Upgrade order

[mudrummer99]

Alright, this may be a long post so stay with me. I have a question that has probably been asked a hundred times in these forums but I simply do not have the time (or patience) to sift through the thousands of threads, so I'll start a new one. I am looking to upgrade my system. I would like a few things from this thread, first some feedback on my main issue which is what order is advisable for me to upgrade my pieces and secondly suggestions on what I should audition for said upgrade. Here's my system along with some comments about how I feel about the components (I've noticed that everyone around here wants more info, so I'll do my best to give as much as possible).

TV: Sony 32" Bravia LCD (happy with, long time 'til upgrade)
DVD Player: Yamaha DV-S5750 (moderately happy with except no upscaling)
Receiver: Yamaha HTR-5840 (relatively happy with, plenty of power for my use right now, would like something with hdmi support)
Speakers:
Front L and R: Klipsch B-3 (they're alright)
Center and Surrounds are left overs from Klipsch Quintet III (would like a new center, surrounds work alright)
Sub: Klipsch Sub-10 (rarely used since I live in an apt. above a very "sound sensitive" individual)
Power:Belkin PureAV Isolator
All are connected with Monster cables of different grades ranging from 600-1000 series.

For the DVD player I am looking heavily at the Oppo 981 due to it's relative value and versatility. I am fine with either bookshelf speakers or floorstanders. Since I have little occasion to crank them up, ridiculous volume levels are more or less irrelevant. But since I do not kick on the sub often, a decent extension into the low end would definitely be appreciated. I do like Klipsch, but am not dead set on them. If I hear something that catches my attention I'm all for it.

My budget will be approximately $1200-1500 for the first upgrade(s) with a similar amount every 6 months or so.

I hope this will help all you folks help me. Any suggestions on replacement order, must auditions, or pretty much any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all,
Mike

 

[mudrummer99]

One more thing

Oh and one more thing, in suggesting receivers, include ones that have the option of a preamp out for another future upgrade. Would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[mtrycrafts]

Alright, this may be a long post so stay with me. I have a question that has probably been asked a hundred times in these forums but I simply do not have the time (or patience) to sift through the thousands of threads, so I'll start a new one. I am looking to upgrade my system. I would like a few things from this thread, first some feedback on my main issue which is what order is advisable for me to upgrade my pieces and secondly suggestions on what I should audition for said upgrade. Here's my system along with some comments about how I feel about the components (I've noticed that everyone around here wants more info, so I'll do my best to give as much as possible).

TV: Sony 32" Bravia LCD (happy with, long time 'til upgrade)
DVD Player: Yamaha DV-S5750 (moderately happy with except no upscaling)
Receiver: Yamaha HTR-5840 (relatively happy with, plenty of power for my use right now, would like something with hdmi support)
Speakers:
Front L and R: Klipsch B-3 (they're alright)
Center and Surrounds are left overs from Klipsch Quintet III (would like a new center, surrounds work alright)
Sub: Klipsch Sub-10 (rarely used since I live in an apt. above a very "sound sensitive" individual)
Power:Belkin PureAV Isolator
All are connected with Monster cables of different grades ranging from 600-1000 series.

For the DVD player I am looking heavily at the Oppo 981 due to it's relative value and versatility. I am fine with either bookshelf speakers or floorstanders. Since I have little occasion to crank them up, ridiculous volume levels are more or less irrelevant. But since I do not kick on the sub often, a decent extension into the low end would definitely be appreciated. I do like Klipsch, but am not dead set on them. If I hear something that catches my attention I'm all for it.

My budget will be approximately $1200-1500 for the first upgrade(s) with a similar amount every 6 months or so.

I hope this will help all you folks help me. Any suggestions on replacement order, must auditions, or pretty much any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all,
Mike

Here is how I see this.
You have a small TV but it is an apartment, after all. What is the distance from which you watch it and what is its native resolution? Does this TV have an HDMI input? Component video? Depending on viewing distance you may or may not see the up-scaling difference and you really have not increased picture resolution by up-scaling.

If you really want to upgrade the center speaker, get one that is recommended for the B3.

Why do you need HDMI support on receiver?

Upgrading the sub will not help if you have sound issues and you seem to be having one with neighbors and being in an apartment. Lower frequencies need to be played louder to hear, then it will be detected by neighbors and the complains start.

Your cables are more than fine as is that Belkin.

 

[mudrummer99]

Thanks for the reply. I am sitting around 7 ft. give or take from the TV. My room is about 12x16 with one corner open to the dining area. The TV's native resolution is 720p/1080i depending on the source. It has one HDMI and 2 component inputs. This is one reason that I would like a receiver with HDMI upscaling capabilities since I am currently using component for my cable box and HDMI for my XBOX (forgot to mention both in my original post). I did have an upsampling dvd player (yamaha DV-S5950) but it crapped out on me after about 6 months and it was junked out for the original purchase price. I used that money towards the B-3's. I did see a pretty decent improvement when i did have that player running to my TV which is the reason I am looking
at getting another upsampler.

The speakers are another story, kind of. I guess my question about them is more towards is it worth upgrading the fronts and center (which I would do all at once most likely) before the receiver. My usage of the speakers is probably 70% movies and 30% music. I'm not an audio snob, but I am a trained musician so I know the difference between what sounds good and what doesn't, that is about where my knowledge would end.

The reason a new TV is out of the question atm is because the largest set I would be able to fit in the area is a 40", maybe a 42" if I found the right one, and I would rather wait til I move and get a 50".

I guess I'm just really lost right now on the next step I should take in this whole process. Sorry if I'm unclear about my intentions since I still don't know them yet.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I guess it matter what is missing from your view. If movies are #1 to you then a huge display and a great sub with a great center is what you need. Since the apartment is a constraint then you have to decide what is missing and what is important. We could set you up with a great music system if that's ehat you are into but can you stilize that? What are you looking for?

 

[mudrummer99]

I think I'm looking for a good sound quality. Loudness isn't all that important to me, even without the apartment constraints. I think the best way to describe it is that I want versatility. I want to be able to listen to a CD in two channel without a sub, then be able to pop in a dvd and be satisfied with or without a sub. Sounds like I'm leaning towards a good set of fronts and a solid center with a amp that would be able to serve double duty, and is designed to do so. My main reason for mentioning the Oppo player is it's ability to play everything at a very reasonable price since other universal players can run anywhere from double to 10x that price. I appreciate your guys' patience with me figuring out what it is I'm seeing in my head. Hope this post gives a better idea of that.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I think I'm looking for a good sound quality. Loudness isn't all that important to me, even without the apartment constraints. I think the best way to describe it is that I want versatility. I want to be able to listen to a CD in two channel without a sub, then be able to pop in a dvd and be satisfied with or without a sub. Sounds like I'm leaning towards a good set of fronts and a solid center with a amp that would be able to serve double duty, and is designed to do so. My main reason for mentioning the Oppo player is it's ability to play everything at a very reasonable price since other universal players can run anywhere from double to 10x that price. I appreciate your guys' patience with me figuring out what it is I'm seeing in my head. Hope this post gives a better idea of that.

In that case, if you don't like the speakers you have now, you need to pick them first before the amp/receiver so you know you have enough power to drive the speakers properly.
Yes, that Oppo with HDMI will do you.

 

[3db]

I think I'm looking for a good sound quality. Loudness isn't all that important to me, even without the apartment constraints. I think the best way to describe it is that I want versatility. I want to be able to listen to a CD in two channel without a sub, then be able to pop in a dvd and be satisfied with or without a sub. Sounds like I'm leaning towards a good set of fronts and a solid center with a amp that would be able to serve double duty, and is designed to do so. My main reason for mentioning the Oppo player is it's ability to play everything at a very reasonable price since other universal players can run anywhere from double to 10x that price. I appreciate your guys' patience with me figuring out what it is I'm seeing in my head. Hope this post gives a better idea of that.

So .. summerizing your revise upgrade plan, new front speakers possibly towers because a sub for now is not definate? How much are you budgeting for speakers?

 

[davidtwotrees]

Put all the cash on Fronts!

Put all your cash in front speakers. Period. Buy the best you can afford. If you have $1500 every six months, wait six and use the $3k for front speakers, and maybe a center. The fronts are a twenty year investment and at that price point the sound improvement will be amazing. My Canton's were 2K and are the only part of my system that gave a wow improvement.....

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I really need to stop posting when I am drunk...

I guess it matter what is missing from your view. If movies are #1 to you then a huge display and a great sub with a great center is what you need. Since the apartment is a constraint then you have to decide what is missing and what is important. We could set you up with a great music system if that's ehat you are into but can you stilize that? What are you looking for?

 

[GlocksRock]

I really need to stop posting when I am drunk...

Posting when you are drunk is fine... just remember to stay away from the pure direct button!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

lol...I put some tape over the PD button and wrote "do not remove when drunk" on it!

Posting when you are drunk is fine... just remember to stay away from the pure direct button!

 

[mudrummer99]

Thanks everyone for the posts, including the drunk ones Just so I know I'm on the same page, a good pair of fronts with give me the noticeable improvement? Waiting and saving up for a rocking pair of fronts is completely cool with me, especially if you guys think that I'll be better off improving those before the receiver. Spending the couple hundred on the Oppo shouldn't be a big deal I don't think so I'll probably go ahead and get that and save up. Thanks again all, look for my new thread in loudspeakers

 

[mudrummer99]

Sorry 3db, completely missed your post. I'm relatively happy with the sub I have at the moment for a couple reasons. It has a decent sound and a pretty good range. It's muddy as all get out but it serves the purpose when I want a thump in an action flick. Another reason I'm holding off on the new sub is the apt. situation. my neighbors aren't huge complainers yet, but I've only lived here a month and when I meet them they did make a few comments about the last tenant playing loud music and movies all the time. I just avoid using the sub when I know they are home which a strong reason I am leaning towards towers. My price point on the speakers is either $1500 now or $3k in about 6 months or so. I have started a new thread in loudspeakers and I would welcome any recommendations on that that you have. Thanks again.