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Post by davidl81 on Aug 23, 2018 11:26:52 GMT -5
I will say this, not from experience but from everything I've read. There is supposedly a big upgrade difference between the 8801 and the 8802a. Supposedly a very obvious difference. The 8805 is out now at full price which leaves the remaining 8802as on sale for $2500 and less. But they won't be around for forever. They might even be gone as of now (they were still around as of 2 weeks ago), but you might be able to also get one used from someone who swapped out to an 8805. Hi Bonzo, I doubt I’ll upgrade to another Marantz pre-pro due to their basic calibration system and toy calibration mic. What I’d like to know is whether there is true analog SQ upgrade between the 8801 and the 8802. I can't speak to the AV8801, I did upgrade form the SR7009 to the AV8802a and the differences in both 2 channel and HT sound has been remarkable. 2 channel has such a fuller sound than before and much more "alive" than the SR7009. But I have no way to know if the SR7009 and the AV8801 were comparable. When I went to the AV8802a I also went from RCA connections to XLR connections. My cables are only 3'-6' so I doubt that made a big difference, but since I upgraded both at the same time I have no way to know. I can tell you that I spent a lot of time and money upgrading amps/cables/room treatments and the improvements were minimal to non-existent compared to the upgrade from the SR7009 to the AV8802a. |
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
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Post by novisnick on Aug 23, 2018 11:33:29 GMT -5
A new turntable is always a fun purchase! Trey Or an upgrade to one you already own! 😁 I’ve had my eyes on an upgraded sub-platter for some time now, just seems like a few other opportunities have fallen into my lap where I’ve had to put it off. Maybe for my Birthday. |
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Post by davidl81 on Aug 23, 2018 11:35:58 GMT -5
My stereo (2.1) music system is similar to yours (XPA-1L’s) and the best move I made was upgrading to the XSP-1. As well as being 100% analogue (no digital stuff inside) the ability to run XLR interconnects and fully balanced discrete shouldn’t be overlooked. Especially if you can locate the mono blocks close by their respective speakers, hence short speaker cables. Cheers Gary Hi Gary, Which preamp did you use before moving to the XSP-1? Do you know if it is a pure class A preamp? Do you use a sub for music? I got so many comments on another forum claiming my speakers’ build-in subs are not sufficient and that I should add a big sub or two. One huge improvement for me was bass response form my Mirage OMD-28's when I switched over to the AV8802. With the SR7009 I had to use a separate sub in 2 channel because the speakers sounded weak. So much so that I almost sold them and went another direction (I changed from a XPA-2 Gen to to the DR-2 just to see if the speakers needed more power). Now with the 8802 my bass response is dramatically better. I am torn between using the sub or not, and really it's close now. Before there was no way to use the speakers without the sub. I was very hesitant to go with another Marantz after not really being impressed by the SR7009. I very much wanted the RMC-1 or the XMC-2 as I am already setup for Atmos. I was forced to make a move a few weeks ago due to some other upgrades being done that persuaded me to change to pre/pro as well. I found the 8802 open box on ebay for I think $1600ish and I am very happy that I did. I may still go Emotiva once the RMC-1 is out, but honestly right now (for the first time ever) I have no desire to upgrade or change anything in my audio system, It sounds that good to me. |
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Post by drumace on Aug 23, 2018 11:50:38 GMT -5
Why not separate both the HTand 2channel...look into a tube pre-amp and a good dac. I'm not a fan of the idea adding tubes into my system for several reasons based on reading material (not experience): - They color the sound rather being neutral
- They change their performance over time and you cannot tell if they are in their optimal stage
- They require replacement once in a while (again, cannot tell when)
- They are sensitive to vibrations
As for "good dac" - if I knew which one will provide true upgrade over the ones in my CD player and in the AV8801 (without spending a fortune) then I'd go for it. Though about the DC-1 but no clear opinion on forums whether it will enhance by SQ from CDs and my music server.
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Post by Gary Cook on Aug 23, 2018 19:23:04 GMT -5
My stereo (2.1) music system is similar to yours (XPA-1L’s) and the best move I made was upgrading to the XSP-1. As well as being 100% analogue (no digital stuff inside) the ability to run XLR interconnects and fully balanced discrete shouldn’t be overlooked. Especially if you can locate the mono blocks close by their respective speakers, hence short speaker cables. Hi Gary, Which preamp did you use before moving to the XSP-1? Do you know if it is a pure class A preamp? Do you use a sub for music? I got so many comments on another forum claiming my speakers’ build-in subs are not sufficient and that I should add a big sub or two. I had a number of preamps before the XSP-1, immediately prior was a USP-1 which was my first ever Emotiva product (amazing sound quality for such a good price). Before that I had a number of preamps, the original was a Pioneer, a couple of NAD’s that I never really liked. Onkyo, Denon and Marantz AVR’s and a UMC-1 and UMC-200 processors. I considered the XSP-1 based on how it fitted in technically with the rest of the system, not just how it compared spec wise. Then I made sure I took full advantage of them, long XLR balanced interconnects, short speaker cables, HT bypass, analogue bass management etc. I have run a sub in my stereo (2.1) music system for decades, despite many of my hifi buddies poopooing it back in the day. I did some pro sound work to help pay my way though uni and we always used subs there, so it just seems logical to do the same at home. I run my FL & FR full range (which also maintains the discrete circuitry through the XSP-1) and just blended in the sub as they roll off (around 60 hz works for me). My view, and it’s only my view, is that XSP-1’s really shine when the rest of the system is there to support their advantages and looking at your system it seems a perfect match. Cheers Gary |
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bootman
Emo VIPs 
Typing useless posts on internet forums....
Posts: 9,358
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Post by bootman on Aug 24, 2018 10:53:52 GMT -5
What is currently missing in the sound you hear? I’d say more clarity, less “hiss” (can be heard when nothing is playing and the room is quite), better imaging. Do you hear the hiss when you just have the amps hooked up to the speakers? (no RCA and/or XLR cables going into amp) Clarity and imaging are speaker to room interactions. Set up your speakers temporarily in a nearfield setup. (this will minimize room interactions) Is clarity and imaging improved? If yes then you need room treatments, if not time to shop for different speakers that suit your tastes. Good luck.  |
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Post by pknaz on Aug 24, 2018 12:43:11 GMT -5
At this point, I think your biggest bang for the buck (by a long shot) is proper room treatments. Anything else is going to be very minor improvements. Several reputable treatment sellers will offer free room analysis on your particular room to recommend the best treatments for your budget. Worth every penny.
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Post by garbulky on Aug 25, 2018 11:50:11 GMT -5
Room treatments and dual subwoofers
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klinemj
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Honorary Emofest Scribe
Posts: 14,743
Member is Online
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Post by klinemj on Aug 25, 2018 11:54:08 GMT -5
2 words: Cable Lifters. I'll just leave that there... Mark  |
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Post by jamco on Aug 25, 2018 12:21:06 GMT -5
2 words: Cable Lifters. I'll just leave that there... Mark Mark, I cannot stop laughing! |
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Post by drumace on Aug 26, 2018 3:08:31 GMT -5
Hey guys,
I'd like to thank everyone for their suggestions.
Here are my comments:
1. Sub - I did a LF test using test tones available on YouTube from 40Hz down to 20Hz.
The measurement was done only using my own ears (no mics).
My findings - the bass response is good and usable down to 22Hz (sounds pretty flat to me). At 21Hz there is a volume drop and at Hz there's nothing I can hear. The system is NOT calibrated to maybe calibration can compensate and flatten the response. In any case, at least for music, it doesn't appear to me there's a need for additional subs. BTW, the bass volume on the Tritons is set to default (mid) so there's a room to grow if needed.
2. Room treatment - my listening room is our living room since I have no dedicated room.
The Tritons are 8 feet apart, located about 10" from the back wall, 3 feet from side walls, and are toe-in around 25-30 degrees.
The listening position is 9 feet from the speakers wall and have 4 feet space to the back wall of the listening position.
I have a big rug on the floor, big sofa, coffee table in the middle. The walls are empty besides one wall which has windows and thin curtains covering them. The ceiling is clear too (about 8.5 feet high).
I did a basic test of clapping my hands in various positions and I could clearly hear echo of high-pitched sound in most areas.
Since this is a living room, I cannot put studio materials such as big black bass traps, foam tiles, etc.
I would like to know which of the uncovered areas is the most critical one - the ceiling? the side walls? the back walls? and how much (in percentage) should be covered to reduce feedback and keep a "normal" living room look.
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Post by pknaz on Aug 26, 2018 8:50:42 GMT -5
You can get artistic panels. When I showed these (as an example) to my wife, she was totally on board with using something like this in our living room. Interestingly enough, we don't have a music system in that room, she was interested in the panels for conversation purposes. She noticed that it was much easier to hear and understand speech in my listening room and when I pointed out that sound panels also have a dramatic effect on speech and hearing conversations in a room, she was totally on board. www.gikacoustics.com/product-category/acoustic-art-panels/You can get whatever images you want printed on them, and they can be custom sized. Your family photos etc. can be used as sound panels! |
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Post by jackfish on Aug 26, 2018 12:13:48 GMT -5
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Post by drumace on Aug 27, 2018 13:06:43 GMT -5
Here are some photos of my living room. Please let me know where you'd add observer materials and how much. Thanks! |
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