Upgrading setup...suggestions?

Silver Member

Username: Tpizzle

Post Number: 552
Registered: Apr-05

Posted on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 02:29 pm:

Thanks to you guys I have enjoyed my first setup of Athena AS-F2s and a Panny XR-55 for almost two years now. I am anxious to give another setup a try and was wondering what the new "bang for the buck" equipment was, since I see no recommendations for my equipment any more on this forum.

I have been looking into Monitor Audio RS6 speakers but am open for any suggestions. Also, I am clueless as to receivers so any suggestions there are greatly appreciated.

I listen mostly to jazz, trance, and new age and have a fairly large living room.

I would say $2000 is my budget for the speaker/amp combo.

Also, I would be willing to just upgrade the receiver if the marginal benefit of upgrading my Athenas would be minimal.

Thanks everyone.

Bronze Member

Username: Chriswild87

Holden, MA

Post Number: 29
Registered: Dec-08

Posted on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 06:01 pm:

stick with the RS6, also drop the reciever idea, i was looking into the RS6 and asked some of the sames questions too

take a look at these...

http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/1/549555.html

http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/1/548642.html

like the experts said, stay away from any big box receiver, i'd look into a Cambridge 540 v2, or even possibly a used bryston, if you can get you hands on it, people like NAD, its all about your opinion and your ears too, go out an listen if you can

Gold Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 2365
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 09:08 am:

Good advice Chris.

Is this for music, or for HT and watching TV as well? If it's only for music I'd look at getting a half decent 2 channel receiver or integrated. If you want to do music and HT, the CA 540R is a fairly musical A/V receiver (if there is such a thing). I've used mine to drive my RS6's and I was more than happy with the sound.

Stu Pitt

Gold Member

Username: Stu_pitt

Irvington, New York
USA

Post Number: 3233
Registered: May-05

Posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 11:35 am:

Something tells me the XR-55 and MAs together won't sound very good at all. The XR-55 is bright and harsh in the highs. The Athenas do a good job of smoothing the XR-55 over. The MAs are unforgiving of this.

Gold Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 2368
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 11:40 am:

That's very true Stu. I have no idea what the XR-55 sounds like, but if it's bright, the MA's are not the speaker to pair with it.

Silver Member

Username: Tpizzle

Post Number: 553
Registered: Apr-05

Posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 01:12 pm:

thanks for the help.
Setup would be 70% music, 30% movies.
I have two local shops to choose from if I want to listen to anything, only problem is Vanns carries mostly Denon/Pioneer Elite and Thirsty Ear carries stuff my budget cannot touch (bryston, levinson, krell). Ill take a look at the CA.

Any others? thanks again

Gold Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 2369
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 01:15 pm:

Thirsty Ear? LOL... I like that.

I would look at the usual mid-fi suspects. CA (as mentioned), Rotel and NAD. Check out Spearit sound. I've ordered from them before - good customer service.

http://www.spearitsound.com/specials.htm

Art

Gold Member

Username: Artk

Albany, Oregon
USA

Post Number: 9306
Registered: Feb-05

Posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 02:38 pm:

I listened to the Panny with PSB, Jamo and Cabasse speakers back when Eddy was peddling it and thought it was awful. Lot's of other folks disagree...

For the MA's I would recommend nothing less than a midrange NAD integrated. Arcam or Simaudio might also be nice options...worth a look anyway.

Gold Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 2370
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 09:07 pm:

Oh yeah - with the MA's, stay away from Rotel.

Not good.

Bronze Member

Username: Chriswild87

Holden, MA

Post Number: 30
Registered: Dec-08

Posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 10:16 pm:

I second the spearit sound. They had great advice and good customer service when I went into the store here in Boston.

Gold Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 2371
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 10:44 am:

What's the store like Chris? I've only ever "visited" them online. Lots of neat stuff on display?

Bronze Member

Username: Chriswild87

Holden, MA

Post Number: 31
Registered: Dec-08

Posted on Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 02:09 pm:

Its pretty neat, they have four show rooms. The first in front has all the B&W 7 series gear, and some of the Paradigm studio gear, paired with some mid level amps. The room I spent the most time in was, their quote "budget" room were your 6 series and cm series from B&W, also paradigm. What was neat was the amp and integrate rack they had in that room. All the items were on a computer selector, so you picked the speakers, they hooked them up to the mains and then you could select any amp, and cd player you choose, and switch back and for. I briefly spend time in the what they called the room, where the main features were the Krell LAT-1000's each attached to an evolution mono block. The second feature was the B&W 800D's hooked up to maybe an esoteric amp, not sure. The Krell set up was on, it was incredibly clear, especially in the mid range. They were playing what i think was a norah jones track. I didn't have a good chance to listen, as my girlfriend saw me salivating and proceeded to say, "it sounds the same as my iHome." We promptly left, i will have to go back with some reference cd's and play.

Also, next stop, ensemble home theater sound in Nashua, anyone been there? They have MA's. I'm still looking a pair of the 6's. David have you had a chance to put your 6's with you new Mac? Just wondering how it would sound, I was contemplating buying an old 6200 or 6100.

Gold Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 2372
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 03:00 pm:

That sounds awesome Chris. I'd love to have a go at that computer selector. Sounds like fun.

I haven't tried the MA's with the Mac yet. It's on my list of things to do for sure. I tried them on my 2 channel system when it was all Bryston, and I found the Totems just a little bit more engaging. It's time to give them a chance with the Mac.

Bronze Member

Username: Chriswild87

Holden, MA

Post Number: 32
Registered: Dec-08

Posted on Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 05:35 pm:

okay sounds good, I'd like to hear your impressions

Gold Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 2374
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 05:40 pm:

Might even do it tonight Chris, if I can gather up the required energy and motivation.

Silver Member

Username: Tpizzle

Post Number: 554
Registered: Apr-05

Posted on Wednesday, April 08, 2009 - 02:36 pm:

Are there any other competitor speakers to the MA RS-6 in the sub$1000 range that I should look at?

Thanks

Silver Member

Username: Tpizzle

Post Number: 555
Registered: Apr-05

Posted on Thursday, April 16, 2009 - 01:52 pm:

So what are the bennies of a Cambridge 540R over a mid-level HK or Marantz? The reason I ask is that I can listen to Marantz where I live but have no access to Cambridge.

Bronze Member

Username: Chriswild87

Holden, MA

Post Number: 33
Registered: Dec-08

Posted on Thursday, April 16, 2009 - 03:28 pm:

I have a mid-range HK (445). And I like it for HT. For music and stereo it is not very engaging. Kinda a bland sound. The "bennies" if you are looking at the 540r is people have said that it is more musical. It all depends on what application you are looking for. If you are looking for strict music, then consider the 540 v3 integrated. I don't have much experience with Marantz, people hear say that it is a warmer sounding piece of equipment.

David- any thoughts on the McIntosh and MA's. Curiosity has the best of me.

Gold Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 2454
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Thursday, April 16, 2009 - 09:30 pm:

Haven't had a chance to drag the MA's down to my listening room yet Chris. I'd like to say that I'll do it this weekend, but I know I won't have time. I'd also like to bring my Ascend Sierra's down there and give those a go too.

Silver Member

Username: Tpizzle

Post Number: 556
Registered: Apr-05

Posted on Friday, April 17, 2009 - 03:00 pm:

David - The local Vanns is having a clearance sale right now, and they have a few McIntosh pieces on discount. They are still over my budget but I would like to hear your input when you get a chance to hook yours up. I just might have to splurge depending on your opinion. thanks