June 27, 2001
System overload: this describes my brain at
this moment. I have been looking at audio components for a multi- purpose
home-theater/audio system for about four months now, and I'm staring at a stack of
brochures about ten inches high. Frankly I'm not sure where to turn. I know GoodSound!
focuses on more affordable two-channel gear, but I thought I'd give you a try anyway. If
you can't help, maybe you can point me to someone who can help in an unbiased way).
I have about $15,000 to spend on amp,
processor and all the speakers. I thought I would break it up like this: amp and
processor, about $6000-$7000; main speakers, $3000-$4000; subs, rears and center, about
$3000-$4000. I'm leaning toward Primare electronics and Sonus Faber speakers, but I'm
afraid that I can probably get much better for a lot less money. I can't find any reviews
on these products.
I did, however, find outstanding reviews on
McCormack amps and Dunlavy speakers that would keep me in my price range and have garnered
high praise by reviewers. Bryston also sticks in the back of my mind. No dealer has ever
said a bad word about them, and the 20-year warranty is very tempting. If I sacrifice the
kids' education, I could get into some EgglestonWorks Rosas.
Can you tell me anything about Primare? I
don't trust the sales guys; they all have a different story! Does anything here ring a
bell or do you have other suggestions?
Please help,
Mike
You're right -- your available budget far
exceeds what GoodSound! concentrates on. However, your problem is universal no
matter what the budget might be, so our exchange will still be applicable to our
readership.
Rule #1: If you can't listen to the
products in your market (either in the store or at a friend's), don't buy them --
especially with this kind of money at stake. Reviews should only be thought of as a sieve
-- after reading enough, you'll end up with a few products that remain in this sieve after
everything else has been filtered through and been eliminated. Now it's time to go out and
listen for yourself. You should also visit Home Theater & Sound, our sister home-theater publication.
Rule #2: Performance is a combination of
sound, features, looks and compatibility. For example, Sonus Faber speakers are excellent,
but certainly real leather and real walnut come at a price. You might find similar or
equivalent sonic performance for considerably less, but probably not as attractively
packaged. "The same for less" is thus relative.
Rule #3: If you don't trust the sales guys
and can't find any reviews, call the company directly (or, if the product is an import,
the distributor). Ask your questions and see whether they're answered to your
satisfaction. If you don't get a reply or the answers seem self-serving, let that be your
answer.
Finally, as a recommendation, add Thule to
your list of electronics.
June 26, 2001
I bought the Axiom Millennia M3Tis on your
recommendation and replaced my Sound Dynamics speakers. It was more than Fords and Chevys.
The Axioms are cleaner and more open. They sound great -- thanks. How about an A/V
receiver that's not expensive and does this much good?
Thanks,
John Eisner
The new Onkyo Dolby Pro Logic II receivers
are excellent for both music and movies. Look into the TX-DS494 ($320) and TX-DS595
($530).
June 26, 2001
Terrific site!
I have been looking at various upgrades to my
system, and considering having professional modifications done to some of my existing
equipment. There are companies that perform such modifications, for instance Mod Wright,
which performs many interesting modifications to the popular MSB Link DACs and Pioneer DVD
players. I think it would be interesting to have a look into this area of high-end audio.
I would also love to see a review of a modified DVD player or DAC. What are your thoughts?
Regards,
Mike Garner
We contacted Pioneer a while back with
review requests of affordable DVD players and haven't heard back yet. I agree -- this is
an interesting subject that has the potential to yield good sound for a fair price. The
question remains whether such modification firms would make product available to compare
to stock units.
June 26, 2001
I purchased a pair of B&W 602 speakers
last year and I have been happy with them. However, now that my den has been rearranged,
the speakers are adjacent to my television. This setup causes some distortion of the
picture. Is there anything that can be done about this problem besides moving the speakers
further away?
Thanks,
Rick
Shy of adding bucking magnets to the
drivers inside the cabinet (and that probably won't be an option), increasing the distance
is the only (and free) solution.
June 25, 2001
Your site was referred to me by a friend, and
I have to say that it is very informative. I am going to be putting together a
home-theater system near the end of the year, and I am saddened to find that your site
doesn't really go into home-theater systems because, in your opinion, you can't get an
affordable home-theater system to play music with high quality.
I understand your concerns, but for me, my
sound system is a movie theater first and a concert hall last. I might listen to a CD once
every other month, but I will watch movies once or twice a week. Seeing that music is not
important to me, I think a decent home-theater system would service my musical needs just
fine.
That said, my question to you is this: Can you
recommend any sites that treat home-theater systems with the TLC that you do for music?
Personally, I don't know why an excellent site like GoodSound! couldn't have a
section dedicated to home theaters.
A more specific question I have is about THX
certification. Is that just a label companies put on a receiver? I was looking at a
Pioneer VSX-36TX, in particular, which is THX Ultra certified. I'm assuming that to be THX
certified, the equipment has to meet certain specifications. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Tom
"You can't get an affordable
home-theater system to play music with high quality": Did I say that? Just this week
we contacted Outlaw Audio with a review request for their 1050 six-channel home-theater
receiver, which looks to be a stellar bargain for both music and movies at $499. I've also
repeatedly recommended the Onkyo home-theater receivers to folks who insist on great music
playback and movie enjoyment. You are, however, correct that the focus of GoodSound!
is on music rather than cinema. Why? Because the SoundStage! Network (of which GoodSound!
is a part) already has a site entirely dedicated to home theater. See Home Theater & Sound.
Regarding THX: Yes, in order to receive
certification, a product has to be in compliance with a set of performance and feature
standards as set forth by Lucas Film. The original standards were relaxed to include
receivers. The new THX Ultra certification is in fact identical to the original THX specs
that focused on separate components. Some manufacturers already meet or exceed these
requirements with their offerings and don't see a good reason to pay the licensing fees,
and hence they don't sport the logo. Others feel that the label bestows a seal of approval
and thus enhances consumer acceptance. For certain entry-level components, obtaining the
certification may have involved a "performance stretch" to meet the criteria.
Think about THX as an underwriter's approval that so happens to originate with a division
of Lucas Film, which decided to implement certain standard to ensure that the movie
experience at home duplicates the intent of the filmmakers as much as possible.
There is an excellent article on THX on Home Theater & Sound.
June 25, 2001
I currently have the following music-only
system in a dedicated room:
Rega Planet CD player (original not 2000)
Audio Refinement Complete integrated amp
Magnepan MMG speakers
REL Q100e subwoofer
AudioQuest Type 4+ speaker cables
Monster Cable M550 interconnects
TDS Passive AT Harmonic Enhancer
I have always tried to selected components
with the greatest bang for the buck (high end without the high price). If I were to
upgrade any components, what would you say are the weakest links in this system?
Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Craig
First off, congratulations. That's already
one mighty fine and well-balanced system you've put together. Nothing weak about it
anywhere. But since you're asking, I'd say that, relatively speaking, the Rega Planet
might be the weakest link -- it was good when released, but it is outclassed now by the
newer version. I'd probably investigate adding an outboard DAC. Your original Planet makes
an excellent transport. The MSB Link DAC III is a budget favorite. For more money, the Bel
Canto DAC 1.1 or Perpetual Technologies P-3A are worth considering.
June 24, 2001
Let me first say I really appreciate the site.
I check it almost every day. I am a beginner to this and on a modest budget. So far I have
put together a pair of PSB Image 4T speakers and a Music Hall MMF-5 turntable. This is
currently powered by a cheap and low-powered (late '90s model) Marantz receiver. I feel
the Marantz is the weak link. I am pretty set on getting a NAD C370 integrated, but the
NAD does not have a phono section or a tuner.
So I am in the market for a good phono preamp
around $200. The most important quality for me is that it deliver the best possible bass
performance. I also would like it to be better than the phono stages you typically find on
integrated amps comparable in price to the NAD. I also love the radio in my area, so a
good tuner is a necessity. Do you have any recommendations for a good budget tuner? It
should come with a remote.
If you can offer any recommendations, I would
greatly appreciate it.
Thanks,
Eric
I can recommend the DV-8HG phono stage by
DV Systems ($150-$175). There's also the $199 Rotel RQ-970BX reviewed at SoundStage!. On the tuner
subject, look into the Cambridge Audio T500; the remote might be extra, but it is
available. You've made some great choices so far, and the NAD integrated would be a good
upgrade.
June 23, 2001
I'm looking for a surround-sound speaker
system in the $1200 range and a receiver in the $500-$600 range for my husband's birthday.
How does the Onkyo TXDS595 compare to Denon AVR2801? Would you recommend another receiver
in this price range? Sony, Yamaha, Harman/Kardon?
How about Infinity Modulus, Castle CAS2, or
the Acoustic Research HC6? Any other recommendations?
We have young children and can't afford more,
but we would like to enjoy movies and music at home. Thanks for your time and the
information!
Laura Dundov
With receivers, you've already picked the
two hot models. Between the Onkyo and Denon, I'd go for the one that offers better
functionality -- which remote do you prefer, which piece is easier and more intuitive to
use?
For speakers, I'd direct you to www.axiomaudio.com. I've been blown
away by their $275 M3Ti, which has become the GoodSound! in-house reference
monitor and easily competes with speakers well beyond double their cost. At $1380, the
Axiom Epic 40 system is anchored by tower main speakers and adds center, surrounds and a
subwoofer. At $1190, the Epic Master system uses the M3Ti monitors for fronts and adds
rears, center and sub. You'll need to add stands for the monitors. Having young children
around might make floorstanders more attractive, but that package eclipses your stated
budget by $200.
June 23, 2001
I always enjoy reading your reviews. Thanks
for them. But would you be able to guide me in choosing what brand/model to choose from
for affordable high-performance audio and home-theater equipment? The size of the room is
13' x 20'. My budget is about $2000 US dollars.
Thank you very much in advance,
Mandy
Onkyo's new Dolby Pro Logic II receivers
would be a great place to start: the TX-DS494 ($320) and TX-DS595 ($530) are both within
your budget. Add a current Pioneer DVD player for both movies and music (around $250). For
speakers, I recommend looking at something from Axiom Audio, perhaps the Epic
Micro system reviewed at Home
Theater & Sound. This particular combination would leave room to add an
excellent outboard D/A converter like the $399 MSB Link DAC III. If you want to spend a
bit more on speakers instead, look at the Axiom speaker package above the Epic Micro,
perhaps using M3Ti speakers to anchor your front L/R music system.
June 22, 2001
Not that you don't have enough on your plate
already, but I was wondering if you plan to cover turntables, etc. at all on this site?
While I don't want to get into the CD vs. LP debate, I think it should be pointed out that
records can be a very cheap source of good sound. With the price of new CDs up into the
$18-$20 range, used records look more attractive to the value-conscious buyer than ever.
It's always good to know what hardware gives you the best value for the dollar, but most
of us will end up sinking far more money into software over the years.
Maybe you could include reviews of some
budget-priced turntables, cartridges and phono preamps. There is a lot of hardware that
never gets covered on the lower end of the analog spectrum. For example, the inexpensive
Music Hall MMF-2.1 has gotten tons of great press, but Sumiko markets a similar table, the
Project 1.2, that rarely receives any attention. I'd be interested to know how the two
tables compare. Likewise, I see few reviews of cartridges or preamps that cost less than
$300. Only a small percentage of people will ever be willing to spend more than $300 on a
phono cartridge, but the rest of us might like to know how a $100 cartridge from Grado or
Shure sounds.
Keep up the great work!
Pete
Thanks for the suggestions. This is
exactly the kind of feedback that helps us turn GoodSound! into the publication
our readers want. I'll get busy requesting some vinyl-related review samples.
June 22, 2001
I've recently been reading reviews on the
EdgeAudio 502D speakers. Have you had a chance to demo them? Seeing that they are one of
the few affordable licensees of the DiAural circuit, I'm curious to find out how they
sound.
Long
The EdgeAudio speaker system was already
covered by our sister publication, Home Theater & Sound. Accordingly, we don't have plans to
review them on GoodSound!. Also, the company announced certain upgrades that
won't become available until the fall when the name change to Aperion Audio becomes
effective.
The DiAural circuit is a variation on
series-type crossovers. Fine-sounding speakers exist that use either the less common
series or more universal parallel crossovers. I wouldn't worry about the how and
instead simply use reviews to assemble a short list of products that fit your budget and
needs. Then listen to those that are available in your area and trust your ears.
|
