Northshore

7 days into ownership of the Arcam/Aragon and I have a few more insights to report. On the Arcam side I am impressed by the ease of setup and operation of virtually all of the features the unit has to offer. What is different from my previous Adcom Pre is that the volume indicator counts up instead of down, for example: the Adcom went from let's say -50db to the near reference level of -15db. The Arcam counts up with a maximum level of 100, coupled with the Aragon 2007, once I have reached 70 on the Arcam scale the level is reference level by most standards. I have a decent collection of DTS and THX test disc and quite a few movies so that I can challenge my system and so far the Aragon has yet to disappoint me on any front. I do understand the presence of other amps on the market that certainly cost more and weigh more but I will choose to remain ignorant with my bliss and enjoy the living hell out of the Aragon.

Congratulations on the new system,remember we all have to start somewhere. My first Klipsch system (which I still have in a secondary role) was KG 3.5 towers. I have a Denon receiver that I purchased about 2 years ago that puts out alot of sound for the money, $400. It is DTS,DD and the like and does a great job for me. I do not have the model number in front of me but Denon would be a good choice I believe.

The amp is amazing so far and at $6 per pound it is absolutely USDA prime.

Trey, would it be possible for me to get one of the folders everyone is talking about for posting photos? Thanks

As a prelude to my review of the new component pieces I would share that I have been an audiophile for some 26 years. From the time I bought a used pair of JBL L46s from my buddys Dad who had used them as studio monitors in his recording studio I have been hooked. My evolution of home theater started in 1995 when I bought a Pro logic Onkyo receiver for my apartment. So here I am today discussing my newest pieces which are an Arcam AVP700 pre-amp married with an Aragon 2007 amp. Prior to this setup I had an Adcom 860 Pre and Adcom 7607 amp which I thought was the (my) pinnacle of sound quality. Adcom products offer what I believe to be an excellent sound quality that I was quite happy with until some issues arose with longevity of the Pre-amp. Enter a set of circumstances that enabled me to replace these pieces with first the Arcam piece and then the Aragon amp. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> The review, without all of the technical numbers of why and why not I can simply state that the Arcam is the next level of sound and performance in my particular setup. My system profile states the Klipsch setup and this review is based on that arrangement. The video side allows for Three component video inputs with a component out to my projector, the AVP700 does have the HDMI inputs and a HDMI output as well for future consideration. The audio side is fairly standard with the exception of having balanced XLR outputs that are currently not in use as the Aragon amp does not allow for this connection. The first thing I noticed was how silent the system was when idle, I am keenly aware of amp hum or white noise in any system and is a peeve of mine. I am a music lover but not a self proclaimed 2- channel follower as I enjoy the multi channel aspect of music and this piece delivers on all counts with dialog detail and music reproduction. For movies I look for not only quality but quantity and again the Arcam delivers great detail to all 7.1 channels. I am in fear of running long here but I wanted to discuss the Aragon 2007 amp as well in this space. I read a lot of articles and reviews pertaining to this amp prior to making the purchase decision and almost all of the things I had read were favorable. With the Adcom 7607 I felt that I had adequate power (125 x 7) for all channels but the Aragon(200 x 7) changed that way of thinking. The first thing I noticed was the seemingly effortless way with which it handles the task I have assigned the amp. The other feeling I cannot quite describe is how it makes the room seem so open. One reviewer stated that the Aragon made his walls disappear I would agree with that statement. Some have argued the weight (49 lbs.) of the amp is not enough to be a quality piece but I would disagree. Dimensionally this boy is big, coming in at 9.25 inches tall coupled with a solid aluminum front plate highlighted with those blue LED's. Build quality is top notch and in my book high end for looks and sound quality. I hope this review helps others making similar decisions for upgrading your system.

I have a shot at an Aragon 2007 amp and was wondering if anyone knew when production ended on this unit and what would be a resonable price to pay. I believe this amp to be new with box and papers. Thanks for any advice, forgive me if this is posted in the wrong forum.

I am as well, this has been my first experience with Adcom and with separates in general and I am absolutely sold on the Pre/Pro concept. I can say that when the Adcom is functioning properly it is an excellent piece of equipment. I have the 7607 Adcom amp that has performed flawlessly and I intend on keeping it in service for my theater. The opportunity to move up a bit and try the Arcam has me intrigued and I will file a report once I have it online and functioning.

I did visit the Outlaw forum prior to making the purchase and it seems like a good place to hang out. So far I am very pleased with the 970,especially when decoding the HD channels on my cable system. It seems to process the Bass more efficiently than my Adcom, most noticeably on TNT during the NBA playoffs. Bear in mind that it is a tough comparison with the Adcom 860II which is more than twice the price of the 970 but I have been won over by the Outlaw boys for putting out a good solid product at a very good price.

Recently my Adcom Preamp decided to stop working in my HT setup. A long story short is that my dealer offered to credit me the full price of the Adcom and apply it to an Arcam AVP-700. My theater has been down for over a month thru all of this and the Arcam is still on order, I had to take action to remedy this situation. My solution was to buy a backup Preamp in the unlikely event that I may be down for extended periods of time moving forward. After reading reviews (all favorable) I ordered the Outlaw 970 and it arrived a few days ago. Setup was simple and for the price I cannot imagine hearing anything better, the Adcom does have a little more depth of sound but the Outlaw certainly holds it own. The adjustable bass management is a plus and the 2 channel bass adjustment is a nice feature along with the fact it is a 7.1 channel processor. Once the Arcam arrives I will move this Preamp along to another room where it will be reunited with the Outlaw 7125 seven channel amp that I had ordered as well.

I have owned the Adcom 860 for about a year now and it has been replaced with a new one after 4 months of service for a complete loss of sound,and currently in the shop for a loss of Bass signal. This time it has been down for about 1 month after being sent back to the Service center for a board replacement. Although my audio equipment is not a heart/lung machine and is not critical to my survival, I do notice when I do not have it working properly. Enter a quick E-mail to my installer/dealer from which I had purchased this Pre Amp, a 7607 amp and several other components informing him of my situation. Without missing a beat he felt my pain, put distance between himself and Adcom and offered me FULL credit for the 860 towards something else. In my case I have on order an Arcam AVP700 to go in the place left vacant by the 860. Obviously I did not expect such above and beyond customer service but I am happy to have an option such as this. I went with the Arcam based on not only his recommendation but that of many reviews all favorable. If anyone has had experience with the Arcam line I would appreciate the comments.

I was scanning past forum discussions for the RS 52' s and I can find very little discussion about these speakers. Can someone offer some insight into this new series of speakers? I currently have RS 35's and am contemplating a change, this series seems to be more substantial than the current surrounds that I have. Also, the design lends itself to my particular HT setup. Any thoughts or experiences would be helpful. Thanks

I knew going in a year ago that the RS 35's were the weak link in the system and eventually that I would upgrade. I have to agree anything going forward from the 35's will be a significant change in sound quality. At the time it made sense, now simply another upgrade decision. The beauty of our little audio addiction is that my casualty of the upgrade (RS 35's) is someone else's upgrade and so the chain remains unbroken.

Thanks for the insight, I do listen to a fair amount of music on the system and I felt I was missing something with the RS 35's. I also have a 7.1 setup and if I went with the RB 75's it poses a design challenge as I have short side walls and the surrounds are mounted on the sides as you stated. I have a small but growing collection of concert DVD's and an even smaller collection of Super Audio disc(and soon very hard to build on). In the end, I have a bad case of upgradeitis and I believe the RB's may satisfy that feeling for a bit.

It has been a while since my last post and I have a thought for the collective wisdom to ponder. I currently have RF7's, an RC7 an RW12 and RS35's in my theater, Adcom 7607 amp driving the system which is 125 watts X 7. Now that I have had the system for a year I have that fever again to upgrade something and that something is the RS35's. I have admired the RB75's for sometime now and I am considering the switch with some design challenges I could make those work. I also am intrigued by the R 5800W's, I am looking for insight or experience with these 2 scenarios and also as always looking for opinions as well. I would add that although my theater is set up with Dalite screen etc. (see system vitals) for movies, I do listen to a great deal of either concert DVD's or music disc.

I am currently using Adcom components and so far I am pleased with the performance. For the Pre I am using the Adcom 860 II and the amp is the Adcom 7607, although I feel at the moment the 125 x 7 is sufficient I will eventually move to a more powerful amp. I am currently running a 7.1 channel setup with an RW-12 and running at 20 -db the system has a very pleasant, detailed sound quality. In the 6 channel stereo mode when I listen to music, the sound is clean and detailed as well. As mentioned above I will eventually move to more power to bring out the true detail of the Reference 7's that I know is hidden within that wonderful cherry cabinet.

I have posted before on an annoying hum I have had in my HT setup and I have finally solved the problem. After disconnecting and reconnecting components, using cheater plugs and generally being discouraged over the situation I ordered the ISO MAX VRD-1FF from Jensen Transformers. I must say that once the package arrived I was wondering what $60 for this tiny piece of equipment would do for my situation. I simply placed the unit inline between the cable feed from the house and cable box and HUM instantly removed. I would highly recommend this piece to anyone that has a cable hum to bring silence back to your system.

Thanks for the link, I will look closer at the HD+ unit for my needs. Overall, I am very happy with the Sony 51 I am relieved to see that I was not alone with the artifacts that I am experiencing in analog mode.

I have to say that I have a very understanding wife when it comes to the audio vice. We have been together 20 something years and she helped me carry my first, what I consider real audio equipment to my car when we moved in together. That little system, JBL L-46 studio monitors (used) an Akai tuner(with touch/slide volume control)very cool for it's day and a JVC direct drive turntable. As evidenced by my recent HT completion listed in my profile, she still contributes to my addiction with an open mind and mostly open bank account.

---------------- On 8/1/2005 1:11:04 AM ProStereo wrote: "Do not question excellence, to question is only to confuse". Things that cannot be catagorized, cataloged or compartmentalized generally are dismissed. Maybe, just maybe the excellence of the RF 7 is attributed to the fact that it just IS.

I have a keen interest on this subject, I have come to the realization that I need some type of scaler for my system. A good example is that as long as I have the HD channels onscreen then the picture is perfectly fine,however the rest of the non-HD channels comes across as an off air antenna. A little background is that I have running a Sony 51 projector with a 92" Dalite screen, the projector is the newest LCD one from Sony which I am very happy with. I have also researched the Algolith "Mosquito" which cleans up and upconverts most any signal to HD quality (the company's propaganda). This particular machine retails for roughly $4500 which is more than I paid for the projector. With that being said, A) I will continue to watch DVD's as the picture is superb and B)networks please move forward with more HD programming so that I may eliminate the need for a scaler.

Being a collector of Demo disc for a number of years I can say that most all of the Dolby Digital and my favorite the DTS demo's have extremely high bitrates. With that being said, the sound and picture quality are IMO far superior to off the shelf DVD's. These disc are designed to showcase a system in the showroom of your dealer to impress you into buying products. Yes, the system has to handle the high quality bitrate in the showroom but buyer beware, these disc will expose weaknesses in your system. If your components and speaker selection can handle it just put on your seatbelt and hang on. I truly enjoy every January when the newest DTS demo disc is unveiled at the CES annual show.My two cents

I am using an Adcom 7607 in a 7.1 setup and I am extremely pleased with the sound quality and depth both for music and movies.

In the dedicated theater room I recently completed, I use the Furman Elite 15 DM. I like the fact that it has a digital readout of line voltage coming in and an amp meter to let you see the load your equipment places on the power source. When you see a dramatic scene on screen, you can watch the amp draw increase to account for the added bass notes. You can view this unit @ Furmansound.com, and 6 mos. ago I purchased it for $500. I hope this helps

I have decided that the family room setup needs more power and I submit the following scenario for the review of the forum experts. The way that the room is setup forces the speaker cables and cabling in general to be run up thru the walls into the ceiling and down again in order to connect all the components together. I would venture to say that the run to the speakers is 35 feet. At the heart of the system is an Yamaha RX-V 1500 pushing a 5.1 system complete with CD player, DVD, DVR, XM satellite.Now to the question, using my Yamaha as the Pre-amp which Amp should I consider? I have Adcom equipment in the dedicated room but I really believe something moderately priced would work just fine. Second question, could I go with a 2 channel amp for the Mains and use the Yamaha to power the center and rears? Any ideas or suggestions would be great. In the end, I believe that I am overworking the receiver with the long wiring runs in order to achieve the high fidelity I am accustomed to having.

"are the shelves removable?" Yes the shelves are removable.