Southern

My favorite is listening to my 5.1 mix SACD's with my RF7/RC7/RS7 HT system. I still prefer my Forte's for 2 channel listening, but don't care for the 2 channel and the HT system at the same time.

@Dan Masters You have nothing to be embarrased about, that is a very cleaver way to test your theory. I have RF-7 HT setup along with a Forte 2 channel setup in the same room. I prefer the Forte's in 2 channel mode but the RF-7/RC-7/RS-7 really shine in home theater which I mainly listen to SACD's or Blu-ray concerts. I'm not sure if it's the center channel RC-7 that contributes to this but it sounds like I am sitting in the concert venue or in the case of SACD inside the recording studio. I have my RF-7's slightly towed in similar to yours but the Forte's are facing straight forward which I obtain better imaging.

For your Forte comparisons in the garage environment I don't feel that you are taking advantage of the low frequencies that the Forte's are capable of or the imaging. The living room environment is more true to how most would listen to a higher end speaker. I would be interested to see if your Forte results change if placed in the living room environment. With that said I have compared my Forte 1's to my RF-7 1's in a living room environment. I prefered my Forte 1's by a slight margin possibly due to owning them longer and my ears being "adjusted" to a 3-way speaker. At the time I was also switching out amplifiers and the RF-7's really impressed me when powered from a tube amp.

I have a similar setup minus the RSW15 and sony receiver. I have an SVS PB12+2 sub and a Pioneer Elite VSX-74TXVi receiver. I have no intent to "upgrade" if that is any indication on what it is worth. The caps on the speaker x-overs most likely are due for replacement based to the age.

I have Forte'1's and I am still enjoying them. If I was in the market for new speakers I would consider the Forte IV's. I prefer to listen to my music at near concert volume levels which I have my Forte's 12" from the rear wall to optomize the low bass. This works out well since the front of the speakers are flush with my entertainment cabinet which doesn't make them look like they are protruding out into my room.

Or you can add the Forte IV's along with a separate 2 channel system (with an older Pioneer receiver) similar to what I did except with RF7 1's and Forte 1's. I don't mix the two systems when listening, it's either HT with the RF-7/RC-7/RS-7 or two channel with the Forte's.

If the caps are original they may be due for replacement.

Craig, I'm glad that you are still around and "kickin". Now that I am in my 60's I can relate to health issues. I guess that I am more apprehensive than you as I don't believe that I will ever be the same as my younger days.

The fire stick is wi-fi only, if you want an hardwired ethernet connection, the fire cube offers that: Link

That's what I call service! It's only about a 5 1/2 hour drive from Chicago. I went to collage in Carbondale back in the early 80's. Through my coworkers, there use to be a airline flight direct from Chicago to Paducah which has been recently omitted.

You could even take advantage of the bi-amp capability of the Forte IV and connect both the SS and tube amp up!

For what it's worth on reviving an old thread, I mounted my RC-7 on a bracket made out of wood angled slightly upwards (similar to a speaker riser) located on the base of the fireplace that I would remove when I choose to have a fire. Due to the weight of the RC-7 and the heat generated by my wood fireplace I felt that this was my better option.

I have an older Pioneer Elite A/V receiver and Pioneer Elite Plasma TV. Through the Pioneer iLink I can control the volume of my receiver through the TV's remote as well as selecting the receivers input source.

I'm still enjoying my Dynaco tube amp and PAS preamp along with my SX-1980.

I'm still enjoying my 70's vintage Pioneer receivers. I feel that the newer receivers didn't account for heat dissipation at the higher volumes. Maybe due to the accountants having leverage?