Upgrades - Blu-ray Forum

Kai Winters · 02-01-2010, 03:54 PM

Hi all,
I was surprised to see I haven't changed my gallery pics since my last upgrades.
I have replaced my fronts...Paradigm Monitor 3's...with Paradigm Monitor 11's during the summer of '09.
I also replaced my Yamaha RX-V659 receiver, which I've had for 4 years, with a new Pioneer Elite VSX-21THX.
I'm very happy with the upgrades. The 11's have dramatically opened the soundstage and are wonderful in stereo mode.
The receiver really made a difference too. As well as now having the latest audio codecs...which are quite an improvement...the MCACC did a really nice job calibrating and setting the equalization. I only had to make a few small adjustments and it sounds great. Quite a bit warmer than my old 659.

Unless I win the lottery that is the end of the upgrades for the next year. I plan no purchases in 2010 but want to replace the tv in 2011 with a 58" plasma.
My son "inherited" my old receiver and Monitor 3's. He still lives at home...waiting to enter the Navy in a few months...and I put together I very nice system for him adding a nice 10" Klipsch sub I had to the above. He is quite happy hehehe.

Johk · 02-01-2010, 04:30 PM

Nice upgrades!

TechSeller · 02-01-2010, 09:06 PM

Nice clean look. Well done!

Yautja · 02-01-2010, 09:28 PM

Job well done, love it

Hammie · 02-02-2010, 08:18 AM

Very nice looking setup!

Fors* · 02-02-2010, 09:28 AM

Nice job and I like what you have done to the room. I really like the warm sound of the Paradigms!

talstarone · 02-02-2010, 12:16 PM

Now That Is An Upgrade.

The New,Higher End(not to mention Larger and Bigger)Paradigm Speakers,look Beautiful.
I imagine they Sound Much Fuller and Probably More Detailed.

You did an Excellent Job in explaining the Difference you have heard inbetween the Older and New Speakers.
And,I can only Imagine how the New Receiver has helped Improve the Overall sound,also.

Great Upgrades and one Amazing System you have put together.And,that was a wonderful thing you did for your Son.
Looking at that first pic you had,I see your Son got some Excellent Speakers along with a Great Pioneer Receiver(not to mention the sub as well).

But Congratulations on your Upgraded System.You have an Awesome Set-Up,Indeed.I Hope You and Your Son Both Enjoy Your Systems.

(And if Your Son,Enters the Navy(Or any Branch of the Sevices)I Would Like to Say Thank You(For Him and to Him))Its Great Individuals like him who allow us to enjoy our way of life and hobbies(Such as Home Theater).

Icecoldblue · 02-02-2010, 03:56 PM

Nice setup.
Those are some beautiful speakers when the grills are off. Do you have plans to upgrade the center to match the L/R (color-wise)?

Kai Winters · 02-03-2010, 03:05 AM

I'll keep the center as is...no plans to replace any speaker for a while lol.
Thanks for the kind words about my son.
LOL my son and daughter are both lucky. She inherited an old, but very decent, Sony receiver and a pair of Titans...
They are good kids and I'd rather give them to my kids than sell them to a stranger.
Thanks for the kind words about my system. It is a joy to watch and listen to...even my wife appreciates how nice it sounds/looks.

STARKILLER--1138 · 02-03-2010, 04:34 AM

Beautiful speakers Kai! Congrats!!

02-01-2010, 03:54 PM	#1
Kai Winters Active Member Member since:Dec 2008 Location:Northern NY...Brownville Home Theater Gallery:4	Upgrades Hi all, I was surprised to see I haven't changed my gallery pics since my last upgrades. I have replaced my fronts...Paradigm Monitor 3's...with Paradigm Monitor 11's during the summer of '09. I also replaced my Yamaha RX-V659 receiver, which I've had for 4 years, with a new Pioneer Elite VSX-21THX. I'm very happy with the upgrades. The 11's have dramatically opened the soundstage and are wonderful in stereo mode. The receiver really made a difference too. As well as now having the latest audio codecs...which are quite an improvement...the MCACC did a really nice job calibrating and setting the equalization. I only had to make a few small adjustments and it sounds great. Quite a bit warmer than my old 659. Unless I win the lottery that is the end of the upgrades for the next year. I plan no purchases in 2010 but want to replace the tv in 2011 with a 58" plasma. My son "inherited" my old receiver and Monitor 3's. He still lives at home...waiting to enter the Navy in a few months...and I put together I very nice system for him adding a nice 10" Klipsch sub I had to the above. He is quite happy hehehe.

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02-01-2010, 04:30 PM	#2
Johk Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Blu-ray collection:645 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:2	Nice upgrades!

02-01-2010, 09:06 PM	#3
TechSeller Banned Member since:Jan 2010 Location:Toronto, Ontario Blu-ray collection:6	Nice clean look. Well done!

02-01-2010, 09:28 PM	#4
Yautja Power Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jan 2008 Location:AUSTRALIA Home Theater Gallery:29 Trading Score:6	Job well done, love it

02-02-2010, 08:18 AM	#5
Hammie Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Washington, DC Metro Home Theater Gallery:53 Blu-ray collection:545 DVD collection:12 Trading Score:12	Very nice looking setup!

02-02-2010, 09:28 AM	#6
Fors* Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Pottstown, PA Home Theater Gallery:160 4K collection:12 Blu-ray collection:142 Trading Score:11	Nice job and I like what you have done to the room. I really like the warm sound of the Paradigms!

02-02-2010, 12:16 PM	#7
talstarone Blu-ray Baron Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Apr 2009 Location:Clayton, North Carolina Home Theater Gallery:88 Blu-ray collection:363 Blu-ray reviews: 3 Trading Score:54	Now That Is An Upgrade. The New,Higher End(not to mention Larger and Bigger)Paradigm Speakers,look Beautiful. I imagine they Sound Much Fuller and Probably More Detailed. You did an Excellent Job in explaining the Difference you have heard inbetween the Older and New Speakers. And,I can only Imagine how the New Receiver has helped Improve the Overall sound,also. Great Upgrades and one Amazing System you have put together.And,that was a wonderful thing you did for your Son. Looking at that first pic you had,I see your Son got some Excellent Speakers along with a Great Pioneer Receiver(not to mention the sub as well). But Congratulations on your Upgraded System.You have an Awesome Set-Up,Indeed.I Hope You and Your Son Both Enjoy Your Systems. (And if Your Son,Enters the Navy(Or any Branch of the Sevices)I Would Like to Say Thank You(For Him and to Him))Its Great Individuals like him who allow us to enjoy our way of life and hobbies(Such as Home Theater).

02-02-2010, 03:56 PM	#8
Icecoldblue Active Member Top contributor Member since:Aug 2009 Location:Calgary, AB Home Theater Gallery:11 Blu-ray collection:69	Nice setup. Those are some beautiful speakers when the grills are off. Do you have plans to upgrade the center to match the L/R (color-wise)?

02-03-2010, 03:05 AM	#9
Kai Winters Active Member Member since:Dec 2008 Location:Northern NY...Brownville Home Theater Gallery:4	I'll keep the center as is...no plans to replace any speaker for a while lol. Thanks for the kind words about my son. LOL my son and daughter are both lucky. She inherited an old, but very decent, Sony receiver and a pair of Titans... They are good kids and I'd rather give them to my kids than sell them to a stranger. Thanks for the kind words about my system. It is a joy to watch and listen to...even my wife appreciates how nice it sounds/looks.

02-03-2010, 04:34 AM	#10
STARKILLER--1138 Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jan 2008	Beautiful speakers Kai! Congrats!!

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