub set at ~10:30 and the sub level on the receiver was automatically set to +0.5. Using the RS analog SPL meter, with the receiver volume at reference level, the sub seems to be around 77-78 dB. The Pioneer MCACC is absolutely incredible.
Other than maybe messing around with the wiring (heavier gauge) and speaker placement and positioning, I AM DONE! It's time to enjoy what I have for several years. I had to get this out of the way before I got married (it appears the ex and I are going to remarry) so I don't have to worry about the WF.
This system should last for a long, long time, unless this new technology finds its way to the home audio arena. http://www.u2tours.com/news/news.src?Action=Detail&Rec=25&03fbd161fd
After much reading, many telephone calls and a lot of driving, I'm done upgrading my system for now. As some of you may remember, my quest started when I had the opportunity to upgrade my Pioneer Elite VSX-26TX AV receiver to a 53TX at a VERY substantial discount a couple of months ago, thanks to Pioneer customer service. I had been using the 26TX with the Polk RM6500 satellite system for 4 years.
I started my speaker upgrade at the beginning of this month. For a total investment of a whopping $898.63, which includes tax, I have upgraded my speakers to all new (2) RTi70 fronts, (1) CSi30 center, (2) RTi38 surrounds and (1) PSW404 sub, I kid you not I'll either be selling the RM6500 system on ebay or give it to my 14 yr old son.
After a little dallying, I have all speakers set to "small", the sub connected to the LFE ouput and the receiver x-over set to 100hz, pretty straightforward. I really like this arrangement, I have much more flexibility than I had with the sub in the RM6500 system connected using the "Polk method." With the x-over set to 80hz, the bottom end sounded weak, at 100 hz, it sounds rich and full. The RTi70's are biwired, I did that a week ago and it DID make a slight improvement. I was also amazed that moving a speaker just one inch makes a difference in the soundstage! I have the fronts toed-in somewhere between a 5 and 10 degree angle. I have the volume control on the sub set at ~10:30 and the sub level on the receiver was automatically set to +0.5. Using the RS analog SPL meter, with the receiver volume at reference level, the sub seems to be around 77-78 dB. The Pioneer MCACC is absolutely incredible.
Other than maybe messing around with the wiring (heavier gauge) and speaker placement and positioning, I AM DONE! It's time to enjoy what I have for several years. I had to get this out of the way before I got married (it appears the ex and I are going to remarry) so I don't have to worry about the WF.
This system should last for a long, long time, unless this new technology finds its way to the home audio arena. http://www.u2tours.com/news/news.src?Action=Detail&Rec=25&03fbd161fd
Mains: Polkaudio RTi70's
Center: Polkaudio CSi40
Surrounds: Polkaudio RTi38's
Rear Center: Polkaudio CSi30
Sub: Polkaudio PSW-404
Receiver: Pioneer Elite VSX-53TX
DVD Player: Pioneer DV-414
CD Player: Pioneer Elite PD-M59
TV: Toshiba TZ-43V61
Monster Power MP HTS 2000 MKII Power Center
Center: Polkaudio CSi40
Surrounds: Polkaudio RTi38's
Rear Center: Polkaudio CSi30
Sub: Polkaudio PSW-404
Receiver: Pioneer Elite VSX-53TX
DVD Player: Pioneer DV-414
CD Player: Pioneer Elite PD-M59
TV: Toshiba TZ-43V61
Monster Power MP HTS 2000 MKII Power Center
Post edited by jd45177 on
Comments
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famous last words...
what tv and dvdp are you running?More later,
Tour...
Vox Copuli
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb
"Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
"It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
"There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD -
DON'T give the RM6500's to your son.. my dad gave me a decent stereo and I have wasted an unbelievable amount of time on audio stuff ever since
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A Pioneer DV-414 dvdp and a 3 yr old toshiba 43" analog rptv. The upgrade to digital isn't in the plan for another 2 years. I also have a Pioneer Elite PD-M59 CD player.Mains: Polkaudio RTi70's
Center: Polkaudio CSi40
Surrounds: Polkaudio RTi38's
Rear Center: Polkaudio CSi30
Sub: Polkaudio PSW-404
Receiver: Pioneer Elite VSX-53TX
DVD Player: Pioneer DV-414
CD Player: Pioneer Elite PD-M59
TV: Toshiba TZ-43V61
Monster Power MP HTS 2000 MKII Power Center -
You are done for now, but there will be other things to tease your pocket book. I thought I was done then the thought of a more powerful sub entered my mind. Now I just have to get the $ saved up before my son is borne.Front
Polk RT800i (BI-wired)
Rear
Polk RT600i
Center
Polk CS400i (BI-wired)
Sub
SVS 25-31PCi (22Hz tuning port)... it's SubHuman
Receiver
YAMAHA RX-V1400
TV
Mitsubishi WT-46807 HDTV
HD receiver
T i V o HR10-250 -
i am also a victim of a stereo at a young age, im 16 and my system is worth close to what my car is worth. oh well, if you want to get him adicted then give it to him lol
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Congrats on the setup. But you have started down the road of denial:D . I told my wife that very samething when I first got my RM7200 and Panny reciever and here I am not 12mo. later with a whole new setup:eek: . You will find yourself drawn towards those dang sound rooms just looking....yea right!!:D
Good luck with both the setup and renewed vowes
Dave -
Done? Ha, Ha. You're just beginning.
I predict the next major upgrade you'll make is your sub. You'll choose either an SVS or a Hsu. The newly introduced Hsu STF-2 subs are only $399 with free shipping. Act now.HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50 LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub
"God grooves with tubes." -
Originally posted by jd45177
After much reading, many telephone calls and a lot of driving, I'm done upgrading my system for now.
Key words..."for now". Hmmm...how long will "for now" last?Mains: polkaudio RTi70's (bi-wired)
Center: polkaudio CSi40 (bi-wired)
Surrounds: polkaudio FXi30's
Rear Center: polkaudio CSi30
Sub: SVS 20-39 PC+
Receiver: ONKYO TX-SR600
Display: JVC HD-56G786
DVD Player: SONY DVP-CX985V
DVD Player: OPPO DV-981HD 1080p High Definition Up-Converting Universal DVD Player with HDMI
Remote: Logitech Harmony H688 -
until then...More later,
Tour...
Vox Copuli
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb
"Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
"It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
"There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD