Kalifornian

What brand/model is your audio stand please?

I'm looking at the EVO 400 preamp. Looks really promising. I'm gonna go listen to one locally this week or next. Currently running Parasound P6 and very happy but just can't help thinking I'm missing the tube sound....

Check out jbl 2385. Great alternative at a cheaper price and better availabilty

No, I have JBL dual 18's with large 18" jbl horns in a 11x13 room and it sounds awesome. I am using active crossover though...

I would definately attend a west coast get together

I have the Rotel RB 1552 MKII like new in box that Im not using up for sale if you are interested. Its in the garage sale section

There's definately a split on people's listening preferences. I've found its either clear clinical (ie emotiva) or warm lush (ie marantz). It really depends on your tastes

What speakers are you using? I always recommend the Marantz line as they always produce excellent results. I've tried emotiva in the past and found them to be bright on Klipsch speakers. If you have standard dome speakers them the emotiva may work for you.

The HEOS control for music playing works great. I use harmony universal remote for everything plus alexa integration. You cant go wrong. Its a great AVR (I have the SR7012) and you desire to upradge will go to zero after you get it. It does everything and does it well

I enjoy upgrading and trying new things. I'll offer the opinion the sound of the Marantz is better than your pioneer and that you woudn't regret it. Not familiar with your current speakers but the Marantz model avr always sounds better than competing models on Klipsch speakers. Ymmv with your speakers

Horns arent the end all be all in audio, but they are for me and many others. That being said there are other incredible non-horn speakers be it foldded ribbon, plannar, electrostatic, ect. They all sound different and when done well they sound great. Different strokes for different folks.

Got the Q8 samsung at black friday last year. Love it.

If you are apartment living and working at Beale AFB just stay in Yuba. The commute sucks from Rocklin (Placer County) area.

Im in the Rocklin area. very close is you need some klipsch time or whatnot

I hate you....

As someone who started at the cheap end (minidsp) and then a little better (dbx), and then FINALLY ending with the Xilica 4080 do yourself a favor and save up and get the xilica. By the time I got to the Xilica I had wasted the difference in cost in upgrading ..and the Xilica rocks. I am biamping jbl 2446h on large format jbl horns with dual 18 " jbl lowers and with REW and xilica it only took me about a week of playing with it to get it figured out and the results are phenomenal, i'll never go passive again unless forced to.

https://www.parts-express.com/restocked-bc-de750tn-8-2-titanium-horn-driver-8-ohm-4-bolt--88-294-615

Currently using fidelity and loving it

Wow

Id definately be interested in hearing the Kefs with the dsp because they are some sexy looking speakers and honestly I was planning on getting them.

I listened to the Kefs at Magnolia HiFI last year and wasnt blown away. Good snooth sounding speakers but just didn't quite do it for me. Ill take my Forte III all day over the Kefs. If you play your files over an android device chances are you top out at 44.1k. PC based is the way to go.

Also hard wired is preferable to wifi to avoid buffering and or bitrate throttling

Try amazon ultra hd and see if you notice. Honestly Ive heard those Kefs and they are super smooth but they mask the music...and bluetooth is the absolutely worst way to listen...

I have used Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, and Amazon HD. "Lossless" version of all of them including Tidal MQA on Node 2i. I only listen to Amazon HD. And as a bonus it will catalog all of your personal HD music as well so you can play it all.

Almost bought these last time they were on the market. I would again this time except Im going to Jubes. Someone will love these, and at this price is a crazy good deal GLWYS