My “new” 2 channel setup
simm
Posts: 602
I have not had a 2 channel setup since I was in college back in the mid 80’s and that was a lower level Technics receiver and cassette deck along with Technics speakers. It was all I could afford and I used it until about 1993 when I got into HT surround sound. Over the years I built a decent surround system that I used for both stereo and multi channel listening. I was happy with what I had.
A couple of years ago I found I was mostly listening to 2 channel so decided it was time to up my 2 channel game. I picked up a LUXMAN SACD player locally that really impressed me so I went in search of either a preamp to pair with my Parasound A21+ or a quality integrated amp. I ultimately came across a nice deal on a LUXMAN 509x integrated and my wife and I did a 16 hour round trip to pick it up in person in PA. That was about 2 months ago. I am using it to power my L800’s and the sound I am getting is the best I have ever had in my room. I do want to get a decent streamer and DAC but for now I’m running my laptop via USB into the D-05u with no complaints.
I think I have only powered up the multichannel setup a couple of times since October and don’t miss it at all.
A couple of years ago I found I was mostly listening to 2 channel so decided it was time to up my 2 channel game. I picked up a LUXMAN SACD player locally that really impressed me so I went in search of either a preamp to pair with my Parasound A21+ or a quality integrated amp. I ultimately came across a nice deal on a LUXMAN 509x integrated and my wife and I did a 16 hour round trip to pick it up in person in PA. That was about 2 months ago. I am using it to power my L800’s and the sound I am getting is the best I have ever had in my room. I do want to get a decent streamer and DAC but for now I’m running my laptop via USB into the D-05u with no complaints.
I think I have only powered up the multichannel setup a couple of times since October and don’t miss it at all.
Comments
-
👍👍👍Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Over the last week or so I’ve been been focusing on getting the L800’s positioned right to get the best SDA effect and I’m getting close to having them adjusted correctly for my room. I’m getting a great soundstage now as well as deeper bass than I thought possible without a subwoofer. Currently they are 18” from the rear wall and 7.5’ apart and close to 10’ from main listening position. I’m going to keep making small adjustments. I had briefly considered selling them and going with a smaller speaker but for now I’m really impressed with the sound I am getting. I had forgotten how realistic good 2 channel sound could be.
-
Since the L800s can't be adjusted for toe-in like other speakers the spacing between the speakers, the distance to the side walls, and the distance to the sweet spot for listening is a trial and error process that can take a while to figure out. I have found distance to the rear wall isn't critical but the bass loading is room dependent. I have one pair about three feet into the room to the rear of the speakers for home theater and another pair about 18 inches into the room for two channel (with a REL S/812 subwoofer for support).
-
You have TWO sets of L800's....Baller!
😄 -
Got the second set direct from Polk for $2600 shipped towards the end of their "secret" liquidation project.
I figure these will be in place for at least as long as my hearing is still good. -
Since the L800s can't be adjusted for toe-in like other speakers the spacing between the speakers, the distance to the side walls, and the distance to the sweet spot for listening is a trial and error process that can take a while to figure out. I have found distance to the rear wall isn't critical but the bass loading is room dependent. I have one pair about three feet into the room to the rear of the speakers for home theater and another pair about 18 inches into the room for two channel (with a REL S/812 subwoofer for support).
I can’t imagine having 2 pairs in one room. I bought a speaker selector switch so I can use with both the integrated amp and the surround system. It is an amazing speaker for sure.
-
I have them in two different places. They wouldn't work right in one system.
-
Sounds like you're really digging that 509X. 16 hour round trip, holy cow! Must've been a really good deal. I have the Luxman L590AXII and don't think I'll ever replace it (except maybe if I decide to get into tube gear).SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|REL T/9X SE Sub
-
Dang nice set up! Really digging the VU meters, kinda old school.Yep, my name really is Bob.
Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub. -
Jetmaker737 wrote: »Sounds like you're really digging that 509X. 16 hour round trip, holy cow! Must've been a really good deal. I have the Luxman L590AXII and don't think I'll ever replace it (except maybe if I decide to get into tube gear).
The trip to pick this up was killer but worth it. One day of misery for hopefully years of pleasure.
-
Dang nice set up! Really digging the VU meters, kinda old school.
The VU meters are pretty cool.
-
This blackface 509Z is pretty sweet. Only $15K at Music Direct.
SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|REL T/9X SE Sub -
I was a bit surprised to see Onkyo have a new preamp and amp separates recently under the Icon branding. The M80 amp has meters. They look interesting for $2K each piece although there's lots of competition in that price range these days.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_580M80S/Onkyo-Icon-M-80-Silver.html?tp=180#&gid=1&pid=1
-
Jetmaker737 wrote: »This blackface 509Z is pretty sweet. Only $15K at Music Direct.
Way too rich for my blood. I’m good with my 509x that was significantly less.
-
IF you can locate one (I own two), find you the "newish" FiiO SR11 bridge receiver/streamer to pull in your wired/wireless (Wi-Fi & BT) signals from a WIDE # of options like your Apple & Android devices, local Roon & similar home music servers, etc.
I like & recommend it bc it's simply an agnostic delivering mechanism for ANY set-up that lacks inbound streaming, allowing you to add any DAC you may eventually choose, or use a built-in DAC you may already have in your non-streaming gear setup.
It's dirt cheap, reliable, good looking in silver & black. Delivers audio via USB, optical, or coaxial & passes up to, depending on the protocol, 768kHz/32bit PCM & native DSD256 (via USB) along w/ indicating your sampling rate on its front LCD screen AND/OR by changing its FiiO logo color.
LOL, I clearly like the SR11's overall features & value... ; FYI.
