Need opinions: HT / music system or seperate?

[petetherock]

Dear Bros

Been haunting Adelphi looking for an answer.

 

I am considering a Monitor Audio setup :

MA GS20 + LCR

OR

MA GS LCR X 3 (called MA USA, they said this is possible)

 

- gives a all in one system, but not cheap and has compromises

 

Or

 

For about 1.4k

Usher 520 5.1 system

 

Then look for a stereo system

 

Room is pretty big, at 10 X 7 X 3m prefer a HT 70 / music 30 mix.

 

Thanks

 

Pete

 

 

[kzone]

I was kind of in a similar dilemma as u before... I ended up building the HT system around the stereo setup...

 

I'd suggest the following :

1/ choose ur fav speaker for stereo, then add a matching centre & surrounds

2/ Find an *amp with pass thu feature that can drive ur front 2 well for stereo

3/ Find an AVR with pre outs, use pre out for the front 2 & use the AVR to drive the centre & surrounds

 

I've read in magazines that there are high end AV processors that does well as a pre for stereo too.. if u can find one, then get 5 mono blocks to drive the speakers.. shud be quite awesome...

[Nstarone]

Hi Pete,

 

Thanks for your advice in the other thread.  I fully agree with Kzone (would love to try the monoblock option... after I win the Singapore Sweep :) ).

 

As you know, I was in a similar situation too. (started off with a SR8001 with MA RS setup).  Found 2 channel performance lacking... but I'm very happy with my system after adding a power amp (the Atoll AM100 I picked up in Australia).  The improvement was apparent to me. Better dynamics, layering, separation etc... Overall improvement to 2 channel AND HT. I would highly recommend adding a power amp to you setup.  I went for a power amp as it avoids the complications with having to adjust channels with an integrated amp.

[petetherock]

Thanks, right now spending on the amp is not my first priority. If you have my amp, you will know why. The reference series amps were regards as one of the most powerful yet musical amps, so the power delivery and musicality is ok, its the front end I ponder about ;)

 

[petetherock]

Actually, if there are some kind bros, who have the GS or RS speakers and allow me to come to their homes with my amp to try the speakers, I would appreciate it.

Given that I have no car, those nearer AMK are better,but everything is a cab ride away ;)

Thanks

 

[Nstarone]

Actually, if there are some kind bros, who have the GS or RS speakers and allow me to come to their homes with my amp to try the speakers, I would appreciate it.

Given that I have no car, those nearer AMK are better,but everything is a cab ride away ;)

Thanks

 

 

I've just PM'ed you. :)

[tsammyc]

This is completely theoretical, but I am thinking about supplementing my HT system with a turntable, pre-amp, and tube-amp. Possibly upgrade the front speakers to some expensive warm sounding ones and hope that the Yammy 2700's YPAO will take care of integrating them with the rest of the cheap speakers. Have some bi-amping capable A/B switch to switch between the tube amp and the 2700.

 

That way I will have two radically different systems. HT on the 2700 will be cold and sharp with spectacular explosions and 20Hz bass, while Jazz on the tube amp/turn table will be smooth, warm and mellow. Anyone tried this? Don't have space for two different sets of front speakers and the center is permanently mounted on the ceiling already.

 

On another note, which CD transport/pre amp combo sounds most like a turntable?

[louco73]

I think my option is quite ideal, but finding out how to do it at a reasonable cost will be your challenge :).

 

I have one set of speakers for HT and stereo, which makes me VERY happy.

 

My setup is as follows for stereo:

 

HTPC -> digital out -> Benchmark DAC-1 -> balanced cables -> Bryston power amp -> LR speakers

 

and for HT:

 

HTPC -> digital out -> AVR -> pre-out using rca cables -> Bryston power amp -> LR speakers

 

You can of course replace HTPC with CD/DVD for stereo and DVD for HT.

 

All I have to do to change from one setup to the other is flick two switches (one for each channel) at the back of the power amp.

 

No messy changing of cables, no switch boxes which could introduce their own issues, no extra speakers. Pure bliss for me :).

 

Now the trick is finding a power amp with either balanced and rca inputs, or two rca inputs with a switch at a reasonable cost :).

 

 

[Desperado]

Pete, I second recommendation from kzone.

Try to borrow a stereo amp which at the same price range (or slightly lower) than your SR12, and do an A/B.

My bet will be that the stereo amp will provide more satisfaction for music listening.

 

and since you will have a active sub and center speakers, which will driven by the AVR, your system will do a great job for HT.

 

[kzone]

Now the trick is finding a power amp with either balanced and rca inputs, or two rca inputs with a switch at a reasonable cost :).

 

Sony N9000ES 5 channel power amp can accept 2 additional inputs & the switch is in front... not expensive & it has very good reviews too.. i think i saw it on the buy & sell forum.

[ks]

Possibly upgrade the front speakers to some expensive warm sounding ones ...

 

Have some bi-amping capable A/B switch to switch between the tube amp and the 2700.

 

By doing this, you are already not gettig the best out of the money u paid for the expensive speakers. Any additional item in the path between the source and the speakers, is a barrier to potentially better sound.

 

 

On another note, which CD transport/pre amp combo sounds most like a turntable?

 

haha, i dun think this is any easy answer. Also depends on how much you want to spend. And dun think such a solution must be a transport/DAC. Some of the famous CD players in the world are integrated CDPs, with or without external power supply(s).