updgrading family room speakers Choices, Choices

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coolsax
coolsax Posts: 1,824
in Speakers
I got a nice big bonus last month and i'm looking to upgrade my family room tower speakers. I'll be replacing Monitor 60s and I am looking used or seriously discounted. The three main options I'm looking at right now are the LSIm 705s based on Adorama sales, a local pair of Dynaudio excite 32s and Martin Logan Motion 40s. All right around the same price range though the 40s would probably work out the cheapest..

I'm guessing 900 for the Dyns if I talk the seller down, 800 for the 705s after rebate and 700 or so for the ML. I'd also likely pick up a Center for each and they are all around the 400 range. Having a hard time deciding.

I've always liked polk and I know most like the Lsim series, though I haven't heard them yet. I really like the Dynaudio sound and have almost purchased Dyns in the past and I really like folded tweeters as well as evidenced by my two channel system and as the 40s are owned by a friend I know I enjoy their sound as well.. Just wanted to get some other peoples opinions. I have the DSW pro 550wi so i'm not worried about bass. While I currently have a Marantz slimline receiver which are rated for 4 ohms. I'm going to upgrade to a beefier receiver and maybe add an amp down the road especially if I get the Dyns.. I don't turn up the family room too loud very often though.

anyway just wanted to get some thoughts from the board.
Main 2ch -
BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

TV 3.1 system -
Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 7,981
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    I moved from the LSiM703s to Dynaudio emit m10s and even though the m10s retail for half the polks I greatly preferred them. Tweeter is much better, no bass bloat like the polks, and it’s just a very energetic and slightly forward sound without being bright or harsh. I have since moved up bThe Dynaudio line but I really like their house sound. That would be my choice...

    Fyi I haven’t heard Martin Logan speakers.
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es; Squeezebox Touch with Bolder Power Supply
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1    Cambridge Azur 551r; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • mlistens03
    mlistens03 Posts: 2,767
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    I have heard MLs and they are quite nice. My personal favorite is KEF, I'd add them into consideration as well. I've not heard Dynaudios or the LSiMs.
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  • coolsax
    coolsax Posts: 1,824
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    The guys selling the Dyns, really wants to sell them, I offered 900 this morning and he said that would work but I hadn't responded back yet, he then emailed later for motivation and said he'd sell them for 850.. that might be too good to pass up..
    Main 2ch -
    BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
    TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

    TV 3.1 system -
    Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,072
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    Floorstanding Dyn's for $850? Dude, go get them.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • coolsax
    coolsax Posts: 1,824
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    yeah I just emailed him back to figure out time.. I don't think he's gotten many bites its been up for a week and he's dropped the price 130 to get me out there.. at that price i can pass up the other two options and Ebay has a matching center right now too.
    Main 2ch -
    BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
    TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

    TV 3.1 system -
    Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 7,981
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    Nightfall wrote: »
    Floorstanding Dyn's for $850? Dude, go get them.

    Agreed! And I do like the lsims at their new discounted prices, but those Dynaudios are in a different league...
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es; Squeezebox Touch with Bolder Power Supply
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1    Cambridge Azur 551r; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,776
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    Run!
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,072
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    @coolsax Did you get them?
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,132
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    Dynaudio's....Yuck
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
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    Congrats, enjoy.
    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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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 7,981
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    I love my excite 18s, can’t imagine the bass those little towers put out...whatcha gonna power them with? They do need a good amount of current to really blossom.
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es; Squeezebox Touch with Bolder Power Supply
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1    Cambridge Azur 551r; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • coolsax
    coolsax Posts: 1,824
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    right now i'm just using my slim line marantz, so I haven't tried to push them at all yet. Looking at getting a beefier Onkyo or Marantz from Accessories4less.. been using the slimline b/c I needed it in the old house but have more room in the current house to put a full size receiver. The original review from Sound and Vision said the Dyns designed to be used with receiver , so I wasn't too worried to start with the marantz but I do want something with a little more oomph.. and then see if i want to add an amp for the mains or not (or whether the wife will let me).. its a just a 3.1 system. currently using my CS2 for center but trying to find an X22 center.. there's one on Ebay and might just bite the bullet on it.. b/c he's not budging much on his make an offer option..he's asking 399, I've gone up to $325 and got an auto denial.
    Main 2ch -
    BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
    TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

    TV 3.1 system -
    Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
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  • coolsax
    coolsax Posts: 1,824
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    Went ahead and got the X22 for my center, now i'm trying to decide between the Onkyo RZ 830 and the Marantz 5013
    Main 2ch -
    BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
    TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

    TV 3.1 system -
    Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 7,981
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    coolsax wrote: »
    Went ahead and got the X22 for my center, now i'm trying to decide between the Onkyo RZ 830 and the Marantz 5013

    I would highly recommend keeping your current receiver and purchasing an amp instead. Your receiver has preouts for the main, and even though you speakers are 8 ohm and can run off of a receiver, you will get much better sound-bass extension, treble sparkle, separation of instruments, etc. with a good two channel amp. I currently have a parasound HCA-1203a on my x18s and its a really nice combo...
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es; Squeezebox Touch with Bolder Power Supply
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1    Cambridge Azur 551r; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • coolsax
    coolsax Posts: 1,824
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    Normally I would agree, but I have WAF of not wanting to deal with an amp, so higher powered AVR is going to be the trade off b/c this is in the main Living room.
    Main 2ch -
    BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
    TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

    TV 3.1 system -
    Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
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  • Milito
    Milito Posts: 1,914
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    Hide the amp!
    Yamaha RX-A2070, Musical Fidelity M6si integrated amp, Benchmark Dac1, Bluesound NODE 2i, Audiolab 6000CDT CD Transport, Parasound Zphono USB Phono Preamp, Fluance RT85, Ortofon 2M Bronze, Polk L600's, L400, L900's, RC80i's, SVS 3000 Micro, Audioquest Interconnects and Digital Cables, Nordost Silver Shadow Digital Cable, Cullen Gold and Crossover Series Power Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 12AWG OCC Speaker Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha Analog Interconnect Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 11 OCC Custom Power Cable, Signal Power Cable, Furman PL-8C 15 Power Conditioner, Sony 65" 900F, Sony UBP-X700, Fios, Apple TV 4K, Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables.
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 7,981
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    in that case I'd probably go with the Denon AVR-X3500H. I find the Denon's to be a little more dynamic and punchy than the Marantz's, though you can't go wrong with either. I'd personally avoid the Onkyo...
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es; Squeezebox Touch with Bolder Power Supply
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1    Cambridge Azur 551r; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • TEAforONE
    TEAforONE Posts: 1,004
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    I agree with staying away from Onkyo. I'm tired of their crappy hdmi boards.
    See my profile for list of gear.
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  • coolsax
    coolsax Posts: 1,824
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    Finally got everything in last week and had some time to play with them fully this weekend. I ended up with the Denon 3500. Really liking how it all sounds. I also like the ability to stream from the house server and From Tidal on the wifi. Picked up some Monoprice monolith speaker cables as well, as I really needed to upgrade from my basic speaker cable with with twist on bananas.

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    Main 2ch -
    BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
    TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

    TV 3.1 system -
    Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
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    Looking good! :)
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
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  • mrloren
    mrloren Posts: 2,454
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    Very nice setup. I like the Denon with Heos app too.

    Wow just looked at the Monoprice cables, they stepped up their cables with those
    When I was a kid my parents told me to turn it down. Now I'm an adult and my kids tell me to turn it down.
    Family Room:LG QNED80 75", Onkyo RZ50 Emotiva XPA3 GEN3 Oppo BDP-93,Sony UBP-X800BM. Main: Polk LsiM 705Center: Polk LSiM 704CFront High/Rear High In-Ceiling Polk 80F/X RT Surrounds: Polk S15 Sub: HSU VTF3-MK5
    Bed Room; Marantz SR5010, BDP-S270Main: Polk Signature S20Center: Polk Signature S35Rear: Polk R15 Sub: SVS SB2000
    Working Warehouse; Yamaha A-S301, Sony DVP-NS3100ES for disc Plok TSX550T SVS PB2000 Mini tower PC with 400GB of music
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  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,943
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    Looking good bro!
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 7,981
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    Looks good! How do the speakers sound? Nice upgrade from m60s?!?
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es; Squeezebox Touch with Bolder Power Supply
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1    Cambridge Azur 551r; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
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    Looks terrific, enjoy!
    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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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,072
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    rooftop59 wrote: »
    Looks good! How do the speakers sound? Nice upgrade from m60s?!?

    The people demand to know!
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • coolsax
    coolsax Posts: 1,824
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    very nice upgrade from the M60s, I'm not very good a describing how speakers sound, but there is no doubt they are a significant upgrade.
    Main 2ch -
    BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
    TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

    TV 3.1 system -
    Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
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  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
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    Congrats! Envious of your Dynaudio deal. Looks like an excellent rig.

    My son just got the same Denon AVR to solve some WAF issues and I was impressed with its performance (DefTech 2000, LSi7, LSiC) and loved the ease of the streaming interface.

    Well done, enjoy!
    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,906
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    BUMP
    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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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,906
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    Guess what.....bump
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter