joegator81's system... salk/van-alstine

[joegator81]

My system has seen some recent upgrades, i've gone from Monitor Audio Bronze speakers that i've had since 2002 (or somewhere around there) to a 5 channel Salksongseries system anchored by Songtowers. I've recently also upgraded the power going to the front three channels w/ an AVAHifi Insight+ 240/3. I am very happy w/ the results but will be looking to add an Analog preamp w/ HT passthrough, a new and more musical subwoofer, and a turntable front end.

Enjoy the pics!

My System:

Salk Songtower x 2
Salk Songcenter x 1
Salk Songsurround I x 2
Klipsch KSW 12 subwoofer
Onkyo TX-SR707 AVR
AVAHifi Insight+ 240/3 power amp
Oppo BDP-83
HRT MusicStreamer I (very nice little USB>Analog DAC)
X-Box 360 w/ HD-DVD player
Treatments by: GIK acoustics, Aurelex, Subdude
Cables by: Kimber, Audioquest, Monoprice, Belden (bluejeanscable)

 

[its phillip]

Very nice. I would have liked to have seen some pictures without the grilles as well, but no big deal.

I've never been a fan of having my game consoles vertically though...and I suggest getting a new sub

 

[j_garcia]

LOL, yeah, the sub seems a little outclassed there. Very nice system.

 

[joegator81]

I'll take some pics w/ the grills off soon and i'll try and get some good shots of the new drivers.

The Klipsch sub is definitely the slug in my system right now. I don't listen to sacd's as much as i used to and i think the sub is the reason. Before i had the MA's and though they were nowhere near what the salks are they blended better w/ the klipsch therefore not shining a spotlight on the subs boominess and sluggishness. That being said its acceptable for movies and i don't use it at all for 2channel stereo. The salks sound great using the onkyo and van alstine in pure mode but i know an analog preamp would be a great improvement. So my to do (or to buy) list is:

1. A new preamp w/ HT bypass (thinking parasound classic 2100)

2. Turntable, phono pre, etc etc etc... getting into vinyl takes some effort to say the least

3. A new sub... i'm sure the songtowers will make a nice full range system w/ a rhythmik, epik, edesign, or hsu sub... now which one to get???

I'm not sure which of these i'm going to upgrade first but i'm thinking that the sub will be last. The addition of the van alstine amp provided a noticable and very enjoyable improvement over the onkyo, i can only imagine what a good pre would do for the sound.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I'm calling BS, those rear speakers are not even hooked up....

 

[joegator81]

I'm calling BS, those rear speakers are not even hooked up....

ok, i'm fairly certain you are joking but if you are not the speaker wire can be seen if you look very very closely

 

[joegator81]

Here are some pics w/ the grilles off

 

[its phillip]

Nice collection of media. I have a similar set of shelves - not in appearance, but in how they are fully loaded or overloaded D:

 

[avliner]

Nice system you got there man! Congrats and enjoy it the best you can

 

[joegator81]

Nice collection of media. I have a similar set of shelves - not in appearance, but in how they are fully loaded or overloaded D:

yeh, i've got issues. i'm not sure if you can see them in the pictures but i've got 4 books full of dvd's, saving space that way . the nice thing is that its all hidden behind the curtains.

 

[joegator81]

Nice system you got there man! Congrats and enjoy it the best you can

thanks alot, you've got a nice system yourself. How are you enjoying the SVS and Emotiva gear?

 

[bandphan]

yeh, i've got issues. i'm not sure if you can see them in the pictures but i've got 4 books full of dvd's, saving space that way . the nice thing is that its all hidden behind the curtains.

Time for a video server

 

[joegator81]

Time for a video server

yeh, that would be great! someday maybe. one of the best additions i ever made was the HRT Music Streamer I. To my ears it is very good considering the price, takes up very little space, and is very easy to use. I rarely play cd's anymore b/c its just so convenient using my computer as a music server. I'm really looking forward to hearing the new II and II+ hopefully sometime in the future.

 

[gholt]

Nice. I really like how you got the curtains to match the speakers.

 

[its phillip]

yeh, that would be great! someday maybe. one of the best additions i ever made was the HRT Music Streamer I. To my ears it is very good considering the price, takes up very little space, and is very easy to use. I rarely play cd's anymore b/c its just so convenient using my computer as a music server. I'm really looking forward to hearing the new II and II+ hopefully sometime in the future.

I don't use a music server or server-type program, but my computer is my source for music as well. I can't remember the last time I actually listened to a cd - I just rip em and stick em on the shelf.

 

[joegator81]

I don't use a music server or server-type program, but my computer is my source for music as well. I can't remember the last time I actually listened to a cd - I just rip em and stick em on the shelf.

same here, all i use is my laptop, ext. 1 TB Hard Drive, iTunes, and the Music Streamer. Its really about as easy as it gets, of course its only a 1 room music system, i don't have it through the whole house.

 

[joegator81]

Nice. I really like how you got the curtains to match the speakers.

thanks, i actually had the curtains first. I think they help w/ the acoustics too. I needed a lot of dampening in this room b/c of the tile floors and though i don't have any tools for measuring, there is a noticable improvement w/ all the curtains, panels, rugs. There is no more echo, yet the room remains very dynamic... "trycicle" or "thunder and birdies" by Flim and the BB's is just about as good as it gets in this room!

I decided on all black speakers because a) black goes w/ just about everything and b) they were cheaper

BUT, i sometimes almost wish i had gone w/ something more exotic... a nice striped ebony would have looked phenominal in this room.

 

[Patrukas777]

Very nice system you have there...I think one of these days I'm going to get a 2-channel system with some Salk speakers.

 

[avliner]

...How are you enjoying the SVS and Emotiva gear?

Joe,

to be honest, I couldn't ask for more, but I'm sure your Salkers are in a higher class indeed!

 

[darien87]

Nice set-up. I'll go out on a limb and assume that you kinda like Pearl Jam.