2 Channel on a Budget!

bklynNupe

Hi: I’m looking for some advice on how to best approach quality two-channel listening and HT on a budget.
I’ve been told that I should be looking at a pre with “pass-through?”
For now, I’m sufficiently satisfied with my HT, but my true High is music.


Please take a look at my set-up and advise what I may want to add/remove/replace for the best bang. It’s been a bit difficult consulting the Hi-end store “experts” such as Stereo Exchange here in NY. Snooty sales guys who turn their noses up if you are not about to spend 35k with them. This is why I prefer to cut out the middle man and by direct.
Thanks in advance and sorry for the rant or any superfluous info!
Brad

(all Polk speakers)
Onkyo 806
emotiva xpa-2 to fronts ( Rtia5’s).
emotiva xpa-3 for center ( csi3) and surrounds ( fxi3’s)
Polk PSW505 sub
Pro-Ject III Xpressions
Bellari VP129
Pro-Ject USB
Mac ( for digital music)

Samsung LN46A650

Conradicles

bklynNupe wrote: »

For now, I’m sufficiently satisfied with my HT

You could just build a 2-channel rig from scratch (if you have the room) seeing you really like your H/T set-up.

Nice system by the way!:)

bklynNupe

Conradicles wrote: »

You could just build a 2-channel rig from scratch (if you have the room) seeing you really like your H/T set-up.

Nice system by the way!:)

Thanks, but I was hoping I could incorporate what I already have with some "magic" pre or something. ok, ok, I'm sure I'm not being realistic.

steveinaz

Maybe go with a surround processor instead of an AVR?

zarrdoss

I have got a Rotel 5.1 surround sound pro/pre and it has a real good 2-2.1 option that sounds good. I am running all Sonance amps ( one for mains and one for surround and one for center). I have less than 400 in the Rotel and amps and it sounds much better than my receiver h/t rig upstairs for music.

Ender

If you're on a budget and asking for advice on components... shouldn't you give us your budget?

leroyjr1

I'd keep the Onkyo 806 as it decodes all the latest HD for Home Theater. I also tried to do a music/Ht setup all in one but found it didn't work for me. My RTI a series speakers sound great for HT but I don't like them for music. My SDA's I like for music but not for HT.

I'd say first thing to do is find a speaker that you like for both music/HT and use that as your starting point.

Hilbert

I think Ender is on to something.

For 2 channel---fronts with more bass? i.e. A7s or A9s? A better sub? Polk recommends DSW with RTiAs.

In the absence of a budget I recommend Wilson Audio.

bklynNupe

Ender wrote: »

If you're on a budget and asking for advice on components... shouldn't you give us your budget?

Hi, I'm thinking about 700 with a bit of flexibility if it makes sense.
Thanks

Ender

Hmmm... are those amps really necessary with the Onkyo 806? I would sell the XPA-3 and up your budget and grab some SDA SRS or SDA 2B or SDA-1C and/or upgrade your center to CSi 5 or 6 or LSiC for your mains. If you happen to have leftovers, which you probably will, I would grab a quality DAC or preamp or both, if the budget allows.

Also, an upgrade to that subwoofer would be nice...

KrazyMofo24

I would go for a pair of LSi15's refurbished at Polk Audio store they go for around 700 plus shipping.

Ender

The LSi15 are definitely great grabs too...

Dawgfish

As an owner of both an XPA-3 and an Onkyo 806, I would definitely keep the amp. The Onkyo is fine for pushing what he has now, but if he upgrades to LSis or SDAs, he's definitely going to need an amp. I tried pushing a set of RTi 10s (and later RTi 12s) with the 806, and it just didn't have enough power to properly push them. This would definitely be the case with the SDAs (don't own a pair of SDAs sadly, but do own a set of RTA-12Bs which use the same drivers) and LSis.

reeltrouble1

The Onk is a weak link for music. Receivers are full of devices which alter the signal in a not so nice way. The advice about the HT pass is correct, it is the best way to try and build a musical 2-channel rig inside a HT.

The ones I might suggest may be out of your budget since you mention the snooty guys, so if you could say what you want to spend it may help, but in any event 35,000 will certainly more than cover it...........

RT1

Dawgfish

+1 on what Reeltrouble 1 said. The 806 is a fine home theater reciever, but it's ok at best with music. There are better recievers out there for music (Denon, Pioneer, Harmon Kardon, Rotel, Parasound, etc.), but you will still get better sound with a dedicated music preamp. You are much better going to a dedicated music preamp using HT passthrough, or even better building a dedicated seperate two channel system.

KrazyMofo24

I'm sure the Emotiva-xpa2 can power the Lsi's. If you want to try to get a preamp also, then maybe go with the LSI9's used or refurbished from Polk's ebay store, and look for a good used preamp.

bklynNupe

Ok Gentlemen, In the interest of better two-channel fidelity and fuller overall bass for my system, I’m thinking of switching out my Polk psw505 for a SVS PB12-NSD.

I’m a little indifferent about switching out my Onkyo 806 right now only because it is satisfactory for my HT needs right now. Again, my bigger priority is music.

There was a guy selling Rti a9’s here, but I wasn’t down with renting a vehicle and driving 1.5 hours each way. Too bad because the price was right.

So I have a couple of quick questions:

1) Can anyone recommend a good pre-amp (used I assume) for my two channel needs? Can I get pass-through at this price? Do I need it? Excuse my silly questions, but does the pass-through allows me to switch back and forth between 2 channel and HT?

2) Will the SVS PB12-NSD make a noticeable difference for me?

Thanks for all of the insight thus far.

Brad

Ender

Adcom GFP-750, 715, or 710, but preferably the 750.

Yes, the SVS will be an excellent upgrade.

bklynNupe

Thanks, I'm going to order the SVS.
I see the Adcom 750 is going for about 800 with shipping, is that a good deal?

danz1906

bklynNupe wrote: »

Thanks, I'm going to order the SVS.
I see the Adcom 750 is going for about 800 with shipping, is that a good deal?

SVS subwoofers are great:D
The Adcom 750 with shipping for $800.00 is a good deal
but not great.

bklynNupe

danz1906 wrote: »

SVS subwoofers are great:D
The Adcom 750 with shipping for $800.00 is a good deal
but not great.

I'm sold on the SVS thanks to all of the great posts about this unit.

Thanks for the input. You didn’t think 800 is a great price for the Adcom 750?
Can I get anything else with these features, quality and price range? If I understand the pass-through feature correct, I would like the preamp to properly integrate my HT and 2 channel. I see that the Adcom 750’s have the highest regards for a used preamp.
I’m seeking for a noticeable difference from using Stereo setting on my Onkyo 806.
I love used for the potential saving, but I also don’t want to sell my listening experience short for a couple of bucks.

ND13

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/isonic/

bklynNupe

ND13 wrote: »

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/isonic/

Who said Henny Youngman was dead?

Let's all hope this is only a hobby for your garage.

ND13

The title said, budget 2-channel rig. right?

I should have posted a Bose(tm) Wave Radio.

Hillbilly61

He says wants to do 2-channel and keep HT functionality. This is a great thread! Lots of good advice.

I don't know what the 806 has on the back side. Presuming it has pre-outs, I'd keep it for the HT and plan for an amp to drive the fronts (where the 2 channel comes from). That would be my second step as part of a budget upgrade plan. The first step of the plan would be to upgrade to some uber front vintage speakers, but be aware that could imply a center swap out to keep the center matched.


My 2 cents.

bklynNupe

Ok nd13, you win!

I’m looking forward to anyone else who cares to chime in.

Thanks,
Brad

danz1906

bklynNupe wrote: »

I'm sold on the SVS thanks to all of the great posts about this unit.

Thanks for the input. You didn’t think 800 is a great price for the Adcom 750?
Can I get anything else with these features, quality and price range? If I understand the pass-through feature correct, I would like the preamp to properly integrate my HT and 2 channel. I see that the Adcom 750’s have the highest regards for a used preamp.
I’m seeking for a noticeable difference from using Stereo setting on my Onkyo 806.
I love used for the potential saving, but I also don’t want to sell my listening experience short for a couple of bucks.

Keep checking, You may find one for $700.00:)

bklynNupe

thanks