Looking to hear some nice equipment in central Iowa!

dbaldus
dbaldus Posts: 730
edited March 2009 in The Clubhouse
Hey guys,

I've been on the fence for so long about two things with audio:

1. Whether or not a dedicated pre-amp is worth it over my HK 247 + Rotel RB-1080 setup.

2. Whether or not spending $300+ on a pair of Fxi50s would be worth it over my current surrounds (R15s)

I'm hoping that maybe there is someone in central Iowa (I'm in the Ames/Des Moines area, but would be willing to travel a bit) that would be willing to demo their system for me?

What I'm looking for...
In a demo system, I'm hoping for either a musical separates system (pre-amp + amp) OR just a system with some sort of Fxi speakers for surrounds. I'd just be interested in stopping by some afternoon or evening when it works out for both of us to hang out, listen to some music and/or watch a movie/play videogames for a bit. Basically, show me how awesome your system is, however you want to do it, and push me to one side of the fence or the other.

I've got a few acquaintances here around the forum that could vouch for me as being a good guy, so if anyone around here is willing to demo their system for me, it'd be much appreciated.

Thanks guys!

2-channel
Squeezebox Touch| MSB Analog DAC | Audio Research Ref 40 Anniversary Edition| Pass Labs X350.8 | Wilson Audio Sasha 2

Home Theater
Arcam AVR 550 | GoldenEar Triton One | GoldenEar SuperCenter XXL | GoldenEar Aon 3 | JL Audio Fathom F113v2
Post edited by dbaldus on
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Comments

  • phipiper10
    phipiper10 Posts: 955
    edited February 2009
    Get the preamp first...used. If you don't like it sell and get the speakers...used. If you don't like them sell and keep your money.

    But seriously a preamp can do a lot for your 2 channel if you spend some time on 2 channel listening. The 15s will be fine for now as the surrounds.
    Analog Source: Rega P3-24 Exact 2 w/GT delrin platter & Neo TT-PSU Digital Source: Lumin T2 w/Roon (NUC) DAC: Denafrips Pontus II Phono Preamp: Rega Aria MK3 Preamp: Rogue RP-7 Amp: Pass X150.8 Speakers: Joseph Audio Perspective 2, Audio Physic Tempo Plus Cables: Morrow M4 ICs & Audio Art SC-5 ePlus, Shunyata PCs Misc: Shunyata Hydra Delta D6, VTI rack, GIK acoustic panels
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited February 2009
    Where at in the Ames/Des Moines area? My farm is in the Collins/Mingo area, but I don't have much for gear there at the moment. I'm thinking about hitting the Des Moines record collectors show today before I head back to IL.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • dbaldus
    dbaldus Posts: 730
    edited February 2009
    dkg999 wrote: »
    Where at in the Ames/Des Moines area? My farm is in the Collins/Mingo area, but I don't have much for gear there at the moment. I'm thinking about hitting the Des Moines record collectors show today before I head back to IL.

    I am in Ames - I go to school here.

    What do you have for gear?

    2-channel
    Squeezebox Touch| MSB Analog DAC | Audio Research Ref 40 Anniversary Edition| Pass Labs X350.8 | Wilson Audio Sasha 2

    Home Theater
    Arcam AVR 550 | GoldenEar Triton One | GoldenEar SuperCenter XXL | GoldenEar Aon 3 | JL Audio Fathom F113v2
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  • LessisNevermore
    LessisNevermore Posts: 1,519
    edited February 2009
    American TV is a Polk dealer. There is a store in Davenport,(bit of a drive) check 'em out.
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  • sophie
    sophie Posts: 511
    edited February 2009
    what are you going to school for, and are you still going to be there next year? im most likely going to go to ISU.

    Payton
    dbaldus wrote: »
    I am in Ames - I go to school here.

    What do you have for gear?
    Polk monitor 10B's and 5 jr's
    Adcom gfa 5500 and HK/240
    Adcom gtp 400
    Adcom gcp 600
    MusicHall MMF 2.1 TT
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  • dbaldus
    dbaldus Posts: 730
    edited February 2009
    Going for Computer Engineering - graduating in a few months (May).

    I'll be up in Minneapolis working after that.

    2-channel
    Squeezebox Touch| MSB Analog DAC | Audio Research Ref 40 Anniversary Edition| Pass Labs X350.8 | Wilson Audio Sasha 2

    Home Theater
    Arcam AVR 550 | GoldenEar Triton One | GoldenEar SuperCenter XXL | GoldenEar Aon 3 | JL Audio Fathom F113v2
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited February 2009
    Great ComE and ComSci departments and programs at ISU. I graduated from ISU way back when! It's a little bleak these days for good audio/HT stores in that area. Des Moines is not much better. There is a serious group of DIY audiophiles in Ames, with the leaders of the group being prof's in the Mechanical, Electrical, and SoundWave engineering areas. I attended one of their get togethers a couple of years ago and they were some die-hard, extreme, and way out there group of people! I survived an hour long conversation involving molecular engineering principles that explained why we think some cables sound different than others, and why burn-in of cables has nothing to do with the wire. My brain hurt after that!
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • cmy330go
    cmy330go Posts: 2,341
    edited February 2009
    If I get my system back together soon I'd be willing to have you over for a listen.

    Lessisnevermore is right about AmericanTV being a dealer. However the closest one to you is here in Des Moines, well technically Johnston. If you plan to stop in there be sure to PM Club Polk member Fireshoes. He's worked there for years, and really knows his stuff.
    HT
    Mits WD-65737, DirecTV, Oppo DV-970HD, XBOX ONE, Yamaha RX-A1030, Parasound Halo A23, Rotel RB-985, Music Hall MMF-7, Parasound PPH-100, LSi-15, LSi-C, LSi-FX, LSi-7, PSW-1000, Monster HTS2600

    2 CH
    Parasound Halo P3, Parasound Halo A21, Sutherland Ph.D, VPI Classic 3 w/ 3D arm & Soundsmith Aida Cartridge, Arcam CD72T, B&W 802 S3, Monster HTS2500,
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  • dbaldus
    dbaldus Posts: 730
    edited February 2009
    cmy330go wrote: »
    If I get my system back together soon I'd be willing to have you over for a listen.

    Lessisnevermore is right about AmericanTV being a dealer. However the closest one to you is here in Des Moines, well technically Johnston. If you plan to stop in there be sure to PM Club Polk member Fireshoes. He's worked there for years, and really knows his stuff.

    Wow, if the system you're planning to get back together soon is the system listed in your specs, I would LOVE to come over for a listen. I've never heard any of the Lsi series in action so that would be great.

    Any idea on a timeframe as far as when you might have your system up and going? I'm just curious...

    Keep me posted - thanks!

    2-channel
    Squeezebox Touch| MSB Analog DAC | Audio Research Ref 40 Anniversary Edition| Pass Labs X350.8 | Wilson Audio Sasha 2

    Home Theater
    Arcam AVR 550 | GoldenEar Triton One | GoldenEar SuperCenter XXL | GoldenEar Aon 3 | JL Audio Fathom F113v2
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  • cmy330go
    cmy330go Posts: 2,341
    edited February 2009
    Actually the HT system is basically intact. We're just doing a little work around the house so things are kinda trashed right now.

    BTW I also have LSi9's that I use in my 2ch rig sometimes. So really the only LSi's I don't have here are the 25's.

    If all goes well I should have things ready within a few weeks.
    HT
    Mits WD-65737, DirecTV, Oppo DV-970HD, XBOX ONE, Yamaha RX-A1030, Parasound Halo A23, Rotel RB-985, Music Hall MMF-7, Parasound PPH-100, LSi-15, LSi-C, LSi-FX, LSi-7, PSW-1000, Monster HTS2600

    2 CH
    Parasound Halo P3, Parasound Halo A21, Sutherland Ph.D, VPI Classic 3 w/ 3D arm & Soundsmith Aida Cartridge, Arcam CD72T, B&W 802 S3, Monster HTS2500,
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  • dbaldus
    dbaldus Posts: 730
    edited February 2009
    cmy330go wrote: »
    Actually the HT system is basically intact. We're just doing a little work around the house so things are kinda trashed right now.

    BTW I also have LSi9's that I use in my 2ch rig sometimes. So really the only LSi's I don't have here are the 25's.

    If all goes well I should have things ready within a few weeks.

    Awesome - I'm definitely interested in checking out your system(s) if and when you're ready.

    Lets keep in touch here on the forum - thanks!

    Derek

    2-channel
    Squeezebox Touch| MSB Analog DAC | Audio Research Ref 40 Anniversary Edition| Pass Labs X350.8 | Wilson Audio Sasha 2

    Home Theater
    Arcam AVR 550 | GoldenEar Triton One | GoldenEar SuperCenter XXL | GoldenEar Aon 3 | JL Audio Fathom F113v2
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  • dbaldus
    dbaldus Posts: 730
    edited March 2009
    cmy330go -

    How is everything going on the home improvement project?

    Are you ready for me to stop by yet? ;)

    I'm off from school this week for Spring Break and will be around through next weekend, so if anytime this weekend or during the week next week (March 15-19) works for you, that would be great!

    2-channel
    Squeezebox Touch| MSB Analog DAC | Audio Research Ref 40 Anniversary Edition| Pass Labs X350.8 | Wilson Audio Sasha 2

    Home Theater
    Arcam AVR 550 | GoldenEar Triton One | GoldenEar SuperCenter XXL | GoldenEar Aon 3 | JL Audio Fathom F113v2
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  • CRESCENDOPOWER
    CRESCENDOPOWER Posts: 153
    edited March 2009
    You might want to check out some of these stores, because they are all great:

    Reference Audio Video
    Hawkeye Audio/Video (POLK SPEAKERS)
    Audio Video Logic
    Buy Polk ****!:D

    http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/assets/image/12222003154728.jpg
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited March 2009
    How far are you from Quad cities? I'm on my way out there next month for work(John Deere) we should connect.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • dbaldus
    dbaldus Posts: 730
    edited March 2009
    Sherardp wrote: »
    How far are you from Quad cities? I'm on my way out there next month for work(John Deere) we should connect.

    A decent distance - I'm located in Ames.

    I know getting to Dubuque takes about 3 hours, but I'm not sure where exactly you'll be?

    If you are going to be somewhere nearby, I'd definitely be down for getting together.

    2-channel
    Squeezebox Touch| MSB Analog DAC | Audio Research Ref 40 Anniversary Edition| Pass Labs X350.8 | Wilson Audio Sasha 2

    Home Theater
    Arcam AVR 550 | GoldenEar Triton One | GoldenEar SuperCenter XXL | GoldenEar Aon 3 | JL Audio Fathom F113v2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter