tromprof

I have both Ashly Protea and Xilica crossovers in my basement system. The Xilica costs more but is worth it. Sounds better and much better functionality.

The amps arrived in one day after ordering from Sweetwater. Seems like a nice small company, customer service contacted me to make sure all was good and to answer any questions. The amps are heavy and seem solid. Using these in my HT, one to drive Quarter Pie bass bins, the other to drive the rear pair of speakers. They both are doing a great job and are nice and quiet. Happy I followed this thread for sure!

Just ordered 2 of these from Sweetwater. It will be interesting to plug these into my system, thanks all for the heads up on the $199 price!

The Benchmark that the SMSL replaced was the DAC1 USB, so a bit older model. I always thought the sound was extremely good but the SMSL is clearer/cleaner and can do DSD. It has an ESS DAC in it, similar to the DACs in my Yamaha CX-A5200 pre/pro. I believe Benchmark is also using ESS in the most recent offerings.

I got an SMSL-SU-8 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DQDNF6S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) this last year. It displaced a Benchmark DAC in my K-horn system.

Cincinnati Bengals K-horns?

My retired desktops do that duty. You really don’t need anything special. It can be a new I7 or a 6-8 year old I3 processor, for music streaming it will work the same. I have all my music files on a NAS and stream from there. A good usb dac is the biggest part of this IMO.

Lights on and dark room. Blacks and detail almost as good as my laser projector in the basement. Actually detail maybe even better.

I passed on the LG OLED TVs and picked up a Samsung Q80R this week (65"). My living room can be bright and lots of reflections as well when its light outside, so I figured OLED would not be the better choice. The Samsung picture is very good, blacks are surprising good, and the anti-reflection screen really works quite well.

I have decided to keep it for my second system.

This: https://www.amazon.com/Push-Pull-Integrated-Amplifier-Without-Protect/dp/B012CSK30E/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3D3IUO1QMIS1W&keywords=yaqin+mc-13s&qid=1573830679&sprefix=yaqin%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-1 I have one pushing my Khorns. Since it is prime you can always give it back. Very heavy, solid unit.

You are correct, thanks for the save! I have edited the ad.

I am selling an Integra DHC-80.3 preamp processor. I purchased this from Accesories4Less in 2017. The unit has operated flawlessly, and I have found it to have both an excellent sound as well as having a nice and flexible interface. Always operated with extra cooling fans on top. This pre/pro will not pass 4K video or do Atmos. If you do not need these things it is an outstanding piece of gear. Includes Audessy mic and ships in original box. $350 plus shipping

I am leaning heavily toward the Yamaha at this point. I am not in a big hurry so I will see if any good deals pop up in the next 6 weeks or so.

Claude, thanks for the vote of confidence in Yamaha. It seems like Marantz gets all the press and the Yamaha has less written about it.

Mostly multichannel.

Now that 4K projectors have started to become more affordable I am thinking of upgrading my projector and preamp. I am currently using an Integra 80.3 which I have been quite happy with, but I have read a number of posts about how the newer Integra units are not competitive with many of the other brands . I am currently considering an Anthem AVM 60 or a Yamaha CX-A5200 (or CX-A5100). I would love to be able to consider the Marantz AV8805, but I am not willing to spend that much. The Anthem sounds like it is super well built and has a great reputation for sound, but it is several years old at this point. The Yamaha also seems to get good press for build quality and sound and is a slightly newer design than the Anthem. Any thoughts or advice appreciated

Done

Sold

My mom has told me stories of finding wreckage from torpedoed shipping washed up on shore at her families place on Holdens Beach (NC), and having to have blackout curtains at night.

Lots of things you can do to hotrod your K-horns. Go slow, and enjoy one improvement at a time. I would suggest reading lots of the old posts on here, there are so many different things people have done and found real improvement without spending a fortune.

Not the greatest speaker Klipsch made, but $40? Yes!

BTW My point was not to argue that John Williams music is better. Better is a matter of taste. Artistically speaking, it is superior IMO, but better? Another composer whose soundtracks tend to dominate the film is Philip Glass.

John Williams clearly has studied musical composition and orchestration. He can be accused of "borrowing" frequently from other great composers, esp. in sound tracks, but is also an excellent composer in his own right. John Williams writing is so excellent it tends to stands along side a film instead of hiding in the background. Few modern movie composers have his level of knowledge and craftsmanship. The film with live orchestra concert is very popular right now. I have played Star Wars and Jurassic Park film concerts this past year, a Danny Elfman concert (video and music from several different films), and Pirates of the Caribbean a couple of years ago. The level of musical sophistication between the Williams scores and the others is vast. The decision to have that level of musical involvement, as well as where it is placed is also decided by the films director. Zimmer's stuff is not bad, just not the same level of writing. Danny Elfman has written some good stuff too, and a lot of fun to play. John Williams is over 80 at this point, I am not so sure he will be producing many more new works.

If Zimmer and Williams were painters, Zimmer would paint the living room, Williams the family portrait.