Need seperates\speaker advice from the audiophile communuity. (1 Viewer)

[david wareham]

Need help in final stages of Audiophiledom!

I am a proud owner of an svs pc ultra sub that is gathering dust in my living room. Why is this beautiful piece of machinery gathering dust? I have some important decisions to make.

I'm between the onix ref 3's and the onix rocket 1000's.
Which ever of those i get, i plan on getting matching centers and surrounds.

The most important choice that has been holding me back is separates.
I like a detailed sound but not too bright. I also want plenty of power to these speakers. I'm thinking at least 150 -200.
Connectivity is an issue too because i want to hook up a computer to this system and play mp3s and video.
My focus is on quality and would like to put together a system that will last quite a long time.

I would like to put an order through before the year is up since i don't want even more dust on my svs pc ultra.

Looking forward to the feedback so i can make my credit card burn.

 

[david wareham]

insert shameless bump here.

Is anyone out there?

I can hear the crickets.....

 

[John Garcia]

Budget for the separates? Items you have already auditioned that you like/don't like?

 

[ChrisHeflen]

I think IMHO that it wold be a dis-service to pair a $4500.00 set of speakers (ref 3's) with a receiver and an mp3 player. It to me, is the equivilant of buying a Porsche and driving it only in first gear.

I would go with the Rockets instead in that case.

 

[Scott_N]

What is your movie to music ratio? What is your budget?

 

[Scott Oliver]

OK here is an out of the ordinary but very good, interesting and cool suggestion that might work perfectly for your system, especially if you haven't upgraded to that new computer you would like to hook up to the system.

Check out this thread, it is an expired for sale ad but it outlines the parts needed to create an awesome Audio PC.

http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/v...light=pc+audio

VRS Systems was one of the first to use a computer as a high end digital source, and the above DIY version is close or better than these. Here is a review of the VRS Revelation from 6Moons.

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/vrs/vrs.html

The computer could then play MP3's, CD's, replay CD's burnt into hard drive (best sound), and play DVD's all at a top notch level. Then it will output high def. video signals and either analog or digital audio. If you wanted to you could use the analog outs and run them straight into a your amps. Use the built-in volume control on the sound card and there you are done.

So here are some $3000-5000 multi-amp suggestions:
Theta Intrepid
Perreaux 6160
Butler TBD5150

Oh and I would defiantely go with the Reference series over the Rockets.

 

[Scott_N]

Hey Scott still like your Spacedeck? The new ones have a thicker platter. I got the newer version back in Oct.

Cheers

 

[Sami Kallio]

David, looks like you're building a system that doesn't go very well with mp3 material. If you want to play music using your computer, wav is the way to go, or one of those "lossless compression" formats.

For all the other stuff, seems like you need to start hitting the audio stores and listen what they have to offer. Find what you like and then see if you can buy it somewhere second hand (depends on your budget of course).

 

[Eddie Horton]

For separates check out the Anthem Statement line.

 

[Jeff Hipps]

Shameless plug--the Sherwood Newcastle P-965 tuner/preamp/processor has edge of the art performance, decodes everything available today, is firemware upgradeable and has a USB input that will allow your computer .wav and mp3 files to be played over your A/V system.

Mate with the matching A-965 main amp (160 x 7, all channels driven into 4 ohms) for a spectaclar electronics package.

Details at www.sherwoodusa.com and much positive commentary on the AVS Forum.

Jeff

 

[Scott Oliver]

Scott_N,
Yep the Spacedeck is great although I have already upgraded to a better cartridge, Music Maker MK3, and added a Living Voice Mystic Mat. I would highly suggest you look into adding a Mystic or the Boston Audio graphite mat for yours as well.

Recently also purchased some mono SET amps from Wyetech Labs. It is amazing how pwerful the 13 watts of these amps are. They actually control my speaker's woofers better than my 3 times the wattage Art Audio amp. So now I am hoping to add an upper level Wyetech Labs preamp to my system.

Anyway good to see you posting here still.

 

[Scott_N]

Scott Oliver
I'm using a Dynavector 20xh on my Spacedeck with an Origin Live OL-1 and a Consonance phono preamp. I hope this year to upgrade the arm to a Origin Encounter arm and get a Art Audio Vinyl 1 phono preamp. When the 20xh wears out I plan to go with either a Lyra Argo or a Koetsu Black. I went from the CJ CAV-50 to a Cary SLP-88 and Cary V12 and now the SLP-88 and a pair Thor TPA-30's.I plan to upgrade my preamp to either a Lamm LL2 or a Electrocompaniet EC-4.7. I upgraded my cables to Magnan Signature speaker cables and Magnan Vi interconnects all my power cables are Shunyata Diamondbacks. I still have the Tetra Space's but I hope in 2006 to move up to a pair of Kharma Ceramique 3.1's or 2.1's or JMLab Diva Utopia's. Yes i'm back again i've been lurking but felt like posting on a regular basis again.

 

[Scott Oliver]

Wow, I am not sure who's system has undergone more changes of late. Alas I think you may have me, although not by much probably.

Other changes made:
switched cables to all Ensemble and then after a home demo switched again to all TG Audio with some Silent Source Signature PC's thrwon in.
Switched to a Furutech ePT-60 power conditioner then upgraded that to the BPT 3.5 Signature power conditioner.

Just to let you know I also heard another really good Spacedeck set-up. He was using a Rega R-1000 arm, VDH Frog cart, Boston Audio Mat-1, Wave Mechanic Power Supply, and a BAT phonostage. Great sound, and as much as I would hate to admit it, I think I would have to give this set-up the nod for the best sound out of a Spacedeck that I have heard

 

[Scott_N]

I also added Shunyata Hydra 2 and Shunyata Guardian 4 power conditioners to my system. I'll give the Living Voice Mystic mat a try.