Upgrade COMPLETE! And the speaker adventure continues...

Joey_V
Joey_V Posts: 8,586
edited March 2006 in Speakers
... or stops.

Anyway, as most of you know, I recently bought a pair of Martin Logan Vantages. They were sweet and ridiculously awesome! For $5000, they sure were the best these ears heard this side of town. However, just a week after I bought the Vantages.. I saw a local Summit for sale... thought about it for a minute and I said... nah. But then, I realized that I was itching to supplement the bass of the Vantages - they go about 34hz flat, but I wanted something along the lower 20s.

I wanted a solid sub and didnt want to go SVS this time around. I figured I need something fast to keep up with the Logans and I need in room eq to calibrate the sub well. I found a Velodyne DD15 local sale for $2200 and a DD18 (yup, super sub!) for $2900 local. However, I had an epiphany... why couple a sub to the Vantages when I can get better coherence if I went to the Summits?? The Summits go down to 24hz and easily hit 20-22hz with room gain. It is dual 10inch aluminum sealed enclosures (no port turbulence) powered by dual ICE Digital amps into each enclosure.

For the upgrade price of... similar to the Velos.

I said.. alright, I'm going to see if audiogon can sell my Vantages and if they do sell, I'll go for the local Summits.

Well.... what do you know. They sold.

So I dropped off the Vantages yesterday, got the cash.... went over the Summit's guy today and dropped off the cash and extra cash (:( )... got the Summits and dropped them off at my dorm/apartment.

I'll post pics of my babies! So far so good... I dont have the hooked up as I am home on spring break, but once I go back for school next week, I'll play with them.

I'm moving to a single studio next year and I'm going to dedicate the living room purely to 2channel. Right now, I'm a little cramped.

My future goals:
- New amp... atleast RB1090 or higher.
- Better source...
- Nordost Red Dawn speaker wire...

Dont really have much else to say other than I'm stoked, thrilled, and at the same time... a little bittersweet. When you get your dream speakers, you feel lost as you dont know what else to save for.

It's a vicious cycle.... sometimes I wish I stuck with my LSi9s. :(

... or not. :p

Just wanted to update you guys.
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
Post edited by Joey_V on
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Comments

  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited March 2006
    congrats on the awesome speakers. If I would have had any idea how much not getting the LSi15's was going to cost you I would have let you have them. Honest.....

    Anyway - looks like it worked out well for both of us. (at our respective price points.....)

    For your next upgrade, you could start wondering what you would get for a center and surrounds for your summits - make a home theater out of them.. :)

    If you want to listen to what a Cinepro can do for those summits, just let me know and I can bring it up with me next time I head that way....

    Anyway - congrats on your dream speakers -

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited March 2006
    Come on Sean.... 1090? Dont hurt me!

    Hehhe...

    Anyway, McLoki - this is pretty much all your fault. If I had gotten those LSi15s of yours, I probably wouldve called it quits... oh man. Regarding your HT suggestion... nah, too expensive... besides, I dont have the need for a full HT onslaught while I go to school. I'll wait until I get my own place... then I'm seriously looking at some Klipsch THX speakers with atleast a pair of the Velodyne DD18s.

    For my 2 channel... in the future, I would like to supplement the Summits with something along the lines of a single Velodyne DD1812 super sub. But, that has to wait.

    Ah... the spoils of the audio adventurer. ;)

    Thanks for the well-wishes guys!

    ... including your threats, Sean. :D
    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
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited March 2006
    Congrats! And welcome to 'Upgraditus Anonymous'.:D
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • jmierzur
    jmierzur Posts: 489
    edited March 2006
    Yes, I can relate to your predicament. I think it was upgrading to the LSi9’s that started me on this grand two-channel adventure. I am hoping it might finally end when I acquire a pair of Dynaudio Confidence C1 speakers to replace the current mains.

    The main reason I am posting is to encourage you to look beyond Rotel for an amp (and preamp). If I was in your situation, I would look to upgrade the amp with a higher quality piece in the 150 – 200 watt range. I have gone through three 120 watt amps from Pioneer, Rotel and finally Simaudio. All I can say is that the only thing in common between the three is that they are mentioned to have 120 watts per channel. The differences in sound quality are dramatic. Take this into consideration when planning the system for the long term.
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  • Musophile
    Musophile Posts: 89
    edited March 2006
    Lol mine was the RM6800 purchase until I read this forum and now I've got LSI-25's.

    Hey Joey, you gotta be crazy like my friend who's planning a whole HT setup based on Summits. I just about fell over seeing a room sketch with 7 Summits.
    Home Theater In Progress

    Samsung 4272
    Denon 3910 Universal Player
    Anthem AVM-20
    Anthem Statement A5
    Fronts LSI-25
    Center LSI-C
    Surround LSI-FX
    Getting closer to complete!:D
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  • Schris22
    Schris22 Posts: 983
    edited March 2006
    Wow joey, and to think we spent so much time trying to choose a trim.

    Chris =P
    Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR502-S
    DVD Player: Pioneer DV-578A-S
    Left and Right: R50
    Center: CS1
    Rear Center: R15
    Surrounds: R30
    Subwoofer: 10'' Dayton 100 Watt
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  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    edited March 2006
    Cool beans Joey! I second the idea that there are better amps out there than the Rotel - you owe it to yourself (and your new speaks) to demo, demo, demo, amps man.

    We definitely need to organize a Chicagoland Polkfest of some kind - a lot of cool gear around here!
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
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  • krabby5
    krabby5 Posts: 923
    edited March 2006
    upgrade complete?

    Who are you kidding?:confused::D
    Pioneer Elite VSX-53, Polk RT800i fronts, Polk CS400i center, FX500i surround, Velodyne sub
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited March 2006
    Halo wrote:
    We definitely need to organize a Chicagoland Polkfest of some kind - a lot of cool gear around here!
    Let me know when and where - I will try and make it.

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited March 2006
    Zero wrote:
    It's all love on this end.

    Hug?
    wingnut4772 wrote:
    Congrats! And welcome to 'Upgraditus Anonymous'.:D

    Thank you!
    jmierzur wrote:
    Yes, I can relate to your predicament. I think it was upgrading to the LSi9’s that started me on this grand two-channel adventure. I am hoping it might finally end when I acquire a pair of Dynaudio Confidence C1 speakers to replace the current mains.

    The main reason I am posting is to encourage you to look beyond Rotel for an amp (and preamp). If I was in your situation, I would look to upgrade the amp with a higher quality piece in the 150 – 200 watt range. I have gone through three 120 watt amps from Pioneer, Rotel and finally Simaudio. All I can say is that the only thing in common between the three is that they are mentioned to have 120 watts per channel. The differences in sound quality are dramatic. Take this into consideration when planning the system for the long term.

    For your sake, I hope you stop at the Dyns... wonderful speaker those Confidence are! Oh, and I'll take your tip into account, but for now, it's time to just relax and enjoy the music!

    Musophile wrote:
    Lol mine was the RM6800 purchase until I read this forum and now I've got LSI-25's.

    Hey Joey, you gotta be crazy like my friend who's planning a whole HT setup based on Summits. I just about fell over seeing a room sketch with 7 Summits.

    7?! That's INSANE! I wouldnt even dream of putting up an HT setup based on Summits much less have Summits for all 7 channels! What is that.... like almost $40,000?? Not even when I get a real MD job would I do that. :o
    Schris22 wrote:
    Wow joey, and to think we spent so much time trying to choose a trim.

    Chris =P

    I know I know... but you GOTTA see pics of this guy! It's got the silver aluminum trim... it's gorgeous!
    krabby5 wrote:
    upgrade complete?

    Who are you kidding?:confused::D

    I hope so!
    Halo wrote:
    Cool beans Joey! I second the idea that there are better amps out there than the Rotel - you owe it to yourself (and your new speaks) to demo, demo, demo, amps man.

    We definitely need to organize a Chicagoland Polkfest of some kind - a lot of cool gear around here!

    Point taken Halo... and YES... we SHOULD have a Chicago Polkfest.... I'm in!!
    McLoki wrote:
    Let me know when and where - I will try and make it.

    Michael

    Seconded!
    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
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  • jmierzur
    jmierzur Posts: 489
    edited March 2006
    Joey_V wrote:
    For your sake, I hope you stop at the Dyns... wonderful speaker those Confidence are! Oh, and I'll take your tip into account, but for now, it's time to just relax and enjoy the music!

    I am now in the final stages of pulling the trigger on some Dynaudio Confidence C1 speakers for the system. Yes, I will stop with these speakers as I am not sure what monitors I could upgrade to?
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited March 2006
    The worst thing about getting the dream speaker is that feeling of emptiness.... what's next?
    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
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited March 2006
    Congrats Joey. When you find out how to put a stop to the upgrade thing, let me know. Enjoy!
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited March 2006
    Zero wrote:
    Joey,

    You're just a babe in the woods. You're not even close to being done. Its funny how quickly perceptions change once the big checks with your name on em' start headin your way.

    I'm telling you Sean... that will be an INSANE event! I'm thinking Velodyne 1812DD, the *next* Summits (though I hear ML is making a 20-30K speaker), Levinson/Krell/Plinius/Halcro or whatever is out there that sounds superb (for amp/pre), my own listening room/area.... oohh... the spoils of war, Sean!
    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
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited March 2006
    Oh... I forgot to mention this:

    I'm auditioning Wilsons next week with Halcros (I think I told Sean over the phone though)... so be on the lookout for a possible Summit sale...

    J/K (about the Summits, not about auditioning the Wilsons)!

    You'd have to pry these off my cold, dead hands!! ;)
    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
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited March 2006
    Joey_V wrote:
    You'd have to pry these off my cold, dead hands!! ;)
    Sounds like something you would have said a few weeks ago about the vantages..... Being satisfied is a very fleeting feeling. But - congrats none the less. Getting your dream speakers before you are out of school is quite an accomplishment.
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited March 2006
    McLoki wrote:
    Sounds like something you would have said a few weeks ago about the vantages..... Being satisfied is a very fleeting feeling. But - congrats none the less. Getting your dream speakers before you are out of school is quite an accomplishment.

    Oh trust me Mike... there is no sale this time around.

    Unless the Wilsons COMPLETELY blow my mind - then we have problems and I'm going to admit myself to a clinic for real. :(
    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
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited March 2006
    The worst thing about getting the dream speaker is that feeling of emptiness.... what's next?

    Joey..I feel you. You really have to start attending the meetings..:)
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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