TP1 Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 Since our house was first built 17 years ago, the theatre has had a 110” screen. At the time of the build we also had it decked out with cabinetry – it was the done thing. Back then, some were still installing 4:3 screens and a 110” 16x9 screen was close to the limit of what many projectors could achieve . While the screen size seemed perfect for 16x9 content, movies in Cinemascope ( most of them) were reduced by the letterbox bars that are inevitable in this type of setup. My aim with the screen upgrade was to keep the 16x9 images at what they previously were and gain some dramatic improvement with movies. I settled on a 140” Oz Theatre screen . The screen was just part of major upgrade which included painting all the walls and ceiling , upgraded electronics and the most amazing centre speaker. Centre Speaker is Dynaudio Evidence with RRP of $39K which I managed to buy secondhand. It is designed as floor standing centre speaker - I tried it with conventional stands but the factory designed approach gives the best results. Sound wise this thing is nothing short of incredible . Its resolution, soundstage, imaging and bass completely lifts the whole system. It blends in seamlessly with the rest of the system . The fronts are Aurum Cantus Grand Supremes . They also project a large soundstage and have excellent imaging . It is amazing what flock coating acoustic treatments can do to the WAF. Moving to a Dolby Atmos /DTS-X system meant 4 new ceiling speakers. I settled on Polk Audio 70-RT from USA ( cheaper than buying locally) To drive the ceiling speakers I thought I would try a low cost option direct from China from a company called Wentins. I saw these at the Ghanzhou AV show a few years ago and they sounded great so I thought it couldn't hurt trying one out. I bought a relatively cheap 5 channel @ 200 Watts per channel. These guys make a huge range and will custom make high power amps to your specs. I had been using the original NAD Master series M25 for the system previously but after trying out the Wentins, it was clear it was doing things nicer than the mighty M25. It had all the speed of the M25 but with a richer timbre and superior dynamics and bass. This got me thinking, if one of their cheapest amps sounded this good, how good would one of their better ones be? I decided to relegate the M25 to ceiling speaker duties, use the Wentins multichannel amp for surrounds and rear surrounds , and ordered hifi monoblocks direct from the factory. These amps are fully balanced and produce 225 WPC into 8 ohms and 450 into 4 ohms. ( all speakers are 4 ohms in this system). They were still well priced but being hifi amplifiers, they did not have a 12v trigger which I have since added. The L&W brand is part of the Wentins group. These allowed me to run balanced XLR cables to each amp and I'm more than happy with the result. 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irek Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 Impressive ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quark Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 Looking good! What projector are you using? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony ray Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 Nice. I also run non matching speakers but cannot notice any difference. What sort of subs are you running? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP1 Posted June 5, 2019 Author Share Posted June 5, 2019 (edited) Projector is Sony VPL-VW760ES laser projector. We still get amazed with the images it creates and the latest firmware has just pushed its performance levels up again. Projector mount is Peerless PRG - superb IMO.. Edited June 5, 2019 by Tasso 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quark Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 Very nice! Good choice in mount too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP1 Posted June 5, 2019 Author Share Posted June 5, 2019 (edited) Subs are sealed 2 X Rythmik 12" units which have their servo drive system that greatly reduces cone movement after the LFE signal has stopped. the result is very accurate bass. I had the projector calibrated as well as audio measurement/calibration for the system. I can recommend audio room analysis from this experience. I thought I had things sounding good until I heard what could be done after acoustic readings were taken and analysed. I haven't finished in this area, i have new bass traps and acoustic diffusers on order. Edited June 5, 2019 by Tasso 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP1 Posted June 6, 2019 Author Share Posted June 6, 2019 This is a 5KVA balanced and isolation transformer and sitting on top is a 12V linear power supply . I use the transformer to power the source gear and Marantz Preamp so its a bit of overkill for size. The balanced windings effectively cancel out common mode noise in the power line. With my 2 channel system I use an Accuphase power regenerator and I installed the balanced transformer to see if I could detect any improvements. Sure enough, audio has improved and I suspect that most of the improvement is coming from the Marantz 8805. Interestingly, when I tried the same thing with the Denon AVP-A1HD Preamp, I couldn't really detect much difference which would indicate that the legendary Denon unit has superior power filtering to the Marantz. The 12V linear power supply powers a Zappiti One 4K HDR SE media player and the occasional other unit such as Roku. This is a definite plus IMO for both picture and sound quality. Comparing Roku PQ to Apple TV 4k, Apple TV is far superior and that is with its built in SMPS. Add the Linear PSU and the Roku gets a performance boost - still not quite enough to match Apple TV which indicates what a good job Apple has done with the hardware and their own SMPS. However, the LPSU does push the Zappiti ( and I would think equivalent Dune players) to a new level. So much so I am struggling to pick any differences between it and Oppo ( with its own LPSU) for 1080P material. For 4K, Oppo is clearly superior. I have also a separate balanced transformer powering the projector - It also has a 20V step down function . I had a bad experience with Perth voltage with another projector and wanted to avoid any issues. I haven't detected any PQ improvements with the Sony PJ using the balanced transformer like I did with a Sharp DLP projector a few years back. So clearly Sony's power management is better than what Sharp's was earlier on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunno77 Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 (edited) Some great gear mate. Would be interesting to know the price of the Chinese amps You run your 2 channel through the 8805? Edited June 6, 2019 by Bunno77 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP1 Posted June 7, 2019 Author Share Posted June 7, 2019 20 hours ago, Bunno77 said: Some great gear mate. Would be interesting to know the price of the Chinese amps You run your 2 channel through the 8805? I have a separate Magico S7 / Accuphase 2 channel system upstairs. We do however use the 8805 for 2 channel occasionally - primarily streaming from my music server using Heos. I like the result. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP1 Posted June 7, 2019 Author Share Posted June 7, 2019 20 hours ago, Bunno77 said: Would be interesting to know the price of the Chinese amps I bought my multichannel amp from this site. Ive bought a few things from them and can recommend them. https://queenway.aliexpress.com/store/group/AV-Amplifiers/1070003_511406315.html?spm=a2g1y.12024536.pcShopHead_12029297.1_3_7 I ordered this amplifier and was told that they only make a 200W version now (which they sent for same price). It doesn't look like they've updated the website. https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/WENTINS-S5180-180W-HIFI-Amp-5-Channels-Per-Channel-Home-Theater-430-250-460mm/1070003_32815475842.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.20.66103cb7HqUeAh The company makes a big range of gear only some of which is listed on that site. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunno77 Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 Absolutely beautiful! Both systems. Wow fantastic price for the amps 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP1 Posted June 19, 2019 Author Share Posted June 19, 2019 There will shortly be a new addition to the system - Lyngdorf MP-50. Hopefully it will have arrived and be installed by this time next week.......... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcb Posted June 19, 2019 Share Posted June 19, 2019 Now, that is what I call a processor! Just like the rest of your gear, no half measures. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP1 Posted July 1, 2019 Author Share Posted July 1, 2019 The Lyngdorf MP50 arrived and you know they take room DSP seriously when you see that they supply a professional looking mic with XLR cable and an all steel Microphone stand. And installed As to performance - simply stunning! I'll probably post more detail - warts and all - in a new thread but in the meantime I'm still taking it all in and re-discovering favourite movies. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kukynas Posted July 3, 2019 Share Posted July 3, 2019 On 01/07/2019 at 1:46 PM, Tasso said: The Lyngdorf MP50 arrived and you know they take room DSP seriously when you see that they supply a professional looking mic with XLR cable and an all steel Microphone stand. And installed As to performance - simply stunning! I'll probably post more detail - warts and all - in a new thread but in the meantime I'm still taking it all in and re-discovering favourite movies. That’s what I call taking DSP into another level, welcome to the club, even if I’m running only its 2channel integrated small brother after hearing what it can do it’s hard to go back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franin Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 On 01/07/2019 at 7:46 PM, Tasso said: The Lyngdorf MP50 arrived and you know they take room DSP seriously when you see that they supply a professional looking mic with XLR cable and an all steel Microphone stand. And installed As to performance - simply stunning! I'll probably post more detail - warts and all - in a new thread but in the meantime I'm still taking it all in and re-discovering favourite movies. My son and I had the opportunity to meet Tasso and Listen to his theatre room with the Lyngdorf MP50. Its an amazing processor and Tasso has an amazing theatre as well. I have to say everything is top notch. Thanks again for giving us the opportunity to have a look and listen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP1 Posted September 28, 2019 Author Share Posted September 28, 2019 18 hours ago, franin said: My son and I had the opportunity to meet Tasso and Listen to his theatre room with the Lyngdorf MP50. Its an amazing processor and Tasso has an amazing theatre as well. I have to say everything is top notch. Thanks again for giving us the opportunity to have a look and listen Thanks you for your kind words Frank. How are you enjoying your fabulous new Sony 870ES?. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franin Posted September 28, 2019 Share Posted September 28, 2019 Thanks you for your kind words Frank. How are you enjoying your fabulous new Sony 870ES?. Yes enjoying it. Thank you [emoji2] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP1 Posted July 22 Author Share Posted July 22 It must be something in the air that caused me to do another upgrade to the theatre system. This time it is amplifiers for the L, C and R speakers. The existing mono blocks I have are excellent to be sure and really didn't need upgrading but I wondered how things would be with some more serious kit. As a result I bought 3 Wentins HD1500 Pro monoblock power amplifiers direct from the manufacturer in China. I paid the same price as Chinese customers do, (plus delivery and GST of course). Each Class A/B mono block amp weighs around 40 kg and outputs, 500W into 8 Ω, 1000 into 4 Ω and 2000 into 2 Ω. S/n ratio 112 DB Performance is outstanding . The amps are lightning fast with serious power and such a low noise floor that we're hearing new details that we didn't before from familiar sources. I now have 2 of my previous mono blocks powering surround speakers. Its a shame because they deserve better but I couldn't bear to part with them 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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