Middle aged CS350 help needed

astropuppy

In the late 90's I bought a CS350LS center with a couple RT4's for fronts and a Velodyne VA1012 subwoofer. I already had a couple RT1's that I used for rears.

Long story short: basically started having kids shortly thereafter and the wife pulled the plug in the name of the - then - baby's hearing. Fast forward 10+ years, the kids watch mega DVD's. Having had enough of watching Harry freaking Potter movies five thousand times; Recently, I put my foot down and bought a good old fashion (Onkyo) STEREO - remember those - grabbed my 70's vintage LP's, nabbed the RT4's and moved into the living room. While Harry blares in the family room, I have once again found peace listening to what is now known as classic rock. Typically, the wife and I watch a - non children's - movie on weekends, after the monsters are in bed. Usually, something in the action adventure genre. In the name of martial peace. Every now and then, I've been known to endure a chick flick.

After nabbing the RT4's, I moved the RT1 rears to the front and stole some really cheap Sony's from the garage for the rears. With the CS350LS center and Velodyne sub still in place; surprisingly, the sound isn't that bad for movies. Back in the living room, the RT4's could really use some help with low's. What I would like to do is add a sub to my living room setup and add some new fronts to the HT in the family room. I have always really liked the sound of Polk's, but am a complete loss as to what to buy that will match up with my beloved CS350LS.

Anybody have some - front speaker - advice for a middle-aged rocker wearing glasses; but still growing a full head of hair? I am not opposed to putting the RT4's back in the HT and buying new for the living room; But, being a family man obviously mega dollar speakers are not in my near future. Plus, my garage yearns to be rattled by the Sony's. But that's a whole different (SX650) story.

ps I haven't mentioned amps since they both suck by audiophile standards. After owning Led Zeppelin IV for 25 - whatever - years, I can't hear anyway. I'm really trying to save some cash for the video part of HT before diving into amp land. From recent reading, I've decided to sit on the amp sidelines listening to Janis for another year or two.

ohskigod

what's your budget. I have a pair of LS90's which absolutly ROCK with the cs350 in my theater. What's driving your home theater? (reciever?). you can go anything in the older LS series used that you can find (and fits your budget) and would be a great match.

youll have to scan ebay and audiogon to look for them though.

as far as new? your not going to find an exact timbre match for the cs350. I think the new RTi series would probably fly pretty well. again, whatever fits the budget.

astropuppy

Wow you guys are great, I never thought of either of those options.

Buying a home theater in a box sounds good. Then I'd have an extra amp to put in the garage to replace the very old broken Pioneer SX650. With the RT1's and Sony's, I'd have quite the stereo in the beer drinking, guy talk'in, man's land workshop. I really like the idea of the velodyne in the living room.

As far as budget goes I was hoping to stay under $500 unless I come up with a grand plan. I have even considered one of those surround tube things for the family room; but, the wires are already in and to me that's half the battle of surround. Which brings up a couple questions. Why not just buy Polk's RM6750 theater in a box for ~600 and use the CS350 as the center instead of what ever it comes with. Or, in the interest of cost and timber matching, is my CS350 worth anything? Older posts on this forum seem to suggest it's worth close to a couple hundred on eBay etc.. But those posts are dated. Is a couple hundred realistic as we approach 2006? Getting rid of it's big box wouldn't hurt the feelings of any Harry fans in my house.

Also, would the Onkyo - or any other cheap amp - sound any better then my ancient JVC RX-664V? From a guy who loved to play with sliders on external equalizers, I never really liked the JVC. Me and DAP never quite got along. So, it can go into the workshop or trash. I'm indifferent. Then again, It would be sweet revenge if it where indentured to play Brittney for my daughters the rest of it's life upstairs.

In retrospect, if I would of known I was going to have this much fun listening to stereo again, I would of snuck a Outlaw rr2150 in the back door.

Thanks a bunch for the ideas, keep them coming.

ps My wife enjoys listening to the stereo in the living room with me too. Funny thing, since getting out from in front of the tube, we actually talk more.

astropuppy

BTW ohskigod,

I don't know what most of it is; But can I have your 2 channel rig? I do know what a Dodd and Craver are.

Tour2ma

Craver?... yes, you are...

Don't think I can top mouse's idea for your situation.

Welcome to the forum from a fellow middle-aged (plus) rocker...

amulford

Or check out the local big box electronics stores for open box stuff. I once picked up a full 5.1 Polk RM6000 set up for less than $200. It's doing service for the kids TV now...

ohskigod

astropuppy wrote:

BTW ohskigod,

I don't know what most of it is; But can I have your 2 channel rig? I do know what a Dodd and Craver are.

LOL, dont worry, the turntable stuff sounds more impressive than it is. The Dodd, Carvers and Jolida will be pried from my cold dead hands

astropuppy

Made some interesting discoveries today. Visited the big blue store at lunch and the big red store after work. First off I'd like to say I really appreciate all for your ideas and suggestions.

My intent in going to the Big Blue Store was to listen to some of Athena's talked about in other forums. This particular store didn't have any Athena's; But, I did get to listen to a bunch of HTIB type setups. I use the word "listen" loosely, because with hundred of these systems lined up in a row playing at different volumes it's kind of hard to listen. After wandering a bit, I noticed a $99 Yamaha sub, pretty interesting, I asked someone to hook it up to anything, after 20 minutes of watching some kid fiddle I left without hearing it.

After work I dropped into the big red store. I actually got to listen to the Onkyo $250 model and the one above it, which was on sale for the better part of $400. The more expensive model was actually in a sound room. After listening to both I can definitively say my current (see above) system sounds better then both. With that in mind I concluded just buying a new subwoofer - for the family room - would solve my particular problem. I'm sure some people just love their in the box systems, but, in my situation I'd consider it a waste of money.

I asked the big red guy about subwoofers and he immediately pointed to a $800 velodyne and proceeded to turn it up. While he was playing his air guitar, I dug around and found a $100 Sony subwoofer which I wasn't to impressed with. Plastic back closure, yuck!

On the way home I began to think about my families future Home theater. Some day we'll have a big screen above our fireplace. Currently I'm trying to sell my wife on a front projector deal for movies only; But, she's into LCD or Plasma 50 inch models. Regardless, the fact is a big screen whatever will bring with it hdmi, dvi and a host of other interfaces justifying a receiver upgrade. This is why I consider buying a HTIB a waste of money. Because when the time comes for a new receiver, I'm going to do it right. Think, lot's of switching.

After getting home and surfing the web I made two profound discoveries, one being Dayton's little sub showing a availability date of 1/5/2006 and a small Advent subwoofer for a $100. So, for now, I've decided to wait to get the $120 Dayton or an Advent. If none of that pans out, I'll take a look at Polk's little guy and others. I intend to keep looking for fronts and rears; but, until then I'll be rock'in with my RT's and Velodyne in the living room. May even play a little air guitar myself.

Thanks again for your help. If I've missed something or am being a complete dummy please feel free to point it out.

astropuppy

ohskigod wrote:

LOL, dont worry, the turntable stuff sounds more impressive than it is. The Dodd, Carvers and Jolida will be pried from my cold dead hands

Bet my little old Technics SL-23 turntable doesn't hold a candle to any of your unimpressive stuff. Speaking of turntables, I'm in need of a Shure stylus, any ideas where to find one; Or, do I have to swap the whole cartridge out? If that's the case I may just replace the whole turntable. Any ideas for less then a couple hundred?

Tour2ma

What model Shure?

astropuppy

Tour,
I lied, it's a Ortofon concord 10 I also lied about having RT4's there RT7's no wonder they sound so good.

Thanks for asking.

Tour2ma

Found data on the Concord 10, but no stylus availability. Looks like the Concord line has moved onto the DJ realm, but the model 10 was dropped.

www.needledoctor.com is a decent place to start shopping for a replacement cartridge.

astropuppy

Wow, thanks Tour that place has everything.

They even have belts for my antique. I sent an email asking about suitable replacements. I'm hoping one of there ortofon replacements will fit the concord 10 head.

I was amazed to see Zerostats and D4. I still use mine; only with D3. The preferred 70's solution.

Tour2ma

You're welcome. As I said, needledoctor is a very convenient starting place. They can be beat price-wise, but very often not by much and only after a good bit of virtual leg work. I've purchased from them several times over a couple decades.

If you want to pursue the Concord 10 a bit further, there are a couple of reputable ebay aftermarket stylii sellers that may have your model. But the Ortofon was pretty intro level, so you may be able to do better updating.