Santa don't surf!

dorokusai
dorokusai Posts: 25,576
edited June 2010 in Electronics
I was getting pretty complacent with my home theatre so it was time for a makeover.

My beloved B&K AVR317 went to a new home and my favorite CDChanger of all time also grew legs. Thankfully they went to a couple really good friends and core members of this forum. I know they are in good hands.

The wife changed the layout of the HT room so instead of re-mounting ALL the speakers, which would have driven me insane, I decided to simplify for awhile. All the LSi speakers were retired back to storage and in its place, two SurroundBar 50's. I'm going to run one normal array, below the HDTV and the other one above, using the High/Wide options on my new AVR.

I picked up a Onkyo TX-NR5007. This was a tough decision since there are more than a handful of excellent AVR's to anchor a system out there. The Pioneer Elite SC series, Adcom, Rotel, B&K, Cambridge Audio, Denon, Integra, Yamaha Z series....you get the picture. These are very capable pieces of gear, each with pros and cons but this isn't the 1980's anymore. Onkyo has really hit some homeruns with the new TX-SRxxx series and I've been wanting to try one out for some time. My preference is to own stuff that other people don't if at all possible, so I went with the Onkyo NR series. I don't see them talked about much and compared to the Cambridge Audio 650R I had....it walked all over it.

Another goodie that my friend Ron @ SVS offered to let me play with was a AS-EQ1. Even tho' the PB13-Ultra is the new bully on the block...my PB12-Ultra/2 doesn't lose much in direct comparison. It's still one of the best subwoofers I've ever heard and they've ever made. Ron was very motivated about his new EQ and promised it will blow me away, and bring my subwoofer to a whole new level. I know him well enough that he's not that animated for no reason. If he's lying, I get to kick him in the balls at CES next year :D

Anyways, I'll get some pics up as I start to assemble everything. Frank @ Signal Cable is making a custom SurroundBar cable harnesses and a couple other odds and ends. I also have some Polk help on the dual SBar array so we'll see what happens.

I'm very excited and hope it sounds ok, or I'll just set fire to everything including myself.
CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
Post edited by dorokusai on
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Comments

  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited December 2009
    Nice selection of gear buddy. I was looking at the SVS, how you think this measures up with the Velodyne SMS-1? Any thoughts are appreciated. Sounds like your having fun, enjoy.
    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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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited December 2009
    It's certainly the same idea but the GUI on the SVS is much better and it appears to be way more adjustable from the literature alone. I don't believe a head-2-head is even needed as the Audyssey is looking really good and I just started playing around.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited December 2009
    Looking forward to your impressions.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • TECHNOKID
    TECHNOKID Posts: 4,298
    edited December 2009
    What would you say is the advantage of a dual SB array? One above the HDTV and one below, how do you intend to achieve ear level positionning, are you simply tilting one of them? Hopefully you will post pics...
    DARE TO SOAR:
    “Your attitude, almost always determine your altitude in life” ;)
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,634
    edited December 2009
    Mark, just send me the AS-EQ1 before you set it on fire; no one will miss it anyway.

    Let me know how it works; the curves in their web site are impressive to say the least.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited December 2009
    TECHNOKID wrote: »
    What would you say is the advantage of a dual SB array? One above the HDTV and one below, how do you intend to achieve ear level positionning, are you simply tilting one of them? Hopefully you will post pics...

    I would imagine a larger front stage and there's no real reason to have them specifically at ear level. I'll set it up square and if anything, tilt the top bar down a little bit. It's a loudspeaker, not a directional microphone.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • speakergeek
    speakergeek Posts: 555
    edited December 2009
    Nice. Congrats on the new toys. That NR5007seems way cool.
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited December 2009
    The AS-EQ1 is interesting but you can achieve the same results for less money and a lot more time.

    I would like to get my hands on one to play with.

    From what I have read it should smoke the SMS-1 or anything else in that class except maybe pro gear.
    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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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited December 2009
    The previous B&K had excellent room correction but it took a lot of hands on time to tweak it.

    I know what you mean Thsmith. I've been involved in audio long enough to stop getting hard-ons over the lengthy tweaks and prefer the push a button types these days :D
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited December 2009
    Yep, that's the nice thing about subs, one you get them right you are ok, well until someone moves the furniture.

    I would love to get my hands on one. If I needed more than the one filter that my PB13 has I would be more eager.
    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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  • wutadumsn23
    wutadumsn23 Posts: 3,702
    edited December 2009
    Wow Mark, I am green with envy. I couldn't agree more with your statement about the TX-SRXXX series, I love my 806. I am very impressed with the looks/features of the new NR series and I for one am looking forward to your impressions of this unit when you get it up and running. It has so many nice features and I was glad to see they put the Burr Brown DAC's back in the NR series, one of the only shortcomings of my 806. That 5007 is a beast, and I'm sure you will not be dissapointed. Congrats on the new toys!!


    -Jeff
    HT Rig
    Receiver- Onkyo TX-SR806
    Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Center- Polk Audio CS2
    Surrounds- Polk Audio TSi 500's :D
    Sub- Polk Audio PSW125
    Retired- Polk Audio Monitor 40's
    T.V.- 60" Sony SXRD KDS-60A2000 LCoS
    Blu-Ray- 80 GB PS3


    2 CH rig (in progress)
    Polk Audio Monitor 10A's :cool:

    It's not that I'm insensitive, I just don't care.. :D
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited December 2009
    Cool Mark. I look forward to hearing your impressions.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,077
    edited December 2009
    dorokusai wrote: »
    The previous B&K had excellent room correction but it took a lot of hands on time to tweak it.

    I know what you mean Thsmith. I've been involved in audio long enough to stop getting hard-ons over the lengthy tweaks and prefer the push a button types these days :D

    Yeah,have to agree. With the simple system I have now it's still borderline complicated for the wife.
    B&K AVR's have always been my choice mainly because they offered the tweeks of a pre/pro, simply bolted to an amp. Plus they sound better than most. Too bad they have somewhat fallen behind the times in their latest offerings. Do tell when everything is up and running,would like to know how that Onyko sounds.
    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
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  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,765
    edited December 2009
    Mark,

    How well is the PB12 Ultra/2 working with the two SurroundBars? Specifically, do you have to turn the sub volume down a lot in order that the SurroundBars aren't overwhelmed?
    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited December 2009
    I'm still in the process of setting everything up DK but I have had to turn it down a little depending on what movie was being played. That's why I'm hoping the AS-EQ1 will smooth out that transition. I'm doing this in small steps right now since so much stuff is brand new.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited December 2009
    Congrats on the new gear/project !

    I am also curious about the EQ....been looking at it for awhile now....not sure the $$ is justified though

    I will be waiting to hear about the AVR also....I need to get my son something for Christmas

    I was hoping to get most of it from you guys on the East coast, as he lives in SC and it would be cheaper to ship...and maybe someone out there could help him get it set up (just a thought)
    He get out of the Marines soon and I want to hook him up with a new system.

    Soory `bout the long winded response...carry on

    again, grats on the new stuff !!
    Cary 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:
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited December 2009
    Ok, I am no HT sub-genius, so do I need this thing you speak of for my Polk subs, they have the EQ card, well, the SWA has the card and the power.......I dont think I do...........???????

    And as someone who acquired a nice piece from the makeover.......Thank You, of course I figured I was upgrading my HT with it so one man's old is another man's new. Of course I still got to hook the thing into the rig............to busy playing with 2-ch.

    RT1
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  • TECHNOKID
    TECHNOKID Posts: 4,298
    edited June 2010
    So Mark, it's been a while,what are your toughts on the new toys? Any pics of the set-up?
    DARE TO SOAR:
    “Your attitude, almost always determine your altitude in life” ;)
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