Statement D2v2

[ccoshm]

I am not much of a poster, but I am so overwhelmed by the sound of my new system that I felt the need to share my thoughts.

I have always been a very stingy audiophile wannabe. Every 5-7 years, I do major system upgrades and based on my wife's house remodeling, I had the opportunity to sneak a stereo upgrade.

I will cut a 6 month story short. I ended up buying everything new. I bought some intermediate components (Onky 876 as pre, 2 x Adcom 7705 amps, Adcom GDV-870 as source, 5 B&W 685 w/ 683 fronts). I simply did not like the sytem and could not say why. I ended up using the amps and speakers on my brother’s Rotel based system with the adcom GDV-870 and everything sounded superb??? I kind of had to leave the speakers and amp with my brother since his system sounded so good. I then purchased 6 B&W 805s with an HTM4S. I ran every possible tweak on the Onkyo and I still did not get the sound I wanted. Heck, I did not even get the sound I had with much more humble equipment. I ordered a Statemen D2v2 and a Wyred4Sound 7x250W amp. I left the Adcom GDV-870.

Without room correction or any set up adjustment, the system sounded awesome. With the arc room correction, what can I say - clean - crisp - clear -musical sound in every possible way. I have not tested the video side yet, I am too busy listening to music.

I have postponed an upgrade to a Brystone SACD player. I just do not think throwing more money will better the results.

Here in Mexico, it is very difficult to audition top end equipment. Heck, it is very difficult to purchase top end equipment. However, I did audition some Classe setups, Lexicons, class a, b, d ... amps with all sorts of speakers. They all sounded great. But I must say, I have yet to listen to a better sounding system than the one I am currently listening to.

For any other stingy audiophile wannabes, if you are really and truly stingy, buy high end equipment upfront. You will thank me and your wallet for it.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, it is indeed a very refreshing story, and i can relate at 100%.

Maybe I should get rid of my 876 and get an Anthem Statement D2v2/ARC1 with an Anthem Statement P7, or Classe CNAMPX-7x200 or Theta Digital Virtu or Dreadnaught III.
Or perhaps the same amp than yours, the Wyred4Sound 7x250amp.

And I should maybe change my speakers too for some B&W 803S.

And finally, maybe I should swith bank, so I can get a bigger loan.

Or apply for a new job in the politics?

Anyway, it's super cool from you to share just like that, makes me dream for sure...

Cheers & enjoy your new setup,

Bob

 

[Warpdrv]

Congrats ccoshm, I just got my D2v as well.... see HERE

Just like you, I really didn't want to spend this kind of money, but now that I opened up my wallet, I can't say that I regret it for one second. I also have a Wyred4Sound MC-7 amp, 3x500 4x250 a very very nice amp to be sure.

As far as the SACD player, have a look at the Oppo BDP-83, it is just about to be released to the public, but the response on the trial audition threads is overwhelming on the SQ and performance, as soon as I get my email, I'll be buying that unit as my first Blu-Ray player, but Oppo has always had a fantastic following for good reason.

 

[ccoshm]

Warpdrv,

Actually, I am looking for a wallStreet job. That way I can forefit my debt and save for a future upgrade.

Thanx for your comments.

 

[ccoshm]

Lordoftherings,

I checked your post. I should have posted there. I am learning.

Despite everything, no regrets on my part either.

As you said, it is very difficult to put a sound experience into words. It is just there.

I am looking at the Oppo. However, the D2 seems to reproduce everything I throw at it, regardless of source (PS3 BlueRay Player etc.), woderfully. I do not know if a better source would make anything better.

I was unsure (reading audiophile comments) on upsampling everything, stero vs mutichannel, original sound vs processed sound, digital vs analog....

Respecting everyones opinions, I now have mine. It sounds great and that is what I was looking for.

 

[Biggiesized]

If you guys are going to dump your TX-SR876, send me a holler, mmkay?

 

[Lordoftherings]

Hi Ccoshm,

Reading posts like yours and Warpdvr is really hard for me, because I don't have the money. Do you understand this?

I know that you guys are absolutely right, and that is exactly what makes it even harder.

I wish that you were full of it, so I can be happy with my stuff, but I'm way too smart for that, and I can read people from across the globe.
Also my ears are in still good shape, I wish that an accident would happen to me, so I can loose my ears.
But no, I'm happy with my set. I think that I just have to rob a bank or something.
I figure that I need about $44,500 to be happy right now, but I only have about $2,000 left in my bank account.
I lost big time in my life, so I know what is like to be well off.
But people like you also help me to sustain some decency across all my torments.
Mexico city, is that where you're from? Do you have a big family?
Is the price of stuff like yours reasonable from your estimate?
From what I gathered, you don't seem impressed, but then you are in ecstasy now, so who really cares anymore about money?

And the 876 is running way too hot in Mexico. Onkyos is for the North of America. People like you in the South get our stuff from Canada (Anthem).
Because we build them for you guys. But then, with the air here much cleaner and a nice breeze, our minds functioned pretty good (proof; some of the best audio engineers are from the cooler parts of the country).

Life is a very natural evolution, where everything is related to each other.
The sound is also different in Mexico than Montreal or Arizona than Alaska.
The altitude also alter the sound. Subs are much more punchier where I live now (by the ocean), then when I was living in the mountains, close to the Rockies.
Dry or humid climates also affect the sound.
Plasma TVs works better at low level than high level.
I pick the places where I live for the sound first, so I can handle cheaper components. They sound pretty good to my ears from where I came from.
How high do you live? How far are you from a lake or the ocean? If your Anthem sounds so good where you live now, I want to report this important piece of information to my collaborators and my friend engineers at Anthem.
Every small detail goes into the programs for the creation of the DSP chips.
You'll be amazed at all the information that is gathered together.
And these guys are expert on programming from any type of informations, natural, chemical, abstract, mathematical, random, ecological, numeral, coordinates, phyisiological, concrete, geographical, climatological, coequal, collateral, judiciously calibrate, ethological, autobiographical, unilateral, stereophonical, notional, pharmaceutical and resourceful.

But there is much more to it that we only know a minimal fraction of the entire galaxy of our origins.

Anyway you are one of the fortunate few that own a piece of technology of a very high caliber indeed. And I ain't shy to say it straight up. And I don't really wish you to enjoy it, because that will be a lie. What will be more sincere and truthful to say, is that I wish myself to experience that immense aural pleasure of yours. Well, you know what I mean, do you?
Of course that I am happy for you (but deep down in my soul, I cry).

See, I told you how hard it is to read posts like yours. It hurts deeply in the very darkness at the end of the canals of my ears.

I think I better go now, to put my mind at peace and concentrate on things that I can afford, till I feel rich again, perhaps tomorrow!

Hasta el huego amigo,

Roberto

 

[ccoshm]

Lordoftherings, I am from Mexico City, aprox 2250m elevation (7,400ft). Yes, air is thin and subs tend to sound thinner (if that is the word). There is just much less air around to get the sound through. However, a HSU sub seems to cope with the light atmosphere quite well. As a family, I am very fortunate to say that we are a bit larger than originally planned, twin girls and a recent boy. I work 24-7 and many times away from home and my family to ensure the essentials with an occasional eccentricity. However all this is what makes it all the more special. I really had to go a few extra miles (and not just expense) to make this happen.
I have always considered myself a stingy audiophile wanabee. However, I have never until now been satisfied with my sound system. There was always something missing.
For lack of money and because of a lack of availability, I have always been confined to the consumer oriented brands. Every now and then I was able to obtain something worth while, power conditioning, cables etc. Expensive for sure, but things that have survived from one system upgrade to the next. I always reasoned that the technology upgrades incorporated in consumer oriented devices narrowed the quality gap with hi-end and hi-price products.
This last experience was no exception and hence the purchase of the 876. Don’t get me wrong, the 876 is a superb piece of equipment. If HT is you primary concern, it will definitely give you countless hours of pleasure. When I say it did not quite meet my previous system sound wise, it had more to do with my wife’s remodeling than with the 876. Moreover, the technology gap has definitely narrowed between consumer brands and hi-end equipment. The audessy sound calibration does its job. However, I just did not feel comfortable to have the audessy engaged with THX and Neo Music to get quality multichannel sound. The pure or direct sound just did not quite get me there. Too many filters to get good sound just did not feel right. Also, I gave up too soon. I am sure I could have played a lot more with the 876´s numerous bells and whistles. Yet all this defeats the purpose even more. IMO, the best sound processor is one that you do not need to mess with.
I do not know how much I have spent and I really do not want to add everything up. I am selling off some of my old equipment and hopefully I will be able to get something worthwhile back on the 876. I am too happy to get depressed. What I will say is this, for the first time in over 25 years, I have no desire or intention on auditioning any more sound equipment. I do not want to listen to a Theta or a McIntosh or a Cary etc. It is too late to think I could have done as well with the AVM 30 or 50. If one or the other is better or worse, I am not sure that I could tell and if I could tell, I am not sure I would care. I can now really and truly sit and only listen to music.
I hope this feeling lasts and that for a long time I do not spend another cent in audio equipment (the new Oppo a possible exception). If I can skip 2 or 3 stereo upgrades, I have actually saved a bundle and enjoyed the moment in between.
So my suggestion stands, wait it out and go all the way. Get what you are looking for, in the long run, you may actually save money and not spend it. Also, do some research. In the states or Canada, you can actually audition things, get equipment loans etc. I can not. I pretty much buy whatever someone is willing to import. I usually have to pay 100% up front and wait 4-6 weeks to get it. No returns and a very limited secondary market so mistakes are costly. I had to buy based on posts here and there. I am just happy that all done and said, I have finally found the sound I was hopping for. Also, you mentioned cost, the D2 is 4-5 times less expensive than a Theta or a Mark Livingson, the HSU is IMO an inexpensive ticket to Hi-end, the 805 are a poor mans way into B&W top end, the wyred4sound 7ch is less expensive than some Brystone single channel monoblocks…. The question here is with what you have can the sound get better? How much better? How much are you willing to spend to get there? Do you really care?
The D2 package (I am not sure what part of it) has taken me to the point where I am no longer concerned about bulbs vs digital, analog vs multichannel, processed vs direct….. I just like it the way it is.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Hola!

Hi ccoshm,

I really enjoy reading your post. You speak from the heart, esperience and intelligence.

I won't make a long post this time, only say that I completely agree with you.
The main thing is to be happy in your own household.
Different people, different families, different sources, different evolutions...

I am in fact very happy that you found your Sound. I do believe you. And you can believe me too.

For now I enjoy my 876, and when the financial resources will allow, I will join you in that kind of Sound. My goal is Anthem Statement D3v HD/ARC3 with Bryston amps.

I wish you & your family very well.
Buenas dias Senior,

Roberto

 

[ccoshm]

LOR, I am sure you will have your setup before you know it. I will look for your posts to hear your experience, which based on your equipment selection, I am sure it will be great.
In the mean time, enjoy the 876. Try to like 876 for what it has rather than worry about what it is missing.

Enjoy.

 

[Lordoftherings]

876 for now, I got to!

Very well put it, ccoshm. ^

LOTR

 

[ccoshm]

As far as the SACD player, have a look at the Oppo BDP-83, it is just about to be released to the public, but the response on the trial audition threads is overwhelming on the SQ and performance, as soon as I get my email, I'll be buying that unit as my first Blu-Ray player, but Oppo has always had a fantastic following for good reason.

Hi Warpdr, got the Oppo BDP-83 yesterday. I tried it on my old system now in my brothers house. Its a definite keeper. It merged so well with his rotel setup, that we are going to leave it in and order a second one for me. I am sure it will be an appropriate all in one swissarmy tool on my D2.

However, after much testing and even auditioning some wadia sources (ipod wav transports, cd transports and cd player) with a pass lab amp, I can confidently state that to my ears at least, a D2 W4S combo with a decent PC feeding perfectly ripped wav music in bit stream was in the same category, leaving personal apreciations (better/worse) in the ear of the beholder. In any case, I do not believe my auditive memory to be good enogh to do a strict comparison. I will say that my home system sounded equaly well (considering the afore mentioned).

That said, I have on order a media center that will front my system and that will be used as my primary hi quality source leaving the Oppo as an excellent swiss army solution for whatever needs playing.

Hopefully I can now once again stop mesuring egos and get back to my music H-T enjoyment.