Super Greg Posted November 12, 2008 Posted November 12, 2008 (edited) Hi all. I'm looking to upgrade my system which would be getting a power amp and a new sub. However, I'm on a limited budget at the moment so I can only afford a piece of upgrade and not both. My main use is for movies. I would like some opinions on which component should I upgrade first. It's either gonna be Power amp (Elektra Theatron) or sub (SVS PB13-Ultra). My current setup is; AVR: Yammy 863 Fronts: Paradigm Monitor 7 Center: Paradigm CC290 Surround: old floorstanding JBLs Sub: Yammy YST-SW300 All opinions will be much appreciated PS. I've been reading a bit on the different subs and it seems that PB13-Ultra is the best one at its price point. Any PB13-Ultra owner out there who can let me know what they think of their sub? Edited November 12, 2008 by Super Greg
Jeffie1503561482 Posted November 12, 2008 Posted November 12, 2008 A home cinema is not a home cinema without a sub
Juicester Posted November 12, 2008 Posted November 12, 2008 perhaps you could get a lower model sub and then get a rotel 1075 or something at the same time? inmho you're putting a much higher class sub in with components which are not of the same class.
trekker76 Posted November 12, 2008 Posted November 12, 2008 my system is similar but a lower sub. i have never heard the 13 but mine is very good. ( see sig)
yamapro Posted November 12, 2008 Posted November 12, 2008 Hi all. I'm looking to upgrade my system which would be getting a power amp and a new sub. However, I'm on a limited budget at the moment so I can only afford a piece of upgrade and not both. My main use is for movies. I would like some opinions on which component should I upgrade first. It's either gonna be Power amp (Elektra Theatron) or sub (SVS PB13-Ultra). My current setup is;AVR: Yammy 863 Fronts: Paradigm Monitor 7 Center: Paradigm CC290 Surround: old floorstanding JBLs Sub: Yammy YST-SW300 All opinions will be much appreciated PS. I've been reading a bit on the different subs and it seems that PB13-Ultra is the best one at its price point. Any PB13-Ultra owner out there who can let me know what they think of their sub? Hi Greg, IMHO A quality sub is the basis of a quality HT and will possibly free up the Monitor 7s etc to really sing higher up the bandwidth... I don't have a PB13 but i would be happy to buy one (even without audition) if looking for a sub upgrade around that price-point as it is clearly built to the highest standard and has a great rep... Whilst that may go against the grain of trying before you buy (which i generally recommend) it is one of those products which i personally have plenty of confidence in. At the end of the day both of your planned upgrades will be good moves and last you ages and would work well with other gear higher up the food chain than what you currently run (not knocking your setup, it's a great system) should the bug bite to go higher end with speakers etc... Both the sub upgrade and a poweramp should bring gains both audible and technical (i.e. extra headroom and less dynamic compression theoretically should lead to less strain and better longevity from amps and speakers) - and I'm pretty sure you will be happy with the improvement from either the amp or sub (s you can't really lose IMHO whichever you decide to buy first) That said if it were me, in an HT first system i would upgrade the sub first Good luck with the decision making...
yamapro Posted November 12, 2008 Posted November 12, 2008 (edited) Sorry - double post - don't know why... Edited November 12, 2008 by yamapro
Trofius Posted November 12, 2008 Posted November 12, 2008 I agree a decent sub was and still is the most noticable improvement in my meger system aswell, the power amp is good, but not as good.
masterleet1503561330 Posted November 12, 2008 Posted November 12, 2008 I puchased a PB13Ultra in April and it is quite possibly the best HT purchase i've made. If you can get over the size/weight of the thing, the amount of air this thing can move is astonishing (well, to me it was ). I'd suggest the avia disc and spl meter to dial it in, i thought I did pretty well in the end. Playing some 15hz test tones through it shook one of the light fitting out of the ceiling. Bang for buck i dont think there is anything better. But its a big mother, seriously. It comes on a plastic pallet and I had to help the courier with it. I think it was just under 80kgs packaged.
Trofius Posted November 12, 2008 Posted November 12, 2008 (edited) Never mind, something odd going on here... Edited November 12, 2008 by trofius
masterleet1503561330 Posted November 12, 2008 Posted November 12, 2008 I puchased a PB13Ultra in April and it is quite possibly the best HT purchase i've made. If you can get over the size/weight of the thing, the amount of air this thing can move is astonishing (well, to me it was ). I'd suggest the avia disc and spl meter to dial it in, i thought I did pretty well in the end. Playing some 15hz test tones through it shook one of the light fitting out of the ceiling. Bang for buck i dont think there is anything better. But its a big mother, seriously. It comes on a plastic pallet and I had to help the courier with it. I think it was just under 80kgs packaged.
Super Greg Posted November 13, 2008 Author Posted November 13, 2008 (edited) perhaps you could get a lower model sub and then get a rotel 1075 or something at the same time? inmho you're putting a much higher class sub in with components which are not of the same class. Heheh, I was thinking about that. But I know there will be some more upgraditis in the future so I want this upgrade to be future-proof without having to upgrade either the sub or the power amp again . Most likely the JBL will be dumped somewhere and the current Monitor 7 will be taking its place. Studio series will then be replacing Monitor 7 in the front. It's getting expensive my system is similar but a lower sub. i have never heard the 13 but mine is very good. ( see sig) yeh very similar to mine . Glad to know that you enjoy your setup. More the reason for me to get PB13-Ultra IMHO A quality sub is the basis of a quality HT and will possibly free up the Monitor 7s etc to really sing higher up the bandwidth.... . . That said if it were me, in an HT first system i would upgrade the sub first Hey thanks for the very in-depth opinion. You're right. They are both excellent upgrade choice which is why I need you guys opinions I agree a decent sub was and still is the most noticable improvement in my meger system aswell, the power amp is good, but not as good. A home cinema is not a home cinema without a sub I puchased a PB13Ultra in April and it is quite possibly the best HT purchase i've made. Seems the general consensus are pretty much the sub. I was leaning toward that option from the beginning as well. I'm missing those gut-wrenching pound in the stomach when watching movies in the big cinema . Most likely will be pulling the trigger next week. Thanks to the tax return Edited November 13, 2008 by Super Greg
Gutty Posted November 13, 2008 Posted November 13, 2008 Hmm, gonna go against the grain here.... Being that you do already have a sub, i'd be going the Elektra. If you didn't have a sub at all though, i'm sure my opinion would be different. Guess i just prefer to add something you don't have rather than upgrade something you do have.
Juicester Posted November 13, 2008 Posted November 13, 2008 let's say it takes him 3 years before he can make the next purchase though. The amp will be outdated quicker than the sub, imho sub technology isn't going to change a great deal.... but who knows. At least he can also make a buck by offloading his old sub as well, but i can see where you're coming from gutty. A crap sub, is better than no sub at all.
Jeffie1503561482 Posted November 13, 2008 Posted November 13, 2008 must have read too fast and didnt see you already had a sub, my bad! If you went with either you would not need to upgrade them for a long time... especially given the quality of both. so if you feel your sub isnt up to the task and you are happy enough with your full range output then go for the sub!
betty boop Posted November 13, 2008 Posted November 13, 2008 let's say it takes him 3 years before he can make the next purchase though. The amp will be outdated quicker than the sub, imho sub technology isn't going to change a great deal.... but who knows. At least he can also make a buck by offloading his old sub as well, but i can see where you're coming from gutty. A crap sub, is better than no sub at all. jc in 3 years the elektra T7 aint going to oudated, mine certainly isnt and its 3 years old ! i'd have a good bet in 10 years the elektra t7 will still be doing a great job as any decent amp should. sub yech definitely improving with eq etc and they getting cheaper... go a decent amp its the heart of the system, it will give you clarity, dynamics evrything. things like subs and speakers you can always update on peice meal from what you have. on the other hand jeffie is right if the current sub is really letting things down then might have to do something there too...
Super Greg Posted November 17, 2008 Author Posted November 17, 2008 Heheh. Now I'm confused. Which option would you say will make a bigger difference in HT experience between more clarity & more deep bass. Another thing that I want to take into the account too is the future cost. Elektra is Aussie made right? Is it safe to say that the price won't be moving much vs the SVS sub? I'm speculating that the price for SVS will be increased soon due to our exchange rate. So far it hasn't yet. More opinions from you guys are welcomed
Spearmint Posted November 17, 2008 Posted November 17, 2008 Heheh. Now I'm confused. Which option would you say will make a bigger difference in HT experience between more clarity & more deep bass. Another thing that I want to take into the account too is the future cost. Elektra is Aussie made right? Is it safe to say that the price won't be moving much vs the SVS sub? I'm speculating that the price for SVS will be increased soon due to our exchange rate. So far it hasn't yet. More opinions from you guys are welcomed The prices of both will more than likely increase, since many of the components used to make the amps are imported anyway.
Jeffie1503561482 Posted November 17, 2008 Posted November 17, 2008 Heheh. Now I'm confused. Which option would you say will make a bigger difference in HT experience between more clarity & more deep bass. For HT, more deep bass... easily. You will definitely feel the difference, with the power amp your missus will be going 'i THINK it sounds clearer, but ill take your word for it'
Cooksta59 Posted November 18, 2008 Posted November 18, 2008 Heheh. Now I'm confused. Which option would you say will make a bigger difference in HT experience between more clarity & more deep bass. Another thing that I want to take into the account too is the future cost. Elektra is Aussie made right? Is it safe to say that the price won't be moving much vs the SVS sub? I'm speculating that the price for SVS will be increased soon due to our exchange rate. So far it hasn't yet. More opinions from you guys are welcomed Seeing as you are running Monitor 7's now I would upgrade the sub 1st and if you go ahead with the purchase of the studio's look at the power amp then. The studio's will benefit more from a power amp than the monitor's which are relatively efficient and easy to drive compared to the studio's. imo.
MrBurns84 Posted November 18, 2008 Posted November 18, 2008 Seeing as you are running Monitor 7's now I would upgrade the sub 1st and if you go ahead with the purchase of the studio's look at the power amp then.The studio's will benefit more from a power amp than the monitor's which are relatively efficient and easy to drive compared to the studio's. imo. Ditto! A subwoofer will make a world of a diff to the HT experience, especially one the likes of a PB13! A poweramp will come in handy when u upgrade to better speakers.
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