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picky

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Everything posted by picky

  1. I went ahead earlier this year and "bit-the-bullet" and purchased Monster's M Silver Series, 8 meter component video cable (M1000CV-8M) for $350 smackers. There was no other way around this for me. It seems to work very well. I am getting a sharp, clear picture with no noticable interference. I figured it was better to go with a high-end cable given the distance, especially when the signal to the projector means everything as far as viewer-perceived quality. I know it's expensive, but it's one less thing I need to worry about in my system. I read the other posts and I am unfamiliar with some of the brand names they are mentioning, so I cannot comment on their performance. It does sound as if their may be some less expensive performers out there according to our fellow members messages. Sure wish I'd known about them back in January! Best of luck! -Picky
  2. An interesting development in LCD Projectors: I just read a quick blurb this morning in my weekly email update from 'Presentations Magazine': Quote: "COMPANY UPDATE: 1. SONY TO STOP SUPPLYING PROJECTOR LCD PANELS Sony announced that it will stop supplying LCD panels to other projector manufacturers beginning April 2004, although it will continue to produce LCD panels for its own front- and rear-projection systems. Sony cited dropping prices, shrinking margins and an inability to make money on the panels as the reason for the decision. The move would leave Epson as the sole major supplier of LCD projector panels to companies that manufacture LCD projectors." - Courtesy of 'Presentations Magazine' SO, with the above said, it appears that either prices are droppiing in the LCD projector industry due to good sales, or the LCD projector industry could possibly be feeling the heat from the DLP projector industry....."rainbows" and all. Your choice. It seems that Sony (to my knowledge) is one of the only projector manufacturers who still does not offer any DLP models. Sony purists would have you believe the reason for that is because Sony doesn't wish to compromise by releasing projectors with "inferior technology" (there's that hang-up on the color wheels, again). I have reviewed several of Sony's LCD projectors and they are very clear, extremely bright, and fairly affordable. They do also have good color quality. I did not think they were as sharp as the DLPs however especially in viewing high definition programming. - My personal opinion. -Picky
  3. Somewhere over the rainbow...... No rainbows on my Sharp DLP. Ever. Everyone is right: You must test them first hand to really get a feel for what you what & what you believe....just like picking out speakers. A note on contrast ratios: "Madison Avenue" That's who is selling contrast ratios to projection buyers these days. Like everything else in our society, the ad agencies on Madison Avenue would have you believe that more i better. Well..in my personal opinion...it's not! I viewed my Sharp 9000 against the new Sharp 10000 and new Marantz projectors that both have the new Texas Instrument "Mustang" chip (sort of like DLP-2 (in theory, and improvementover the original))and they both are more expensive than mine. Their contrast ratios are touted to be twice that of my projector. Guess what? They are too dark even when shown on an optomized screen such as a Stewart Firehawk or Greyhawk! Even my salemans prefers the 9000 to the 10000, so much that he bought a 9000 after the 10000 came out. Since the Sharp 9000 is an older model now (as of February 2003) there should be some real deals on them out there. So, do youreself a favor and check them out first hand, or as DrPyro suggested: go so far as to ask to bring one home. By the way, I even tried my DLP against an equally priced Runco, which some enthusiats hearld as being tops. The Runco was way too dark, especially on 'Spiderman'! Yes, it had been calibrated just as the others I watched. So get out there with your fav DVD and have some fun! - Picky
  4. Hey, Thor: I've got the same basic speaker setup as you do. The only real difference is that I am using a Pioneer Elite receiver. I gotta tell ya, that darned 15" Klipsch Reference sub of mine sure does blend perfectly with my 7's! I know it's a lot of somolians and I am not trying to tell you how to spend your money but, that sub is worth every penny! After all, they we engineered to work in concert together. You may not need a 15, and perhaps a smaller one would do just as well. You will have to be the judge. But, I do highly recommend you consider a Klipsch sub. A local stereo shop here even recommends using Klispch subs with B&W's because they out-perform B&W's subs! They're awesome! -Picky
  5. Ken: No problem with the Sony. Lots of people like 'em and they seem to do very well. My son is enjoying his lower-priced Sony at his house. He loves it, and I do think it sounds pretty good. He is running his with Sony satellite speakers and a Sony subwoofer. The only item I have heard determental is that Sony amplifiers tend to sound a bit bright as compared to some other brands such as Pioneer Elite and Denon. But, if you like bright, that's a good thing. -Pick
  6. Ken: Sounds like you are now well-covered in Reno for HT stores. No surprise to me. I agree: They do seem to have some very good deals on RPTV's at the places you mentioned. We (my wife and I) reviewed several RPTV's at Circuit City. Some were exceptional performers (Hitachi & Toshiba)with great prices. We looked at plasma too, including Pioneer Elite's 50" and neither plasma nor RPTV looked "cinematic" enough to us. That's when we decided to go front projection. It's like being at the movie theater...without the gum on the floor. One word of caution: It you plan to install your screen in a room that has a lot of uncontrollable ambient light, you may wish to consider going with a RPTV or a Plasma, as front projection requires a darkened room. My HT is in my basement and I have eliminated all of the windows. If your room has windows, you may be able to cover them with light-blocking window treatments. I can't stress enough how important light control is with front projection! It's imperative. Ah, yes, the B&W 800 Series. Nice sound. When we were first looking for a sound system for our HT, I must admit that B&W was one of our first serious considerations. We listened to over 10 different systems including the following brands using the DVD 'The Matrix' (lobby shootout and helicopter rescue scenes) for comparison: B&W, M&K, Meridian, Atlantic, Klipsch, Boston Accoustics, Martin Logan, Kef, & Energy just to name a few. Although I am a much more critical listener than my wife, only one set of speakers jumped up and got both of our attentions at the very same moment: Klipsch! We were shocked! At the time, the only Klipsch speakers I had ever owned (or cared for) were the Promedia 5.1's hooked up to the PC in my home office. I was a speaker snob. I always dissed on Klipsch because they used horns instead of domes. I thought that horns sounded "honky". Well, snob-no-more. I am converted and enlightened! The Klipsch were the only speaker we heard that were dynamic enough to make the scenes we were watching seem more believable and true-to-life. The B&Ws, although excellent for listening to music (so are the Klipsch) they seem to fall on their faces watching movies unless you have monstrous amounts of power amplification available (I do not). The Klipsch never broke up or sounded edgy, regardless of the volume and I am happy to report the same results from them when I brought them home. They always do what I ask of them, including while listening to music. I have yet to be dissappointed, and they are less expensive than most, especially the Meridians! I do think the Meridians are better, but look where you've got to go in price just to beat the Klipsch! No thanks! I also discovered, most of the newer theaters in my area use Klipsch speakers as well. So, now with the DLP and the Klipsch, my sights AND sounds are both just like being at the movies! I'm going to have to buy some gum....... -Picky
  7. Ken: I could not have put it better myself! DLPs will suprise you. But, you owe it to yourself to check out the LCDs, too. There are also more variations in the projection format (just to confuse you more). There's a rather pricey hybred by JVC called a D-ILA that does an awesome job, too. You really must go audition several different types of projectors with the same DVD at the same store in order to form an opinion of your own. We have many stores to choose from here in the Detroit area. I used to live out near you in Fallon, Nevada and I was just in Reno this past June. I know the area has rally built up since we left back in 1977. So, I am willing to bet you have a lot of stores there as well by now. Reno is such a growing area. There used to be a place called the Tin Ear Sound Company a few blocks west of S. Virginia Street that I bought a lot of gear from back then, but I'm sure they are long gone by now. Best of luck to you! -Picky
  8. Howdy Jim: Congrats on the awesome receiver! I just love my VSX49TXi, which is very similar to yours! I run it with the same DVD player as you. I use the i-Link connection in order to gain full bass management and have discovered that not all SACDs are equal! I have a 'Journey' SACD and it is recorded in only two-channel stereo! It still sounds awesome over my Klipsch's, but what a disappointement compared to my 'Night at the Opera' DVD-Audio by Queen, which is in true 5.1! It's as if Freddie Mercury is in the room next to me! Be very choosy when selecting your discs and you probably will not be disappointed by them. As for the finger smudges on the Elite's ebony surface....yes, I agree they are a pain. After you are done fiddling around with your new toys, you will porbably just use your remotes most of the time and the rigs will remain "smudgless". As for reciever set-up...you could not be more correct! Setting up the Pioneer Elites is a very involved process and I highly reccomend oanyone who buys one of these amazing rigs to PA-LEESE read the instruction book cover-to-cover before you even plug it in. It will save you a lot of grief. But, believe me...the sound you will get out is worth all of the effort! Have fun and live it up! -Picky
  9. Kenratboy: There are three basic types of front projectors on the market; CRT, LCD, & DLP just to name a few. CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) is the oldest of the three and it usually is bulkier than the latter two, and has 3 large lenses sticking out of the front (LCDs and DLPs have one lens). CRTs can be rather pricy and their forte is truer color rendition. Next, the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) type are quite popular because they tend to be more affordable than the other two (CRT & DLP). Although more clear an image than CRT (in my opinion) and brighter than both CRT and DLP, I do not feel they are nearly as sharp as the DLP type projectors - again MY opinion. I currently have A Sharp XV-Z9000U DLP front projector, which I installed in my HT last January. DLPs seem to be the hottest thing on the market right now. This projector is considered one of the top-rated Digital Light Processor (DLP) models available (the latest model is the XV-10000U). I use it in conjunction with a Stewart Greyhawk filmscreen (78" diagonal) and the results are awesome, especially when viewing material in True-HDTV from my digital high definition cable hookup. Choosing a proper screen is just as important as choosing a good projector. I know the 9000 is over your mentioned budget, but Sharp just introduced a new model that falls within your price range called the XV-Z90U. You may wish to check it out for yourself. It may meet your needs. There are also many good LCD projectors out there that are more affordable. Perhaps they may suit your needs better than a DLP? Just one thing: Many purists out there tend to knock DLP projectors just because they utilize a color wheel to deliver their color. Don't listen to them. I have never been disappointed by my DLP! I think what they are saying is a bunch of bull pucky! Best of luck! -Picky
  10. First, thanks for all of the replies, gang! I cut along the bottoms of the boxes, then lifted the boxes up over the top of the speakers, then lifted the speakers off of the silver/gray pads. Found the owner's manuals but no spikes (or feet)! YIKES!! I have looked through all of the packing material and there is nothing. Is there any way I can ask Klipsch to send me out two complete sets of these? Thanks, again. -Picky
  11. Howdy folks! Well, I am still in the middle of construction on our home theater (since last August). I bought my RF7-based system back in November, and I finally unboxed the speakers for the first time last week. It was my understanding that the RF-7's came with spikes or adjustable feet. Is this true? I did not find any in either box. Anyone got any ideas about this? The other thing, is that I found a flaw in the Cherry wood finsh on top of the left speaker. It's like a "blob" of varnish. It doesn't bother me much because it'll be back near the wall, but my dealer told me he can't do anything about because I've already had them too long to approach Klipsch about. I guess I can live with it. They are still beautiful. What I am really excited about is that I just heard these babies for the first time on Monday night. OH, MY GOD! They sound so much better than I ever imagined, and to think I only have them hooked-up in a 5.1 config right now. Just wait'll I get the 7.1's hooked up! JEEZ! That 15" woofer is a regular BASS CANNON! And CLEAN, TOO! I must say, Klipsch sure did an outstanding job with the 5.1 Promedia rig I have on my PC. But, now, I am ecstatic over my ne Klipsch Reference system. Nice going, guys!!! -Picky
  12. Hey, Moon: VERY nice set-up in that building of yours! :Picky
  13. Since you said you didn't wish to spend a lot, if you are doing new construction, you could even get away with using standard 2-cond 14 gauge romex (house wire), so long as you mark it at both ends that it is not carrying 110 volts! I have done this and the speakers sound fine. Romex is nothing more than solid copper wire and a lot cheaper than the premo-speaker wire out there. However, if you are doing exiting construction, try using either 14 or 12 gauge lampcord. It's stranded copper and the ribs on the insulation indicate polarity. It works fine too. What am I using on my new construction? Tributaries 12 gauge SP2. Good luck! :Picky
  14. Scott: I looks like we have similar systems. How's that bass management sound on the Klipsch's when playing SACDs and DVD-As? I haven't pulled my stuff in yet. Waitng's been like getting a root canal! **ACK!** :Picky
  15. Do any of you know if there are to be any significant changes in the new reference line as compared to the current reference line? If so, do you know what these changes entail? Thanks. -Picky
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