No Differences Between "Core" DTS and Lossless DTS-HD MA Stream?

[PearlcorderS701]

Assuming you like Polk speakers, if you upgrade to a pair of Polk Audio LSI 15 or even LSI 9 plus a LSIC you should suddenly hear a big improvement. My point earlier was that even upgraded speakers, you still may not hear much difference between the core and the MA because the core will sound much better too with the better speakers. The LSI are 4 ohm nominal speakers so you should get an amp to power them. A low cost amp such as the EMO XPA-3 should be good enough. The easier to drive RTiA9 is a reasonable alternative. Any mid range AVR should do reasonably well with the RTiA series.

Thanks for the info here, PENG; it's not that I necessarily "like" Polk speakers, it's just that I was trying to at least salvage my CSi center channel, so I was under the assumption that replacing my R20 mains with other Polk towers would make for better timbre matching and such. Is this necessarily true, or can I mix the Polk center with other brands of mains?

Since I won't be swapping out my Onkyo 605, I would probably be better off going with the RTiA9s, no? Should this receiver be able to power these?

Again, I thought peopler were simply suggesting that you will get far more improvements by upgrading your speakers, but such upgrade will improve both core and MA so the difference between the two would still be small. That being said, the small difference may be magnified somewhat but any such slightly magnified difference may be more than offset by the fact that your hearing sense may approach closer to the point of diminishing.

I'll take your word on this one; I just know that my R20 bookshelves are in need of desperate replacement...

Yes, based on the fact that you are obviously pursuing better SQ, you do need to upgrade your speakers. Speakers and room acoustic condition are two major factors that contribute to sound quality.

Thank you.

So, here's more inquiry with regard to brand mixing/types of speakers now...I would like to get a good pair of floorstanding towers to replace the R20s with, but if I decide to keep my CSi center, do I necessarily need to stay with Polk just for front stage cohesiveness? If so, your recommendation would be for the RTiA towers of some sort?

How about other brands...any others you recommend going with? Klipsch? JBL? Def Tech?

 

[PENG]

Thanks for the info here, PENG; it's not that I necessarily "like" Polk speakers, it's just that I was trying to at least salvage my CSi center channel, so I was under the assumption that replacing my R20 mains with other Polk towers would make for better timbre matching and such. Is this necessarily true, or can I mix the Polk center with other brands of mains?

Since I won't be swapping out my Onkyo 605, I would probably be better off going with the RTiA9s, no? Should this receiver be able to power these?

I'll take your word on this one; I just know that my R20 bookshelves are in need of desperate replacement...

The CSI may not be a perfect timbre match for the RTiA but I believe it will do reasonably well. If you room is not too big (say less than 15X20X9) and you don't listen to continuous average SPL of >85 dB, the 605 can do the job but more power will be better for sure.

So, here's more inquiry with regard to brand mixing/types of speakers now...I would like to get a good pair of floorstanding towers to replace the R20s with, but if I decide to keep my CSi center, do I necessarily need to stay with Polk just for front stage cohesiveness? If so, your recommendation would be for the RTiA towers of some sort?

Yes and yes.

How about other brands...any others you recommend going with? Klipsch? JBL? Def Tech?

I prefer the RTiA to the Klipsch. JBL does have speakers that sound nice to me but I did not pay attention to the model numbers. Def Tech seems to have good reviews. Canadian speakers such as Axiom, Paradigm, PSB, Energy, Totem all tend to sound musical. So are British speakers such as B&W, Monitor Audio, KEF. You really have to go and visit as many dealers as you can, and listen to all of them. Don't forget to bring your own favourite CDs.

 

[PearlcorderS701]

The CSI may not be a perfect timbre match for the RTiA but I believe it will do reasonably well. If you room is not too big (say less than 15X20X9) and you don't listen to continuous average SPL of >85 dB, the 605 can do the job but more power will be better for sure.

No, whatever room the 605 will be moving to will not be tremendously huge, and the power the 605 has right now in my current listening space is plenty -- I never get the thing even near the halfway volume mark.

But I am concerned about the speakers; do you know what would be a better timbre match for the CSi center from the company's current product line of towers? Would it be okay to mix the brands then, getting new front mains from a different manufacturer?

I prefer the RTiA to the Klipsch.

Why is that? Because of Klipsch's notorious "bright, horn-like" sound? Just curious as to why you feel that way, as all your suggestions so far to me have been very logical.

JBL does have speakers that sound nice to me but I did not pay attention to the model numbers. Def Tech seems to have good reviews. Canadian speakers such as Axiom, Paradigm, PSB, Energy, Totem all tend to sound musical. So are British speakers such as B&W, Monitor Audio, KEF. You really have to go and visit as many dealers as you can, and listen to all of them. Don't forget to bring your own favourite CDs.

Thank you for your thoughts.

 

[PENG]

But I am concerned about the speakers; do you know what would be a better timbre match for the CSi center from the company's current product line of towers? Would it be okay to mix the brands then, getting new front mains from a different manufacturer?

As I said before, the CSi should match with the RTiA. It may match better with the older RTi though.

Why is that? Because of Klipsch's notorious "bright, horn-like" sound? Just curious as to why you feel that way, as all your suggestions so far to me have been very logical.

Yes, I find them too bright for me, definitely brighter than the RTiA speakers.

Why not just sell your CSi? Then you won't have to tie yourself down to Polk Audio speakers.

 

[PearlcorderS701]

As I said before, the CSi should match with the RTiA. It may match better with the older RTi though.




Yes, I find them too bright for me, definitely brighter than the RTiA speakers.

Why not just sell your CSi? Then you won't have to tie yourself down to Polk Audio speakers.

Without setting a budget too high, what do you think might be necessarily "better" sounding than the Polks? I mean, which brand?

 

[PearlcorderS701]

Thank you; I understand the speaker issue is highly controversial.

 

[PENG]

Without setting a budget too high, what do you think might be necessarily "better" sounding than the Polks? I mean, which brand?

By Polks I assume you meant the RTiA speakers. In that case any of those I mentioned before are better but that is my opinion only. I am sure there are people who prefer the RTiA.

Speakers preference is a subjective thing to certain extent. On a good day you should expect to get at least 10 different answers.

 

[PearlcorderS701]

By Polks I assume you meant the RTiA speakers. In that case any of those I mentioned before are better but that is my opinion only. I am sure there are people who prefer the RTiA.

Speakers preference is a subjective thing to certain extent. On a good day you should expect to get at least 10 different answers.

Thank you; I understand the speaker issue is highly controversial.