Starting from scratch - please check my list

[w0dz]

I am new here, so go easy on me. I am doing a whole house remodel, and have the luxury of putting things wherever I want (mostly) as the media room is laid out. I have decided to use Emotiva for everything except the in-ceiling speakers, which E does not have. I'd like a little help to see if I have figured things out correctly. I'm an electronics engineer, so I understand the buzzwords, but it's been quite a while since I bought all new stuff.

I want to go the total separates route, so I don't need a high-power multi-channel AVR, and if I did get a fancy AVR, I'd use the bypass outputs for music listening anyway.

Here's what I've come up with:

Samsung Q80 82" 4K UHD

CMX-2    Line filter (also putting in two dedicated 20A shielded, twisted-wire circuits directly to breaker box)

C2+        Center channel

T2+  x2   L/R speakers

E2+  x2   Rear surround

(Def Tech DI or DT 6.5R x4 or x6 for Atmos)

(Def Tech DI or DT6.5STR x2 for side surround, which must be in the ceiling due to room layout)

S12 or R13    Subwoofer (any way to do 7.2?)

XPA-DR1 x3  Monoblock amps for LCR spkrs

RMC-1L  9.1.6 Preamp/Switch/Tuner

ERC-4    CD (what about DVD?)

Will be using Mogami 3104 to wire the important channels, and 14-2 CL2 speaker cable for the surround and Atmos speakers.

Also need a new Turntable. I realize I'll stir up a hornet's nest, but any preferences for MM or MC? Brand? Don't want to break the bank on this one item, either.

Missing anything? Any incompatibilities?

Brian

[w0dz]

Oh yeah, forgot the surround amps. A multi-channel amp is OK there because the power is much lower. Any recommendations?

[daveczski65]

Apr 22, 2020 14:13:58 GMT -5 w0dz said:

I am new here, so go easy on me. I am doing a whole house remodel, and have the luxury of putting things wherever I want (mostly) as the media room is laid out. I have decided to use Emotiva for everything except the in-ceiling speakers, which E does not have. I'd like a little help to see if I have figured things out correctly. I'm an electronics engineer, so I understand the buzzwords, but it's been quite a while since I bought all new stuff.

I want to go the total separates route, so I don't need a high-power multi-channel AVR, and if I did get a fancy AVR, I'd use the bypass outputs for music listening anyway.

Here's what I've come up with:

Samsung Q80 82" 4K UHD

CMX-2    Line filter (also putting in two dedicated 20A shielded, twisted-wire circuits directly to breaker box)

C2+        Center channel

T2+  x2   L/R speakers

E2+  x2   Rear surround

(Def Tech DI or DT 6.5R x4 or x6 for Atmos)

(Def Tech DI or DT6.5STR x2 for side surround, which must be in the ceiling due to room layout)

S12 or R13    Subwoofer (any way to do 7.2?)

XPA-DR1 x3  Monoblock amps for LCR spkrs

RMC-1L  9.1.6 Preamp/Switch/Tuner

ERC-4    CD (what about DVD?)

Will be using Mogami 3104 to wire the important channels, and 14-2 CL2 speaker cable for the surround and Atmos speakers.

Also need a new Turntable. I realize I'll stir up a hornet's nest, but any preferences for MM or MC? Brand? Don't want to break the bank on this one item, either.

Missing anything? Any incompatibilities?

Brian

I am sure you will receive alot of suggestions. I will make one suggestion...XPA-DR-1 are way too much amp for the T-2+s  emotiva only recommends as much as 500watts,,Those XPA_DR1s push 1000 watts into 4 ohms..Maybe look at a much better speakers,,such as Tektons DI s,,or Tekton Moabs..As for subwoofers,,I recommend PSA subs,,I have 2 older XV-15s,,,they shake the house when i want. Just my 2 cents..Hope you have a great experience here..There are some truly great people and info from them here!!  Good luck in your setup,,May u have a happy listening experience!!! I have been on this site since 2010  and luv it..

[davidl81]

Apr 22, 2020 14:13:58 GMT -5 w0dz said:

I am new here, so go easy on me. I am doing a whole house remodel, and have the luxury of putting things wherever I want (mostly) as the media room is laid out. I have decided to use Emotiva for everything except the in-ceiling speakers, which E does not have. I'd like a little help to see if I have figured things out correctly. I'm an electronics engineer, so I understand the buzzwords, but it's been quite a while since I bought all new stuff.

I want to go the total separates route, so I don't need a high-power multi-channel AVR, and if I did get a fancy AVR, I'd use the bypass outputs for music listening anyway.

Here's what I've come up with:

Samsung Q80 82" 4K UHD

CMX-2    Line filter (also putting in two dedicated 20A shielded, twisted-wire circuits directly to breaker box)

C2+        Center channel

T2+  x2   L/R speakers

E2+  x2   Rear surround

(Def Tech DI or DT 6.5R x4 or x6 for Atmos)

(Def Tech DI or DT6.5STR x2 for side surround, which must be in the ceiling due to room layout)

S12 or R13    Subwoofer (any way to do 7.2?)

XPA-DR1 x3  Monoblock amps for LCR spkrs

RMC-1L  9.1.6 Preamp/Switch/Tuner

ERC-4    CD (what about DVD?)

Will be using Mogami 3104 to wire the important channels, and 14-2 CL2 speaker cable for the surround and Atmos speakers.

Also need a new Turntable. I realize I'll stir up a hornet's nest, but any preferences for MM or MC? Brand? Don't want to break the bank on this one item, either.

Missing anything? Any incompatibilities?

Brian

You will get lots of different feedback but here is my gut feeling.
The Emotiva Speakers give you a great bang for the buck, all of the reviews on the C2/T2 speakers have been really good.
I agree with others, three DR-1's is overkill.  Nothing wrong with overkill, but you honestly don't need it.  Get a DR-3 for your front stage and then you have extra money for the surround amp.  You can do a XPA-8 or 10 for the surrounds depending on how many in ceiling speakers you do.  You can have 7 "blades" in the G3 amps.  Blades can either be mono or stereo blades so in theory you can go up to 14 channels in a single amp, but the stereo blades have a lot less power than the mono blades.  So once you figure out the in ceiling speaker count you can adjust your amp.  These are "just" surround speakers so really they don't need to have huge watts available to them, but it does not hurt.
I personally have a DR-2 for my L/R and a XPA-9 for everything else.  My Center and Surrounds are on the five mono blades and my four in ceiling speakers are on the two stereo blades.  Hind sight being 20/20 I maybe would have done a DR-3 for the center, but honestly I do not think I am losing anything at all using the XPA-9 with the center on one of those 300W blades.
Sub wise I have dual S15s and they SLAM.  Stupid amounts of bass for HT use.  Right now they are closeout at $100 more than the S12s and I would have trouble buying the S12s over the 15s.  The RMC can do "dual mono" subs.  Its basically splitting the LFE signal, but you can independently adjust the level for either sub.  I have not heard much about the R13 yet, but at that price point there are TONS of sub options.  Not saying the R13 is a bad choice, but IMO I think its playing in another ballpark price wise.  Building a system right now with Emotiva is a great value with the 30% in Emo bucks.  I would call to place to order and make two seperate orders.  One for say the RMC and speakers.  The other order for amps and other things.  Use the 30% credit from the RMC and speakers/subs and it will basically pay for your amp and CMX-2.

[skiman1]

I still prefer using a physical disc for both music and video, so I'd recommend getting some sort of player, preferably one that can play different types, both stereo and multichannel; i.e DVD, Blu Ray, Ultra Blu ray, and CDs, and also stream content. I have several players, but one that checks all the boxes is the Sony UBP X800. It even plays DVD Audio and SACD.

[jmilton]

The Sony lacks Dolby Vision. The Pioneer LX 500 is pretty sweet, though.

[w0dz]

So this should work:

RMC-1L (9.1.6)
XPA-DR3 (LCR)
XPA-10 (10-4-3s) [not using lr wide, but using the three stereo channels for 6 top Atmos, 2 HP for side surround and 2 HP for rear surround]

That would appear to only allow for one subwoofer. Would like a 7.2 system. Any other way to get it?

[davidl81]

Apr 22, 2020 18:00:00 GMT -5 w0dz said:

So this should work:

RMC-1L (9.1.6)
XPA-DR3 (LCR)
XPA-10 (10-4-3s) [not using lr wide, but using the three stereo channels for 6 top Atmos, 2 HP for side surround and 2 HP for rear surround]

That would appear to only allow for one subwoofer. Would like a 7.2 system. Any other way to get it?

You can get and XLR splitter for the sub channel to run dual subs. For the most part that’s what your RMC is doing internally anyway. The only down side is only one sub level control so if you want to eq levels on subs you may have a little bit of work to do. Maybe someone else has a different suggestion.

[megash0n]

Apr 22, 2020 18:10:16 GMT -5 davidl81 said:

Apr 22, 2020 18:00:00 GMT -5 w0dz said:

So this should work:

RMC-1L (9.1.6)
XPA-DR3 (LCR)
XPA-10 (10-4-3s) [not using lr wide, but using the three stereo channels for 6 top Atmos, 2 HP for side surround and 2 HP for rear surround]

That would appear to only allow for one subwoofer. Would like a 7.2 system. Any other way to get it?

You can get and XLR splitter for the sub channel to run dual subs. For the most part that’s what your RMC is doing internally anyway. The only down side is only one sub level control so if you want to eq levels on subs you may have a little bit of work to do. Maybe someone else has a different suggestion.

MiniDSP for the subs. Unless Emotiva gives an eta on the sub module.

[skiman1]

I have four subs connected to my RMC-1. In my case, they are 'passive', so I power them with two stereo sub amps, daisy chained with XLR to the processor. However, it's easy to connect multiple 'conventional' powered subs, with Y connectors, but you'll have to convert XLR to RCA to more easily accomplish this with a RMC-1L. BTW, since the sub signal is mono, so called .2 outlets on some prepros/receivers are just dividing the mono signal. The RMC-1 does have a different multisub feature, but it involves the stereo signal.

[405x5]

Apr 22, 2020 14:13:58 GMT -5 w0dz said:

I am new here, so go easy on me. I am doing a whole house remodel, and have the luxury of putting things wherever I want (mostly) as the media room is laid out. I have decided to use Emotiva for everything except the in-ceiling speakers, which E does not have. I'd like a little help to see if I have figured things out correctly. I'm an electronics engineer, so I understand the buzzwords, but it's been quite a while since I bought all new stuff.

I want to go the total separates route, so I don't need a high-power multi-channel AVR, and if I did get a fancy AVR, I'd use the bypass outputs for music listening anyway.

Here's what I've come up with:

Samsung Q80 82" 4K UHD

CMX-2    Line filter (also putting in two dedicated 20A shielded, twisted-wire circuits directly to breaker box)

C2+        Center channel

T2+  x2   L/R speakers

E2+  x2   Rear surround

(Def Tech DI or DT 6.5R x4 or x6 for Atmos)

(Def Tech DI or DT6.5STR x2 for side surround, which must be in the ceiling due to room layout)

S12 or R13    Subwoofer (any way to do 7.2?)

XPA-DR1 x3  Monoblock amps for LCR spkrs

RMC-1L  9.1.6 Preamp/Switch/Tuner

ERC-4    CD (what about DVD?)

Will be using Mogami 3104 to wire the important channels, and 14-2 CL2 speaker cable for the surround and Atmos speakers.

Also need a new Turntable. I realize I'll stir up a hornet's nest, but any preferences for MM or MC? Brand? Don't want to break the bank on this one item, either.

Missing anything? Any incompatibilities?

Brian

To me this is simply amazing!
Not criticizing at all and no beating up (lol) to be sure.
It simply struck me, when reading this post, That I could never put a system together in this fashion. That’s because the main loudspeakers should be, IMHO the foundation for EVERYTHING....their timbre, sensitively and frequency range (the whole smash) THEN, after you’re crazy for those, build everything else around them.
When I was putting together my first HT setup, I always thought to myself Geez....anyone can go out and buy a big TV set, but before that, a Piano 🎹 must sound like a piano FIRST. If your loudspeakers render acoustic instruments with the highest level of accuracy, everything else (properly configured will fall into place.



Buy the T2 first and live with them for a while (what I would do) If you’re nuts for them take the next step.

Bill

[davidl81]

Apr 22, 2020 19:13:18 GMT -5 405x5 said:

Apr 22, 2020 14:13:58 GMT -5 w0dz said:

I am new here, so go easy on me. I am doing a whole house remodel, and have the luxury of putting things wherever I want (mostly) as the media room is laid out. I have decided to use Emotiva for everything except the in-ceiling speakers, which E does not have. I'd like a little help to see if I have figured things out correctly. I'm an electronics engineer, so I understand the buzzwords, but it's been quite a while since I bought all new stuff.

I want to go the total separates route, so I don't need a high-power multi-channel AVR, and if I did get a fancy AVR, I'd use the bypass outputs for music listening anyway.

Here's what I've come up with:

Samsung Q80 82" 4K UHD

CMX-2    Line filter (also putting in two dedicated 20A shielded, twisted-wire circuits directly to breaker box)

C2+        Center channel

T2+  x2   L/R speakers

E2+  x2   Rear surround

(Def Tech DI or DT 6.5R x4 or x6 for Atmos)

(Def Tech DI or DT6.5STR x2 for side surround, which must be in the ceiling due to room layout)

S12 or R13    Subwoofer (any way to do 7.2?)

XPA-DR1 x3  Monoblock amps for LCR spkrs

RMC-1L  9.1.6 Preamp/Switch/Tuner

ERC-4    CD (what about DVD?)

Will be using Mogami 3104 to wire the important channels, and 14-2 CL2 speaker cable for the surround and Atmos speakers.

Also need a new Turntable. I realize I'll stir up a hornet's nest, but any preferences for MM or MC? Brand? Don't want to break the bank on this one item, either.

Missing anything? Any incompatibilities?

Brian

To me this is simply amazing!
Not criticizing at all and no beating up (lol) to be sure.
It simply struck me, when reading this post, That I could never put a system together in this fashion. That’s because the main loudspeakers should be, IMHO the foundation for EVERYTHING....their timbre, sensitively and frequency range (the whole smash) THEN, after you’re crazy for those, build everything else around them.
When I was putting together my first HT setup, I always thought to myself Geez....anyone can go out and buy a big TV set, but before that, a Piano 🎹 must sound like a piano FIRST. If your loudspeakers render acoustic instruments with the highest level of accuracy, everything else (properly configured will fall into place.



Buy the T2 first and live with them for a while (what I would do) If you’re nuts for them take the next step.

Bill

Bill, what would the OP use to power the speakers? It’s an entirely new build. So he buys the speakers and looks at them in his room? If he bought an inexpensive AVR to power them he will always think the AVR was holding him back. Sometimes you just jump in and buy an entire system. And honestly with the processor and amps he is looking at he could always change out speakers in the future if he wanted to. He could power almost anything on earth with that setup, and his speakers are the most cost effective part of his purchase.

[405x5]

Apr 22, 2020 19:33:37 GMT -5 davidl81 said:

Apr 22, 2020 19:13:18 GMT -5 405x5 said:

To me this is simply amazing!
Not criticizing at all and no beating up (lol) to be sure.
It simply struck me, when reading this post, That I could never put a system together in this fashion. That’s because the main loudspeakers should be, IMHO the foundation for EVERYTHING....their timbre, sensitively and frequency range (the whole smash) THEN, after you’re crazy for those, build everything else around them.
When I was putting together my first HT setup, I always thought to myself Geez....anyone can go out and buy a big TV set, but before that, a Piano 🎹 must sound like a piano FIRST. If your loudspeakers render acoustic instruments with the highest level of accuracy, everything else (properly configured will fall into place.



Buy the T2 first and live with them for a while (what I would do) If you’re nuts for them take the next step.

Bill

Bill, what would the OP use to power the speakers? It’s an entirely new build. So he buys the speakers and looks at them in his room? If he bought an inexpensive AVR to power them he will always think the AVR was holding him back. Sometimes you just jump in and buy an entire system. And honestly with the processor and amps he is looking at he could always change out speakers in the future if he wanted to. He could power almost anything on earth with that setup, and his speakers are the most cost effective part of his purchase.

David,
He said he needs a NEW turntable....at least that implies he’s got some gear now....hopefully something to drive them with

[Zombie]

Can't comment on too much of your list as some of the stuff I've never used. But I can comment on the Samsung Q80 82". I've got both the Q80 75" and 82" and love both of them. Super nice TV's (IMO). Also, I have similar speakers that you're looking at for your Atmos/Surrounds. I've got four of the DT 6.5 LCR in-walls. Mine are mounted in my garage and sound awesome coupled with a Klipsch R-120SW sub. Just adding my .02.

[creimes]

The RS13 Sub also has a XLR out so you can daisy chain them but they are more expensive for sure compared to two S15's so two S15's with one of the XLR splitters would be much cheaper. I agree the RMC-1L with the XPA-DR3 would be nice for the front stage and then whatever amp you need for the remaining surrounds.

Cheers and happy spending

Chad

[vcautokid]

Price range for the turntable and cartridge budget. Helps narrow down the field a bit.

[w0dz]

What I have been using for years is a hodgepodge of Samsung 55" 3D HDTV, Realistic (Garrard) turntable, RCA Dimensia system including linear tracking turntable & dual cassette tape player, Pioneer Blue-Ray DVD, Onkyo and Denon pre-HDMI receiver/switcher/amps, Parasound external room amp, DirecTV receiver, 1st gen Roku box, and an absurd mix of optical, RCA, Coaxial, Component, Composite, HDMI, USB and Monster cables, and power cords and surge suppressors from hell). I can't wait to clean all this up. Heck, I still use my Heathkit AR-1302 for AM/FM, and I plug my cell phone into it every Saturday night to listen to Dick Bartley on WBZD. Don't really listen to records all that much, so the budget for a TT is "as low as possible to still get kickass sound."

Brian

[w0dz]

Oh, regarding the speakers...I had a 1:1 session at Magnolia and Listen Up, where I listened critically to the same amp on several different speakers, and several amps on the same speakers - B&W, KEF and Martin Logan. Also went up to Audio Alternative in Ft. Collins and listened to some really nice $60K speakers (WAY out of my price range!). First saw Emotiva products there but didn't listen to them. Was partial to the B&W's (hard to say that with a straight face -- to me, B&W will always be Barker and Williamson!). Also listened to a $100K MacIntosh setup at Magnolia. I have been using KEF Q80's for L and R and a crummy center and surround set that I got cheap. So, when I saw decent reviews on the Emotiva speakers, and had already decided to buy their procs and amps, it was not a hard sell to choose their speakers too. Almost anything is gonna sound better than what I have been using. Plus, I have a friend who has the right equipment and training to do a thorough A/V calibration.

What attracted me most to Emotiva is that they are mostly designed and manufactured in the US. Think we will see many companies pull out of China and return home after this COVID-19 crap subsides. Emotiva was ahead of the curve.

Brian

[klinemj]

Emotiva has used their A1's as downward firing ceiling speakers in their Atmos demos (in 4 arrays of 4 each...pretty crazy!), and I thought they were excellent even though they market them as wall-mounted or reflective speakers. Call them and see what they say about them as your ceiling speakers (but you don't have to go as crazy as 4 arrays of 4...)

Also, just FYI - while Emotiva does design and manufacture a lot in the US, a lot of parts come from out of the US...just to be clear. But, that's typically true of most things...not just audio but cars and everything else. If I let that stop me from buying products, I'd not be buying very much.

Mark

[megash0n]

Apr 23, 2020 18:11:48 GMT -5 klinemj said:

Emotiva has used their A1's as downward firing ceiling speakers in their Atmos demos (in 4 arrays of 4 each...pretty crazy!), and I thought they were excellent even though they market them as wall-mounted or reflective speakers. Call them and see what they say about them as your ceiling speakers (but you don't have to go as crazy as 4 arrays of 4...)

Also, just FYI - while Emotiva does design and manufacture a lot in the US, a lot of parts come from out of the US...just to be clear. But, that's typically true of most things...not just audio but cars and everything else. If I let that stop me from buying products, I'd not be buying very much.

Mark

I have 3 sets of A1s. I like them. I haven't really tested them with anything but Atmos and side surrounds yet. Planning to put a pair in the living room as LR channel for the TV.