Shockoman

Cornwalled, Which inputs on the pre are you using? Phono or line? I would suggest using the line level inputs for the CD player. Bob

Thanks for the comments...I don't have the room either for a Heritage center or surrounds... the RC3 and RB5s are going to have to stay for a while. So, I'll reword my question...Has anyone investigated the crossovers in the Reference units? Does anyone have the specs for the crossovers? Thanks Bob

I have recently upgraded the caps in my 1980 CWs. I used the recipe used by many here...AudioCaps from Parts Express and restrung the internal wiring from the stock to 12 ga for the tweeter & squawker and 10 ga for the woofer. Also replaced the binding posts on the back to Cardas 5 ways and 10 ga from there to the xover input ...what a difference! Even without any burn in, the difference was absolutely astounding! All the descriptors already used apply.."lifted the veil, opened the soundstage, solidified the imaging" etc.....thanks to all for the great reading and recommendations. The CWs serve as the fronts in my home theatre also..I have an RC3 as a center and RB5s as surrounds and was now wondering would a crossover upgrade or mod help the difference in voicing in the Reference units? Does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks in advance... Bob

Thanks for the reply and the info on HTPC. I've been doing some research on cabinets and cooling and agree one of the biggest issues is noise..especially in an HT setup where you want it as quiet in the room as possible. That's is another reason I put the estimated cost at about $1K. The case and appropriate, quiet cooling! Been looking at the Ahanix cases..they look like they would really fit in an HT environment and offer black cases which is what I want to stay with. The M-Audio 24/96 is the card I was looking at also. Since most of my current library is CD based, it looks like it would be a good option. I have some vinyl, but not nearly as many as CD's. Thanks again for the input. Bob

Rob, I have just done this upgrade, actually thru D*. They sent me the Samsung 360. So far I like it a lot. I have a Pioneer Elite Pro530 and they are a good combo. I am using the component video connection. The HD picture is outstanding! Got a good deal from D* also. If you are contemplating getting the unit thru them, be sure to call the "retention" folks at 800-600-8977, not the standard 800 number...better deals for sure..check out the AVS Forum for all the details. BTW, if you have more than 1 STB right now and get the local channel pkg, they will also upgrade your old non-HD unit if it doesn't do the local channels. My older Sony B50 didn't do the locals and they sent me a new unit that does at no charge!!! It is an RCA DRD 435RH..works great in the bedroom! Good Luck..Bob

Thanks for opening this thread. I too have been looking into DACs and their potential effects. I opened a thread in Sound Cards/General on this topic with a bit of a twist..no feedback so far there. I was looking for feedback on whether an outboard DAC or the DACs on an M-Audio card for example, in an HTPC/Jukebox combo would be a better setup. Don't mean to hijack this thread, but any comments along that line? I have been looking at the Perpetual Technolgies units as a possibility. Their P-1A, P-3A and P3 power supply look interesting and can be had on Audiogon for about the $1K level you are looking at. Anybody have any feedback on these units? Thanks in advance... Bob

Finger check..double post ...sorry

I have a question about which option is better in the long run. My current CD/DVD player is a 3 year old Onkyo DV-M301 connected to my Onkyo TX-DS787. Since either a HTPC, (DIY) or used DAC will run me about $1K, which one would be a better price/performer. The HTPC will provide more functionality, but would a good quality sound card, like an M-Audio, be a good alternative to a DAC like a Perpetual Tech PA1-PA3 combo? The HTPC would likely be built in stages, the first being the audio jukebox/DVD player.. Thanks in advance for your comments and assistance Bob

Max and fellow Forum Members.. As a committed "lurker", I follow this forum on a daily basis. From a technical standpoint, I do not repond much because in most cases I am over my head. This discussion I believe is more "perception" than technical, so I'll jump in. I have been an audio enthusiast for over 30 years. During that time I have owned my fair share of SS amps along with records and CD's. It is only since I have been reading this forum that I have ventured into the world of tubes and high efficiency speakers and thought about the music on different levels. My HT is built around Klipsch Reference and 100+ wpc SS. It also served as my music system. I recently went down a completely different path. I bought a PP tube amp and a pair of '80 CWs. I really enjoyed the sound from my HT/Music system. It can "rock the house" if I am in that mood or provide the "sooth the savage beast" tranquility we all somethimes need. It is only since I became involved with this forum did I start to look deeper into the music. To my ears the tubes and CWs do sound different. Better? For me it's too early to really tell. I like the way the tubes/CW mix sounds. My next challenge will be a playback device, upgraded CD player more than likely. Will it change the way I perceive the music, I hope so. I guess that is what I am trying to acheive....does the music sound better to me. That occurs on at least 2 levels also. How does it sound AND how does it make me feel... My wife and I have this discussion occasionally. She is happy with the under the cabinet CD player/AM/FM radio the kids get her for Christwas a few years ago. She doesn't get all this "nonsense" I go through. It is now having a bigger effect because the living room is filled with various sized boxes(speakers)and electronics. Also I now "listen to the music" vs "hear the music". Big difference in my mind. Now I look for soundstage, depth of field, instrument placement etc etc etc...do I enjoy it better? on some levels a resounding YES on another level it has become "work". Will that change over time, I hope so. I haven't delved into the different circuit topologies and their variations yet. That may come later as my tastes/perceptions or expectation change. All I can say is I listen to the music differently, because my expectations are different now. I guess I am chasing an elusive target. Will different technology interpretations help in that chase, I don't know..I am still growing as are my preceptions and expectations of what the music sounds like and does for me. Thanks for allowing me to "lurk and grow" Bob

Also try Blue Jeans Cable. I have a component video set and a digital audio from him. I like them a lot! http://www.bluejeanscable.com Bob

Question for the digital 2 channel gurus out there.... I'm sure there are several folks that use DACs and/or other types of signal processing to soften the hard edges of CD recording technology. I am curious whether to include something like the Perpetual Technolgies PA-1&PA-3 in my plans or would I be better served by one of the "analog sounding" decks like the Rega, the AH! or similar player. Opinions and suggestions....please Thanks Bob

Everyone, thanks for the feedback. I didn't have my thinking cap all the way on when I first posted and didn't make the connection with the bass mgmt already provided by my receiver. I was thinking that it just worked for DD & DTS on DVD-V. Or am I still confused? Will my receivers bass mgmt work with the multichannel input from the add-on player? I was thinking that using the multichannel input would just be a straight shot from the inputs in the preamp to the power amp and all the signal manipulation had to be done in the DVD-A/SACD player. I also did find a couple web spots/reviews that indicated the Pioneer had full bass mgmt included. And, as pointed out the new Pioneer receiver has the firewire connection that might be a value later on. However, any new receiver I buy will have to be "upgradeable" via a download or the like. I am weary of spending good money ($1K+) on a receiver, only to have it obsoleted in less than 6 months by a new format or some bug found in a CMOS chip than be fixed by a code upgrade. Sure wish there was a place in town I could audition these beasts before I pull the trigger...

I have been considering adding a combo DVD-A/SACD player. I've come across 2 that could be possibilities..Onkyo DV SP800 or the Pioneer DV 47ai. Reviews indicate both to be quality players in both video and audio. The only knock I can find on either is in the area of Bass Management. The unit would be used primarily for music for now. I understand the importance of Bass Mgmt in HT. My current setup includes: RB5s in front with a KV1 center and RS3s for surrounds. The sub is Cerwin Vega 15" 250 watt version. 2 questions, is Bass Mgmt that important for music? and any feedback on these players or other suggestions.. Thanks in advance... Bob

Craig..at least you got a reply! I've sent several e-mails to parts and tech support trying to locate the grill cover logos for the '81 CWs I bought earlier this year. I've gotten nothing back from them..very disappointing! Shockoman

Kelly, A guy takes a couple days off from lurking, only to find a welcome contributor has returned...welcome back! Bob