Upgrade/Expansion of System

[Npeart]

Greetings Audioholics!

I'm looking for suggestions on the following:


WHAT I HAVE:

Pair of Paradigm 20 v.4 on J-29 stands (not filled will lead or steel shot)
Sony STR-DN1030 Receiver
Sony HDTV
Sony Blu-Ray Player

How I USE IT:

Watching TV
Watching Blu-Ray Movies (via Netflix and Vudu accessed through Blu-Ray player)
Streaming music from iTunes via Airplay and Bluetooth from Laptop to Receiver

WHAT I WANT:

-An amplifier to push the Paradigms, as they are obviously under powered by the Sony receiver's amp. Seriously considering Parasound A23.
-A DAC to clean up the audio files streamed from iTunes and my laptop. Looking at Music Hall DAC's, but have not settled on a specific make or model as yet.
The system will used for both 2 channel music listening AND as a 2 Channel Home Theatre (I live in a one-bedroom apartment, so I have limitations).
-A Universal Remote so that I only have to push one button for Music, Movie/TV watching. I am waiting on a Roku III, which will be added to the system.
-An emphasis on SQ. Again, small apartment so power is not a priority, but gettting the best SQ is.

DILEMMA:

-I want to keep the Sony Receiver as a pre-amp, but I'm not certain how to connect the Parasound to it. . . or if the receiver can be connected to the Parasound without damaging either component. I just want to bypass the receiver's amplifier with a better one. Is this possible?

-For the setup would it be Amp>DAC>Receiver in terms of how it gets connected?

Any advice you folks have would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Neither. Get a nice sealed sub like SB2000. It would be great help for your Paradigm bookshelves for both music and movies

 

[crossedover]

Agreed adding a good sub and a crossover point to the 20s will be the first beneficial improvement.

 

[Steve81]

Hi there,

Your receiver doesn't offer preamplifier outputs, so you won't be able to connect an outboard amplifier to the mix as is. However, to offer an opinion, the first thing I'd add is (as BSA has mentioned) a respectable subwoofer. Obviously given your situation, it doesn't have to be a refrigerator sized monster, but something along the lines of an SVS SB1000 would provide benefits beyond better low end reproduction. Used with bass management, it reduces the workload on both your speakers and receiver, improving overall sound quality and potentially making that Sony that you feel is underpowered now a bit more palatable.

 

[Pyrrho]

BoredSysAdmin is right. First of all, your amplifier is not underpowered. It is rated for 100 watts per channel, 2 channels driven. Your speakers are rated for no more than 150 watts. That is a difference of 1.8dB, which is a small difference. And that is assuming that the Sony cannot exceed its rating, which it likely can into 2 channels.

Second, there is nothing wrong with the DACs in the Sony. So there is no point in buying a separate DAC. You may as well flush your money down your toilet; that will have about as much affect on the sound of your system.

Third, a good subwoofer would make a very big difference in sound quality, as it will give you bass that your current speakers cannot give you. However, since you live in an apartment, there is a good chance that a subwoofer will bother the neighbors, and so you may not be able to use it enough to make it worth getting.


Basically, if you are unhappy with the sound you have now, you should first consider changing the position of the speakers or listening position, or consider changing the room's acoustics. If that does not help, then you should consider replacing the speakers to something more to your liking, or adding a subwoofer if you want deeper bass.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

SB1000 would be another great choice, but if you could afford upgrade to sb2000 and size is not an issue it will be worth doing.

As for univeral remote controls - Logitech are very popular - they are pretty easy to get going (but annoying at fine tuning). The big issue with them - they commonly break within first 2 years
It doesn't mean you shouldn't get logitech, just get one cheap enought which you wont be upset if broken. URC on the other side built like tanks and properly will over-live even nuclear war, but not as user friendly with programming

 

[Npeart]

Interesting. You guys are in lock-step agreement. Should it sit flush on the carpet or should I get a platform for it? Does it make a difference to SQ? I like the sealed SVS suggestion and will go with that. For those who may have subs in their apartments, how do you manage? I live in a building that was built in 2005 and is solid steel construction. Apartments have 2 feet of cinderblock between them. I wouldn't be blasting the system anyway, but would the addition of a sub be "that" noticable to my neighbors?

 

[Steve81]

Interesting. You guys are in lock-step agreement. Should it sit flush on the carpet or should I get a platform for it? Does it make a difference to SQ? I like the sealed SVS suggestion and will go with that. For those who may have subs in their apartments, how do you manage? I live in a building that was built in 2005 and is solid steel construction. Apartments have 2 feet of cinderblock between them. I wouldn't be blasting the system anyway, but would the addition of a sub be "that" noticable to my neighbors?

Sitting on carpet should be adequate. As far as apartment living with a subwoofer, I owned an old model SVS PB10-NSD while living in an apartment without any complaints. If you're careful with the volume, it shouldn't be a big issue.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Sitting on carpet should be adequate. As far as apartment living with a subwoofer, I owned an old model SVS PB10-NSD while living in an apartment without any complaints. If you're careful with the volume, it shouldn't be a big issue.

very much agree. I have my sub (PA-120) sitting on original packing white foam (semi-rigid) it seems it works well enough and never had a single complain from neighbors (also currently live in apt)
If this solution offenses your sense of style you might want to get a Subdude platform.

But in most cases carpet should do the trick.

The key is not to run the sub to shake walls (or awake the dead).
the best sub is one you don't notice at all - what you notice is better overall sound - richer and more balanced.

 

[herbu]

the best sub is one you don't notice at all - what you notice is better overall sound - richer and more balanced.

What he said!
Even with multiple giant subs, accurate levels in most music and TV/movies will not shake the walls or bother your neighbors. You CAN crank them up if you want, and the LFE in some movies is thunderous at loud volume. But it will be up to you. All volumes will sound A LOT better.

 

[Npeart]

This is really useful information, people. I appreciate it.

Now. . .

I am hearing very good things about Rel subs (ugly glossy finish aside). Folk here seem to favor SVS. Any reason to consider a Rel over SVS from an SQ perspective?

 

[j_garcia]

I have an Epik Empire in my apartment and I don't get complaints LOL (They're probably afraid )

No, there is no reason to consider a REL over SVS at all.

My second upgrade would be a better receiver with preamp outs. Sony with Paradigm just doesn't seem like a great combo.

 

[Npeart]

Yeah, at some point I will look to upgrade the AVR. I'm thinking Anthem, but will have to research. I just really enjoy the wireless streaming ability of this Sony AVR.

 

[zieglj01]

I am hearing very good things about Rel subs (ugly glossy finish aside). Folk here seem to favor SVS. Any reason to consider a Rel over SVS from an SQ perspective?

For fun and exploration - MB Quart Vera subwoofer, and it comes with a remote for volume control
VS1SWM | MB Quart

A subjective review
MB Quart home subwoofer

MB Quart home subwoofer

 

[walter duque]

Originally Posted by BoredSysAdmin
The key is not to run the sub to shake walls (or awake the dead).
the best sub is one you don't notice at all - what you notice is better overall sound - richer and more balanced.

[/QUOTE]
You hit the nail right on the head with your post. I live in a small apartment and run dual 15" isobarik subs driven by an AB International 800.2, if you wouldn't see the two fridge sized subs next to the towers you wouldn't notice that I am running subs at all, they are just an extension of the towers. Right now I just finished watching Thor (again) at -15, well a few times I did turn it up to 0 db, no complaints. This might sound a little strange, but subs that don't sound like subs do come with a hefty price tag, they are not cheap.

 

[Npeart]

SVS SB-1000 ordered
Universal Remote MX-450 ordered

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas.

 

[walter duque]

SVS SB-1000 ordered
Universal Remote MX-450 ordered

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas.

Good choice. Great company.

 

[crossedover]

Now just get the second one and run them as stereo subs

 

[Npeart]

Sub shipped the day after I ordered it. SVS has the customer service part of their operation really primed. Free Shipping, 5 Year Warranty, upgrade with value within a year, listen for 45 days no questions asked and they eat the shipping, support for setting up the sub. Outstanding.

The sub will be here tomorrow. I'm having the universal remote professionally programmed, so I'm going to have the pro set up the sub and calibrate my system.

Very excited.