CS400i center channel

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Davidv
Davidv Posts: 94
edited February 2003 in Electronics
First question. How do you tell if a speaker is a good or reasonable price? Second I just purchased a CS400i center slighltly used, like new for $217.50 on Ebay. Good deal or not? Third. What is wrong with Sony receviers? I have a STR-DE975 running 2 RT10's, and 2 MIII rears, and soon the CS400i. I returned the Onkyo I bought in favor of the Sony. The Onkyo would kick off half way through a DVD. The Sony will run all day. With excellent sound and zero distortion.
Thanks,
Davidv
Beer on tap is great, until the keg runs dry and the liqour store is closed!:D

Post edited by Davidv on
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  • scottvamp
    scottvamp Posts: 3,277
    edited January 2003
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    Originally posted by Davidv
    First question. How do you tell if a speaker is a good or reasonable price? Second I just purchased a CS400i center slighltly used, like new for $217.50 on Ebay. Good deal or not? Third. What is wrong with Sony receviers? I have a STR-DE975 running 2 RT10's, and 2 MIII rears, and soon the CS400i. I returned the Onkyo I bought in favor of the Sony. The Onkyo would kick off half way through a DVD. The Sony will run all day. With excellent sound and zero distortion.
    Thanks,
    Davidv
    Hey David
    #1 very nice price for the 400i considering its in good shape and paid reasonable shipping charges.
    #2 Sony - well for the $ or a little more $ there are much better units out there.
    Here is some irony on the two recievers:
    Zero distortion - low end Sony reciever - not today my friend.
    You were over loading the Onk because it contained fairly low but clean power and it clipped. The Sony probably had little more power though not as clean and not as much clarity - distortion IS sound even though one may not be able to detect it. The Onk has wider range of clean sound and therefore gives an effect of less volume.
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  • Davidv
    Davidv Posts: 94
    edited January 2003
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    Thanks for the info. The Onk I had was 55 watts per channel. It did sound great, but had no real volume. The Sony has 110watts per channel. It has great sound and some volume. It still doesn't seem like enough though. (Even though I did manage to blow up one of my RT 10's last summer.) Caused by distortion?
    I am however working on a very limited budget. I am happier with the Sony, probably because I coudn't afford the $600 to $1000 Onk that I really wanted.
    Thanks Scott,
    David
    Beer on tap is great, until the keg runs dry and the liqour store is closed!:D

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  • MxStYlEpOlKmAn
    MxStYlEpOlKmAn Posts: 2,116
    edited January 2003
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    Yamaha can push some energy at some LOUD volumes. They got about 70% clean volume, the rest suck. But they can push for 300 dollars and up.
    Damn you all, damn you all to hell.......
    I promised myself
    No more speakers. None. Nada. And then you posted this!!!!
    Damn you all! - ATC
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  • scottvamp
    scottvamp Posts: 3,277
    edited January 2003
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    Originally posted by MxStYlEpOlKmAn
    Yamaha can push some energy at some LOUD volumes. They got about 70% clean volume, the rest suck. But they can push for 300 dollars and up.
    Mx thanks for the update on the Yamaha. Very interesting stats.
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited January 2003
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    **** a 'grain' of salt with that review, you need a whole **** 'LICK'.

    Cheers,
    Rooster
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • scottvamp
    scottvamp Posts: 3,277
    edited January 2003
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    :lol::lol: Good stuff Russ!!!
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  • MxStYlEpOlKmAn
    MxStYlEpOlKmAn Posts: 2,116
    edited January 2003
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    yamaha isnt the best, and they arnt the worst. he wants loudness. If he'll settle for a sony! THEN YAMAHA even if it be bottum of the line would suit his wants alot better than a POS sony.
    Damn you all, damn you all to hell.......
    I promised myself
    No more speakers. None. Nada. And then you posted this!!!!
    Damn you all! - ATC
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  • scottvamp
    scottvamp Posts: 3,277
    edited January 2003
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    he wants loudness
    And buying a Yamaha is your wisdom of the day.
    *******New Logo*******
    Want loudness
    Buy a Yamaha!
    Nice :rolleyes:
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  • MxStYlEpOlKmAn
    MxStYlEpOlKmAn Posts: 2,116
    edited January 2003
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    Ill give ya an effin logo to sarcastic weirdo! if u want something that plays loud, for a bottum dollar! y the EFF would u want sony? eh? onkyo probally makes some nice stuff, but for the dollar id go yammer neday, now if i was spending 700+ my money would be elsewhere, also check out pioneer elite man for 400 plus shipping u can get 110 wats and alot of features, altho some of it is out of date. Ill leave u with this since u wish to be an ****$hole...what would u rather buy? SONY or YAMAHA? eh? seems like everytime i say something people take it outside the box. (ie: bose comparisons. Russ and thos paper cones and junk alike, when I talk about bose i talk about bose, im not talking about a multi thousand dollar pair of speakers. Can yall take a chill pill and relax??????
    Damn you all, damn you all to hell.......
    I promised myself
    No more speakers. None. Nada. And then you posted this!!!!
    Damn you all! - ATC
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited January 2003
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    Originally posted by MxStYlEpOlKmAn
    yamaha isnt the best, and they arnt the worst. he wants loudness. If he'll settle for a sony! THEN YAMAHA even if it be bottum of the line would suit his wants alot better than a POS sony.

    What does the *brand* of receiver/amp have to do with 'loudness' or volume?

    Once again, shouldn't a young lad like yourself be masturbating or experimenting with drugs vs giving audio advice? ;)

    Cheers,
    Rooster
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • MxStYlEpOlKmAn
    MxStYlEpOlKmAn Posts: 2,116
    edited January 2003
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    My yamaha isnt what u could call extremely loud, or ear bleeding its merely louder than sony. Ive had a sony and I know. The bass altho is on the weaker end. Not as loud. But it plays louder than a sony. God forbid.

    and yeah i was awaiting ur experimenting quote, its getting quite famous, might as well add it to my quotes list.
    Damn you all, damn you all to hell.......
    I promised myself
    No more speakers. None. Nada. And then you posted this!!!!
    Damn you all! - ATC
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  • scottvamp
    scottvamp Posts: 3,277
    edited January 2003
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    Wow!
    Mx bringing the knowledge.
    Relax - I am on my second BEER. Soon I will chill in my spa and then have sex with my women. No really!!!!
    Life is Good! Mx I will not comment on the rest of your evening.
    Hormones ---- Homones
    got to make some drain babies!!:lol:
    Just having fun with ya.




    Sarcastic A$$.
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  • MxStYlEpOlKmAn
    MxStYlEpOlKmAn Posts: 2,116
    edited January 2003
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    i have knowlage...i gotta wow myself! lol
    Damn you all, damn you all to hell.......
    I promised myself
    No more speakers. None. Nada. And then you posted this!!!!
    Damn you all! - ATC
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited January 2003
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    Women? As in the plural of woman?

    Maybe there is something to this *goth* thing, or is it the silky smooth Eddie Rabbit sound flowing?

    Cheers,
    Rooster
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • scottvamp
    scottvamp Posts: 3,277
    edited January 2003
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    Originally posted by RuSsMaN
    Women? As in the plural of woman?
    Maybe there is something to this *goth* thing, or is it the silky smooth Eddie Rabbit sound flowing?
    Cheers,
    Rooster
    Nice catch Russ - Ya it is a exotic blend of Vampire seduction with a little ER in the background. :D
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  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,621
    edited January 2003
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    Originally posted by Davidv
    Thanks for the info. The Onk I had was 55 watts per channel. It did sound great, but had no real volume. The Sony has 110watts per channel. It has great sound and some volume. It still doesn't seem like enough though. (Even though I did manage to blow up one of my RT 10's last summer.) Caused by distortion?
    I am however working on a very limited budget. I am happier with the Sony, probably because I coudn't afford the $600 to $1000 Onk that I really wanted.
    Thanks Scott,
    David

    This is a generality, but you really can't compare a 55wpc receiver with something twice the power. True, you're going to get different sounds from different brands, but your problem was trying to get as much volume from the Onk as the Sony, which had to work half as hard as the Onk.

    I have an Onkyo receiver that I've had for about 5 or 6 years and I really like the thing. It's got 100wpc, and I'd be willing to put it up against the sony line any day and be very very happy.......

    Congrats on the 400 purchase......have fun with it connected......
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
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  • Davidv
    Davidv Posts: 94
    edited January 2003
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    I relize that you can't compare 55 w to 110w. Regardless of the brand. I was comparing price, and what the wife would go for.
    Also I am not just about LOUDNESS. I love clarity also. I just can't afford it right now. As for good options on a receiver. The Sony has options that you can't get until you spend $1000+ on better brands. Besides all of this, I have also been operating on the principal that it is not the receiver it is the speakers otherwise I wouldn't have been trying to piece this system together for 5 years. I would have gone out and spent the $6000+ and probably not been as happy. When I say I have no budget I mean it. Were talking Champayne taste on a water budget! I love my system, but otherthings take precedence too.
    Beer on tap is great, until the keg runs dry and the liqour store is closed!:D

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  • nellis8166
    nellis8166 Posts: 292
    edited January 2003
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    You guys make me laugh out loud(mx, russman, scottvamp)...guess that is why I spend countless hours a day here. Lovin it....

    Regards,
    Nat
    RTi10
    CSi5
    RTi28
    SVS PB12-ISD2

    Denon 2106(pre/pro)
    Adcom 5503(200x3)

    Audioquest Diamondback ICS
    Kimber Kable 8tc biwire(mains and center)

    "Don't let your silly dreams fall in between the crack of the bed and the wall."
    -J. James
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  • elsid88
    elsid88 Posts: 38
    edited January 2003
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    I have also been operating on the principal that it is not the receiver it is the speakers otherwise I wouldn't have been trying to piece this system together for 5 years.

    David,

    It is a balance of both, speaker and receiver. Clean POWER has just as much to do with clarity and "headroom" of the sound you are trying to produce as does the quality of your speakers.

    You could have 1000w carver amps driving some plastic Realistic speaker system from the RatShack and you won't be impressed. (Can you see the image). Just as if you try to drive some Martin Logans with your $89.95 on sale receiver from the electronics department at Wal-Mart. It just doesn't work.

    So my advice to you is, if the Sony sounds good, great, I'm happy for you, but don't think the receiver doesn't have much to do with your setup. It has plenty to do. You will be amazed how much better the sound will be when your budget will be able to afford that $1000+ receiver.

    Also, don't get hooked on the Watts thing that a receiver can put out. It actually has more to do about the AMPs.

    If you have a 110w/ch 5ch driven receiver that = 4.6 amps, but if your receiver only puts out 4.5 amps you are really not getting 110w/ch continuously. So be careful on the sales pitch.

    110w x 5 = 550w / 120v = 4.58 a

    Of course this doesn't even take into account the efficiency of the receiver or power consumption by the other functions of the receiver. Just something to keep in mind.

    My $.02

    Tom...
    :D
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  • Dr. Spec
    Dr. Spec Posts: 3,780
    edited January 2003
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    Most $300-$500 A/V receivers are not rated with all channels driven at the same time. Usually it is with one channel driven. I think this type of receiver is an exceptionally good value if all speaks used are set to small.

    Running all your speaks on small SIGNIFICANTLY reduces the current demands on the receiver. Nearly all of the current demands on an amplifier come from the bass signals.

    It doesn't take much power at all to cleanly drive all the surround speaks to very loud levels if they are high passed at 80 Hz. This gives the impression that the receiver is far more powerful and dynamic than its power ratings might suggest.

    Many people report a big improvement in midrange and treble sound quality when they relieve the receiver's amp of bass duties. I certainly did.

    With that said, I'm not saying high end pre/pros and amps don't have their place - they do. Overall they do sound better than a mid-grade receiver, and they are capable of driving speakers with low and reactive impedance loads, and they excel at driving a full range signal with high current demands.

    Doc
    "What we do in life echoes in eternity"

    Ed Mullen (emullen@svsound.com)
    Director - Technology and Customer Service
    SVS
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  • Micah Cohen
    Micah Cohen Posts: 2,022
    edited February 2003
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    shouldn't a young lad like yourself be ...

    Russ, mellow out with this. I'm getting complaints all over the place.

    Careful, or you'll end up in the Hall of Shame.

    Micah
    ultramicah@yahoo.com

    "There's nothing funny about a clown in the moonlight." - Lon Chaney
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited February 2003
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    Wow, nothing like a PUBLIC spanking. It's strange, I got several emails saying how FUNNY it was. (which is what was intended)

    Did a bunch of Baptist preachers just join Club Polk? Tell whoever complained that 'wigglin' it every now and then is nothing to be ashamed of.

    How about OFF instead of down? I'll make this my final transmission.

    -Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited February 2003
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    Way to go Micah.

    We allow thieves on the board but no jokes?

    I'm beginning to wonder....
    ***WAREMTAE***
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  • Dr. Spec
    Dr. Spec Posts: 3,780
    edited February 2003
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    Ditto. I truly hope cooler heads prevail and one of most senior, knowledgeable, and trusted members of Club Polk sticks around.

    FWIW Micah - a PM warning would have been much more discrete and appropriate considering Russ' standing in, and contributions to, this forum. Christ, guys like him BUILT Club Polk.
    "What we do in life echoes in eternity"

    Ed Mullen (emullen@svsound.com)
    Director - Technology and Customer Service
    SVS
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited February 2003
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    Guys, don't shoot the messenger (mc).
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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