What purchase comes next?

dane_peterson
dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
edited June 2009 in Electronics
I'm curious what people have to say about my rig... primarily what they would consider the "Weak link"? With three paychecks in the month of July, I'm already tapping out some of the funds. What would you swap out/add next?

I'm looking to invest no more than approx $400. Anything less would be fabulous!

Current Setup:
Monitor 10s w/ RDOs and SoniCaps
Harman Kardon HK 3270 Stereo Receiver
(2) Outlaw M200 monoblocks (on the way)
Oppo 980H for Redbook
PS3 for Blurays
Post edited by dane_peterson on
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,549
    edited June 2009
    CDP or preamp
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited June 2009
    Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote: »
    CDP or preamp

    +1

    With a slight edge towards a pre-amp possibly, IMO.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 26,000
    edited June 2009
    dane_peterson wrote: »
    I'm curious what people have to say about my rig... primarily what they would consider the "Weak link"? With three paychecks in the month of July, I'm already tapping out some of the funds. What would you swap out/add next?

    I'm looking to invest no more than approx $400. Anything less would be fabulous!

    Current Setup:
    Monitor 10s w/ RDOs and SoniCaps
    Harman Kardon HK 3270 Stereo Receiver
    (2) Outlaw M200 monoblocks (on the way)
    Oppo 980H for Redbook
    PS3 for Blurays


    Scrap it all and get a bose all-in-one:p:D


    tube cdp is where I would go next.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2800 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon MiND2 Shunyata Triton/Typhon Rotel RP9400 Turntable

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson

    How many flies need to be buzzing a dead horse before you guys stop beating it?
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  • Matt34
    Matt34 Posts: 318
    edited June 2009
    Room treatments if feasible. If there is a WAF involved, GIK has some very nice looking Art Panels.

    http://www.gikacoustics.com/gik_artpanel.html

    art_panel_300.jpg
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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited June 2009
    Are there any specific CDP or Preamps people would recommend?

    I felt the same way... curious what people like for the price.
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 26,000
    edited June 2009
    I am tempted to try this one. I have not heard it, but have heard great things about it

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Vincent-S1-1-Silver-Tube-Hybrid-CD-Player-Audiophile_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ65Q3a3Q7c66Q3a2Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3a2Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem19b486089dQQitemZ110402865309QQptZLHQ5fDefaultDomainQ5f0QQsalenotsupported


    best part is you won't need to pay shipping!
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2800 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon MiND2 Shunyata Triton/Typhon Rotel RP9400 Turntable

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson

    How many flies need to be buzzing a dead horse before you guys stop beating it?
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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited June 2009
    Good find. I'm watching it...
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited June 2009
    After looking up the specs on that H/K, it does seem to be pretty solid. I misread the post at first, and thought you were using an AVR. Given that, I'd say a CDP would be your best bet IMO.

    I'm going to be in the market for a CDP pretty soon myself, and will be in roughly the same price range.

    I heard something about a demo of the new Emotiva ERC-1 going on...maybe you could check that out.;):p

    Seriously though, look into the Rotel RCD-1072, Jolida JD-100(stock ones are around 400ish), or the Adcom GCD-750. The Adcom typically goes for closer to 500, but if you're patient and wait for a deal, you could snag one for around 400.

    I don't have any experience with any of them, but they get a ton of praise, and have all been recommended to me numerous times. I'm having more trouble deciding on a CDP than any other piece of gear so far...I keep turning the options around in my head over and over again...lol
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited June 2009
    +1 on the Rotel, they show up from time to time on Audiogon for $400 or so. Black seems rare.

    I was using my PS3 as CDpP but the Rotel smashes the PS3. Rotel has a nice DAC as well.
    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
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited June 2009
    Keep adding to that 400 bucks and go with a nice projector and screen. Take your movie viewing experience to the next level.
    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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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited June 2009
    Matt34 wrote: »
    Room treatments if feasible. If there is a WAF involved, GIK has some very nice looking Art Panels.

    http://www.gikacoustics.com/gik_artpanel.html

    art_panel_300.jpg

    +1, if your SO or family menbers are handy with a sewing machine you can make some nice covers for acoustic panels for cheap. OC705 panels are about $12 a piece.

    Nice cheap tweak that does make a difference.
    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
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited June 2009
    Matt34 wrote: »
    Room treatments if feasible. If there is a WAF involved, GIK has some very nice looking Art Panels.

    http://www.gikacoustics.com/gik_artpanel.html

    art_panel_300.jpg

    Whoa! Yes! You have saved me!
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • RandyWilliamson
    RandyWilliamson Posts: 178
    edited June 2009
    The pre-amps in my opinion do make a definite audible change and enhances what you have.....find out what chipset that Oppo has and compare to see if others are truly that much better.

    +1 Pre-amp from a brand you may possibly go for later in an amp if u think u may swap out the HK ....
    Cool stuff: Adcom GFA-555, GFP-710, Oppo BDP-83, Monitor 10's w/RDO198s, rebuilt and modded XO: Sonicap/Mundorf topside, Daytons Low.
    Benq W5000

    "Leaning back like a maxwell tape commercial listening to pure polk bliss"
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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited June 2009
    Thanks for the input guys!
    I'd honestly love to just get a projector and screen, but this is in the bedroom and we won't be assembling a full theater room for at least another year. (Which is a shame since I have over 60 Blurays)
    I'll just start lurking on A'Gon and Craigslist, and check in here with any wins! :D Any other input is appreciated.
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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited June 2009
    You're right, no sub. I had my custom Sonosub and sold it a couple months ago due to tight funds. And to be honest, it wasn't very high on the WAF scale. lol

    One frustrating thing with my current rig is that the receiver doesn't have a crossover point, so my sub was running full range. I think I've read something about having an in-line cutoff frequency--just never did anything about it.
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,250
    edited June 2009
    Rather than buying a CDP player, use the Oppo as a digital source and get an external DAC. The Cambridge-Audio DacMagic at $499 has gotten good press, and good reviews here. Stereophile compared it to the $1500 Cambridge-Audio 840C CD player and said the DacMagic was comparable in sound.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited June 2009
    The MF V-Dac has gotten rave reviews as well, and is cheaper. That's my next purchase. :)

    As for the sub issue, i don't have a dedicated sub out for my stereo setup, i'm just using the sub's crossover, and running the mains full range. It sounds just fine. :)

    You've certainly got options.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • Big Dawg
    Big Dawg Posts: 2,005
    edited June 2009
    Check out this excellent preamp - add tubes to your whole system....

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84654
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  • tcrossma
    tcrossma Posts: 1,301
    edited June 2009
    Big Dawg wrote: »
    Check out this excellent preamp - add tubes to your whole system....

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84654

    I would get this ELP pre, and then later on either get a DAC to go with your Oppo or upgrade your CDP.
    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
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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited June 2009
    So here's a crazy thought... what about just going all out with a Pio Elite SC-05? Would that be a notable upgrade over my current pre/pro? And more importantly, would it be okay to then eliminate the Outlaws?
    (For the record, I'm paying for the Outlaws tomorrow, regardless what I decide)
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited June 2009
    Yep get the SC -05 and pair them up with the Outlaws, either way you win. The Elite AVRs are very good.
    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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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited June 2009
    Can't keep the Outlaws if I get the Sc-05. But the ICE power seems to be all the rage...
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited June 2009
    That'd probably be a good move too. Whenever I upgrade my AVR, it's about a 99% chance that I'm going with a Pio SC-07. After the huge amounts of praise that they've been getting, I don't think you can go wrong with them.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited June 2009
    Kex wrote: »
    That was exactly my reasoning when I had my first adventure with Emotiva. Ever since, I have become very cautious about rave reviews ... Just a FYI, and a word of caution!

    Believe me, I don't trust everything I read on the internet. I won't be upgrading my AVR for another year and a half to two years in either case. Before I purchase one, I'm definitely going to make a point of it to get my ears on one for a while, so I can form my own opinions. By the time I'm actually ready to upgrade it, I may have completely changed my mind anyway.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited June 2009
    Curt, in 1.5 to 2 yrs, I bet there's even better stuff for cheaper. :)

    That's the downside to receivers... they continue to go obsolete. That's my primary hesitation on the AVR, as I don't have a dedicated theater yet.

    Oh well, it's just fun to THINK about buying stuff. ;)
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited June 2009
    Kex wrote: »
    That was exactly my reasoning when I had my first adventure with Emotiva. Ever since, I have become very cautious about rave reviews ... Just a FYI, and a word of caution!

    I can understand your reasoning. I have heard a mix bag on Emotiva, so I would'nt just jump in bed with them. For what they are, I'm sure its a great performing product. I actually tried to get one, but they jacked the shipping up on me so high I went with Sunfire. I'm very happy in the end.
    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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