Jalen01

Mdeneen: Didn't You also own a Mcintosh solid state amp? If So: Have you ever tried it with any of your ARC pre's? What was the outcome? Artto: There are plenty of ARC Pre's Listed On Audiogon right now from the LS15 - SP2 (All Under $1500.00). They had a LS16 that recently sold for $1600.00 http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/srch_fs.pl or http://www.audiogon.com . But, I knew that eventually someone would mention new speakers. Man, If you could see my place now........I've got all kinds of speakers lying around this place. All bought within the last 14 months or so (Complete Klipsch Ref 3 Set-up Minus Sub, Complete JBL Northridge Set-up With Pair Of N26 Instead of 4 N24's, and Paradigm Minis). All Bought At MSRP. If it wasn't for My Need for HT Speakers I've Could've owned a Nice Pair Of Klipsch Legends Or Dynaudio 1.3se's or Some Nice B&W's Or Paradigms. But, More Speakers At This Point Is A Dead Issue. I'll keep what I got for Now and Improve My electronics. At Least My Kids Will Be set for their stereo and HT needs, when the time comes. The dedicated Listening Room is already in the works. We've got a 6 Bedroom Home waiting for Us in Beaver, PA. (Mother-In-Law is selling it to Us). We've only got two Kids. So, besides the Basements HT Room Another One Of those 6 Bedrooms will be Mine.....LOL. Setting it up for sound is another story Thanks for the comments all....I look forward to anymore suggestions J

Hello again all, I have about 500+ Cd's In my collection now. So, going back to Records is not an option at this point. But, I have heard a outstanding demo of SACD with "Dark Side Of The Moon". I thought that it sounded wonderful. My Cambridge Audio Player Is Only about 7months New Now and in great working order. So, I was thinking that the tubed Pre would be the first option. A Cd\SACD player (Sony ES, Philips 963, or whatever Tubed Option) will have to come later down the road. Jalen

Thanks for The Input Sunnysal: I really appreciate your honest opinion. But, you may have Busted My Bubble.......LoL See I think My Problem Is I get too caught up into these Reviews from audioreview, audiogon & Audioasylum etc.... Especially, now that We're in Iceland, there's no place to demo equipment now a days. I bought Most of my gear from reading these reviews: Klipsch RF series speakers (140+ reviews all in 4.7 ratings) = Turned out to be a good buy Rotel RB 976 ("very versatile" "Bridgeable" "oustanding sound qualities") = Turned out to be good buy Parasound p\ph-850 ("Giant killer" yadda yadda) = average at best Cambridge Audio d500se ("Giant Killer" "Very analog sounding" "Airy highs & deep bass" "huge soundstage) = Only modest improvement to my Technics Cd changer I had before. I bought this stuff based on actual in store demos: Mcintosh MC 7100 (all the mcintosh gear sounded good in store. Newest Mc amp I could afford. Has Potential) Paradigm Mini's (sounded really good ran from the Mc gear) Monster M series Cables & Ic's (these are what the had inbetween the amp, pre's, cd player, and speakers) But as they say, "You Live and You learn". Reading everything I could on some of AR pre's states that they are: "Very musical, Put's music first, Has Broad Soundstage, Airy Highs, Liquid Mids, Nice to Solid Bass, Transparency, Singers in the room with ya, Pick-out different Instruments, Cymbals sound like they should, and a few of them mate well with solid state amps". Reading these type of reviews make the AR Pre's and the Ah! & Jolida Cd Players Sound right down alley. Man, I should have just bought that Eico HF-81 that Craig at Nosvalves had a few months back.... Any other thoughts on these or simular products I could try would be nice.........Thanks Jalen

What?? Or should I say WTF you talkin' about Willis????

Thanks for the input RF3: Any1 else have opinons on AR pre's (SP or LS Lines) or some other Brand that will mate well with My Mcintosh??? Of course a Mcintosh pre would probably be Nice fit. But, most of them are way over my budget. Even in the used markets. Jalen

Hello there, Of course The Matrix, Star Wars Episodes, Gladdiator, Saving Private Ryan and U-571 would all top the list. But, I like To add any of the current releases from the Pixar & Disney Camps (Monsters Inc, Ants, Bugs Life, Dinosaur, Toy Story 1&2 and Spy Kids 1&2 etc...). My Vote would also goto: Drumroll Please......................................................................................................................................................... Starship Troopers This movie just sound good period. Plenty of the efx that all the "Big Name" Movies has. Even on My Modest set-up. I think It belongs up there with the Toy Story movies at making any system sound their best. I rate it: **.5 to *** for movie **** for video quality ****.5 for audio Enjoy, Jalen

Hi All, Trying to improve upon my music system as always. I was wondering If adding a nice used (Tubed) Preamp from AR or another company would fill the "Missing Link" In my set-up. I've also been looking at perhaps a nice (Tubed) Cd Player from AH! or Jolida. I been constantly adding new pieces to my 2ch rig over the last year or so with not much improvement at all (very little at best). I would like something that would net me a 25-50% improvement at least (soundstage, rid my set-up digital harshness etc..). I Keep buying supposed "Giant Killers" (Klipsch, Rotel, Parasound, Paradigm, Cambridge Audio, Monster M1000I IC's, and now my McIntosh 7100). Preamps would need to be tubed (w/ remote would be nice). Balanced outputs maybe??? My Mcintosh Has Balanced Inputs (Don't know jack about Balanced Ins and Outs???). Is going balanced worth it (Especially, when My Cd Player doesn't have it)???? I listen to all types of music. With Jazz, Acoustic Music, & Classic Rock getting most of the rotation lately (Four Play, Norman Brown, Quincy Jones, Micheal Franks, Miles Davis, & Norah Jones To Dave Matthews Band, Cold Play & John Mayer To Steely Dan, Grateful Dead, Paul McCartney, Return To Forever, Doobie Bros, Steve Miller Band & The Eagles). I'm looking to eventually spending around $1500.00 for this upgrade. What do you guys\gals suggest I try next(Tubed Pre Or Tubed CD PLayer)? Thanks Much, Jalen

Easy, Some of the models I'm considering are: Outlaw 950 - $900.00 I would go new on these!!! Rotel RSP 1066 - $1500.00 (msrp ?) One On the "Gon" for $1125.00 B&K recently released their new Ref 50. So, you'd probably could find the Ref 30's at decent discounts. couple at the "Gon" for around $1200.00 The "Gon" http://www.audiogon.com For Higher-End models you may need (TheEar) or somebody to ring in.... Jalen

Not really one for hockey.... But, I was glad to see NJ take it. Damn Ducks!!! Jalen

goto: http://www.dvdrhelp.com they have all the info + softwares you'll need. Could take some Hour(s) from what I understand..... Jalen

Jef, I just re-read your post. I'm trying to figure out why the Denon (and probably other models too) would go from like -80 all the way to +1 and only get (1) one watt. So, all of the Denon's "109" remaining watts are in the last 19 Db's of the dial???? That just seems really strange to me. I guess I'm just old school on this issue then. Jalen

Jeff, Thanks for the correction........These Reciever's and Pre's with Db read-outs are all still new to me. I'm still looking at a little red dot (light) on my Pioneer d906s, LOL. -05 was as high as I was willing to push it, not being my gear and all. But, my buddy did in fact max it out a couple times in my presence on both 2ch & HT. And I have to stand by my comments that they are "Light In D A$$, and may not be enough for His big ol' 7's. Especially, when comparing any reciever+ decent outboard amp. I guess I've gotten a little spoiled using mine. Jalen P.S. Sorry for all the bad grammer & Spelling all......See Kids this is why we need to stay in school.

I think Yamaha Makes good recievers. Though people sometimes complain about them being on the "Bright" side. Please go listen to as many recievers as you can for extended periods of time (Music & HT). Especially, compare the different model recievers with Your speakers, perhaps at you loacal Klipsch Dealer. Good Luck, Jalen

Welcome Aboard, You should be very happy with your new set-up there. Jalen

Well, I'll have to agree that adding an outboard amp with these Rf-3's does boost the performance about 75% for HT\Music. Most of the "Mass Market" Recievers are all over-rated when it comes to wattage in my book. But, Most don't even get close to the rated output in stereo mode, much less all channels driven. I've heard it stated somewhere that "all watts aren't created equal. Especially when comparing AV Recievers to Stereo\Multichannel Amps." I ran a Comparson on My aging Pioneer d906s 100watts at 6 ohms (which is like 75watts at 8ohms I guess?) to my Rotel Rb 976 60 watts at 8ohms (pioneer as pre)for stereo listening, and there is no comparison really. The Rotel Wins hands down (bass, dynamics, & Overall spl's). Rotel\pioneer pre running Rf-3's= Bumpin' within first few notches of the dial. Pioneer running 3's alone= about 1/2 to 3/4 to reach same spls. *Note: I thought running My Rotel Bridged at 150watts X Front 3 channels was best option. But, I found out quickly that the RF-3II's were over powering My RC-3II that way. I now run my Rotel 60watts fronts & Rears and 150 watts for the center (sounds better this way). I recently spent time listening to My Buddy's New System which consisted of RF-7 set-up and The New Denon 3803. For HT We had to damn near max the darn thing out (-05 where 00 is max I believe) to obtain decent SPL levels in His 20 X 20' Family room. And that's using reference Movies like Saving Private Ryan & Gladiator. The 2 channel was pretty good. Don't get me wrong though. The Denon+Klipsch combo sounds really nice and smooth together. I also like the processor aspect of the Denons nice Efx & whatnot. But, I told My Buddy He May Need to add an outboard Amp if things don't improve after a few weeks (due to break-in). I was actually contimplating getting the Denon 3803 as my next AV Pre. But, With the MSRP at $1200.00 for the Denon. I think a better option would be to get a Outlaw 955(?) AV\Pre or The Rotel 1066 AV\Pre and keeping My Rotel RB 976. Heck, I could even add My New\Used Baby "MAC" in the mix If I had to. Jalen

I personally don't like the Denon 3803 + Klipsch RF-7 Pairing. I recently spent about a month at a friends house whom has the set-up in question (bought the last floor models RF-7 + RC-7 from Tweeter). His Room Is roughly about 20 X 20' and we had to damn near max the volume at -10 to -7 to fill his room. Even with movies like Saving Private Ryan & Blade II. Of Course I've been into HT for a little while now and I help to properly set-up His rig with the delays/ DB levels and whatnot. I think the Denon 3803 has alot going for it as far as proccesor duties go with all the video switching, Different sound chips etc etc....Overall it sounds good with Klipsch speakers it's nice and smooth, no harshness detected. But in a similar sized room you may need to add an outboard amp in the 125-200 watt range to really get them big boys to sing!!!! Just My 2 cents, Jalen

A SAD DAY INDEED!!!! That was weird to look thru the latest copy of the AAFES catalog (Spring/Summer) and not see any Klipsch Speakers (WTF). I too was turned on to Klipsch for the first time at one of those Electronics sales (Guam's Andersen Air Force Base) in 1995. Where a new Buddy at the time asked if I would help him set-up and sale some items. He ended up being the Klipsch Rep. for the Island and We sold a Truck load of Klipsch speakers that Weekend (Mostly Tangent(?) series and the last pair of La Scalas he had in stock) <---SWEET Speakers Those La Scalas BTW!!!! I Finally bought My Klipsch RF-3II's + RC-3II via the AAFES program a little over a year ago. The Family and I are now stationed in Keflivik, Iceland. Where I had hopes on completing My Home Theater via The Exchange here on base(maybe there will be some remaining klipsch speakers here). A Big No Go There!!!!! I walk into the Exchange and there is no other speakers here but Bose. Bose On top of Bose, Yuk LOL. They do have the last remaining floor model "Pro Media" hooked-up to one of their Computer systems (which is still getting most the attention in the store). Now what is a Guy to do? We're Out in "B.F.E" and no Klipsch to be had. I guess I'll have to weight the alternatives. There's the Internet & Possible Unauthorized Dealers and The Used markets. Or should I Just wait to get back State Side and Buy From Best Buy (We're talking 3+ years here)? AAGGGHHHH, Klipsch Why Yall Do This To Us? Jalen

I don't know which Rotel you were running? But, I think you put it best in terms of the musical aspect of the Rotel's. My RB 976 is only gonna be pushing HT duties in my rig from here on out. It's Gonna Be A Nice Mcintosh for my Music Rig here shortly. Sure wish I could afford a "Beast" such as your B&K. Enjoy, Jalen

I Think adding a good outboard Amp (Rotel, Parasound & B&K) of the 100+ watt range will net you better dynamic range, bass extention and lower THD percentage then my reciever. In My Case I noticed these changes right off the bat. I have an Older Rotel RB976 60watt X 6ch amp with My RF-3II theater set-up. Of Course I had to bridge it to 150wattsX 3 to really get it to sing. In my old smaller appartment I thought the pairing was Bright and non-musical. In the new appartment things have Improved a great deal because I have more space to work with the placement of the Rf-3's. IMHO, I don't really like Rotel's as a musical amp option, Rock & Rap maybe ok. I've even auditioned the Newer Rotel line up and found that they couldn't really get My toes a tappin'. For better musical playback you may want to look elsewhere. I'm working on a nice used McIntosh as I type this(well under a grand). I Think Mcintosh & maybe B&K are the most musical SS amps within my budget (McIntosh's are also known for being on the warmer side which should mate well with Klipsch speakers). Other "Musical" amps to check out are Classe, Bryston, Krell, CineGrand(?) & Tube Amps which alot of Klipschers are so hot on. So, for HT Rotel & Parasound get's the nod. For Music and HT you may need to look elsewhere. Please go listen as much as you can and perhaps at a Klipsch dealer, where you can get an idea of the sound your looking for. Good Luck, J

I'd like to see that picture too....... J

Sweet......Listened to the DSOM\SACD at the local "Tweeter" here in Fairfax, VA a couple weeks ago. Although, It was only playing in 2ch mode it was a very enveloping experience (Sounds were all over the place). The Set-up was the Klipsch RF-7's, B&K 2ch amp+ B&K Pre, and Sony's SACD M222es. Needless to say, My Buddy walked out with The Floor set of RF-7's, matching Center, and the Sony Sacd Player. That audition makes me wanta get on the sacd bus........Very sweet!!! J

I don't see no harm in it, if your happy with your subwoofers output the only thing you'll be losing is a little "mid-bass". That's if trying to keep things uniform and downsizing to the Klipsch SB-3's or something. Don't Quote me on this!!! But, I believe Klipsch has a bookshelf speaker coming that's based on the Popular RF-7's That you should read up on. And since You sound like your heading for an upgrade anyway. You should goto your local Klipsch dealer and listen at the RB5 & 3's w\matching center & rears see what ya think? Good Luck, J

Normally, you would want to post questions like these in the "Trouble shooting room". But, If I had a guess where your problem would be. I'd say it's in either your electronics or your connections. Unless you have a blown driver somewhere in the mix. Your speakers should be able to handle from 5 -150 watts depending on your speaker models. A quick fix would be to get some decent but not too expensive Radio Shack, AR or Monster Analog cables to connect your pre amp outs of your Dennon to your parasound. Get a new Digital 75ohm coaxial or Optical cable from the above companies to connect your Dvd to your Dennon (Make sure it's long enough to connect the two without bending any corners etc... This Bending and Pinching of these Digital cables can Damage them and cause degradation of the sound.) Recheck your speaker wire + & - from your Parasound to your Speakers, make sure you don't have anything crossed. If you have those extra long "Spliced" wires running to your rears? Then you'll need to tighten them up, so that no wires are touching and wrap them up with some good electrical tape. Lastly, If you don't have a "Radio Shack Spl Meter" & Home Theater calibration Disc Going? I'd suggest that you get or borrow some to set-up your theater correctlly. (Note: I don't know how many watts your Parasound is capable of pushing? But you may need to back down alittle, to something like 60-70 DB's for your set-up. With My Rotel and Klipsch Ref 3 set-up I had to back way down in My Apt..) If you've already tried some or all of these quick fixes then you may need start replacing some of your chit..... OUUUUUUUGGGGGH!!!! Maybe you could borrow some of your Family or Friends Electronics until you weed out this problem. I'm Feelin' your Pain though...... Good Luck, Jalen

Craig, Mail sent....... Jalen

Craig, Mail sent....... Jalen