Upgrade advice: Help me leave the 90’s

[Oorreeoo]

30 years ago I purchased a Pioneer VSX-D1S (130 WPC Dolby Pro Logic) and JBL L5s (4 drivers (35hz-27khz), 90 DB sensitivity, 35w-300W recommended amp). I have resisted upgradeitis ever since 5.1 came along and have stuck w/ two channel stereo. But after adding a 100 inch 1080p projector and SVS SB2000 pro sub and recently purchasing an Oppo Blu Ray/universal 105d player for $300, I got the bug to improve the acoustics in my large L shaped basement and expand to a 5.2 system and possibly add atmos .2 down the road. Mostly a music listener but now need decent multichannel for SACDs, Blu Ray audio, DVDa, Hi Res streaming and need connectivity for REW or Dirac treatment. Also looking for more SPL heft, which I hope a second svs will help with. The question is which path to take.

The Oppo has 5.1 direct outs and several HDMI Ins for streaming and network files (not a huge gamer, so I do not need a ton of inputs and won’t need more than 4k video). I’m considering experimenting with tuning the room w/REW after running the Oppo multi outs into the Pre-Ins on my Pioneer (surrounds rated at 40wpc). I’m also open to adding a minidsp to get the auto-tuning capability of Dirac Live BBB for this path.

Is it worth trying the above to give my Pioneer another 5 years Or is that a waste of time and frustration and should I just wait for the Onkyo NR-7100 or RZ50 w/ Dirac Live to become available for easier plug and play? I prefer the more functional front panel of the NR7100, but will it’s 100WPC be enough for these JBLs in a 32x25 basement w/ an open stairwell to the upper level?

Remaining budget for this year is $1500-2k. I already have purchased a UMIK-1 and decent JBL center and surrounds. Which approach would you take? Other ideas?

 

[Auditor55]

30 years ago I purchased a Pioneer VSX-D1S (130 WPC Dolby Pro Logic) and JBL L5s (4 drivers (35hz-27khz), 90 DB sensitivity, 35w-300W recommended amp). I have resisted upgradeitis ever since 5.1 came along and have stuck w/ two channel stereo. But after adding a 100 inch 1080p projector and SVS SB2000 pro sub and recently purchasing an Oppo Blu Ray/universal 105d player for $300, I got the bug to improve the acoustics in my large L shaped basement and expand to a 5.2 system and possibly add atmos .2 down the road. Mostly a music listener but now need decent multichannel for SACDs, Blu Ray audio, DVDa, Hi Res streaming and need connectivity for REW or Dirac treatment. Also looking for more SPL heft, which I hope a second svs will help with. The question is which path to take.

The Oppo has 5.1 direct outs and several HDMI Ins for streaming and network files (not a huge gamer, so I do not need a ton of inputs and won’t need more than 4k video). I’m considering experimenting with tuning the room w/REW after running the Oppo multi outs into the Pre-Ins on my Pioneer (surrounds rated at 40wpc). I’m also open to adding a minidsp to get the auto-tuning capability of Dirac Live BBB for this path.

Is it worth trying the above to give my Pioneer another 5 years Or is that a waste of time and frustration and should I just wait for the Onkyo NR-7100 or RZ50 w/ Dirac Live to become available for easier plug and play? I prefer the more functional front panel of the NR7100, but will it’s 100WPC be enough for these JBLs in a 32x25 basement w/ an open stairwell to the upper level?

Remaining budget for this year is $1500-2k. I already have purchased a UMIK-1 and decent JBL center and surrounds. Which approach would you take? Other ideas?

First I would like to applaud you for keeping your equipment for so long and not giving to unmitigated consumerism (upgrade bug), so I guess after 30 years you are so justified in your planned upgrade. Anyway, you should start with what kind of budget you're working with then from there you can get some solid advice.

 

[Oorreeoo]

Thanks. Already dumped $750 this year into refoaming two woofers, room treatment, cables, surrounds and UMiK-1 calibration mic, so another $1500 is a comfortable remaining budget for either enhancing or replacing the Pioneer this year (thank you Elon Musk!) and I hope to be able to swing another 1,500 next year for another $800 sub and atmos height speakers.

 

[ryanosaur]

cables

I'm almost afraid to ask... Cables aren't an upgrade, unless you just switched from 18AWG to 12 AWG.

This is a bad time to buy an AVR. You should sit tight and save up for next year if you can. Yamaha is a mess with their newest gear not even fully functional out of the box. Gene is Benching the A6A, but has found some concerns, which he has not made public while trying to get information from Yamaha about what is going on with his measurements.
The New Onkyo is supposed to work, but I have not seen a reputable testing and review that would make it a contender, yet, considering Onkyo's recent financial troubles and aquisition by a new parent company.
Which leaves Sound United and the Denon and Marantz lines. SU wisely sat out 2021, though they are putting to market some entry-level AVRs in November. I think these are testers for making certain they have working technology before the release their more expensive upgrades next year...

In short.
WAIT IT OUT.

 

[Auditor55]

Thanks. Already dumped $750 this year into refoaming two woofers, room treatment, cables, surrounds and UMiK-1 calibration mic, so another $1500 is a comfortable remaining budget for either enhancing or replacing the Pioneer this year (thank you Elon Musk!) and I hope to be able to swing another 1,500 next year for another $800 sub and atmos height speakers.

My very first recommendation to you would be to replace the AVR, it's really behind the times.

 

[ryanosaur]

My very first recommendation to you would be to replace the AVR.

I do agree... but stand by my earlier post.

 

[Oorreeoo]

I'm almost afraid to ask... Cables aren't an upgrade, unless you just switched from 18AWG to 12 AWG.
In short.
WAIT IT OUT.

Thanks, Ryan (and Auditor) by cables I meant buying some cable for the surrounds and a $60 33 ft flat HDMI cable to the projector to replace the sad signal path I have now…Roku stick into Projector — 3.5mm audio out to 35 ft RCA — to Pioneer RCA in. I know, tragic! It’s okay to laugh.

I appreciate you talking me off the ledge of pulling the trigger, especially when these Onkyo’s are a new line and I’ve seen no reviews of the NR7100 and only one or two subjective reviews for the RZ50. Are these on the calendar for Audioholics review? Funny how I can hold out for 30 years with the same gear and then suddenly want to upgrade NEXT WEEK! Hopefully I can kill the time learning REW.

 

[ryanosaur]

Thanks, Ryan (and Auditor) by cables I meant buying some cable for the surrounds and a $60 33 ft flat HDMI cable to the projector to replace the sad signal path I have now…Roku stick into Projector — 3.5mm audio out to 35 ft RCA — to Pioneer RCA in. I know, tragic! It’s okay to laugh.

I appreciate you talking me off the ledge of pulling the trigger, especially when these Onkyo’s are a new line and I’ve seen no reviews of the NR7100 and only one or two subjective reviews for the RZ50. Are these on the calendar for Audioholics review? Funny how I can hold out for 30 years with the same gear and then suddenly want to upgrade NEXT WEEK! Hopefully I can kill the time learning REW.

REW is a nice rabbit hole to get lost in.

I can't speak if @gene and Co have any plans to review the Onkyo. Likewise, Amir at ASR may get one from an interested buyer to test... you would have to check in over there periodically to see.

Other than that, I get it. I think you will experience a wholly new system after a 30-yr upgrade. A lot has changed, and for me, upgrading after 10 years was pretty significant.

 

[-Jim-]

The obvious change is a new AVR but I also caution you on buying any Onkyo / Pioneer gear due to their shaky financial condition. Stay with Denon or Marantz. As for waiting, I find there is always "new" gear just around the corner. Therefore that game never ends. You may find a deal for Black Friday that pulls you into the fray.

 

[Oorreeoo]

Doesn’t the “THX Certification” mean anything in terms of performance quality assurance or is that just a marketing agreement?

 

[Eppie]

Doesn’t the “THX Certification” mean anything in terms of performance quality assurance or is that just a marketing agreement?

It's a specific set of criteria established by the industry. Typically it refers to equipment being able to meet certain sound levels to match commercial theatre performance, so THX certified speakers have to be able to produce a certain SPL level. Monoprice, Arendal and Perlisten, for example, all have speakers that meet certain levels of the THX spec, with Perlisten being the only one that has reached THX Dominus status (there are different levels and categories). Not something you really need to worry about unless you're dead set on achieving movie theatre like volume levels at low distortion.

Whether you need to wait for an AVR may depend upon your future plans. Some people are waiting for the HDMI 2.1 spec to get properly implemented, so if you plan to go full surround movies with a modern blue-ray or streaming services and may get a new TV, then it would be wise to wait. If on the other hand this is just for multi-channel music, a current Denon AVR would get the job done.