Old vs New

[basil]

I have a Marantz SR 7200 driving B&W CDM 7's which have obviously been "overtaken" by more recent models etc. While I am still "happy" with this system/combo, I am probably dancing with the dinosaurs when I could/may be missing-out on the improved audio experience from vastly improved technology...or perhaps the oldie is still a goldie?
Is there any other way(short of doing the listening tour of audio stores or setting-up "appro" or demo systems alongside mine, both of which approaches have significant drawbacks and hassle-factors) in which the "old" can be measured/rated against "new"....Reviews in Audio mags seem only to focus on comparisons between the latest current models.
Are there any members with comments,advice,experience etc who could assist.

Basil

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum, basil!

Except for a few rare cases of the uber rich, there will always be systems out there that are better than what we own. It's just whether it's worth the resources (time and money) to acquire them.

My advice is this - if you're happy with your system, don't worry about upgrading. Just sit back and enjoy. However, if there are things about it that you think are lacking, then it might be time to start exploring a little bit.

I got a new receiver a couple of years ago because there were some things about my older receiver that I didn't like and hadn't liked for years. For me, it was just time, and I was extremely happy with the improvement in sound. As you mentioned, technology has improved, and I benefited from the auto-eq system in my new Pioneer.

By "exploring", I don't mean that you need to start doing hardcore auditioning, but just go out and listen to a few things (at stores or your friends' homes). I took a chance this summer and bought an external amp for my system. I had no idea if it would make any difference at all, but I was quite pleased with the results. Now, I did it because I thought my receiver was lacking when I turned up the volume - so I did have some motivation. I'm really glad that I got it, though.

One other thing. Try to not let all of the talk on this forum get you all geared up to go out and buy stuff. I have to fight that myself, and sometimes I fall victim to it. Again, if you're happy with what you've got, don't worry about what else is out there.

Adam

 

[j_garcia]

I'd keep the speakers and upgrade the receiver or simply add an amp to it. Should be good to go after that. The receiver is a good one, but I think more power will bring out the best in those speakers.

 

[snickelfritz]

A top quality powered subwoofer would be an obvious direction to go, since your existing gear is already very good.

This would tend to increase the effective power of your receiver, since the lowend would be rolled-off.
It also allows the deep bass response to be optimized for the room and the overall response below 200 hz to be trimmed flatter using the crossover and phase controls on the sub.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I have a Marantz SR 7200 driving B&W CDM 7's which have obviously been "overtaken" by more recent models etc. While I am still "happy" with this system/combo, I am probably dancing with the dinosaurs when I could/may be missing-out on the improved audio experience from vastly improved technology...or perhaps the oldie is still a goldie?
Is there any other way(short of doing the listening tour of audio stores or setting-up "appro" or demo systems alongside mine, both of which approaches have significant drawbacks and hassle-factors) in which the "old" can be measured/rated against "new"....Reviews in Audio mags seem only to focus on comparisons between the latest current models.
Are there any members with comments,advice,experience etc who could assist.

Basil

As suggested, if you don't already have a great sub, that is what you need. This receiver can even be used, it seems with its 7ch analog inputs, to connect hi-def DVD and take advantage of their lossless new audio.

 

[basil]

Just a note of thanks for the informative responses to my thread re Old vs New. The honest intelligent advice is really appreciated. For starters, I'm off to market to find a reasonably priced sub for my system.

basil

 

[mtrycrafts]

For starters, I'm off to market to find a reasonably priced sub for my system.
basil

What size is the listening space? I didn't see a mention of how much HT you will be doing vs music. You may not want to skimp out on a good sub.

 

[basil]

Welcome to the forum, basil!

Except for a few rare cases of the uber rich, there will always be systems out there that are better than what we own. It's just whether it's worth the resources (time and money) to acquire them.

My advice is this - if you're happy with your system, don't worry about upgrading. Just sit back and enjoy. However, if there are things about it that you think are lacking, then it might be time to start exploring a little bit.

I got a new receiver a couple of years ago because there were some things about my older receiver that I didn't like and hadn't liked for years. For me, it was just time, and I was extremely happy with the improvement in sound. As you mentioned, technology has improved, and I benefited from the auto-eq system in my new Pioneer.

By "exploring", I don't mean that you need to start doing hardcore auditioning, but just go out and listen to a few things (at stores or your friends' homes). I took a chance this summer and bought an external amp for my system. I had no idea if it would make any difference at all, but I was quite pleased with the results. Now, I did it because I thought my receiver was lacking when I turned up the volume - so I did have some motivation. I'm really glad that I got it, though.

One other thing. Try to not let all of the talk on this forum get you all geared up to go out and buy stuff. I have to fight that myself, and sometimes I fall victim to it. Again, if you're happy with what you've got, don't worry about what else is out there.

Adam

Adam

Thanks for the "sound" advice. I have been listening around and am getting more confused, as well meaning friends and sales people eagerly make recommendations. Some of the advice is in fact contradictory and because I know so little about the technical aspects of systems, I'm becoming overwhelmed by over-choice and over-sell.
Starting with the sub, I've had brands presented some of which I've heard/read about and others about which I know little or nothing...Cerwin Vega, Polk, Dayton, Aperion, Velodyne, Atlantic Technology, Klipsch.... Ooooh wow on and on.
What I did was to start the painful process of reading reviews of the models and brands from audio mags and on the web in the hope that one will stand out. Instead they all seem to get good ratings so I figure that price will be the final determinant. Whew ther's no simple way around this is there?
Wish me luck.

regards

basil

 

[basil]

What size is the listening space? I didn't see a mention of how much HT you will be doing vs music. You may not want to skimp out on a good sub.

As you will see my journey of discovery continues...I still haven't decided on what to get in spite having seen several specs and having listened to a few.
Being unused to a sub,I had some difficulty in distinguishing between them....they all hit the low spots.
My room is 5 meters by 8 meters, carpeted and curtained across 2 sides. It's been recommended that I get a 10" powered sub.
So now comes the hard part, to choose from a growing list of recommended options.....Velodyne, Klipsch, Cerwin Vega, Aperion, Atlantic Technology, B&W, Dayton, Polk...the list goes on......
Wish me luck
regards

basil

 

[mtrycrafts]

My room is 5 meters by 8 meters, carpeted and curtained across 2 sides. It's been recommended that I get a 10" powered sub.
basil

I would recommend you look for something bigger, minimum of 12" and preferably the 15" subs. The curtain is not a wall and the low passes right through it. then, you don't have to replace a 10" when you are dissatisfied

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

So now comes the hard part, to choose from a growing list of recommended options.....Velodyne, Klipsch, Cerwin Vega, Aperion, Atlantic Technology, B&W, Dayton, Polk...the list goes on......

For the man of modest means (ie. no $10,000 Bag End or Krell subwoofers in your future) there are really only three manufacturers of subwoofer to even consider: Hsu Research, SVS, and Velodyne. These three companies will easily outperform any traditional speaker companies price-point offerings.