What to do...
jmwest1970
Posts: 846
I dunno what to do. I've finally saved some $$$ to improve my HT and don't know whether to replace my receiver, sub, or rear speakers.
The receiver is an HK AVR125 that doesn't have DTS-MA, Dolby TrueHD, or pre outs. There's nothing wrong with it, but I'd like something with HDMI switching and the previously mentioned surround modes. I'm thinking a Pioneer Elite VSX-01TXH or Integra DTR-5.9 will do the trick.
The sub is a JBL PB-12 which is known to have amp issues and mine somehow keeps on going. The thing has been making this horrible sqawking noise when it comes out of standby, but otherwise still works as a crappy HT sub. My eye has been on the DSW Pro line, but the PSW-1000 and HSU VTF-2 MK3 have come to mind as well.
Finally, the rear speakers are Polk Monitor 4s. Again, nothing wrong with them, other than they're not timbre matched for the RTI70/CSi40 combo and they sit on stands too close the sitting position. A pair of FXi30/FXi50 would fit the bill here.
With all that running around in my head I'm confuzzed. I know it's up to me, but I know y'all have some opinions. What are they?
The receiver is an HK AVR125 that doesn't have DTS-MA, Dolby TrueHD, or pre outs. There's nothing wrong with it, but I'd like something with HDMI switching and the previously mentioned surround modes. I'm thinking a Pioneer Elite VSX-01TXH or Integra DTR-5.9 will do the trick.
The sub is a JBL PB-12 which is known to have amp issues and mine somehow keeps on going. The thing has been making this horrible sqawking noise when it comes out of standby, but otherwise still works as a crappy HT sub. My eye has been on the DSW Pro line, but the PSW-1000 and HSU VTF-2 MK3 have come to mind as well.
Finally, the rear speakers are Polk Monitor 4s. Again, nothing wrong with them, other than they're not timbre matched for the RTI70/CSi40 combo and they sit on stands too close the sitting position. A pair of FXi30/FXi50 would fit the bill here.
With all that running around in my head I'm confuzzed. I know it's up to me, but I know y'all have some opinions. What are they?
Post edited by jmwest1970 on
Comments
-
Jim, you not mention your budget and it helps to know cubic feet of room for sub suggestions. If you upgrade your mains you may need to consider a center channel which is much more important for mains than rears wrt timbre.
If you are on a budget I strong suggest the Yamaha 663, can be had for less than $400 from 6ave if you mention you are a avsforum. HDMI switching (2) and HD audio codecs
Keep sub in on mode instead of standby to avoid squawk until you have the funds to pick up the right sub for your room.Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs -
The PSW-1000 is on quite a sale these days -- I believe it can be had for $429 shipped on NewEgg right now. That's quite a decent sub for that price.Speakers: Polk LSi15
Pre: Adcom GFP-750 with HT Bypass
Amp: Pass Labs X-150
CD/DVD Player: Classe CDP-10
Interconnects: MIT Shortgun S3 Pro XLR
Speaker cables: MIT MH-750 bi-wire
TT:Micro Seiki DD-35
Cartridge:Denon DL-160
Phono Pre:PS Audio GCPH -
Jim, you not mention your budget and it helps to know cubic feet of room for sub suggestions. If you upgrade your mains you may need to consider a center channel which is much more important for mains than rears wrt timbre.
The budget is $800 give or take. The mains are here to stay for awhile. The budget isn't anywhere near enough to get where I'd want to be. The room is 2200 cubic feet.If you are on a budget I strong suggest the Yamaha 663, can be had for less than $400 from 6ave if you mention you are a avsforum. HDMI switching (2) and HD audio codecs
I looked at the Yamaha RX-V663 and it's a very good unit, but it only has 2 HDMI inputs, and that kills it for me. Due to the wife being a primary user of the system an outboard HDMI switch is not an option.Keep sub in on mode instead of standby to avoid squawk until you have the funds to pick up the right sub for your room.
The squawk bothers the wife more than me. I'm concerned because this sub has a horrible history and one day soon that squawk will be a THUMP and then nothing.
Those are all god points, so which would you do? The receiver? -
The PSW-1000 is on quite a sale these days -- I believe it can be had for $429 shipped on NewEgg right now. That's quite a decent sub for that price.
That's exactly why I'm looking at it. I just don't know how it compares to the DSW or MicroPro line. -
Receiver first. Have you thought of upgrading to the HK 254? $389 shipped at J&R. It has hdmi,True HD and DTS HD and preouts for future amp.
-
agreed...^^^^
start with the AVR, then the sub, then the rears....IMOCary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
Parasound HCA-3500
Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
Jolida JD-100 CDP
Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
SVS PC-Ultra Sub
AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
PS Audio Plus Power Cords
Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)
:cool: -
Receiver first. Have you thought of upgrading to the HK 254? $389 shipped at J&R. It has hdmi,True HD and DTS HD and preouts for future amp.
Yes. The 254 or 354 were my first choices, but I'm leary of the problems with them. I know they've fixed quite a few things, but the lockups when changing from a SD to HD channel with a cable box really bugs me. I know the wife would go spastic over that. Also, I took a look at them at Best Buy today and the white light in the volume knob would drive me nuts. I liked the blue much better.
