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Home theater set up.

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I logged on this morning and was disapointed to see that nobody posted anything since my last visit. So I decided to get the ball rolling.
Is any one ever really totally satisfied with there system? It seems that since I got into this hobby I have been in a constant state of upgrade. Here's my path.
Speakers - I started with the Atlantic Technology 450THX. Upgraded to Aerial 7B (mains), CC3 (center), and SR3 (surrounds). Upgraded to Aerial 10Ts for my mains.
Sub - Had the Atlantic Technology Sub. Sold it and have the M&K 350THX on order.
Processor - I started with the EAD Encore. I now own the EAD Signature and Switchmaster.
Amp - I currnetly have the ATI 1505. But I have the EAD PowerMaster 2000 on order.
Cable - I don't even now what my original speaker cable was. The intstaller used something off of a big roll. Since then, I have had Kimber 8TC and now have Kimber Monocle XL. On interconnects I went from XLO (ER-5 I think) to KONTAK. I'm now using Kimber KCAG from my surround and Kimber Select for my mains. I also have Bybee filters on my mains.
Power Conditioner - Started with a Panamax. I now have the Audio Power Ultra.
TV - Started with the Toshiba TW65G80. I now have the Runco DTV-5800.
After reading this it is apparent that I am a sick man. You know it's amazimg that I can't find the money to pay off all my bills, but I sure can find it to upgrade my system.
Ciao!

Follow Ups:

Do you have the nerve? L. Solom 21:26:40 5/29/99 (0)
Do you have the nerve to add up the $'s you've got into your system now? Let's hear the total? $___,___,___.00
I recently added up the cost of my system and now wish I hadn't. Definately can't tell my wife.
Re: Home theater set up. Brian 13:48:35 5/25/99 (0)
May I suggest Luvox or Prozac for your Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? Stop the madness before you end up building your own stadium seating addition in your backyard.
My own habit was stopped cold turkey by my ex-wife's lawyer and the judge who gave my ex the home theater (and everything else!). I had the shakes and cold sweats for quite a while, but now I just sit on a lawn chair in my dingy apartment and watch cable TV with the built in speakers.
So just relax and try to be happy with what you have for a while.....
Things could be worse!
Well I guess I'll add my story Greg Hassler 16:10:50 5/10/99 (3)
I'd have to say that I am pretty satisfied with my audio system for HT, I can't think of an area that it really lacks in. My TV could be bigger though (27" Sony currently, will upgrade to an HD-RPTV whenever I move). And of course once the TV gets bigger, the video source components will become more crucial, then maybe I'll upgrade my DVD player.
Here's my current system:
Yamaha RX-V2092 Receiver (acting as pre/pro - upgraded from Pioneer DPL)
Carver AV-806x 133 x 6 THX amplifier
Mirage OM-6 mains (upgraded from M-390is - read on)
Mirage MC-Si center (upgraded from MC-4)
Mirage M-390is rears (direct fire towers, used to be mains)
Mirage PS-12 subwoofer (now just used for LFE on HT)
Toshiba SD-3107 DVD player (component outs, no DTS)
Sharp VCR (don't know model #, has all the features though)
Yamaha CDC-845 5 disk CD carousel (upgraded from some old thing)
Philips CDR-765 (upgraded from CDR-760)
Monster cable all around - I/C's and speaker cable (bi-wired mains)
2 Panamax LC/surge protectors - Max 1000+ and Max 1500
Sony RM-AV2000 remote
Again, for HT I'm very pleased. For music on the other hand, it's just not all there - soundstage & imaging trouble (speakers are too far apart), treble & midrange clarity (don't know why), a 'boom' at certain upper bass frequencies (I can only assume it's room size/speaker placement). I am restricted by the room currently, so we'll see what happens when I move (in 1 year). Until then, I don't think I will spend the money to upgrade, instead I will save to buy better components when the time does come.
The main things I do want to upgrade are the receiver (get an actual pre/pro), the CD player (at least an "audiophile quality" unit - $800-$1200), and of course the TV for video. Other than those, I don't think anything is really lacking in my system, so I *should* be happy with it then assuming I can get the room tweaked.
Good post, Tom, it sounds like you have a pretty great system there.
- Re: Well I guess I'll add my story mtrycrafts 17:11:21 5/10/99 (2)
  When you do upgrade your TV make sure it will do progressive scans and get one of those new DVD players when they come out. You should also try to get the component inputs or at least s-video; but you already know this:-) info to others.
  - Re: Well I guess I'll add my story JohnE 19:28:34 5/10/99 (1)
    I haven't been following HT equipment recently. You're pretty much up to speed on all this mtry, any word on the proressive scan DVDs?
    John
    - Re: Well I guess I'll add my story mtrycrafts 20:37:06 5/10/99 (0)
      I don't agonize over them either but I do read as that is an area of interest as well. It is coming later this year. You will need a TV with line doubling capability or internal capacity for 31khz scanning rate.
Waiting on more DTS titles. MiKe 18:20:54 5/09/99 (1)
I'm gona stick it out with my HT system for a while longer before I upgrade.
My system,
Yamaha rx v992, receiver
Toshiba 2107, dvd
Toshiba 30" tele
B&W cdm 7se's
B&W cc6, center
B&W dm 601, rears
B&W asw 2000, sub
I am happy with my system for now but i'm sure when dts and hdtv take off i'll be upgrading.
MiKe
- Re: Waiting on more DTS titles. mtrycrafts 21:08:40 5/09/99 (0)
  I don't want to spoil your wait for DTS but you may want to reconsider that it will ever take off; a nich market. HDTV is inevitable as it is a standard.
  Here is something that transpired recently ay the newsgroups:
  > > > > > > > > > > > >
  Subject: Re: DTS - what is the difference?
  From: srrndhound
  Date: 5/6/99 11:00 AM EST
  Message-id: <7gseba$38p$1@nnrp1.deja.com>
  In article <7gcv85$9a2$1@nnrp1.dejanews.com> ,
  ddelgrosso@my-dejanews.com wrote:
  > > And how could they--with the encoders under lock and key?
  >
  > The decision to provide encoding services versus selling encoders is a
  > business decision, and has nothing to do with secrecy. We have always
  > welcomed professionals interested in using DTS to audition the
  > encoder/decoder process with their own source material, and have often taken
  > encoders into the field for this purpose.
  Why don't you try this little story on the folks at Sound & Vision? They
  certainly requested an encoder from you and got none. You are the one who said
  "the MOST IMPORTANT test... the comparison of each soundtrack, directly to the
  master that it was encoded from," yet you prevented them from doing it.
  > The dialnorm setting does affect dynamic range and signal-to-noise in most
  > decoders.
  That is the choice of the manufacturer. Maybe most of them believe it's a non-
  issue (as do we). Those who don't are quite able to avoid it, and they do. In
  any case, it's not a coder issue.
  
  > > DTS titles appear to add 0.5 dB gain (by our admittedly limited tests on
  very few titles where we have access to the master.
  >
  > The DTS process adds no gain. You refer to "limited" tests, "few" titles, and
  > you say you "can't prove it"... so why say anything at all?
  Because if what you say about DTS gain being 0dB is true, then I have no way
  to reconcile your unsubstantiated claim that Dolby tracks play back 5 dB
  lower unless it is because you are deliberately inflating the number to try
  to reach the "almost one bit" figure you quote. The dialnorm value imposes
  4dB attn in most movies, and we make this fact well known. Where did you come
  up with 5dB? Did you measure it? Against the master or against the DTS
  version? If you agree it is a mistake, then why not fix your Q&A?
  
  > Bass management alters the levels among the channels by definition.
  Really? How so? Maybe by DTS's definition of creating an LFE track while
  mastering, but not by ours. Sorry, you are wrong. This should be corrected
  also in your Q&A.
  
  > Various
  > levels are also affected if the original 5.1 mix is altered to facilitate
  > downmixing (which is exactly what 6 different engineers told us they are
  > doing).
  Then that's the master the Dolby Digital processor delivers intact. It is now
  quite humorous to see YOU, of all people, arguing that the coding system
  should be blamed for what the mastering people choose to do. And by the way,
  this process (if and when it is done at all) is not to alter what the 5.1
  listener hears, only what the 2-ch downmix sounds like. In fact, if there was
  some concern that the 5.1 track was being aesthetically altered (which can
  mean certain dismemberment in Hollywood), they would just use a separate 2-ch
  mix.
  > DTS is spreading false information?
  Yes, as I succinctly illustrated.
  
  > I just returned from a dealer convention, and guess what? Three different
  > executives directly confronted me with their concern over the fact that Larry
  > Poor from Dolby Labs had just told them that DTS was "going out of business".
  >
  > What is the justification behind this pathetic behavior? Do you have any
  > proof? Of course, you don't... because it's simply not true!
  It was DTS's own licensees that came TO US with stories of Chapter 11 and the
  like. These didn't originate here. And guess what? Your own investors called
  twice trying to sell us DTS, lock, stock, and barrel. Seems they want to
  recoup their investment before it's all gone. We're not the only ones they
  called, either. No takers yet, I guess.
  > Quite frankly, Mr. Dressler, during my 30 years in this business (representing
  > several successful companies), I have never encountered this type of
  > competition. The relentlous onslaught of lies and false accusations that Dolby
  > employees continue to disseminate about DTS, easily represents the most
  > underhanded behavior that I have ever witnessed.
  DTS has been so belligerent and foul that we finally had to stand our ground
  and respond to the baseless charges and unrelenting hype to set the record
  straight. The piles of garbage that DTS has poured out over the years has
  been truly amazing. Beard, Neighbors, Slusser, and now you, Mr. DelGrosso,
  have done more to sully your own reputation than we ever could.
  And if you think we are the instigators, didn't you notice how quiet it was
  around here until you signed on again after your absence and started right in
  with more misinformation? As long as you persist, we'll be there to correct
  you. Don't let us all down by actually fulfilling your promises to leave the
  NewsGroups. It's all so entertaining.
  --
  Roger Dressler
  Dolby Laboratories
  > > > > > > > > > > > > >
Re: Home theater set up. Justin 12:52:10 5/09/99 (0)
Yes, this forum IS dead! So I'll post my upgrade story!
I have two separate systems, a high-end one for music and a mid-fi HT system. I've had both for almost a year. I have no intention of upgrading my 2 channel system for a long time (except maybe the line-conditioner/surge suppressor). I'm very happy with it. To significantly improve it I'd probably have to spend six figures, which is something I'm not prepared to do. But my HT is another story!
I started with my old 32" Sony TV and Sony hi-fi VCR. I decided to build from there. I didn't want to spend much money, as I only watch several movies and a few TV shows a week. So I did some research on entry-level systems and bought a Denon 2700 receiver, a Panasonic A310 DVD, 4 B&W 302s, a B&W CC-3, a Velodyne VA-1012XII, Lovan Affinti Stands, and Radio Shack 14 ga. cable and generic interconnects. The total came to well under $2500 with tax.
A month later my TV died, so I went to get a new one. I considered the Toshiba Theater Wide 40" ($2000), the Sony 35" XBR ($2000) and the Sony 32" XBR squared unit ($2000). I decided the 32" and 35" were too small and unreliable (my 32" Sony was only a year old when the tuner died and only three years old when the tubed died). So I was gonna get the Toshiba, but then my dealer offered me a brand new $4000 40" Diamond Line Mitsubishi with its gorgeous 4:3 picture for only $2500. I decided to jump on it. I do miss the 16:9 screen, but the 4:3 picture is great. I probaby won't upgrade for a while...I'm waiting for a 50" 16:9 Plasma HDTV at a reasonable (sub $5000) price...I may be waiting a long time!
Then the Harman/Kardon PA5800 amp went on sale for $400 delivered. Even though I had plenty of power for the small and efficent B&Ws, I wanted this amp, figuring it would last longer than my receiver. So I bought it. But this added a lot of hiss to my B&Ws and my Denon only had pre-outs for the front three channels. About this time, one of my friends was gonna buy a HT system. He was gonna get the same speakers and receiver as me. Being dissatisfied with the Denon's lack of pre-outs and the small B&Ws crackling on Starship Troopers at regular levels, along with constant hiss from the H/K amp, I decided to sell him the Denon and my B&Ws.
So on to looking for a pre/pro, and a new 5 speaker array. Everyone was raving about the new Sherwood Newcastle for a street price of $800. So I auditioned it and A/B'd it with the significantly more expensive Sony pre/pro. I liked the Sherwood (with the exception of build quality) better. It was also cheaper and had 6 ch. inputs, so I bought it.
For speakers I didn't want to spend a fortune, but wanted decent sized ones that wouldn't strain when played at fairly loud levels. I looked at B&W 602/CC-6/302 (thinking I'd keep my 302s for the rears), NHT 1.5, AC-1, Super Ones, and Paradigm Monitor 3/CC-350/Mini Monitors. The B&W center didn't seem very clear, and the NHTs were a bit bright with DD soundtracks (even though they were the best for music). I felt the Paradigms were the best deal, both in list and street price. I also liked the center, as it never distorted unlike the other two, probably because of it's 6.5" woofers v. 5.25" for the other brands. They were a good comination of the NHT and B&W sound too, so I went with the Paradigm package. It sent me back $900 inc. tax.
I upgraded my generic interconnects to Monster Cable Standard. Big upgrade at $100! It helped sound and video slightly, but they sure look a lot better and will last a lot longer. I sold my VCR and bought a new Panasonic VCR for $150. Everything about it is better than the Sony, except it makes more noise.
So am I satisfied with my HT? Not yet. I'm gonna upgrade my DVD player to either the Sony S530 or the Toshiba 3109. The Panisonic is a very good DVD player, but it has several defects when playing certain DVDs and DADS. This is agrevating. I also have a friend who wants to buy it. After that, I don't think I'll upgrade anything and I will be satisfied...at least I hope so!
So what have I learned? Get good gear that you will be satisfied for years to come. Don't skimp or compromise. If you can't afford it, wait. I've basically upgraded everything I bought. I skimped in the beginning. And spend time auditioning a lot of stuff. I spent 6 months audioning, matching, and assembling my 2 channel system, and it paid off. The process for my HT system took about a week.
Sorry about this long History of Justin's Home Theater post!
Completely satisfied............. Rod M 12:44:00 5/09/99 (1)
Never!
OTOH, I try not to get into the constant upgrade spiral. I also tend to move rather slowly which helps. It took me almost a year to do an amp upgrade and then I bought used which does stretch the $$.
I do have a itch for a TV upgrade but I'm really trying to hold off in hopes that flat screen HDTV will mature, improve and get more affordable.
Looks like you've done some significant upgrades and you've got a great HT system. I don't know how long it took to get it the way you want it, but I do agree with Mtry on one thing, you need to slow down and take some time to assimulate. When you get to this level, a lot of upgrades become simple sideways moves or just different, not necessarily better.
Once you do get everything dialed in, hmmmm, there's always power cords to play with ;)
- Re: Completely satisfied............. MikeP 15:16:45 5/09/99 (0)
  IMHO there is no doubt that HDTV will get cheaper. Unless something happens to prevent it from becoming the standard, it'll be like microwaves, computers, and calculators. Or even regular TV's. When they first came out few could afford them. HDTV is one thing that I'm definitely going to be a late adoptor of. Of course I only get 3 channels so.....:-)
Re: Home theater set up. JohnE 12:21:08 5/09/99 (0)
Sick Tom? Not a chance, your priorities are exactly where they should be.
My HT was finished the first part of Dec, last year. Right after that, I started upgrading my audio setup. Tomorrow, the last piece of my audio system will be put into place, and then it's probably back to playing with the HT, even though I dont have any upgrade desires for it. (well, maybe the Toshiba progressive scan DVD. Is it out yet?)
For movies, this works well enough for me.
Home Theater Equip.
DSP-A1
Yam. S700 DVD
JVC S7500U VCR
Paradigm Studio 80's front and rear
Paradigm in-wall front effects
CC 450
Two Velodyne HSG10 subs
Tara and Vampire wire
Toshiba Cinema Series 61"
Pronto Remote (this thing is fun)
John
Re: Home theater set up. mtrycrafts 12:08:57 5/09/99 (1)
Well, it is telling when you can pay off your audio hobby and the other bill are outstanding:-)
Some like to change frequently in search of the unattainable; an insatiable person:-).
Others have other areas of insatiable appetites. Who knows which is right.
But perhaps if you concentrate your efforts on speakers, placement and your room, you will be ahead of the power curve as that is where you get the benefits you seek.
- Re: Home theater set up. DMc 14:43:38 5/09/99 (0)
  My System:
  DVD Sony 7700
  B&K Ref 20
  ATI 1505
  Dynaudio 1.1 , 1.8 , Contour Center
  Rel 850 sub
  Straight Wire: Virtuoso
  I would agree with an earlier statement ( slow down ) I'm very happy with my system. I'm adding a J.A. Michell TT in a couple weeks! Ya hooo... I finished my system over the christmas holidays and have spent my time finding good software, IE: music & DVDs....I would recommend building your library up and enjoying what you have....PS, Why are you canning the ATI? DMc

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