279BLUE said:
Quick question for you: I have been shopping for a new system & am considering purchasing the same reciever & speakers as you. Are you happy with them? Thanks.
For that price point, it's quite impressive. The first time I heard them together my jaw dropped to the floor. It was the best system I'd heard and
far from the most expensive (obviously I'm biased, but that's why I bought them).
However, I can't emphasize enough how important it is to actually hear your reciever/amplifier powering the speakers your looking at. Ideally side by side with familiar music, through a switch box where the dealer can swap receivers while you listen. Make sure all levels are balalnced (bring your Rat Shack SPL) as closely as possible and tone controls out (who needs them anyway?) by using the receivers direct or similar mode. Make sure you have the dealer "label" each receiver as he switches them (A, B, C...) and you don't know their names as their switched to avoid personal bias. Listen to several songs, switching them in and out while you rank them. After you're done you'll have a clear and decisive favourite. I call it a dealer double blind listening test, you may be surprised by the results.
I highly recommend auditioning
very high end equipment such as an Anthem Statement D1/P5 combo powering a Paradigm Signature Series system like the S8, C5, ADP and Servo combo (or any number of great gear, depending on what's available in your area). This will help you listen for some of the traits that make these systems so great, but at much lower price points.
However, if you've got the dough, I'd make the stretch to Paradigm's Reference Studio 20 System Two (it's almost double the price), but the sound!....and so small!....You can later upgrade to Anthems MCA 30 (mains and centre) and a Denon HD DVD player when they come out next year. If that sounds like my plan, well...don't tell the Mrs!