New Home Theater Advice

[Fungui]

Hello all,

I have been pouring over information on this site for over a week now, and have found loads of great stuff. I am putting together my first "real" HT (I have had a few $200 5.1 channel systems before). However, I am finally able to put together a full system. Some background information on myself is that I grew up with very decent HT experiences, with my Dad being a big audiophile for years. I definitely appreciate a solid system, and can generally find something that erks me with most systems. That being said I 100% plan on auditioning everything before the final purchase is made.

I am still in the early planning stages, and will be for many weeks to come. What I am looking at right now is making a list of all of the components I will need, and then researching each one individually. I plan on taking several trips to a larger city, in hopes of demoing each component. On a side note what brick and mortar stores are good for this?

I am looking to spend around $6000 on the system, not including the HTPC/projector. In the end it will be connected to a mostly media, some gaming htpc (with dedicated graphics). I had planned on using the HDMI out on my gpu (xfx 6950 2gb), and running that directly to the preamp. I do not plan on using it much for music, as it will be in a spare bedroom. The room is roughly 10x12, and is pretty standard for a small extra room. This will not be permanent, so I would really like the system to be geared at a medium sized (15' X 20') dedicated room for the future. I am planning on following one of the guides I found on this website, to maximize acoustics.

This a a mock setup, made of components that I would like to audition. The main interest in buying the Verus Grand Tower XD package is the ability to audition for 30 days...for free. Asperion has definitely won my first audition list simply for that fact.

Preamp: Emotiva UMC-1 ($499)
Amp: Emotiva XPA-1 ($999)
Verus Grand Tower XD - ($3994.00) “The Verus Grand Hybrid XD weds our most popular speaker, the Verus Grand Tower with the Verus Grand Center, and Verus Grand Bookshelves as surrounds. Bravus II 12D brings its deep sub-bass into the picture.”

So starting out with the that 5.1 setup would run roughly $5492. I have read reviews on all of the components, and only find that the bass might be “lacking” in power. Does anyone have any experience will the Bravus II 12D? While I do like a good thump from an explosion, I am more interested in having very wide ranged bass. When the system is being used for music Primus/Rush will definitely be present .

So overall, any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Ryan

 

[sholling]

I do not plan on using it much for music, as it will be in a spare bedroom. The room is roughly 10x12, and is pretty standard for a small extra room. This will not be permanent, so I would really like the system to be geared at a medium sized (15' X 20') dedicated room for the future. I am planning on following one of the guides I found on this website, to maximize acoustics.

You don't need towers in a 10x12' room. I'd start with bookshelves and a good subwoofer and add the matching towers when you move to a larger space.

Preamp: Emotiva UMC-1 ($499)

You'd be better off using a receiver with preouts as a preamp. You'll have more advanced features and be able to use the internal amps to power the surrounds.

Amp: Emotiva XPA-1 ($999)

You do realize that the XPA-1 is a mono amp? A three-channel XPA-3 or a five-channel XPA-5 would be more realistic. But honestly in a room that size with speakers that sensitive a good receiver will probably drive them fine without an external amp.

 

[Fungui]

sholling,

Thanks for the info. That does makes sense on waiting for the floorstand speakers. Do you think it is best to get four bookshelf speakers, or two bookshelf and two satellite? Eventually all four will be used as surround, when the floorstands enter the picture.

I will definitely look into a receiver with preouts. Can you recommend any? I did not realize that the XPA-1 was a mono. My main concern for using a preamp and an additional amp was to take some of the load off of the digital conversion. Am I off in my thinking here? I have also seen that standalone DACs are used for this purpose. Once the floorstands are introduced will it be more worthwhile to add the extra amp?

I was also wondering how that worked exactly. From what I understand, the preamp takes the output from the source, in this case the htpc. It then converts the signal, and pushes it out to the different speaker channels. The amp takes that, and send the signal to each actual speaker?

You mentioned that it might not be necessary to even have the additional amp. Would you think that it would be needed with a Denon AVR-4311CI?

Thanks again,

Ryan

 

[sholling]

sholling,

Thanks for the info. That does makes sense on waiting for the floorstand speakers. Do you think it is best to get four bookshelf speakers, or two bookshelf and two satellite? Eventually all four will be used as surround, when the floorstands enter the picture.

That room is so small I'd be tempted to go with 4 bookshelves, a center, and a serious subwoofer. When you move to larger quarters you may or may not want to add the towers but you'd probably add a second sub.

My main concern for using a preamp and an additional amp was to take some of the load off of the digital conversion.

Completely unnecessary.

I have also seen that standalone DACs are used for this purpose.

Also completely unnecessary, the DACs in a good receiver are plenty good.

Once the floorstands are introduced will it be more worthwhile to add the extra amp?

Those speakers are so easy to drive that any good 100 watt or better receiver should be plenty but you can always add an amp later if you still want it. I'll let others make the receiver recommendations.

I was also wondering how that worked exactly. From what I understand, the preamp takes the output from the source, in this case the htpc. It then converts the signal, and pushes it out to the different speaker channels. The amp takes that, and send the signal to each actual speaker?

That's pretty much it. A receiver is just a preamp, sound processor, DACs, and amplifiers all in one box.

 

[Crackerballer]

I'd hop on this:
http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR3312CI-Integrated-Surround-Receiver/dp/B004Z50L6E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329400041&sr=8-1

Or look for the 43xx series that have been going on sale for $1250 lately, then just audition whatever speakers you can, whether they are bookshelves for towers.

 

[Fungui]

sholling,

Thank you for clearing that up for me, you have been a great help!

Crackerballer,

I will definitely check both of those out, Denon seems to be what I am leaning towards. I think I will start by auditioning the Asperion speakers, because of the 30 day trial deal. I am not planning on grabbing their sub though.

I had my eyes on the Emotiva X-Ref 12 but that is fairly low on my budget. Can anyone recommend a better sub for around $1,000?

 

[sholling]

sholling,

Thank you for clearing that up for me, you have been a great help!

Crackerballer,

I will definitely check both of those out, Denon seems to be what I am leaning towards. I think I will start by auditioning the Asperion speakers, because of the 30 day trial deal. I am not planning on grabbing their sub though.

I had my eyes on the Emotiva X-Ref 12 but that is fairly low on my budget. Can anyone recommend a better sub for around $1,000?

For a room that size I'd probably look at a SVSounds cylinder sub like a PC12-NSD just to save on floor space but it will also hit harder down low. I'd also consider a Rythmik Subwoofer FV12 but it may eat up too much floor space.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

For a room that size I'd probably look at a SVSounds cylinder sub like a PC12-NSD just to save on floor space but it will also hit harder down low. I'd also consider a Rythmik Subwoofer FV12 but it may eat up too much floor space.

I agree, in addition with the money saved from transition to bookshelfs and eliminating amp - I think getting more sub is in order like SVS PC12-PLUS

 

[Fungui]

I agree, in addition with the money saved from transition to bookshelfs and eliminating amp - I think getting more sub is in order like SVS PC12-PLUS

Indeed, with the additional funding I may even splurge on the PB-13 Ultra. My main concern is that I do not know of any stores in my area that carry higher end audio components. I can take a road trip to a Fry's electronics, but other than that I am at a loss for a place to do auditions at. I could plan a trip pretty much anywhere is the Midwest region, as the wife and I like to camp pretty frequently. Any thoughts on stores in the area?

Or look for the 43xx series that have been going on sale for $1250 lately, then just audition whatever speakers you can, whether they are bookshelves for towers.

Are those on sale at Amazon for that price? That would be awesome.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Since you are just auditioning, I would recommend buying only 2 bookshelf speakers from each brand. The midrange/treble of the bookshelf speakers Will sound similar to their respective towers. They will be easier to ship.

Amazon direct also offers 30 day return policy free shipping. They sell KEF, Infinity, JBL, NHT, Martin Logan, Energy, DefTech, Klipsch, to name a few.

NHT direct also offers 30 day trial free shipping.

I think Salk & Ascend offers 30 day return, but you have to pay shipping.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

You can get the Demon 4311 brand new for $1650 delivered. Send me a PM if you need help.

Don't ever buy any Denon from Dakmart or eCost. Stay far far away.

I can tell you that DenPureSound got his 4311 for $1500 delivered from Electronic Express, but that was before Denon increased the price from $2K to $2.1K.

 

[Fungui]

You can get the Demon 4311 brand new for $1650 delivered. Send me a PM if you need help.

Don't ever buy any Denon from Dakmart or eCost. Stay far far away.

I can tell you that DenPureSound got his 4311 for $1500 delivered from Electronic Express, but that was before Denon increased the price from $2K to $2.1K.

Awesome thank you for the great info! I will be sure to post back here with results/more questions.