some extra money to spend.

[newtoitall]

Hi Folks,
I have a little extra money and was wondering where I should put it.
This is what I have now.
Technics SaDa 10, I was told it was the Flagship when I bought it.
Philips DVP 642 DVD player
Athena ASF2 Fronts
Athena ASC1 center
Energy 3.1 rears
HSU STF2 sub
Small 8 inch Kenwood sub as well

Where would you fine people spend your extra cash if you were me????
I am not afraid of criticism so I will not take offense at anything you suggest I replace.
Thanks,
Frank

 

[furrycute]

If you want 2 subs, might as well go with a larger single sub.

 

[racquetman]

Hi Folks,
I have a little extra money and was wondering where I should put it.
This is what I have now.
Technics SaDa 10, I was told it was the Flagship when I bought it.
Philips DVP 642 DVD player
Athena ASF2 Fronts
Athena ASC1 center
Energy 3.1 rears
HSU STF2 sub
Small 8 inch Kenwood sub as well

Where would you fine people spend your extra cash if you were me????
I am not afraid of criticism so I will not take offense at anything you suggest I replace.
Thanks,
Frank

Well, Frank, I think you need to throw a little more info our way. How much money are we talking about? Are you generally happy with your setup? What is the ratio of music to home theater use for the system? Are you interested in DVD-A or SACD?

I noticed you didn't mention your display device - what type of monitor/TV are you using? I definitely think you could benefit from a DVD player upgrade depending on what you are sending the video to.

Are you happy with the sound of your speakers? Have you gone into a dealer and listened to something that you thought was better? How important is sound quality to you?

Just a last thought. When you make a statement like "I was told it was the flagship when I bought it," you get me a little worried. The receiver is the heart of your system, and in my opinion deserves a lot of time researching. There are a lot of personal preferences that go along with a receiver purchase, and so I would suggest doing a ton of research yourself before upgrading this component. I definitely wouldn't buy one just because someone told me it was the flagship model. That means absolutely nothing as far as the functionality, design layout, tweakablity, etc . . . goes. Don't fall for the salesman telling you this is the best (read - most expensive) model that we have. This is not a criticism, just a suggestion. Are you happy with your receiver?

Anyway, give us more info and the suggestions will start pouring in.

 

[Votrax]

Maybe the SA-DA10 was Technics Flagship.

 

[racquetman]

Maybe the SA-DA10 was Technics Flagship.

I wasn't disputing that. It just sounded like he bought it because someone told him it was the best in that line of receivers. But, as I said, that has nothing to do with the functionality or the numerous personal preferences that can go along with a receiver purchase. If he is happy with the receiver and how it performs then all the better.

 

[newtoitall]

I have about $2000 Canadian or so.

I have a sony 42 inch HD RP LCD. and I am happy with that at the moment.
My amp was about $900 but my wife bought it for around $400, and I know it was their Flagship just before Panasonic took them over.
For some reason they sold them off very cheap.

I am one of those unfortunate persons that have 2 audio video shops, one sells Nuance and only Nuance, the other Paradigm.
I know a lot of you folks like Paradigm, but the cost, and the inability to trial them at home, makes me reluctant to pay so much.
I did like the referance series from Paradigm when I heard them, but again too much money without trying at home.

I use my system at about a 50 50 ratio HT and music, but sound Quality means more to me than anything else.

I am not necessarily happy with any of it, are we ever completly happy with what we have? This is a terrible, horrible, Wonderful hobby Isn't it????

Was hoping you folks could tell me what is my weakest link in this setup.

Frank

 

[racquetman]

Well, speakers are the most personal item in the lineup. If you aren't completely satisfied with them, then I'd start there. Make a plan to take a road trip and audition more speakers. If you find something that you think sounds a lot better and is in your price range, then that would be the most rewarding upgrade as far as I'm concerned.

If you don't think your receiver is driving your speakers sufficiently, then I would make that a big priority. If you feel like you are getting the best sound possible from the speakers, and you have all the connections/switching ability, and sound processing you need, then I wouldn't worry about upgrading that component.

 

[Vancouver]

I have about $2000 Canadian or so.

I have a sony 42 inch HD RP LCD. and I am happy with that at the moment.
My amp was about $900 but my wife bought it for around $400, and I know it was their Flagship just before Panasonic took them over.
For some reason they sold them off very cheap.

I am one of those unfortunate persons that have 2 audio video shops, one sells Nuance and only Nuance, the other Paradigm.
I know a lot of you folks like Paradigm, but the cost, and the inability to trial them at home, makes me reluctant to pay so much.
I did like the referance series from Paradigm when I heard them, but again too much money without trying at home.

I use my system at about a 50 50 ratio HT and music, but sound Quality means more to me than anything else.

I am not necessarily happy with any of it, are we ever completly happy with what we have? This is a terrible, horrible, Wonderful hobby Isn't it????

Was hoping you folks could tell me what is my weakest link in this setup.

Frank

so I take it you are happy with your video quality. If you werent I would have recomended looking at external video scalers if your LCD can except its native resolution. I would audition a good center and front mains. To me the most important thing when it comes to HT sound is a good center speaker. Since 50% of your listening is music then look at a strong pair of mains. I have only owned B&W so I wouldnt be able to give a non baised recomendation. I will say that 2K CDN can buy you a B&W 601 S3 center channel (which has been considered on of the best for the money) and 601 S3 mains...maybe even the 602s.

I dont know your reciever so I cant comment on how it compares to others.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Hi Folks,
I have a little extra money and was wondering where I should put it.
This is what I have now.
Technics SaDa 10, I was told it was the Flagship when I bought it.
Philips DVP 642 DVD player
Athena ASF2 Fronts
Athena ASC1 center
Energy 3.1 rears
HSU STF2 sub
Small 8 inch Kenwood sub as well

Where would you fine people spend your extra cash if you were me????
I am not afraid of criticism so I will not take offense at anything you suggest I replace.
Thanks,
Frank

There is nothing wrong with your speakers. You need to upgrade that receiver and get rid of the Kenwood sub ASAP. I'd budget around $750US or more for a receiver (not sure of the conversion rate). The extra current will bring those Athena's back from the dead IMO. I'm talking a Yamaha 2500, Denon 3805, Onkyo 702, etc...

 

[newtoitall]

thanks for the replies everyone, its not an easy decision to make.

Buckeyefan,
I had a feeling that my receiver might be the weak part of my system,
can you tell me what audible differances I can expect to hear with a better amp? I have read in a few other places that the Athenas prefer a quality receiver even with their 93dB Sensitivity rating.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

thanks for the replies everyone, its not an easy decision to make.

Buckeyefan,
I had a feeling that my receiver might be the weak part of my system,
can you tell me what audible differances I can expect to hear with a better amp? I have read in a few other places that the Athenas prefer a quality receiver even with their 93dB Sensitivity rating.

The audible differences would be a lower noise floor, tighter/deeper bass, cleaner highs, and less muddiness in the midrange. Speaker placement as well as fine tuning your new receiver will have a lot to do with the final outcome, but you'll be able to tell a difference right out of the box IMO.

All speakers prefer a quality receiver.

 

[newtoitall]

Thanks again Buckeyefan,

My Receiver probably is the reason I'm not completly satisfied with my system, I just didn't know it.
Been doing some reading and I think I will hang off on a new receiver until I can afford the HK 7300 $3000+ at Future Shop, things here in Canada are so darn expensive.
On another note, I am doing a side by side comparison of speakers hooked up to the same amp, side A and B. Is this correct or will the receiver put out different sound to one or the other side. Please keep in mind that the receiver I'm using is my technics that I need to replace.
Thanks,
Frank

 

[macersl]

I just upgraded from the same receiver you have (Technics Sa-dx1050). I am assuming they are the same or close.
I bought a Harmon Kardon AVR 335 and added some rear surrounds. Like you I was starting with some speakers I was happy with. Even though the Technics served its time well, I am very happy I upgraded. It was the weakest link in my HT. The HK sounds so much better. BTW I did a lot of research before buying the HK and I feel I made the right choice for my tastes. The reasons are:

1. I like the philosophy of how they rate their power. No tricky schemes to exaggerate their numbers.
2. Looks incredible.
3. Not a lot of cheesy DSP settings. Emphasis on the standard DTS, Dolby, and their proprietary Logic 7, which in my opinion rivals, if not beats, the other matrix surround settings.
4. Meets the unofficial 33lb. standard.
5. Lots of inputs.
6. I found it cheap.

 

[newtoitall]

Any receiver that weighs that much has to have something inside of quality.
However the( I got it cheap )part does not apply to me. At more $3000 I'll have to wait.
Regards
Frank