Making Moves
halo
Posts: 5,616
This December marks the 12-year anniversary of my membership to the Polk forum. I made my return here 2 years ago, having walked away from the hobby in ’08 for personal reasons. A lot has changed over the 6 years I was away, most notably the switch from vbulletin to vanilla. As I understand it, this switch had a lot to do with many of the veterans walking away from the former ‘Club Polk’ forum. This forum was once a wealth of audio knowledge and camaraderie. Unaware of the changes, I came back to the Polk forum seeking advice. One thing that seems to be constant, however, is that once I get involved on the forum, I go through a lot of gear (probably not as much as when I started here (from ’04 through ’08). I’ve definitely been making some moves though. I don’t think it has anything to do with members here encouraging one another to spend money. Rather, I think it has to do with education. The more you learn about how to make your setup better, the more you want to implement those changes. I’ll give you a rundown of the changes that took place, for me, in the last 2 years.
The first move I made was going from living in a house to living in an apartment. I brought with me the following gear: Panasonic TH-50PZ850U Plasma, Toshiba 32C120U 32-Inch LCD, HK AVR 340, Technics SA-500, Denon DVD-1940CI, Slim Devices SB3, CIA SB3 PS, Polk R15s (4), Polk CSi25, Sonic Impact t-amp, Signal Cable Analog Two ICs, Classic Speaker Cables, & Magic Power Cords, as well as some Monster Cable 16 AWG speaker wires, and Monster Cable ICs.
Most of the moves I made in the last 2 years revolved around the Polk R15s (FL & FR) and Polk CSi25 that I had in the living room which were driven by the HK AVR 340 (from time to time, I also used a Technics SA-500 Stereo Receiver). I had the Boulder Cable modded Slim Devices SB3 with a CIA SB3 PS handling all the FLAC, WAV, & MP3 files/tunes streaming from the hard drive on my desktop PC. The audio gear & TV were sitting on a Studio Tech HF-33 AV rack. In the bedroom setup, I had the Sonic Impact t-amp driving a pair of Polk R15s flanking a 32” Toshiba LCD TV connected to the Denon DVD-1940CI universal player. Both of the TVs were / are connected to basic OTA antennas.
In the living room, the HK paired with the Polk R15s sounded anemic. Despite that, I started by replacing the TV in bedroom as the 32” was too small for my liking. I replaced the 32” Toshiba LCD with a 40” LG plasma. Because the LG lacks analog audio outputs, I ended up replacing the Sonic Impact with a Marantz NR1402. The Polk R15s got swapped out for a pair of Polk RTi6s. Then, I replaced the Denon DVD-1940CI with a Sony BDP-S3200. The sound was much better than what was in there before so I set my sights on revamping the setup in the living room. First, I ditched the Polk R15s in favor of the Energy RC-10 bookshelf / mini monitor speakers. I also took out the Polk CSi25 & put in the matching Energy RC-LCR to complete the all Energy front end. For some reason (probably the hype about Audyssey room correction software), I thought the Marantz was superior to the HK so I sold the HK to a fellow Polkie and bought a NR1403.
I wanted to get a cleaner looking setup in the living room so I replaced the Studio Tech HF-33 AV rack with a Z-Line Designs Elecktra AV rack / TV stand. Once again, I sold the old rack to a fellow Polkie. Thinking that bigger is better; I purchased a pair of Energy RC-70 floorstanding speakers to take over for the Energy RC-10s. I rationalized that I could eventually move the RC-10s to surround duty at some future point in time. In an effort to improve the source signal from my laptop, I purchased a Micca OriGen USB DAC to go between the PC and the Receiver. Things were sounding surprisingly good for the very modest investments thus far.
When I heard the announcement about the upcoming release of the new ELAC Uni-Fi speakers, I set my sights on putting together a setup to drive them in my living room. Because the Uni-Fi speakers are rated at 4Ω, I purchased a pre-owned McCormack DNA-125 power amplifier modded by Bob Backert. Next, I purchased a pre-owned Jolida Fusion preamp (of course, I had to buy some NOS tubes to go with it). After a little time passed, I sold the Micca OriGen USB DAC and I purchased an essence HDACC.
Everything seemed poised for the arrival of the Andrew Jones designed Uni-Fi speakers that I had on pre-order from ELAC America. I was really excited after hearing the UB5 bookshelf speakers for myself at AXPONA 2016 and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on them. Due to a mix up at the manufacturing facility for ELAC in China, the first production run of the Uni-Fi speakers featured a “blemished” midrange driver. The drivers appeared to be a greenish color instead of the silver color they were supposed to be so ELAC discounted the price and sold off the “blemished” models to those who had pre-ordered the speakers. With the discount in place, I decided to move up to the UF5 floorstanding speakers > the UB5 bookshelf speakers. I also purchased a “blemished” UC5 center channel speaker to go along with the UF5s. Unfortunately, I had to sell off the Energy speakers to make way for the ELAC speakers & some of my fellow Polk forum members were happy to take them off my hands. Shortly after the ELAC speakers arrived, I realized that I’d made a mistake in going with ELAC > Energy. For whatever reason, the ELAC speakers I set up in my living room sounded nothing like the UB5 speakers I’d heard at AXPONA. The biggest disappointment was the lack of low-end response from the Uni-Fi line, which was there in abundance at AXPONA but not present in my apartment.
Therefore, I sent the Uni-Fi speakers back and I had to figure out where to go from there. Luckily, The Polkie I sold my RC-LCR to sold it back to me and then I came across a set of the Energy RC-70 floorstanding speakers with an RC-LCR on the used market and I snapped them up. I felt better in getting the Energy speakers back as they sounded so much better in my listening environment than the ELAC speakers. I secured one additional Energy RC-LCR and placed a set in the bedroom. I let go of the Polk RTi6s, my last Polk speakers, to a fellow Polkie here on the forum.
While messing around with the ELAC speakers, I tried (unsuccessfully) to incorporate an SVS SB1000 subwoofer into the setup. Unfortunately, the Jolida preamp was not cooperating with the SVS due to low voltage output by the preamp not being recognized by the sub so I sold the essence HDACC to fund the purchase of a Parasound P5 with built-in DAC & bass management for a 2.1 setup. With the P5 in place, the Jolida was sold shortly thereafter. The SB3 moved out to make way for a SONOS Connect and things seemed to be coming together again.
Then, I got a good deal on a couple pairs of MIT interconnects here on the forum and I found some matching speaker cables on the used market. At this point, I couldn’t imagine things getting much better. The Marantz NR1402 that I got from accessories for less had issues and had to go in for service so I got a Denon AVR 2113CI to handle the HT for a short time. Everything sounded good and the only move I made was to swap out the Marantz & Denon as the Denon’s mulit-zone preouts weren’t working the way dedicated preouts on the NR1403 did. I was pretty happy with the setup the as it was.
The first move I made was going from living in a house to living in an apartment. I brought with me the following gear: Panasonic TH-50PZ850U Plasma, Toshiba 32C120U 32-Inch LCD, HK AVR 340, Technics SA-500, Denon DVD-1940CI, Slim Devices SB3, CIA SB3 PS, Polk R15s (4), Polk CSi25, Sonic Impact t-amp, Signal Cable Analog Two ICs, Classic Speaker Cables, & Magic Power Cords, as well as some Monster Cable 16 AWG speaker wires, and Monster Cable ICs.
Most of the moves I made in the last 2 years revolved around the Polk R15s (FL & FR) and Polk CSi25 that I had in the living room which were driven by the HK AVR 340 (from time to time, I also used a Technics SA-500 Stereo Receiver). I had the Boulder Cable modded Slim Devices SB3 with a CIA SB3 PS handling all the FLAC, WAV, & MP3 files/tunes streaming from the hard drive on my desktop PC. The audio gear & TV were sitting on a Studio Tech HF-33 AV rack. In the bedroom setup, I had the Sonic Impact t-amp driving a pair of Polk R15s flanking a 32” Toshiba LCD TV connected to the Denon DVD-1940CI universal player. Both of the TVs were / are connected to basic OTA antennas.
In the living room, the HK paired with the Polk R15s sounded anemic. Despite that, I started by replacing the TV in bedroom as the 32” was too small for my liking. I replaced the 32” Toshiba LCD with a 40” LG plasma. Because the LG lacks analog audio outputs, I ended up replacing the Sonic Impact with a Marantz NR1402. The Polk R15s got swapped out for a pair of Polk RTi6s. Then, I replaced the Denon DVD-1940CI with a Sony BDP-S3200. The sound was much better than what was in there before so I set my sights on revamping the setup in the living room. First, I ditched the Polk R15s in favor of the Energy RC-10 bookshelf / mini monitor speakers. I also took out the Polk CSi25 & put in the matching Energy RC-LCR to complete the all Energy front end. For some reason (probably the hype about Audyssey room correction software), I thought the Marantz was superior to the HK so I sold the HK to a fellow Polkie and bought a NR1403.
I wanted to get a cleaner looking setup in the living room so I replaced the Studio Tech HF-33 AV rack with a Z-Line Designs Elecktra AV rack / TV stand. Once again, I sold the old rack to a fellow Polkie. Thinking that bigger is better; I purchased a pair of Energy RC-70 floorstanding speakers to take over for the Energy RC-10s. I rationalized that I could eventually move the RC-10s to surround duty at some future point in time. In an effort to improve the source signal from my laptop, I purchased a Micca OriGen USB DAC to go between the PC and the Receiver. Things were sounding surprisingly good for the very modest investments thus far.
When I heard the announcement about the upcoming release of the new ELAC Uni-Fi speakers, I set my sights on putting together a setup to drive them in my living room. Because the Uni-Fi speakers are rated at 4Ω, I purchased a pre-owned McCormack DNA-125 power amplifier modded by Bob Backert. Next, I purchased a pre-owned Jolida Fusion preamp (of course, I had to buy some NOS tubes to go with it). After a little time passed, I sold the Micca OriGen USB DAC and I purchased an essence HDACC.
Everything seemed poised for the arrival of the Andrew Jones designed Uni-Fi speakers that I had on pre-order from ELAC America. I was really excited after hearing the UB5 bookshelf speakers for myself at AXPONA 2016 and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on them. Due to a mix up at the manufacturing facility for ELAC in China, the first production run of the Uni-Fi speakers featured a “blemished” midrange driver. The drivers appeared to be a greenish color instead of the silver color they were supposed to be so ELAC discounted the price and sold off the “blemished” models to those who had pre-ordered the speakers. With the discount in place, I decided to move up to the UF5 floorstanding speakers > the UB5 bookshelf speakers. I also purchased a “blemished” UC5 center channel speaker to go along with the UF5s. Unfortunately, I had to sell off the Energy speakers to make way for the ELAC speakers & some of my fellow Polk forum members were happy to take them off my hands. Shortly after the ELAC speakers arrived, I realized that I’d made a mistake in going with ELAC > Energy. For whatever reason, the ELAC speakers I set up in my living room sounded nothing like the UB5 speakers I’d heard at AXPONA. The biggest disappointment was the lack of low-end response from the Uni-Fi line, which was there in abundance at AXPONA but not present in my apartment.
Therefore, I sent the Uni-Fi speakers back and I had to figure out where to go from there. Luckily, The Polkie I sold my RC-LCR to sold it back to me and then I came across a set of the Energy RC-70 floorstanding speakers with an RC-LCR on the used market and I snapped them up. I felt better in getting the Energy speakers back as they sounded so much better in my listening environment than the ELAC speakers. I secured one additional Energy RC-LCR and placed a set in the bedroom. I let go of the Polk RTi6s, my last Polk speakers, to a fellow Polkie here on the forum.
While messing around with the ELAC speakers, I tried (unsuccessfully) to incorporate an SVS SB1000 subwoofer into the setup. Unfortunately, the Jolida preamp was not cooperating with the SVS due to low voltage output by the preamp not being recognized by the sub so I sold the essence HDACC to fund the purchase of a Parasound P5 with built-in DAC & bass management for a 2.1 setup. With the P5 in place, the Jolida was sold shortly thereafter. The SB3 moved out to make way for a SONOS Connect and things seemed to be coming together again.
Then, I got a good deal on a couple pairs of MIT interconnects here on the forum and I found some matching speaker cables on the used market. At this point, I couldn’t imagine things getting much better. The Marantz NR1402 that I got from accessories for less had issues and had to go in for service so I got a Denon AVR 2113CI to handle the HT for a short time. Everything sounded good and the only move I made was to swap out the Marantz & Denon as the Denon’s mulit-zone preouts weren’t working the way dedicated preouts on the NR1403 did. I was pretty happy with the setup the as it was.
Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
Comments
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PART II
In October, my better half was conducting research at a facility in Virginia when she asked me if I’d ever heard of KEF speakers. I said yes but, for the price, I’d rather have Dynaudio. I got my ears on the Dynaudio Confidence C1 Platinum “bookshelf” speakers at AXPONA & I felt that they were the best sounding speakers at the exposition. Because of the ELAC fiasco, I was wary about believing what I’d heard at AXPONA. Regardless, I decided to take a chance on an entry-level set of Dynaudio DM 2/6 bookshelf / mini monitor. These little mini monitor / bookshelf speakers blew me away because they managed to deliver a good deal of what I heard in the C1 speakers. I got some feedback on the Dynaudio’s over at the AVS forum about the DM being the base model & the Excite being a significant step up so I was soon looking for a set of X14s for the living room. As luck would have it, I picked up a nice pair of pre-owned X14s in Rosewood veneer and I moved the DM 2/6 into the bedroom. About a week after I got the X14s, I purchased a pre-owned matching X24 center channel from a local hi-fi shop (Saturday Audio Exchange).
By my count, there were 15 moves to the setup in the living room alone (not all were discussed here). I recently acquired an ELAC Discovery music streamer that includes a lifetime subscription to Roon. I can plug an external hard drive directly into the Discovery or point it to a NAS on my home network (I’ll be using the external HDD as I don’t have a NAS yet). I also came into possession of a Stir It Up turntable by House of Marley so, after avoiding vinyl for many years, there will be a turntable in my setup again (which will be the first time I’ve had a TT since the mid 90’s).
With some regret, I will have to move all of the Energy Reference Connoisseur speakers to make way for all the new speakers. Being an apartment dweller, I just don’t have the space for all of this equipment.
I have a lot of people to thank for their advice and assistance over the years. This list includes, but is not limited to, @SCompRacer , @DSkip , @tonyb , @dromunds , @F1nut , @msg , @dagame27 , @dekuda , @lightman1 , @heiney9 , @EndersShadow , @madmax (RIP Chuck), @ROHfan , @erniejade , @Jimbo18 , & @cnh
Now, I was just wondering how the other members of the Polk forum have been doing in the last 2 years? Have you been making moves or are you happy where you are?
Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10 -
Glad to read your journey Victor, I will always remember you since you've had the vr2.
I have made lots of moves as well... Too much actually.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
I miss the VR2s. Von Schweikert doesn't make anything "affordable" these days. I'd love to hear the VR2s in my current living room. lol.Glad to read your journey Victor, I will always remember you since you've had the vr2.
I have made lots of moves as well... Too much actually.
Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10 -
PART II
I have a lot of people to thank for their advice and assistance over the years. This list includes, but is not limited to, @SCompRacer , @DSkip , @tonyb , @dromunds , @F1nut , @msg , @dagame27 , @dekuda , @lightman1 , @heiney9 , @EndersShadow , @madmax (RIP Chuck), @ROHfan , @erniejade , @Jimbo18 , & @cnh
Not sure how I helped you. You are waaaaay more knowledgeable than me in audio. I know you've helped me, though, and for that I'm grateful.
My last move saw the SDA 2Bs being replaced by Energy RC70s, along with a Vincent tube pre and a Teac DAC. My 2ch setup has never sounded better although it lacks a little punch for HT. Still content, though.TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier -
Least your going in the right direction....up. I've been pretty satisfied with what I have for years now so no new toys for me. Matter of fact I may even down size some. A good tubed 2 channel pre though is in my future that I know.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
Nice write-up Victor. Glad you came back into the fold. I too have had quite a journey. That's really the fun part for me.
Moving up the ladder with tube gear (pre-amp), keeping my rock solid Pass amp and then moving into a new generation of dac has really made my system shine. Only thing I could possibly add is another "flavor" Pass amp, which I will do at some point in the future. I don't really see myself doing much else.
I am extremely happy with the Eastern Electric tubed (8 tubes) pre-amp and Mini Max dac plus. The Pass amp may never leave the house. MIT Shotgun cabling and I LOVE my SDA's. I know there are a lot of other great speakers out there, but that SDA sound is my addiction. Especially on well recorded live material.
May add a dreadnaught and I will be doing some minor upgrades (for grins) on the EE Mini Max Dac plus. A pair of Clarity ESA coupling caps and (3) DEXA discrete voltage rectifiers. Already added DEXA discrete op-amps which really made a nice difference.
All that I need to do now is sit back and listen.................and roll some tubes of course.
H9
P.s. Also can't wait to add the Polk Magnifi Mini."Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
Least your going in the right direction....up. I've been pretty satisfied with what I have for years now so no new toys for me. Matter of fact I may even down size some. A good tubed 2 channel pre though is in my future that I know.
Finally! I've got some tubes for ya!
H9
"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
Are you thinking of downsizing the main speakers? Those Focals get great reviews.Least your going in the right direction....up. I've been pretty satisfied with what I have for years now so no new toys for me. Matter of fact I may even down size some. A good tubed 2 channel pre though is in my future that I know.
I really wanted to try the Emerald Physics speakers for sale in the flea market (crazy good deal and they're local) but I'm happy with the Dyns and if I bring another pair of speakers in here my better half will be not to happy about it. I still have to move the Energy speakers.
Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10 -
if I bring another pair of speakers in here my better half will be not to happy about it. I still have to move the Energy speakers.
They aren't speakers..... they are wall dividers that can ALSO be speakers "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
Yep. The EP are not a small speaker. Git you some, Vic!
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Thanks Russ. I'm sticking with the Dynaudio bookies for now. May be moving in a year, or less, and it's easier to movie bookies than 60lb monolithsYep. The EP are not a small speaker. Git you some, Vic!
Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10 -
LOL 60 lbs....I blow snots that weigh more than that.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
60 lb monoliths? If that's what you consider a monolith, you've got it easy bud!
Well, I am in a wheelchair so I'm trying to work within my means. lol. I understand what you're saying Skip. The Wilson floorstanding speakers are huge and so are the Rockport's @Joey_V had (piano movers to get them into the listening room).
I guess I was referring more to the looks (18 or 19 inches wide and 42 inches tall?) than the girth of the speakers, especially when compared to the little bookies I have right now.Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10 -
We'll install some locking casters on them for ya, Victor. Pull em out to listen, push em back for storage. How bout it?
