Recommendation/Critique of overhaul plans

[tkd.teacher]

I'm looking at replacing quite a bit of my system, as I have some budget to play with this year.



Current system:
Onkyo HT-RC260
Generic Sony DVD/Bluray player (I also have available a newer Sony BDPS3200)
Carver CRM-2c center channel
Generic Pioneer powered sub (100w, Best Buy purchase).
KLH 900B L/R
LG LED tv, a few years old. Non 3d capable, I believe it is a 5200 model or something along that line, 48" 1080p
Rarely used HTPC setup, 1 year old with XBMC installed. (Currently runs through the Onkyo, as does everything else).

Available, not in use:
Polk T15 bookshelf speakers
Carver Audio TFM 6cb (100 watts into two channel, can be bridged to run mono at 200w)
Carver Audio TFM-15 100 watts, four channel)

I had been thinking of building either of these speaker designs to replace the current KLH's, Uluwatu or Statements (Both available on speakerdesigns, I can't post links yet) and running a Denon AVR-X4000 with external amps in a 7.1 system. I have also considered Polks, KEF and Boston Acoustics. I'm not averse to any decent brand in the price range for either speakers or receiver/processor setup.

The room is fairly open, as it is the area off of the kitchen (We have an awkwardly designed house). So there is an exit on the TV wall (We'll call that north), a large arch to the west to the front room/entry area, an exit as well as the large open expanse to the kitchen to the south, and east is the exterior wall with a large window to the back patio.

I had also thought of getting a newer Onkyo with pre-out capability, or possibly the UMC-200. I will also be probably replacing the generic DVD player with an Oppo player of 103+ caliber. I can get the Denon for $649 as a refurbished model with 1 year warranty.

So, $650 for the receiver, the Uluwatu kit runs $499 (Plus material cost for the cabinets), $500 for the Oppo, was going to spend $500 on the tube amplifiers that I'm not planning on any more, plus another $3-500 for any incidentals. Total budget $2400ish, but if I can bring that cost down substantially I would not be averse to that either.

I use it mostly for TV and movies, with maybe 30% of time for pure music (Mostly MP3/4 through iTunes, some streaming). Given that this is hardly a dedicated setup, I really don't need/want Atmos at the moment, and 3D capability is not necessary either. I would like Audyssey XTEQ/equivalent or higher (I believe the Denon as the XT32).

Given the above budget and considerations, what would be your recommendations? (Also, consider that I am not what people would consider an audiophile, but I do like my movies) (And if you need clarification/expansion on any of the above, let me know).

John

 

[ski2xblack]

Hola, welcome to the forum!

Seems to me you're on the right track.

Speakers: DIY will blow the doors off commercial competition, particularly if you're considering something like Statements. I note a conspicuous lack of mention of a sub upgrade, also where DIY will crush in the value department. If you go with commercial kit, this will eat up most of the budget.

Denon looks good. Audyssey, meh, BassEQ, good. Oppo is kind of pricey, particularly if you're using it solely as a transport/network connection, but no other gripes against it.

7.1 really necessary? Just seems cumbersome and needlessly elaborate for a multi-use family room.

If you're not into DIY with tube amps, you made the best choice in skipping it IMO.

Let the market shake out the Atmos, 3D, and other gimmickry. Focus on good source material and good speakers chosen with consideration of local acoustics and you'll be doing pretty well.

There is a blank post thread in the forum somewhere you can use to achieve link and picture posting status.

 

[tkd.teacher]

7.1 probably isn't necessary (To be brutally honest, the way the room/walls are configured, 5.1 probably isn't necessary), but I anticipate having to move in the next year or two, and the next place WILL have a more suitable space to be able to run the 7.1, and if necessary, I think the Denon can be utilized to do 9.2, but that is way overkill until I have a fully dedicated HT only room. (Someday!)

I'm not against DIY with tube amps, as my father in law used to build them for extra $$, and is willing to help/tutor, but it was suggested that the kit I was considering didn't have the response/headroom necessary to run in a home theater. Fine for music, not so much for HT (http://diyaudioprojects.com/Tubes/EL84-Mini-Block-Amps/), and the ones that were suggested as being good enough push me out of the budget so far. I will probably look at adding a DIY sub in the future as well, I agree, more bang for the buck. It would be in addition to, rather than an instead of.

Any pet recommendations that you like, or is almost any midrange (ish) receiver going to do me well? And that is a better option than going pre/pro/amp path?

Oh, and you think the statements are a better choice than the uluwatu? It would certainly be an easier build cabinet wise, anyway.

John

 

[ski2xblack]

No pet recommendations. "Better" to me is a matter of desired features. I don't think you can really go wrong with a mid tier or higher AVR. Power will be dictated by which speakers you end up buying/building, the room/placement/distance, and listening habits. So it kind of depends at this point. If the AVR you get has pre-outs you have the flexibility to add amps, so make that a feature on your list.

Unfortunately, no direct experience with either of those diy kits. I'm more about big and impractical horns. But one of the seasoned forum vets has built a pair of statements, and their designer has a good track record. You'll have to determine your own balance of goals, and it seems like you have your head on straight. Having a decent grasp of room acoustics will help inform your decision, so throw that in with the build complexity and other factors.

Having a trustworthy tube guru changes things. It's a fun learning experience, and cheap if you have someone who knows the ropes helping you.

 

[tkd.teacher]

I need to stop waffling, though. I keep going back and looking at the UMC-200. :/

 

[ARES24]

I have built both 'Overnight Sensations' and 'ER18s'. Both sound good, or better then good. Both budget and preference will make decisions easier.

 

[KEW]

I probably should keep my mouth shut on stuff I know little about, but I read the PE Solstice kit works out cheaper than buying the morel drivers by themselves. It is a Jeff Bagby design and the price is $500 per speaker. I don't know how much flex you have in your budget, but thought it might be a consideration.
http://www.parts-express.com/solstice-mltl-reference-tower-speaker-kit--300-708

The X4000 is definitely a sweet spot re: getting Audyssey XT32 (which can manage 2 subs), decent power (depending on your speakers), and pre-outs. If you do not plan to use 2 subs, you can save some coin by going with Audyssey XT (no 32) The resolution of the EQ is not quite as good, but it is still very good.

 

[tkd.teacher]

I will stick with the X4000 for future capability if nothing else. If I decide to go higher on the speaker, I would probably at this point scratch the Oppo and go with the newer Sony DVD player and save the Oppo purchase for later in the year (Maybe midsummer when I get my next stock purchase rebate from the company). I've seen the Soltice, and it was nice, especially considering it's a full kit with the case. All the others I'd have to build the case. Not arduous, but a bit tedious.

I may need to get a different center, as someone on a different forum suggested that the Sunfire would not be capable and/or matched enough to sound decent, and that the sub will definitely be overmatched by itself.

John

 

[herbu]

I agree w/ the X4000. Get it and forget about any amp for a while. IF you find you're running out of juice, then you can start to think about an amp.
Start w/ 2.1 or 5.1. Focus most on your front L/R speakers, then your sub, then your Center, then your surrounds. You will NOT be sorry if you put max $ into your L/R now, and grow a surround system as you can. A good sub is more important than surrounds, good or lousy.
The Oppo is a great BDP, but should be low on your list. If you have a working BSP now, use it. You likely won't see any difference in blurays or dvds, and your X4000 has about the same built-in internet stuff.