questions around building a separate HT setup -- Integra AV & Amp

[va3pjl]

Hi,

I've been a reader of Audioholics for a while now. I love the reviews and all of the informative members of the forum.. I find it the best source for audio information on the web.

I finally registered to post this question..

I am building a home theatre around two Integra components and oppo blurry..

1) Integra DHC at least a 80.1 A/V Processor
2) Integra DTA - at least a 70.1 Multichannel Power Amplifier
3) Oppo BDP-93 Blu-ray player

What would you recommend for the other components??
4) Power conditioner ?
5) Speaker cables ?
6) Interconnects ?

and finally... Speakers I was thinking Martin Login Motion series...

Any recommendations would be much appreciated.

cheers

Phil

 

[va3pjl]

RSL 5.1? Anyone hear them?

i'm re-thinking the martin logan's...

maybe i need to do more research on the speakers... thats the fun part.

i was reading about the RSL... I'm interested to hear them!

any suggestions?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I suggest you go listen to every speaker you can find, see what you really like and then you can worry about what you are going to power it with.

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum, Phil!

I agree with P-Dawg. Start with speakers, then get the electronics to power them. One reason for that suggestion is that some speakers present a difficult load for some electronics, so if you buy a receiver/amp and then find speakers that you really like that the receiver/amp can't adequately power...you'll be looking for a new receiver/amp.

In regards to speaker cables, I really like the website linked here. There's a table just a bit down the page that gives recommended speaker wire gauges as a function of speaker impedance and length of wire. You don't need to buy expensive cable, either. Copper wire works great, whether it's name-brand or not. You can always pay more for aethetics, though, and that comes down to whether it's worth it to you or not.

For interconnects, I'm happy with relatively inexpensive ones from Monoprice (but I do recommend their premium RCA interconnects for the better connectors). Others here really like Blue Jeans Cable products - they are just a bit pricey for me.

As for power conditioners, some people swear buy them and others think that they do nothing. Most likely, that's due to how clean the power in their house is to begin with. I sure didn't notice any difference in picture quality or audio quality when I connected my Belkin PureAV conditioner or my Panamax conditioner...but I didn't expect to. I bought them mostly for the surge protection and the additional power outlets.

 

[va3pjl]

Thanks for the recommendation!

I am ordering a pair of RSL's to test. They provide risk free home tryouts!

problem being once they arrive I will have nothing but an old Pioneer 5.1 HT receiver or a Julida fx10 tube amp.

I think they would sound a bit different once hooked up to the - Integra DHC-80.1 & ntegra DTA-70.1

doesn't that pose a problem?

 

[Rickster71]

Looks like you'll be OK, they don't present a very difficult load.
What model Pioneer are you using and what model RSL's?
That would help in giving a more definitive answer.

 

[va3pjl]

Looks like you'll be OK, they don't present a very difficult load.
What model Pioneer are you using and what model RSL's?
That would help in giving a more definitive answer.

ugh.. I was seconds away from ordering the RSL's a couple days ago.. just a pair of CG4 to test. I started second guessing myself and figured i should do more research... ive never taken the plunge on speakers without listening to them first.

I started looking at the B&W 683 and 685 theater series.. a local retailer sells these so its easy for me to test them out.


what would you recommend?

Id be using an old Pioneer VSX-D812K receiver to test until I get the integra dhc. i'll go by the recommendations here and start with the speakers..

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Must compare all. You will not know which is best until you compare them. Local dealers are a good start. Then try those 30-day free returns online.

Then see if you can find some owners of Salk, Philharmonic, and Ascend speakers to audition since no dealers will carry them. Salk & Ascend offer some 30-day returns, but you pay shipping both ways.

I just bought the Philharmonic 3 speakers and will have them soon.

Brands I've like: NHT, Revel, KEF, RBH, DefTech.

Salk, Philharmonic, & Ascend are among favorites around Audioholics & AVS forum.

In case you have not noticed, there are some brand bashing of DefTech, B&W, & Paradigm. Probably some other brands too.

 

[Rickster71]

ugh.. I was seconds away from ordering the RSL's a couple days ago.. just a pair of CG4 to test. I started second guessing myself and figured i should do more research... ive never taken the plunge on speakers without listening to them first.

I started looking at the B&W 683 and 685 theater series.. a local retailer sells these so its easy for me to test them out.


what would you recommend?

Id be using an old Pioneer VSX-D812K receiver to test until I get the integra dhc. i'll go by the recommendations here and start with the speakers..

It would be easier to audition if you find something you like locally.
Try posting in the speaker thread for info on the RSL's. I'm no help there since I've never heard them, though them seem to be a well made speaker.
Keep in mind you'll need a sub at some point, if using bookshelves.
Your Pioneer is fine for your listening tests.

An aside: I've always had good luck with Integra stuff. The one time I did have an issue with a CD/DVD player. A new laser wasn't available timely enough, so they replaced the entire unit with their best model.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

How much is that Integra pre-pro?

Electronics Expo (authorized) sold some new Denon AVR-4311 for $1360 delivered. You will most likely not need an external amp since the 4311 is pretty beefy. But you can add an amp later.

Or just grab this Denon 990 (clone of AVR-3310) for $605 delivered.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002AKKFRG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A1CBOV91BX8DZ5

And add this American-made muscle amp from ATI for $1600. It is rated @180wpc x 5ch, but actually produces 200wpc. ATI likes to do that. Rate their amps lower than actual. 7 yr warranty. Authorized dealer. This thing weighs around 85lbs, so shipping may cost around $80.

http://www.classicaudioparts.com/index.php/amplifiers/ati-at1805-five-channel-x-180-watt-amplifier-b-stock-120v.html

 

[zieglj01]

i'm re-thinking the martin logan's...

maybe i need to do more research on the speakers... thats the fun part.

i was reading about the RSL... I'm interested to hear them!

Research and audition - also audition the speakers that seem to
get some bashing - no guarantees that you will not like them.

Your Pioneer is decent for the beginning process. There are good
powerfull receivers out there, and they can be a beginning, if you
are somewhat restricted on budget.

Along with some others on the list, check out Focal, plus PSB and
Monitor Audio.
Also, look at Outlaw Audio
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/subwoofers.html

 

[va3pjl]

I just bought the Philharmonic 3 speakers and will have them soon.

VERY NICE! those look amazing!

In regards to the speaker recommendations.. I will definitely look at what these have to offer. I can easily test KEF as its available at my local shop. The others I will have to look up.

Brands I've like: NHT, Revel, KEF, RBH, DefTech.

Salk, Philharmonic, & Ascend are among favorites around Audioholics & AVS forum.

An aside: I've always had good luck with Integra stuff.

Good to hear.. I 've always wanted Integra stuff.. I ve been following them for some time now. I never had a reason to buy one but now I do. Also, Ive been following Arcam too. If i were to choose not to go separates.. I would definitely be looking at Arcam AVRs.

a side note, Integra and Arcam have always been on the top of my wish list.

On the topic of receivers...

How much is that Integra pre-pro?

I can pick up a integra dhc 80.1 for around $1000... but this is just the av processor.. I would need an amp too. I am looking for a 7.1 setup with bi-amped fronts.. so I would need it to support 9.2 to do this... i think?

Thanks for the ATI recommendations.. I will look into them!

the question is how I could bi-amp.. it would be nice to have that option. its a nice to have

 

[va3pjl]

Research and audition - also audition the speakers that seem to
get some bashing - no guarantees that you will not like them.

Your Pioneer is decent for the beginning process. There are good
powerfull receivers out there, and they can be a beginning, if you
are somewhat restricted on budget.

Along with some others on the list, check out Focal, plus PSB and
Monitor Audio.
Also, look at Outlaw Audio
Outlaw Audio Speakers and Suwboofers

Thanks.. i'll audition as much as I can

I have heard a lot of good about Outlaw, Focal and PSB.. They are definitely on my to test list

that list may have some limitations as my budget is 5k for speakers + pre/pro or AVR

 

[freeflap]

my two cents:

1. RBH speakers; money well spent. sound great, dynamic, natural.

2. Decent amp: I agree with the ATI rec. it's well built, powerful and dynamic. and reasonably priced. should last decades...

3. get a decent receiver to use as a prepro. make sure it has prepro outputs. The prepro has the shortest lifespan of any HT product. New digital formats, new HDMI standards will make today's state of the art processor become tomorrow's 30 lb paperweight. Don't waste your $$ on a highend prepro. i'd recommend the cheapest yammy or denon that has the prepro outputs and connect them to your amp. Yammy 1010 is a good starting point if you don't want to get the separate amp just yet.

4. sub: elemental designs. Hsu. Epik. all good choices.


enjoy.

 

[GranteedEV]

I am building a home theatre around two Integra components and oppo blurry..

1) Integra DHC at least a 80.1 A/V Processor
2) Integra DTA - at least a 70.1 Multichannel Power Amplifier

Integra? Meh...

What would you recommend for the other components??
4) Power conditioner ?

I use Fructis by Garnier.

5) Speaker cables ?

Copper.

6) Interconnects ?

RCA, though XLR are nice too.

and finally... Speakers I was thinking Martin Login Motion series...

What are the dimension of the room, how far can the speakers be from boundaries, and how far will you sit? If you had to weigh movie watching and music listening how would you?

I am ordering a pair of RSL's to test. They provide risk free home tryouts!

problem being once they arrive I will have nothing but an old Pioneer 5.1 HT receiver or a Julida fx10 tube amp.

I think they would sound a bit different once hooked up to the - Integra DHC-80.1 & ntegra DTA-70.1

Only if there's some sub-par electronics designs in any of those.

ugh.. I was seconds away from ordering the RSL's a couple days ago.. just a pair of CG4 to test. I started second guessing myself and figured i should do more research... ive never taken the plunge on speakers without listening to them first.

I started looking at the B&W 683 and 685 theater series.. a local retailer sells these so its easy for me to test them out.

..meh

what would you recommend?

What's your budget for stereo mains? Do you genuinly feel you need a center? Got a budget for surrounds? Subs??

that list may have some limitations as my budget is 5k for speakers + pre/pro or AVR

Well then forget wasting your money on separates. That will eat up a good > 40% of your budget which is ridiculous.

Spend about $600 on a receiver, and if necessary add a crown XLS1500 amp to power your stereo mains. That will leave the rest of your budget for the parts of the system that affect the sound quality.

 

[va3pjl]

Spend about $600 on a receiver, and if necessary add a crown XLS1500 amp to power your stereo mains. That will leave the rest of your budget for the parts of the system that affect the sound quality.

i like this guy! just totally honest.. no bull

i think i may go a little over budget... i would say double that original 5k idea.

if i stay within 5k ..

Onkyo TX-NR1009 $1399
oppo bdp 93 $499
RSL 7.1 system $2575​

and if not....

Onkyo PR-SC5509 $2000
(?? outlaw AMP)
oppo bdp 95 $999
Adam Audio GTC77 + 2 sets of GTC55 $4450
that 6800 not including cables, amp, etc​