An Unsupervised Weekend...
jruder
Posts: 26
in Electronics
We will try this again!
The wife has left me completely unsupervised for 2 days --
So....obviously I need to do a system upgrade.
My HT is currently in my basement, but flooded and needs a wall and stuff torn out so I going to do a ground up rebuild sometime next year.
But in the mean time we have a pretty nice 70" TV in the living room.
I am dragging my big speakers upstairs and I bought a new receiver (which I have already taken back).
Here is what I have to work with, open to suggestions on best use of them.
Also wondering if ATMOS is in my very near future...?
Speakers
2 - Polk RTi-12
2 - Polk RTi-8
2 - Polk Monitor 2 4.6 (much older speaker)
1 - Klipsch 10" powered sub
1 - Polk CSi-5
4 - Bose 301
Electronics
Receiver - I had a Sony STR-DN1080, taking it back as not enough power and no preouts
Replaced it with:
Marantz SR6013 (I think I got a great deal, brand new open box at Best Buy for 670.00).
Crown XLS-1000
Crown XTI-2002
QSC GX3
QSC GX5
I probably only have room for 1 external sub (maybe 2)
My open questions are:
What Amp should I match up for the RTi-12?
Rear surround probably needs to be the RTi8's due to space, but not sure.
Atmos -- what about a pair of those speakers that sit on top of your front and/or rear speakers? Worth it?
My current downstairs setup (the 18's have to stay behind, I still want to be married come Monday...)
The wife has left me completely unsupervised for 2 days --
So....obviously I need to do a system upgrade.
My HT is currently in my basement, but flooded and needs a wall and stuff torn out so I going to do a ground up rebuild sometime next year.
But in the mean time we have a pretty nice 70" TV in the living room.
I am dragging my big speakers upstairs and I bought a new receiver (which I have already taken back).
Here is what I have to work with, open to suggestions on best use of them.
Also wondering if ATMOS is in my very near future...?
Speakers
2 - Polk RTi-12
2 - Polk RTi-8
2 - Polk Monitor 2 4.6 (much older speaker)
1 - Klipsch 10" powered sub
1 - Polk CSi-5
4 - Bose 301
Electronics
Receiver - I had a Sony STR-DN1080, taking it back as not enough power and no preouts
Replaced it with:
Marantz SR6013 (I think I got a great deal, brand new open box at Best Buy for 670.00).
Crown XLS-1000
Crown XTI-2002
QSC GX3
QSC GX5
I probably only have room for 1 external sub (maybe 2)
My open questions are:
What Amp should I match up for the RTi-12?
Rear surround probably needs to be the RTi8's due to space, but not sure.
Atmos -- what about a pair of those speakers that sit on top of your front and/or rear speakers? Worth it?
My current downstairs setup (the 18's have to stay behind, I still want to be married come Monday...)
Comments
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I would love to be sitting on the couch with a bucket of popcorn when your wife gets home.The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
Operation "Redo the upstairs rig while the Mrs is away" - love it! Good luck. Hopefully she'll hardly notice.
In my experience, well, the results have been, mixed. I got busted one time while trying to install some new in-wall speakers. Dang spackling paste took too long to dry!
If she does notice, remember we are here for you, for moral support! Keep us informed on your progress. Especially after the commander in chief returns! Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD. -
well....
It is going slow.
I hooked it up in stereo...you know...just to make sure it worked.
That was a couple hours ago.
Wow....I forgot just how *good* stereo can sound!
By stereo, I mean no sub, no external amp....
just me, a nice Anejo, 2 pollks and a new Marantz.
Listening to Copperhead Road right now, just finished 'wonderous love by blue highway" and 'Lola by Lakestreet Dive'
About to hook up the Crown 1000 to see what difference if any I hear. -
Sounds like you're having fun! Remember, too much "anejo", will de-rail the best laid plans! Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD. -
Operation "Redo the upstairs rig while the Mrs is away" - love it! Good luck. Hopefully she'll hardly notice.
In my experience, well, the results have been, mixed. I got busted one time while trying to install some new in-wall speakers. Dang spackling paste took too long to dry!
If she does notice, remember we are here for you, for moral support! Keep us informed on your progress. Especially after the commander in chief returns!
Gotta start using five minute mud!- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit. -
Yep! Lessons learned! Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD. -
well, there is a noticeable improvement with the crown.
the Martanz sounds very, very good.
But it just sounds better with the crown, more open maybe?
It picked up more base.
deadMau5 hits hard.
Great Spirit by armin van buuren is amazing.
well....getting late for me (I work a midnight shift as a code monkey and it is 7pm here)
tomorrow will try the QSC first, then start hooking up the rest of the stuff starting with the sub. -
RTi's and pro amps......yuckPolitical Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Stan
Main 2ch:
Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.
HT:
Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60
Other stuff:
Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601 -
@F1nut -- you are certainly entitled to your opinion.
But I was pretty careful last night, I switched the amp out 3 different times and listened critically to the same material.
Every time it was obviously better sounding.
If a high end Marantz sounds good, and adding a 300.00 amp makes it sound better (and frees up power for the other speakers) -- I just don't see that as a 'yuck'.
It would be a bit like if you drove a Ferrari and 'yucked' my Subaru WRX car because it was not up to your standards.
Your right of course.
But we have all beat this drum before once or twice I think.
I am going to still do a A/B comparison on the QSC GX5 later today and report back.
Anybody have any thoughts on my question on ATMOS speakers you can set on top of the others? -
I meant "That is your right, of course"
not -- "Your right (correct) of course"
No need to inflate your ego!
--Joe -
I meant "That is your right, of course"
not -- "Your right (correct) of course"
No need to inflate your ego!
--Joe
If you like it man, that's all that matters in the end. Its just that many of us think that the RTis are bright and a bit in your face to begin with, and look for amps and equipment to tame that brightness a bit, and pro amps are designed for volume and cutting through the noise, so many of us really wouldn't like that combination. But again, if you like it that's cool.
I would suggest seeing if you can bother or find a used older parasound or B&K to try out. If you find a good deal you can easily resell for what you paid. The Marantz is a nice AVR, but ANY receiver is going to be vastly underpowered for that setup, so of course there is an advantage from a pure power perspective to the pro amps. But if you get a 200 WPC B&K, you will have the warmth of the Marantz, the power of the pro amp, without the edginess and gutted midrange. Just something to try if you're interested...Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
Game Room 5.1.4: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
Bedroom 2.1 Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer -
Thanks,
That makes sense and I may be able to do that down the road.
Right now, I own the pro amps already so will need to see what I can best do with them.
I am going to test out the crown XTI 2002 next I think.
I have used that amp series on many installs and I really like all of the on-board processing, including limiting and EQ. -
Never owned a Crown amp, but hey, this is a journey! Looking forward to your continued comments as you travel along it! Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD. -
There's a (decidedly old school) D-150 gathering dust here -- just sayin'...
crownies by Mark Hardy, on Flickr
"Built missionary tough"
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Making progress....
Got the TV mounted on the wall (was sitting on two tables for FAR too long)
Wound up hanging the Bose 301's for surrounds.
Used the RTi8's for rear surround.
After lots of plugging and unplugging and listening I am using both of the crowns.
The XLS-1000 is driving the RTi8's
The XTI-2002 is driving the RTi12's
Marantz is currently only servicing the center CSi5 and Bose surrounds.
Before:
TV is mounted and a clean slate for the next part:
Version 2.0:
-
LOL...I found myself at the furniture store looking at AV racks etc...
All of a sudden it hit me that I have been left alone for a little over 24 hours and I am already acting like I am single.
WTH....I was just going to buy furniture like I had a chance in heck of picking out the 'right stuff'.
That was a close call.
I pickup up some cheap plastic shelving and this is working for now.
First thoughts...
First off, the base...man what a difference!
I have heard/read that the RTi12s / RTi8's could produce base but I was really starting to not believe it.
This was thumping in my chest, deep and very musical.
Then I realized that I forgot to turn the sub on.
The sub helps a bit, but I am blown away by how good this now sounds.
After that the musicality of everything I listened to was just great.
Joe Bonamassa, old country, new rock, hard house and EDM...everything just sounds very open and clean.
Another night spent listening to music.
Overall a success so far.
But...
Hey, I have channels that are being wasted!
Height speakers? Atmos?
I am assuming that with the heavy lifting being done by the two crowns I should have tons of headroom as this is not driving any super power hungry speakers right now. -
LOL...I found myself at the furniture store looking at AV racks etc...
All of a sudden it hit me that I have been left alone for a little over 24 hours and I am already acting like I am single.
...
only takes me about 20 minutes...
-
Looking good @jruder ! The Mrs will never notice! Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD. -
Good job, it looks a lot better, I think the Mrs. will be pleased. Thank goodness you restrained yourself with getting new AV racks. Enjoy yourself.Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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Make sure you change the combination on the weapons safe....The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
Nice job there.
Build a stand if you can. Wife will see you're trying to make something nice and save money. I'd offer to do it for you but till my leg/foot get better woodwork is off line for me.When I was a kid my parents told me to turn it down. Now I'm an adult and my kids tell me to turn it down.
Family Room:LG QNED80 75", Onkyo RZ50 Emotiva XPA3 GEN3 Oppo BDP-93,Sony UBP-X800BM. Main: Polk LsiM 705Center: Polk LSiM 704CFront High/Rear High In-Ceiling Polk 80F/X RT Surrounds: Polk S15 Sub: HSU VTF3-MK5
Bed Room; Marantz SR5010, BDP-S270Main: Polk Signature S20Center: Polk Signature S35Rear: Polk R15 Sub: SVS SB2000
Working Warehouse; Yamaha A-S301, Sony DVP-NS3100ES for disc Plok TSX550T SVS PB2000 Mini tower PC with 400GB of music -
Well, it was a big hit.
She did accidentally throw her popcorn all over herself when a scene with a truck blowing its horn was perfectly panned in the surrounds from back to front scared the tar out of both of us! -
Well, it was a big hit.
She did accidentally throw her popcorn all over herself when a scene with a truck blowing its horn was perfectly panned in the surrounds from back to front scared the tar out of both of us!
Sounds like the work and time was well worth it! Rock on. -
Making progress....
Got the TV mounted on the wall (was sitting on two tables for FAR too long)
Wound up hanging the Bose 301's for surrounds.
Used the RTi8's for rear surround.
After lots of plugging and unplugging and listening I am using both of the crowns.
The XLS-1000 is driving the RTi8's
The XTI-2002 is driving the RTi12's
Marantz is currently only servicing the center CSi5 and Bose surrounds.
Before:
TV is mounted and a clean slate for the next part:
Version 2.0:
in the 2.0 version, it looks like the left it pointing straight ahead and the right is toed in...They also seem to be quite close to the walls. Also, is that baseboard heater functional? the one under the TV behind the left Ch and sub? -
Bose 301...a hidden gem for surrounds.
Enjoy!!!Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden -
Try moving everything to the right, and centering the TV. Get rid of the bookshelves on the right. Put the couch in front of the TV. Much better. Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits.
