New gear advice

[Graph audio]

Helllo all,
Just looking for some experienced opinions or maybe some alternate idea.
I’m looking to upgrade from a very old Yamaha Avr that I’ve been using with equally old paradigm towers and surrounds ( I think the paradigms still kick ass). I want to stay $2500 or less.
I’m thinking of going with a maranta 7012(I’ve heard lots of good things) and a set of def tech bp9020’s cs9040’s and sr9040’s . I’m slightly hesitant on the speakers because I’ve heard mixed reviews although some of the negative stuff is from older models
Btw my living room is small at about 16 x 18

Thanks guys for any advice you can give, I’d rather research now than regret something later
Greg

 

[lovinthehd]

What Paradigms do you have? If they still kick ass why do you want to change? Could it be more a lateral move to the DTs? What features do you want in the new avr that your old one doesn't have? What do you have for a sub?

 

[davidscott]

Newer isn't always better. I had some DCM Time Windows in the 80's and 90's that finally gave up the ghost. But they did sound better than my current Infinity Primus 363s. The Infinity's are good but maybe I should have had the Time Windows repaired? So if you really like the current Paradigms and they work why spend the $$?
Dave

 

[ryanosaur]

Hi Graph.

Is that $2500 including the new AVR? I think I saw Crutchfirld advertising their price break at $1200 for the SR7012. The BP9020s are gonna run another $1300, alone.

I'm in a speaker search myself and have looked at a lot online. For $2500 being applied to speakers only, you can find a lot to sink into. KEF, Fluance, Q Acoustics, Elac. All seem to have recieved good reviews. I like Monitor Audio, and their Bronze line is in your range too. If you are cool with ID, Emotiva Airmotiv line seems solid. I personally wasn't into DefTech after I did more research. But it's your ears and budget you need to please.

If you read the reviews, just remember that they aren't all objective... but it can get you ready for auditioning speakers.

And like Lovin said before... if the speakers you have are solid still... (mine are not!)... you could build around them now, and upgrade them later. A smart way to stretch you budget, 'cos if you don't have a sub now, and you don't go for speakers with built in subs like those BP's, you'll want to add that to your list too.

Happy hunting!

 

[Graph audio]

Thank for all the replies ,
Lovin’,
I should have been more clear. The paradigms are getting moved to my guitar/music room and the new ones will be going in the living room for music and home theater. I actually don’t know what model they are cause there is no numbers that I can find on the cabinet. I bought them in the mid -late 90’s. . As for the avr, my old one doesn’t even have hdmi. Lol. I’m looking for great sound quality and to be somewhat future proof.....expand ability is good if I ever decide to go with a amp(not that likely) or if I want to go beyond 5.1. I do like the built in sub idea on the dt’s
Ryanosaur, The deal on the 7012 from crutch field is $1200 .
Which thought was great . It’s $2600 for all the speakers and avr

 

[lovinthehd]

Can't help you with the DTs. I wouldn't consider their "subs" in the speakers to be a substitute for a proper sub (and the subs they sell separately I wouldn't consider either, there's much better out there). I'd look at Denon 4400 rather than the Marantz 7012...they're going for about $900 right now. Might consider SVS Ultras perhaps, too.

 

[Graph audio]

My paradigms are similar to these monitor 7 v2 Mine has a little different tweeter.
Livin, the 4400 was the only other one that made my short list. I will look into the svs ultras.
Ty

 

[PENG]

My paradigms are similar to these monitor 7 v2 Mine has a little different tweeter.
Livin, the 4400 was the only other one that made my short list. I will look into the svs ultras.
Ty

HD is right, unless you need the 7.1 analog inputs or you prefer its look, the Denon would save you $300 that you can put into the speakers or subwoofer budget where it really counts. The SR7012 is virtually the same inside except it has the HDAM modules that to me absolutely makes no difference in sound quality and makes no sense technically and practically speaking.

 

[Graph audio]

Saving $300 to put towards sub would be wise . I love this site/forum already !!

 

[lovinthehd]

A little brain dead today, you might also check out fellow member Dennis Murphy's speakers http://www.philharmonicaudio.com/. Check out this thread https://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/bmr-road-trip-kickoff.111717

 

[Graph audio]

Thanks hd, Much appreciated

 

[ryanosaur]

Can't help you with the DTs. I wouldn't consider their "subs" in the speakers to be a substitute for a proper sub (and the subs they sell separately I wouldn't consider either, there's much better out there).

Which also backs up my research. For a speaker with built in "sub" having a frequency response cutting off at 28hz, well, that dog don't hunt!
I've had a lot of help from Lovin and Peng, and many others too. (Thanks Guys!)
For your room size, and depending on the AVR you choose, you might even start with two good bookshelfs, a center, and two surrounds + a sub. Upgrade to two towers in a few more months shifting your bookshelfs to the l/r surround and make your surrounds the rear channels for some 7.1 steeze. A few more months down the road, double down on your sub. ~3000'3 unless you have super high ceilings: check out SVS PB 2000 or Hsu Research VTF-2 mk5. Rythmik is also a favorite here on the forum, and I am pretty close to being converted, but might be a little more than you wanna spend

Cheers!

 

[Graph audio]

Thanks for the input ryan, I’ve been doing some research on svs and the “prime” line seems to get nothing but great reviews and may fit in the budget plus they look good which to me is important. I’d like to find somewhere to demo them which could be a problem. Research and due diligence it’s half the fun of buying cool stuff!

 

[ryanosaur]

Indeed, Graph.
One thing I like about SVS is their customer support. Getting to try the stuff out in-home! That said, I struggle with the desire to order it up only to potentially box it up and send it back... ugh. depending on where you are, you might be fortunate to have a good audio shop you can check out. Hell, even Best Buy and Magnolia can be a good resource if you're careful. I'm pretty fortunate where I am in Norcal. I've even considered a drive to LA to check some gear out. There and back in a day with two subs in the back and a bonkers lunch in K-Town?! That's a fun field trip!

Out of curiosity, are you more Music or HT oriented for this project? Myself, I'm about 80%music. To make it worse, I also like some Pipe organ on occasion, so I'm looking for subs that will comfortably drop down to 15/16Hz. Then there's my room size which is >8000'3. And so I need some gear to fill up my little corner of the room. Fun times! I've already upped my budget once or twice as I learned more about what I need in my room.

That said, I think you're in a great little sweet spot. Unless you've got some serious openings into other rooms, you should be able to keep your budget pretty well. Even the SVS Primes have gotten really good reviews and might be worth considering if it makes the difference between getting that sub or not. Check out the System Builder on the SVS site, just for kicks.

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks for the input ryan, I’ve been doing some research on svs and the “prime” line seems to get nothing but great reviews and may fit in the budget plus they look good which to me is important. I’d like to find somewhere to demo them which could be a problem. Research and due diligence it’s half the fun of buying cool stuff!

SVS has a wonderful in-home 45 day trial program. If you don't like 'em you can send 'em back totally free to you. SVS does sell some product thru Best Buy/Magnolia, you may have to hunt for a store that has them for demo, tho.

Another with a free in home trial is RSL Speakers

I see Ryan also was adding some info while I was

 

[stato]

Can't help you with the DTs. I wouldn't consider their "subs" in the speakers to be a substitute for a proper sub (and the subs they sell separately I wouldn't consider either, there's much better out there). I'd look at Denon 4400 rather than the Marantz 7012...they're going for about $900 right now. Might consider SVS Ultras perhaps, too.

oh to be in America...a 4400 for $900...I wish

 

[PENG]

oh to be in America...a 4400 for $900...I wish

Sorry, even better in Canada, C$799/1.312 = US$760 That's unusual though, US typically has the best deals.

 

[Graph audio]

I live in upstate new york and theres a magnolia not far from me ( i was there a month ago just browsing ..... that place makes me cringe) but according to there website they dont have any svs’s in stock. I may just have to do the 45 day trial.
Theres alot to like about the way svs does business
And i will over shoot my budget ( big surprise lol) to get good stuff from a company that takes care of their customers

 

[ryanosaur]

I didn't do too much math to see if the bundled SVS speaker systems offer any additional savings over the a la carte pricing. I did see the 2 Ultra systems discounted only $200. If it makes sense and helps out in the short term, match up your Front three as Ultras now, buy the surrounds as Primes (350 gloss blk as opposed to 1K for the pair). You can still upgrade to the Ultra surrounds later, and move those Primes to Rear, Wide or Height channel.

Just a suggestion. Personally, if it came between the subwoofer or the matching speaker set, I would go for the sub early in the game. Check out the audioholic reviews: SVS PB2000 and Hsu VTF2 Mk5. The Hsu, delivered is $607 I think?

Best!

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I didn't do too much math to see if the bundled SVS speaker systems offer any additional savings over the a la carte pricing. I did see the 2 Ultra systems discounted only $200. If it makes sense and helps out in the short term, match up your Front three as Ultras now, buy the surrounds as Primes (350 gloss blk as opposed to 1K for the pair). You can still upgrade to the Ultra surrounds later, and move those Primes to Wide or Height channel.

Just a suggestion. Personally, if it came between the subwoofer or the matching speaker set, I would go for the sub early in the game. Check out the audioholic reviews: SVS PB2000 and Hsu VTF2 Mk5. The Hsu, delivered is $607 I think?

Best!

Just to add to Ryan’s good advice,
As far as matching goes, according to Ed Mullen(SVS), the prime and ultra lines are voice matched so that you can mix n match them to better suit your budget and needs! The main differences would be in power handling imaging and dynamics. So I agree, your suggestion to get ultras in front and primes as surrounds is a good one. Also, shop in the “B stock” section. You can get great deals on blems that you’d never know were blems. They seem to drop Black Friday sales in the b stock store too, but inventory goes fast. My forum friend @pogre(sup poges!) had a great experience with SVS. His journey is in the “my 5.2 system” thread I remember correctly.