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Post by ocezam on Dec 8, 2014 21:10:39 GMT -5
I do not get goosebumps when I am watching a movie and the subwoofers go "BOOM" but when I play a nice tune and the guitars start playing and I hear and feel the presence of the artist it almost brings tears to my eyes....yeah I then get the goosebumps...  |
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Post by ocezam on Dec 8, 2014 21:12:52 GMT -5
Tubes, Dynaudios, Grace Dac/preamp and a blanket over the tv. Add the fireplace and a glass of Malbec while listening to acoustic jazz or Mozart Adagios, life is good! Better yet, just throw away the damn TV. Mind candy. Like oral candy to teeth, it'll give your brain cavities.... |
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Post by audiobill on Dec 9, 2014 6:40:15 GMT -5
Right - Not only does the blanket help with reflections, I don't have to look at the damn thing!
HT? Not for me!
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Post by bluemeanies on Dec 10, 2014 10:01:45 GMT -5
I am very happy with my system but as of late I have been enjoying 2channel more and more. To the point if it were not for the Mrs. I would have my dedicated HT room changed into a 2channel listening experience and replace my projector with a 55-60" LED TV and put it in the living room.
I am in the process of upgrading my speakers and purchasing a preamp.
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Post by jmasterj on Dec 10, 2014 10:44:19 GMT -5
I'm very happy with my system which does not include a home theatre. What I like the most is not just how good it sounds, but also because it is very interchangeable. It currently consist of three different power configurations. A tube integrated amp, a hybrid tube integrated, and a tube preamp with solid state mono block amps. It also consist of three different pairs and types of speakers. Planer, floor standers, and bookshelf with dual subs.
I routinely switch out the amps, or speakers to change the total sound of the system. It has brought me countless hours of fun, and just when I get use to how it sounds I exchange something. I don't miss the buying, selling, and trading that I use to do way back when. And surprisingly I don't miss the home theatre either, even though it was a big part of my system before. Unless something drastically changes I think I'll stay 2 channel from now on. I really hope everybody gets to a place where they enjoy their systems
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kdm
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Post by kdm on Dec 10, 2014 10:50:08 GMT -5
Many audiophiles will have a separate 2 channel system and a multichannel home theatre system. I'm finally happy with my setup which handles both duties. I thought it would be interesting for others to share their dual purpose setups. Just bought the XMC last night, so...I will finally, have a single system (tape loop was the icing on the cake). I have had separate systems for over 30yrs, so I'm really looking forward to incorporating the XMC. It's a very thoughtful product, as it even includes great circuitry for phono users. |
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kdm
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Post by kdm on Dec 10, 2014 11:01:53 GMT -5
I do not get goosebumps when I am watching a movie and the subwoofers go "BOOM" but when I play a nice tune and the guitars start playing and I hear and feel the presence of the artist it almost brings tears to my eyes....yeah I then get the goosebumps... I like both features....and get goosebumps with both. |
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Post by simpleman68 on Dec 10, 2014 11:13:59 GMT -5
I have both due to location and circumstance. Perhaps a kind way of saying I typically learn some lessons the hard way.... I put a large theater in the basement with 3 rows of seats and a 7.1 setup. Great to have a getaway with the wife when the kids go to bed and we can crank a good movie. We also do neighborhood movie nights with a dozen folks or so when big releases go to blu ray. Also a good room for my older daughter to hang with her friends. They can either watch a movie or play in the area behind the theater where there is a game room in the works. Upstairs living room, while not sonically optimal, is the 2 channel room. It is nice for playing background music while entertaining guests or even when I'm working in my office in the next room. Each room has it's own utility and reason which are valid but it has almost doubled my cost to have both. 2Ch room is 40% of budget and theater is 60% roughly. I really need to take better pics one of these days.... Scott Upstairs 2 ch room:   Basement Theater:    |
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kdm
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Post by kdm on Dec 10, 2014 11:24:12 GMT -5
I have both due to location and circumstance. Perhaps a kind way of saying I typically learn some lessons the hard way.... I put a large theater in the basement with 3 rows of seats and a 7.1 setup. Great to have a getaway with the wife when the kids go to bed and we can crank a good movie. We also do neighborhood movie nights with a dozen folks or so when big releases go to blu ray. Also a good room for my older daughter to hang with her friends. They can either watch a movie or play in the area behind the theater where there is a game room in the works. Upstairs living room, while not sonically optimal, is the 2 channel room. It is nice for playing background music while entertaining guests or even when I'm working in my office in the next room. Each room has it's own utility and reason which are valid but it has almost doubled my cost to have both. 2Ch room is 40% of budget and theater is 60% roughly. Basement Theater: All very cool...until you get divorced  . Ahem, ok....just one question; where did you get that rack? It looks similar to a VTI, but at 5 shelves....lost. |
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Post by simpleman68 on Dec 10, 2014 11:32:14 GMT -5
Divorce is an effective means of "cleaning house" Seen plenty of that in my lifetime.
Which rack? The upstairs rack I bought almost 15 years ago and don't remember where the hell I got it. Could have been an in store grab from Tweeter before they went teets up.
The basement theater rack I built in wall with oak ply and black sheet lam and flat black paint for shelves.
Scott
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Post by drtrey3 on Dec 10, 2014 12:04:23 GMT -5
Good seating for the minions. Key.
All jokes aside, what a kicking set up. I am happy for you!
Trey
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Post by simpleman68 on Dec 11, 2014 8:57:08 GMT -5
Good seating for the minions. Key. All jokes aside, what a kicking set up. I am happy for you! Trey Thanks man! That little Minion on row 2 is one of my favorite stuffed characters in the room. Still looking for a good Sully from Monsters. lol Scott |
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kdm
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Post by kdm on Dec 11, 2014 20:37:14 GMT -5
Divorce is an effective means of "cleaning house" Seen plenty of that in my lifetime. Which rack? The upstairs rack I bought almost 15 years ago and don't remember where the hell I got it. Could have been an in store grab from Tweeter before they went teets up. The basement theater rack I built in wall with oak ply and black sheet lam and flat black paint for shelves. Scott I was referring to the rack in the 1st two pics. It looks like just what I was looking for, but being impatient, I canceled an order for one very much like it last week (out of principle, because they claimed it was in-stock, and then gave me a month long ship date!) and ordered a traditional type audio rack, which employs shelving, as well as the ability to use rack-ears. But I gotchya, can't recall where you picked it up. I have to go vertical, but it's a PIA to find a glass rack (at least 6 shelves, which I need), that can hold 100lb amps on more than one shelf! It's either, "top & bottom only", or a rack that is onl;y 4 shelves. Frustrating. |
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Post by simpleman68 on Dec 12, 2014 10:37:47 GMT -5
Divorce is an effective means of "cleaning house" Seen plenty of that in my lifetime. Which rack? The upstairs rack I bought almost 15 years ago and don't remember where the hell I got it. Could have been an in store grab from Tweeter before they went teets up. The basement theater rack I built in wall with oak ply and black sheet lam and flat black paint for shelves. Scott I was referring to the rack in the 1st two pics. It looks like just what I was looking for, but being impatient, I canceled an order for one very much like it last week (out of principle, because they claimed it was in-stock, and then gave me a month long ship date!) and ordered a traditional type audio rack, which employs shelving, as well as the ability to use rack-ears. But I gotchya, can't recall where you picked it up. I have to go vertical, but it's a PIA to find a glass rack (at least 6 shelves, which I need), that can hold 100lb amps on more than one shelf! It's either, "top & bottom only", or a rack that is onl;y 4 shelves. Frustrating. I hear ya. I could use the same in a rack myself. Would be nice to have a 6 or 7 shelf unit but would have to be custom built with 2 shelves of less height for source unit and power conditioner. Then give me 2 high capacity shelves for monoblocks etc. Scott |
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Dec 12, 2014 10:50:45 GMT -5
I have a relatively high-end 2-channel stereo in a semi-dedicated listening room (semi-dedicated because we also use that space as a guest room) that I seldom use these days and may sell off, and a 2-channel headphone/speaker setup in my office that has become my primary music listening system. My HT/TV is in the living room (gave up the separate HT when we moved to Arizona) and it is MUCH simpler than it used to be. I like it. When I was younger I spent years on the ever-evolving quest for the next great thing, but at my more advanced age I am satisfied. And I have a much healthier bank account because of it.  |
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kdm
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Post by kdm on Dec 12, 2014 22:06:54 GMT -5
I have a relatively high-end 2-channel stereo in a semi-dedicated listening room (semi-dedicated because we also use that space as a guest room) that I seldom use these days and may sell off, and a 2-channel headphone/speaker setup in my office that has become my primary music listening system. My HT/TV is in the living room (gave up the separate HT when we moved to Arizona) and it is MUCH simpler than it used to be. I like it. When I was younger I spent years on the ever-evolving quest for the next great thing, but at my more advanced age I am satisfied. And I have a much healthier bank account because of it. I'm with you on those counts. This newest EMO gear is my last rodeo. I live in an apartment now, for the first time in over 30yrs. Have two closets full of vintage gear...and need to come to grips and sell it. |
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Post by solarrdadd on Dec 14, 2014 0:43:10 GMT -5
i've got 4 different setups: Livingroom 7.1 HT: 55"Sony SXRD HDTV Axiom Speakers (2)M80v3, (1)VP180v3 shown, (4)QS8v3 not shown Emotiva X-Ref 12 sub Oppo 105D Onkyo 5507 pre-amp Emotiva XPA-5 & UPA-2 amps HD-Cable DVR, HD-DVD player, XBOX, PS3, HTPC i'm very happy with my 7.1 channel HT setup. i use it for most tv watching and movies for self or company during movie nights. it is also used for multichannel audio. everything looks and sounds great. 105D shines for video and since i use 8 channel analog out, it sounds great! streams and plays everything from mp3 to DSD64 Stereo 2 channel: 32" Insignia 1080p LED-HDTV Oppo 105 Emotiva UPA-200 PS3 (not shown) Vintage Polk Audio SDA-2 speakers with grills removed (placed next to speakers) for critical audio listening sessions, that will be done in front of this system. i have a simple, minimalist stereo setup, source direct to external power amp. with a pair of pure silver litz structure interconnects between source & power amp; these were very effective in wringing out even more from a great system. it's nice to not have to turn on all of my HT gear just to listen to music and to have a pair of 30 year old speakers putting out some incredible music with modern digital music and a modern power amp too. myself and all my guest love listening to music on this thing. streams and plays everything music from mp3 to DSD64 Bedroom 5.1:not shown: 50" Insignia LED HDTV Onkyo TX-NR525 receiver Oppo 93 Cable HD-DVR Polk Audio (two)5Jr (one)5Jr+ Axiom (2)QS4V3 Emotiva Ultra sub 12 very happy with my bedroom system because for those lazy days when one wants to stay in bed, one can still enjoy a multichannel movie or multichannel music. the old Polks sound great as a front soundstage and do very well for music. the bedroom system also streams audio from a NAS, everything from mp3 to DSD64. Office at Work 2 channel stereo: Acer netbook running JRiver w/1.5tb external hard drive for music iFi nano iDSD DAC, iUSB Power supply Emotiva miniX amp Vintage Polk Audio Monitor 10 Dlink gigabit wifi router A/B selector switch between work PC & iFi DAC music system at work, i am lucky enough to have a private office and play my music there during working hours. i have the same music i have at home, at work, and it really helps out when designing or doing analytical work. the iFi DAC plays everything i throw at it and it sounds amazing and the emotiva miniX amp gives my Polks the power they need. i get tons of low end with them too. the gigabit network router is used to allow control of the JRiver software via my iPad4. plays everything from mp3 up to DXD384 & DSD64-256! so, i have two 2 channel stereo systems and two multichannel setups. i'm happy with all of them. they all are designed to do jobs well and they do. i have for a long time wanted to have a dedicated stereo 2 channel only system just for music and the one's that i've put together both at home and at work excel at doing just that. the multichannel systems are designed for mostly movie & tv use with some music use. |
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Post by creimes on Dec 14, 2014 0:50:41 GMT -5
I have both due to location and circumstance. Perhaps a kind way of saying I typically learn some lessons the hard way.... I put a large theater in the basement with 3 rows of seats and a 7.1 setup. Great to have a getaway with the wife when the kids go to bed and we can crank a good movie. We also do neighborhood movie nights with a dozen folks or so when big releases go to blu ray. Also a good room for my older daughter to hang with her friends. They can either watch a movie or play in the area behind the theater where there is a game room in the works. Upstairs living room, while not sonically optimal, is the 2 channel room. It is nice for playing background music while entertaining guests or even when I'm working in my office in the next room. Each room has it's own utility and reason which are valid but it has almost doubled my cost to have both. 2Ch room is 40% of budget and theater is 60% roughly. I really need to take better pics one of these days.... Scott Very cool Scott, your a swell guy for having neighborhood movie nights, lucky neighbors  Chad |
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Post by vneal on Dec 18, 2014 8:57:41 GMT -5
I am happy with my modest system
Maybe a Emotiva preamp upgrade sometime the next year
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Post by Nodscene on Dec 18, 2014 9:44:33 GMT -5
I'm not completely happy with my system unlike most people here. Still trying to find that one pair of speakers that will "do" it for me so to speak. Once I can sell my RX6's then it's off to try something else.
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. Ahem, ok....just one question; where did you get that rack? It looks similar to a VTI, but at 5 shelves....lost.
