Could it be? I think I'm done with my system for awhile (1 Viewer)

[RicP]

After a decision to drastically improve my setup in September, I think I'm finally finished and have vowed to myself to not upgrade a single piece of hardware until August 1st at the earliest.
The only major piece of gear that wasn't upgraded or replaced was the TV. I really am very happy with my Toshiba 55" 4x3 set and I really want to wait till next year before I go 16x9.
Remember also that my system is used probably 70% for music and 30% for DVD/TV watching. Given those percentages I sometimes find it difficult to justify my 625 DVD's, but...what the Hell!
So here is my system as it stands today, and hopefully until Aug 1. Pictures are forthcoming...
Receiver: Pioneer Elite VSX-29TX. I use this as a pre/pro for 2-channel audio and as an amplifier for the rear channels for HT viewing.
DVD Player: The ubiquitous Panasonic RP-91 in cool, cool champagne. It is connected to the Toshiba 55" RPTV via BetterCables Silver Serpent Component Video Cables.
DVD Player 2: The Malata 996. This is for multi-region viewing and PAL->NTSC conversion. I love this little guy because it lets me see every episode of South Park!!
SVHS VCR: JVC HR-S7600U. This is for archiving TiVo broadcasts and for viewing the 30 or so SVHS tapes I still have.
Personal Video Recorder: Philips TiVo. I don't need to explain this one. It has changed my life.
SACD/CD Transport: The absolutely awe-inspiring Sony SCD-XA777ES. This player is just unreal, I haven't heard one better in the same Galaxy of price as this bulletproof monster. The best purchase of the year.
DAC/Upsampler: The excellent Perpetual Technologies P-1A/P-3A combo. The P-3A has been upgraded by Dan Wright and both are powered by the Monolithic Audio P3 Power Plant. The Sound is just liquid goldent smooth.
Power Amplifier: Parasound HCA-1500A. This is the power amp for the 2 front speakers in both Stereo and for HT. It pumps out 205wpc and is spectacular and warm.
Speakers: Four (4) Paradigm Reference Studio 40's .v2 I love the way these speakers sound with the rest of the gear. They took a little while to break in, but once they did...look out! They fill my room with a wonderous sound. They're perched on a set of Osiris Audionics Osiris Speaker Stands. These things are built like a tank, talk about solid!
Subwoofer: I have limited space and live in a townhouse, so bass muct be tightly controlled. I use an Acoustic Research AR112PS and I love the sound. It fits perfectly into my system and my room. I actually ordered an Adire Rava but believe it or not it actually had too much bass! How's that for a glowing review? I had to return it unfortunately, but someday I'll get another.
Incidentally, I do not use a Center Channel Speaker. I've found that in my system the sound is better without one. I've tried many combo's, and no center absolutely works best for me.
Power Conditioners: I use a Monster Power HTS-3500 Power Line Conditioner. It is plugged in to a PS Audio 20amp Ultimate Outlet. The Parasound amp is also plugged directly into the Ultimate Outlet.
Power Cords: VooDoo Audio "MoJo" Power cords. These rock! That's all I'm saying about them.
Speaker Cable: BetterCables Premium Bi-Wire speaker wire. Its great, highly recommended.
Interconnects: All Audio and Video interconnects are from BetterCables with the exception of 2 coaxial digital cables that I made myself with silver coated copper, silver solder, and Canare true 75ohm connectors. BetterCables products are fantastic and I recommend them highly.
Assorted: I use a Jensen Transformers CATV ground loop eliminator, and RF cables for CATV are from Bolder Cables Co.
All of my media; 625 DVD's, 900 Audio CD's, 60 SACD's, and 20 DVD-Audio discs all sit comfortably on racks by Boltz Media.
Well, That's it! Thanks to everyone that had a hand in building this thing knowingly or not.

 

[KeithH]

Pardon me, Ric, but B.S.! You will have the 'XA777ES modded in short order. Then, after you get it modded, you will decide you need a new external DAC to further improve redbook CD playback. Maybe a dCs Elgar/Purcell system will fit the bill.
My only planned upgrade is an NAD C 270 power amp to biamp with the NAD C 370 integrated amp in my main system.

 

[RicP]

Honestly, I'm going to hold off. Dan is busy with Mods through April and I'd want to wait to see how his Tubed-output XA777ES sounds before I make a decision there.
The only thing that's tugging on me is a dedicated pre/pro, but I will be firm in my resolve to wait until August. I will. No really I mean it...no really...

 

[KeithH]

O.K., Ric. If you say so. Seriously though, I thought I read something on Audio Asylum about Ric Schultz doing some sort of mod on the 'XA777ES that would render it incapable of playing multi-channel SACDs. Are Richard Kern and Dan Wright going this route too? I would hope not. To my mind, such a castration-type mod would be going too far.

 

[Gruson]

Go for the 16x9 now.

 

[John Tillman]

Ric:

Congrats on a great setup. I'm familiar with some of your gear (elite receiver, RP-91, etc) and recently demoed the studio 40's. With all the power it must sound incredible.

I'm sure you've tried a center but didn't like the soundstage, but what does multichannel music sound like when they've filled the center with a lead singer (such as 52nd st by Billy Joel)? The soundstage on my setup, puts instruments and voices in specific spots, I would think the center is necessary - no?

Also, what are your thoughts on bass management - Yay or nay?

 

[RicP]

Also, what are your thoughts on bass management - Yay or nay?

I think it's a wonderful idea, but it has a little more ways to go before it works flawlessly in all applications. Something like the Outlaw ICBM is helpful but of course puts you in interconnect hell. Once a digital standard is both finalized and rolled out, then we should be able to see true digital domain bass management for all platforms.

 

[Richard Burzynski]

Ric:
Very nice system. I don't believe your subject header though. I give you a week - maybe two - before you upgrade/change something.

Rich B.

 

[Scott Dautel]

Tremendous system ... And I would have to agree on holding off on the 16x9 TV. Actually I would argue that a 4x3 RPTV behind a DLP projector w/ dropdown, 16x9 screen is the perfect combo ... you can watch TV on the RPTV and movies on the FPTV!
.... but that system is just crying for a Pronto remote.
Like so many Pronto converts ... I wasn't convinced I really wanted one. Then I got one for Christmas. (one of the $149.- refurbs from J&R). Wow, was that a great addition!
Scott

 

[RicP]

.... but that system is just crying for a Pronto remote.

Oops!! Sorry I left that out. I've had a Pronto for 2 years and yes indeed it is a savior. I'm on version 4.2 of my CCF and it keeps getting better all the time.