Audio Artistry CBT36

[benbodtke]

You ordered the kit right??

Yeah, I ordered it from Parts Express. Putting it together will be half the fun.

 

[benbodtke]

I'm still a ways away from ordering (I've got a lot of time left, and a lot of crap to clean out of the workshop) but if you're planning on using another CBT-36 for the center channel and can't get them to sell you half a kit, I'll buy the other half for my center for the $1,000. Keep me in mind when you get that far, and I'll be anxious to learn from your experience.

I will keep that in mind. I want to speak with them again later down the line and see how close they are coming to completing the center. And of course see pictures. I have seen the one his brother built and that is just way too much. That thing must be 15' long if it wasnt shaped in a semi-circle. I will be using my bosses workshop since mine is being taken down preparing for the move.

 

[Nuance AH]

I got a deal on a SVS PB12-Plus that I had to pull the trigger on.

Just one, or a couple of them? One will be "enough," but two will be better.

You're going to have one AMAZING HT system! I can't wait to see your completion pictures.

 

[benbodtke]

Just one, or a couple of them? One will be "enough," but two will be better.

You're going to have one AMAZING HT system! I can't wait to see your completion pictures.

I just ordered one for now, but on the prowl for a second.

Thank you, but the credit goes to this forum and mostly Grant. If I didn't come here I probably would have a projector on a white wall with some low end klipsch from Best Buy. Although my wife hates that I found this site. LOL

 

[slipperybidness]

Now I am interested in the Oppo, why...
Why is this player $500 and thats for the cheap one. Is it worth it, and if it is why. Then the biggest one, how do I explain to the wife that the blu-ray player is worth that much.

Just read up on it, all the reviews etc. Seems to be the best on the market. With the future of physical media, it may be the best that will ever be on the market. FYI, I am seriously considering the upgraded 95 @ $1000.

 

[benbodtke]

Just read up on it, all the reviews etc. Seems to be the best on the market. With the future of physical media, it may be the best that will ever be on the market. FYI, I am seriously considering the upgraded 95 @ $1000.

Why is the 95 worth twice as much as the 93? Why are they either worth their price? Can quality be that much better?

 

[GranteedEV]

Just read up on it, all the reviews etc. Seems to be the best on the market.

But does that matter?

 

[benbodtke]

I have a couple of questions. If I use the crown amp instead of the Marantz to power the CBT's, could I use the Marantz to power the center or even the surrounds later on? Would it be better to get a pre-amp or will the Marantz do me just fine. Someone was talking about it today and kind of confused me.

 

[GranteedEV]

I have a couple of questions. If I use the crown amp instead of the Marantz to power the CBT's, could I use the Marantz to power the center or even the surrounds later on? Would it be better to get a pre-amp or will the Marantz do me just fine. Someone was talking about it today and kind of confused me.

Won't the center need to be bi-amped as well?

Just to clarify for you, you need two amps for the CBT. One stereo amp for the tweeters (like the XLS1000) and One stereo amp for the midranges (Like the XLS2000).

The marantz can not handle an active crossover for the center speaker.

However for any other more typical passive speakers, the amps on the marantz are more than adequate for surround duty IMO surrounds only get 30-40 watts MAX.

 

[Phantom48v]

I will keep that in mind. I want to speak with them again later down the line and see how close they are coming to completing the center. And of course see pictures. I have seen the one his brother built and that is just way too much. That thing must be 15' long if it wasnt shaped in a semi-circle. I will be using my bosses workshop since mine is being taken down preparing for the move.

Ha! You mean this one?

I think I saw that one before I knew anything about CBT. It was huge and obnoxious and totally impractical...and I wanted it immediately =). I've also seen some surround channels, which look interesting.

I prefer having matching speakers all the way around, but it's cool to see what others are doing.

 

[benbodtke]

Ok, I must have missed that. I figure one XLS2500 would cover it. I will get two separate ones then. Back to the drawing board, lol.

 

[benbodtke]

Ha! You mean this one?

I think I saw that one before I knew anything about CBT. It was huge and obnoxious and totally impractical...and I wanted it immediately =). I've also seen some surround channels, which look interesting.

I prefer having matching speakers all the way around, but it's cool to see what others are doing.

Yeah that top one is his brothers. I like the one on the bottom. I might have to call him to see what he is coming up with.

On the other hand my sub will be here Wednesday. I love trying out new toys.

 

[Phantom48v]

The small surround didn't come from Audio Artistry, it was posted on AVS Forum by a user named 'maxmercy.' It was a DIY thread, but I haven't talked to any of them about it.

 

[benbodtke]

I like that small surround. I might have to see if I can build something along those lines.

 

[Nuance AH]

I just ordered one for now, but on the prowl for a second.

Thank you, but the credit goes to this forum and mostly Grant. If I didn't come here I probably would have a projector on a white wall with some low end klipsch from Best Buy. Although my wife hates that I found this site. LOL

Haha, welcome to the HBW club (Hated By Wives). Grant is the man; really knows his stuff. He definitely steered you in the right direction.

But does that matter?

Of course it does. We want the best!

 

[benbodtke]

Of course it does. We want the best!

But what makes it the best, the price? What makes this better than the Sony or Panasonic?

I agree we want the best but we are always looking to get deals and we need to be sastified that we spent that money for a reason. I would be pissed if I got the Oppo, and then went over to the neighbors house and seen the Pansonic with the exact same quality.

 

[Nuance AH]

But what makes it the best, the price? What makes this better than the Sony or Panasonic?

I agree we want the best but we are always looking to get deals and we need to be sastified that we spent that money for a reason. I would be pissed if I got the Oppo, and then went over to the neighbors house and seen the Pansonic with the exact same quality.

I was just joking, FYI (I'll use a few more smiley's next time ). I use my playstation 3 without any regrets. The Oppo does get fantastic reviews, though, and if I recall correctly a very high end audio manufacturer took their oem design, slapped their fancy cabinet and branding on it and sold it for like 4-5 thousand dollars; no actual electronic changes were made. This was the original blue-ray player from Oppo, though. Regardless, the pro reviews speak for themselves, but I've never been willing to spend more than I did on the PS3 for a blue-ray player; I'll keep it until it dies. I'm sure there are a lot of great players out there, many which cost far less than the Oppo.

 

[benbodtke]

I was just joking, FYI (I'll use a few more smiley's next time ). I use my playstation 3 without any regrets. The Oppo does get fantastic reviews, though, and if I recall correctly a very high end audio manufacturer took their oem design, slapped their fancy cabinet and branding on it and sold it for like 4-5 thousand dollars; no actual electronic changes were made. This was the original blue-ray player from Oppo, though. Regardless, the pro reviews speak for themselves, but I've never been willing to spend more than I did on the PS3 for a blue-ray player; I'll keep it until it dies. I'm sure there are a lot of great players out there, many which cost far less than the Oppo.

Don't get me wrong, my options are open until I pull the trigger. I have been reading it over and grasping why they cost so much more. I know the reviews are great, but sometimes people write great things about their products to justify spending so much money for them. I have known people to lie so much they actually start to believe themselves.

 

[Hocky]

Their build quality is good. It is a nice piece. That said, I doubt you'll see any real improvement with it unless you're using the analog outs.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I say buy the Oppo only if you need SACD/DVDA.

Otherwise, get the Panasonic or similar BD for under $200.