Additions to my A9's - reviews
cienega
Posts: 85
Joined this forum back in July and picked up some A9's at the Polk store for about $1000. You guys warned me that my wallet would lighten up and it did. Thought I would list in order what else I purchased along with a few thoughts.
1. Adcom 555ii - didn't take long to pickup here that an amp would serve my new speakers well and found one in great shape for $300. I thought at first the sound of my system would change drastically but realized what headroom is. Someone here said it best stating a 4 and 8 cyl can both go 100mph but the 8 cyl does it with ease. I can push the volume without any sign of distortion - I really still don't know how loud I can turn it up.
2. HSU MK3 sub. This made a huge impact. I had a Dayton titanic 10" sub but there is no comparison. It was between the HSU and SVS (which I know has a great following here and deservedly so I'm sure) but I settled on the HSU for Music after reading comparisons for days plus it was on sale for $629. I can't imagine needing any more bass. I only have it set at the 10 o'clock setting and it rocks the house. I now know what pressurizing a room is (and my listening area is over 4000 sq ft).
3. Cambridge 640 cd player. About $350 on clearance at Audio Advisor. Replaced an old 5 disc Sony and could hear the difference right away. Not mind blowing but a definate upgrade in SQ. Very quiet and solid.
Just hooked up some Mapleshade speaker wire and will give a listen tonight to see if that makes a difference. Sat night is my night to crank this thing along with some adult beverages. I look forward to this time all week!
1. Adcom 555ii - didn't take long to pickup here that an amp would serve my new speakers well and found one in great shape for $300. I thought at first the sound of my system would change drastically but realized what headroom is. Someone here said it best stating a 4 and 8 cyl can both go 100mph but the 8 cyl does it with ease. I can push the volume without any sign of distortion - I really still don't know how loud I can turn it up.
2. HSU MK3 sub. This made a huge impact. I had a Dayton titanic 10" sub but there is no comparison. It was between the HSU and SVS (which I know has a great following here and deservedly so I'm sure) but I settled on the HSU for Music after reading comparisons for days plus it was on sale for $629. I can't imagine needing any more bass. I only have it set at the 10 o'clock setting and it rocks the house. I now know what pressurizing a room is (and my listening area is over 4000 sq ft).
3. Cambridge 640 cd player. About $350 on clearance at Audio Advisor. Replaced an old 5 disc Sony and could hear the difference right away. Not mind blowing but a definate upgrade in SQ. Very quiet and solid.
Just hooked up some Mapleshade speaker wire and will give a listen tonight to see if that makes a difference. Sat night is my night to crank this thing along with some adult beverages. I look forward to this time all week!
2 channel
Vandersteen 3a sigs
McCormick 225
Vincent SAT-1 tube pre
Cambridge 650 c
HSU VTF-15H sub
Vandersteen 3a sigs
McCormick 225
Vincent SAT-1 tube pre
Cambridge 650 c
HSU VTF-15H sub
Post edited by cienega on
Comments
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Congrats!Linn AV5140 fronts
Linn AV5120 Center
Linn AV5140 Rears
M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
Odyssey Mono-Blocs
SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D -
Let's see some pics...
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That all sounds fairly awesome --- what kind of music are you listening to?
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Very nice,glad to see your moving in the right direction. Music is so much more enjoyable when you start having decent gear. Rock on.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
Nice system....I'll tell you if I were state side I'd be all over those RTi-A9 prices on Polk Direct site. What a grab!
Rest of the system is also good.
cnhCurrently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!
Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
[sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash] -
we wanna know how the maples sound!Samsung pn64f8500
Sonus faber venere 2.5
Sf venere center
Oppo 105d
Squeezebox touch
Parasound hca1500a
Apc power filter
Audioquest cables asst
Polk rtia3 SB
Polk fxia6 sl,sr
Dual hsu vtf3 mk3 -
we wanna know how the maples sound!
It sounded sweet but I should have just hooked up 1 of the new wires to do a better comparison. Maybe this weekend along with some photos.
It's not that I think I have such a great system but I enjoy reading other opinions and thought maybe I could help some of the newer people out like myself. I can't imagine the sound some of you guys must be getting out of your gear. I do know I was cranking it up last weekend, especially during the middle of "All along the watchtower" with that amazing guitar solo. I could practically see the psychedelic images swirling around on my walls! Judging from the phone call from my wife upstairs I had it just about right. I listen to classic rock like that a lot along with a variety from Alison Krauss to Alice in Chains (live of course). I'm finding that the quality of the recording is influencing my listening much more that it used to.2 channel
Vandersteen 3a sigs
McCormick 225
Vincent SAT-1 tube pre
Cambridge 650 c
HSU VTF-15H sub -
Sounds like you had a lot of fun. That's one heck of a system for someone who started back in July lol. Enjoy your new cables:cool:.
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Ahhh....Grasshopper....your getting it.:DHT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's
