New Setup (Definitive Technology STS)

sancmat

Hi Just joined the forum as for the first time in 10 years I'm making major changes to my setup and was just excited to talk about it as well as getting advice. I see we have another def tech fan who is pretty active here in mantis.

So the as is.
Room 1 (My Haven)
Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC-75
Center: Mythos 8
6 other Channels all mounted at celling height: Pro Monitor 1000
Sub: SVS PB-1000

Room 2 (where my wife and the kids hang out for games and less theater style watching)
Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC-71
Center: Mythos XTR-50
Front: 2 Mythos XTR-50
Rear: 2 Mythos 2
Sub Left: ProSub 80
Sub Right: ProSub 1000

Extra Equipment
Mythos 3

Tomorrow Room 1 is Getting an upgrade to 9.1 with the addition of 2 Mythos STS and possibly some other upgrades in the deal. As soon as I have everything In hand and I know what I have and what condition it is I'll post.

After that it will be figuring out how to rearrange the room to fit all of the adjustments. I'll post pictures for layout changes advice. Very excited right now. I've waited a long time to get ahold of these at the right price.

SeleniumFalcon

Welcome! Lots of Definitive Technology and Pioneer Elite fans here, you're among friends! Look forward to hearing more about what changes you've done.

sancmat

OK I can report the full purchase. We won't discuss the number of tanks of gas it took me to get them or the absurdly low price I payed.

2 mythos sts
2 mythos gems with stands
1 mythos 9
1 Yamaha rx-a2040

First decision to make is if I hook the sts up with lfe (Y splitter as the receiver is 9.2 and the svs isn't going anywhere) or as full size speakers and just the svs as lfe.

Second decision is what 9 speakers go in the theater.

Third is what layout for the speakers (I'll send pictures of the room soon)

Fourth is which av receiver to use.

txcoastal1

Currently my main concern is a receiver that has pre-amp outputs and get an amplifier for the front stage "Outlaw" comes to mind

sancmat

Forgive me but what is the goal with the preamp output.

sancmat

I forgot to mention. Primary use is movies.

txcoastal1

With preamp outputs of receiver you can use a secondary to take the load of the receiver amplifier which are weak and measured at 1khz frequency at all channels driver

Your Mythos STS will perform much better with a separate amp and using an amp will save your speakers and receiver in case you hit peaks and blow either or

sancmat

But isn't that the point of my receiver having 9 discrete d3 amps? Not challenging. Learning.

txcoastal1

140 watts/channel into 8 ohms with 0.06% THD (2 channels driven). Usually tested at 1khz

At movie peaks and multiple channels these specs are quickly divided into all channels

sancmat

So the sc-75 has preamp outs and the Yamaha has inputs for each channel. So in theory I could use that as a test before I go to the budget committee and say I need more equipment. Right?

Second. Are there signs that I need this? Heat, volume ...etc. because so far I am not getting anywhere near full volume when I am maxing out what the room needs.

Third what are the risks if I don't. I've begun research on this but so far this seems like a highly debated topic so I am not getting clear answers.

pitdogg2

If you look at the spec's of many receivers they will always be listed as 2ch. The Pioneer's are no slouch that's for sure. That being said if its stated power is 120 watts per channel x 5,6 or 7 in many instances your are down to only 30 or 40 watts per channel in real busy movie action. Then it becomes increasing easier to toast tweeters because of the receivers struggle to keep up, this is when they can send clipped signals to the speakers. Providing a dedicated power amp helps in the power department. It's only job is power, it doesn't need to decode, decide which channels get the power for the action on screen. Many over the years used 3 channel amps for the front stage and used the receiver for the less active surrounds.

The power supply is the most expensive part in receivers and the first part they cut corners to meet a price points.

sancmat

Thanks both of you. I will look into getting the budget for an amp for the front. at the moment it is what it is.

On too question 2. Which 9 speakers.
Current Setup
Front: STS (configured as large)
Front Height: PM1K (mounted on front walls at the ceiling.) (configured as small crossover 80)
Rear Surround: PM1K (mounted side walls at the ceiling.)(configured as small crossover 80)
Rear: PM1K (Mounted on back walls at the ceiling)(configured as small crossover 80)
Center: Mythos Eight Wall mounted below tv. Configured as small crossover 80
Sub: SVS PB1000 LFE crossover 80 Phase set to 0

All configuration is done through MCAAC on the SC-75

Room is 15x17 with a hallway of the front right. 2 walls are concrete floor is carpet over concrete. windows are covered by heavy blackout curtains.

Between the gems and PM1K for rears I'm thinking I will build a shelf behind the couch deep enough to hold the PM1K and put them directly behind the couch out near the corners.

As far as receiver choice I haven't even considered which one to use. is it worth switching out for slightly more power and atmos in the yamaha or stick with what I know in the DTSx in the pioneer and try to recoup some more money with the Yamaha.

sancmat

long term plans are getting very few.

1. add a second SVS PB1k. less important now that I have the subs in the towers.
2. add a separate amp for the front speakers.
2. possibly get a newer more modern receiver. right now unlikely as its such a marginal change for a lot of money. it would take another crazy deal.

I've got to say I'm very interested in trying out the yamaha to see how much better atmos is than dtsx. dtsx mc +thx has excellent object placement in my space.

sancmat

Ohh and I still have to try hooking up the STS with LFE