Rega P9

[richteer]

Originally Posted by joe1515

If i were to upgrade just my front speakers would it make sense to stick with Monitor Audio, since my center and rears are monitor audio? I was looking at maybe the RS6 or the GS20?

I'm not very familiar with Monitor Audio's stuff, although they do have a good rep. But depending on your budget, you really ought to check out some of MartinLogan's offerings. I'm somewhat biased because I recently bought a pair of MartinLogan Spires and love 'em, but for around $2k you could get into a pair of ML Sources, which will give you a good taste of the electrostatic sound.

Noone's mentioned this yet, so I will now. Whatever you decide, try before you buy, preferably in your own system at home, with your own records. Any reputable audio dealer will be happy to let you do this.

[joe1515]

[QUOTE=richteer;1933227] I'm getting the sense that you're (like me) more into music than movies. In which case, I advise against the receiver route. Get a separate pre/pro for movie audio and a decent stereo preamp for music.

I actually do about 50 50 between music and HT. That is why I am leaning towards the Arcam. I just visited a local dealer that had one for audition and the a price of $4,500. They even had one in stock. I might pick it up this weekend.

Joe

[rded]

[QUOTE=joe1515;1933315]

Originally Posted by richteer

I'm getting the sense that you're (like me) more into music than movies. In which case, I advise against the receiver route. Get a separate pre/pro for movie audio and a decent stereo preamp for music.

I actually do about 50 50 between music and HT. That is why I am leaning towards the Arcam. I just visited a local dealer that had one for audition and the a price of $4,500. They even had one in stock. I might pick it up this weekend.

Joe

Joe,
Thats great! But the arcam is without issues. Tadah!! Surprised?! It has popping issues and currently only outputs 42khz from a 192khz source! The next fw v1.8 promises to unleash its full sonic potential and further minimize the popping souund. One things for sure, after auditioning it you will be officially ruined and will want better components like better speakers! Heck I want new speakers as this uniy can drive Dynaudio C2s without breaking a sweat. Good luck!

[joe1515]

[QUOTE=rded;1933605]

Originally Posted by joe1515

Joe,
Thats great! But the arcam is without issues. Tadah!! Surprised?! It has popping issues and currently only outputs 42khz from a 192khz source! The next fw v1.8 promises to unleash its full sonic potential and further minimize the popping souund. One things for sure, after auditioning it you will be officially ruined and will want better components like better speakers! Heck I want new speakers as this uniy can drive Dynaudio C2s without breaking a sweat. Good luck!

I assume you mean it is NOT without issues? What are the popping issues and I don't understand what you mean by it only outputs 42khz from a 192khz source?

[rded]

[QUOTE=joe1515;1933711]

Originally Posted by rded

I assume you mean it is NOT without issues? What are the popping issues and I don't understand what you mean by it only outputs 42khz from a 192khz source?

Yes Joe, the Arcam is not without issues. Popping noise- say when you change sources from cable to dvd/BD there's going to be a loud pop from either front or rear speakers. This was actually worse prior to v1.7 fw. Some owners have reported blowing speakers due to this.
192khz.-Say you are watching Bluray movie encoded at 192khz, when the sound is processed through the receiver, it is only outputted at 48khz(not 42khz). So sound is down graded. But believe me, it still sound waaaaay better than my Denon 3808CI. There are also issues with the unit's equalizer. Some owners say that it is only functioning at a quarter of its capability as far as its equalizer. I mean, I can only imagine how much better this unit will sound after the new fw. Then again, you can only experience how good this unit truely is with better components and speakers. So while at the dealer, audition some speakers even the higher end monitor audios.
My rule of thumb is: decide on speakers first and then build around them.

[joe1515]

[QUOTE=rded;1933788]

Originally Posted by joe1515

Yes Joe, the Arcam is not without issues. Popping noise- say when you change sources from cable to dvd/BD there's going to be a loud pop from either front or rear speakers. This was actually worse prior to v1.7 fw. Some owners have reported blowing speakers due to this.
192khz.-Say you are watching Bluray movie encoded at 192khz, when the sound is processed through the receiver, it is only outputted at 48khz(not 42khz). So sound is down graded. But believe me, it still sound waaaaay better than my Denon 3808CI. There are also issues with the unit's equalizer. Some owners say that it is only functioning at a quarter of its capability as far as its equalizer. I mean, I can only imagine how much better this unit will sound after the new fw. Then again, you can only experience how good this unit truely is with better components and speakers. So while at the dealer, audition some speakers even the higher end monitor audios.
My rule of thumb is: decide on speakers first and then build around them.

How are you finding out about these issues and the firmware updates, I checked Arcade's site and could not find anything out? Should I wait to purchase until these problems have been worked out?

[joe1515]

Well I just ordered the Arcam AVR 600 and B&W CM9 speakers with the CMC2 Center. I only doubled my budget. You only live once right, thanks for everyones help.

Now the next question is speaker wire. The audio store recommended bi-wire nordust cables or tara labs to save some money. I am not sure if the speaker wire makes that much of a difference, ideas?

[rded]

Wow! You just spent 10k on a new receiver and fronts There is definitely no going back from here on. Congrats!!! "So you wanna be like Rded" huh?? Man, AM I A BAD INFLUENCE ON YOU??!!! Check my sig and gallery. The blue heavens are around $450/ 2 m pair but might sound too bright on your system. But don't take my word for it, audition for yourself. Due to the up-front or forward presentation of your B$W speakers, you're going to need a more laid back cable so the red dawns or baldurs should be on your list. But take heed, these are not cheap cables. The red dawns retail for about $800 for 2 meters a pair and the baldurs are around $1200/ 2m pair. If you don't want to spend that much on speaker wires you don't have to buy them right away. Enjoy your system for now!

[joe1515]

Originally Posted by rded

Wow! You just spent 10k on a new receiver and fronts There is definitely no going back from here on. Congrats!!! "So you wanna be like Rded" huh?? Man, AM I A BAD INFLUENCE ON YOU??!!! Check my sig and gallery. The blue heavens are around $450/ 2 m pair but might sound too bright on your system. But don't take my word for it, audition for yourself. Due to the up-front or forward presentation of your B$W speakers, you're going to need a more laid back cable so the red dawns or baldurs should be on your list. But take heed, these are not cheap cables. The red dawns retail for about $800 for 2 meters a pair and the baldurs are around $1200/ 2m pair. If you don't want to spend that much on speaker wires you don't have to buy them right away. Enjoy your system for now!

Well not exacty 10k, I got a pretty good deal from my local dealer.

My dealer recommended the red dawns. Can you really hear the difference?

Joe

[rded]

You gotta check it out for yourself. We have different speakers so what works for my gear might not be suitable to your's.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by joe1515

My dealer recommended the red dawns. Can you really hear the difference?

Joe

As Rhet suggests, you need to audition the cables (preferably in your own system), but yes, cables--especially at the Red Dawn quality level and above--can make a big difference. I'm also a Nordost fan: I'm currently saving up the necessary funds to complete my systems' cables with Nordost Frey (not a cheap undertaking!).

[joe1515]

Originally Posted by richteer

As Rhet suggests, you need to audition the cables (preferably in your own system), but yes, cables--especially at the Red Dawn quality level and above--can make a big difference. I'm also a Nordost fan: I'm currently saving up the necessary funds to complete my systems' cables with Nordost Frey (not a cheap undertaking!).

Has any one ever used thecablecompany.com? They have a lending library that allows you to audition the cables for about 2 weeks. I think I am going to audition Red Dawn and Blue Heaven.

I spoke with Nordost and they said the Red Dawn are great cables but sometimes they can sound bright, where as the blue heavens are a more neutral sound though not as much detail.

Joe

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by joe1515

Has any one ever used thecablecompany.com? They have a lending library that allows you to audition the cables for about 2 weeks. I think I am going to audition Red Dawn and Blue Heaven.

I spoke with Nordost and they said the Red Dawn are great cables but sometimes they can sound bright, where as the blue heavens are a more neutral sound though not as much detail.

Joe

Hi Joe,

Are you talking about: http://www.thecableco.com/

If you are, they are in New Hope, PA. I have never used them, but they have a very good reputation, but their pricing is a little high.

Rich

[joe1515]

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

Hi Joe,

Are you talking about: http://www.thecableco.com/

If you are, they are in New Hope, PA. I have never used them, but they have a very good reputation, but their pricing is a little high.

Rich

Yes I did notice their prices were a little high. Who have you found to have good pricing?

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by joe1515

Yes I did notice their prices were a little high. Who have you found to have good pricing?

I am not sure who to suggest. Some stores offer some discount, but others tend sell at list unless you purchase a system or many components and cables together.

Since you list your address as New York there are some good high end stores in NYC like Sound by Singer and Lyric HiFi, but I am not sure of what if any discount that they will offer. However, I do not think that I would like to have to pay the 8.25% sales tax that you have in the city.

Rich

[joe1515]

Would you ever buy cables of off Ebay? They have pretty good deals, from sellers with 100% feedback.

Joe

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by joe1515

Would you ever buy cables of off Ebay? They have pretty good deals, from sellers with 100% feedback.

Joe

Yes and I have. You may wish to look into Kevin's cables that Dave Schulte of The Upgrade Company, many of his clients (including myself) have been using. They are reasonably priced and perform exceptionally well (especially for the price). Kevin is in Taiwan and he gets some of the finest materials from China, many of the same materials as many of the big high end makers in the US and Europe. But, because of Kevin's labor charges and his costs for the materials, he can sell his products very reasonably priced. Many of his products could sell for 4 to possibly 10 X or more times his selling price.

Here is a link to some of his products:

http://tinyurl.com/mvjddz

http://tinyurl.com/kngc3a

http://tinyurl.com/mn3xoc

http://tinyurl.com/lfpmej

http://tinyurl.com/leqhpd

http://tinyurl.com/nqh8cu

Rich

[rded]

Originally Posted by joe1515

Yes I did notice their prices were a little high. Who have you found to have good pricing?

Joe, If only you're in Illinois...My dealer gives great discounts on Nordost cables scratch that: on everything he sells

[joe1515]

Originally Posted by rded

Joe, If only you're in Illinois...My dealer gives great discounts on Nordost cables scratch that: on everything he sells

You seem to get great deals on all your stuff!! I found a local dealer that would give a discount of around 25%. Do your Red Dawn's sound bright? Are they lacking any bass? Did you test out the Blue Heavens?

P.S. My wife would love to be going Illinois the end of August to see Pearl Jam, but it is too much of a hassell with our dog.

Joe

[rded]

Originally Posted by joe1515

You seem to get great deals on all your stuff!! I found a local dealer that would give a discount of around 25%. Do your Red Dawn's sound bright? Are they lacking any bass? Did you test out the Blue Heavens?

P.S. My wife would love to be going Illinois the end of August to see Pearl Jam, but it is too much of a hassell with our dog.

Joe

The red dawns can sound bright but then again my speakers are very neutral and linear that it just sounds right but I will upgrade to heimdalls before the year ends or early next year. Also check out transparent cables, as they are very comparable to nordost although they're not flat. Ask Brian sturgeon about them. Hey, if ever you are in town gimme a PM. Congrats on everything dude!! I'm effin jealous