Complete System Upgrade / Replacement

[cheller04]

Howdy Y'All. Long time lurker, first time poster.
I'm researching a full system replacement at this point. Once upon a time I had a full Phase Linear rack mount system complete with 800 watt test bench amp that a friend had taken with him when Carver let him go during the aquisition. Matched with SpeakerLab Dos 4's and a DIY sealed 18" sub, it was quite the system for the period (circa 1984). In the late 90's we had an Onkyo Integra 989TX with Paradigm Titans and a mix n match home theater. We LOVED the smoothness of the Onkyo and the Paradigms and I hope to get close to that again. We are currently running an older entry level Yammie with Cadence speakers all around including sub with an additional JBL sub I inherited. Movies are "okay" but music leaves a lot to be desired. I also have a couple bass shakers that I plan on adding using the old yammie to drive them.

Room is 20 x 14 x 8 and current setup has the primary listening / viewing area slightly to the right of center from the long wall and about about 8-9' from the 55" LCD TV (which will be wall mounted). I'm limited somewhat to Tiger Direct for the electronics as I have a substantial amount of store credit with them and would like to spend as little as possible "out of pocket".

Note: Ther are NO high end dealers with 5 hours of my home... Just Best Buy and I should also note that I am not a fan of the Infinity, Polk nor Klipsch brands. Too thin, bright or harsh for my taste....although I'll admit I probably have not heard the higher end models.

After several weeks of research and lurking, I'm leaning towards:
Toshiba 55ZV650U Regza 55" $1650
Onkyo TXSR876 $800
Denon DVD-2500BTCI Blu-Ray $290
Acsend CMT-340 SE Mains
Ascend CMT-340 SE Center
Ascend CBM-170 SE Surrounds - $1150 package
(2) TSC ASW-10 10" Subwoofers $300

I feel this setup will give me that audiophile feel I'm looking for. Remember that we prefer the laid back nuetral sound with clarity as opposed to loud and in your face. I'm open to suggestions... Do we REALLY need the 876? Are the Ascends the best choice or can we get by with a TSC setup? Hammer away!!!

Thanks,

KC

 

[m_vanmeter]

I think the system you have put together will work fine. The Ascend units are very nice speakers. The subwoofer may be a little overwhelmed by the room, so you might consider two TSC T100's or a least the T250 or T300 (20% off sale until end of month with coupon MOST15)

 

[anamorphic96]

With that size room I would definitely spend more on a subwoofer. Something like the Elemental Designs A2-300 or try two of them. Never go cheap with the sub bass system. Also look at Hsu and SVS.

Everything else you have chosen is top notch. You just cut corners with the subs and this is a no no when building a good HT. You should really spend more in this department.

 

[AVRat]

No the 876 isn’t necessary. The 706/806 would work very well to power the Ascends in your space.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4129885&CatId=4586
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5376889&CatId=4586

 

[cheller04]

Thanks!!!

Thanks for all the advise everyone. I was really iffy on the 876 thinking that down the road I may go with an Emotiva 5 channel. If I'm not mistaken, the 706 is the first model with pre-outs? That would probably work.

I recognize that I should spend more on the sub but I read on here somewhere that 2 decent subs may be better than 1 good sub to equal out room problems (which I have in spades). That said, does TigerDirect have any decent subs you would look at?
(tried link but too nube)

I mentioned the Ascends and the price to the wife and got the "blank stare" but not an "absolutely not" so there's hope I'll just have to bribe her with something she really wants with the savings from the 876 to the 706 and maybe the sub money if Tiger has something decent...

 

[jamie2112]

Tiger Direct is the LAST place to buy speakers.I would look at the brands recommended already for subs. www.audiogon.com is also a great place to buy used speakers and subs.

 

[AVRat]

Ditto, TD has ZERO speakers/subs worth a d@mn.

 

[Jeff R.]

I will second the dual sub approach. I have dual A2-300's from ED in a room that is about 25% larger than yours and they fill shake my entire room. You should be able to pick up a pair of these for about $650-700 with free shipping.

 

[blackzarg]

Tiger Direct is the LAST place to buy speakers.I would look at the brands recommended already for subs. www.audiogon.com is also a great place to buy used speakers and subs.

Ditto, TD has ZERO speakers/subs worth a d@mn.

If you are generalizing....then yes... but I finished my Infinity Beta 20 system with my final purchase from TigerDirect - they were sold out elsewhere, and at that time Matt34 had given his to a friend to borrow. So, they do have stuff, but in general, no.