A few new things in the system.

[mantis]

Whats up everyone?
I have been rebuilding my system lately and I just got a few new things in. First I got the Pioneer Elite dv58av. I got this player so I can stream SACD and DVD audio over HDMI. I felt it was a key piece to my new way. I also got in the Pioneer Elite Sc07 which I just Installed last night.

So the dv58av is a nice well balanced player. When I researched it , I found out it does not have Wolfson Dac's on board. Ok Burr Brown are like a reference DAC and not to mention I didn't plan on using the internal DAC's anyway. My goal here is to use the Wolfson in the Sc07.
I played a few SACD's with it and I'm cool with it's ability to send. It works well and the Sc07 say's "SACD" on the display window. Cool everything is going according to plan. Sound quality is remarkable. But my Rotel and DV47a would have something for my new sound. I think it would be a hell of a vs battle. Kinda wish I had them all at the same time to listen back and forth. That would have made a fun time.
Cd quality is also top notch. I enjoy the Streaming with no analog cables to change my sound. When swapping out Single ended cables, one has to find a good match. It's a pain in the ass as so many IC's sound different. I would not go as far as to tell you One is better then the other , other then my personal feeling towards the way I perceive sound. I like the Audioquest Jaguars and the Kimber Hero's the best. But day in and day out you want to change between the 2 and depending on your mood, which one you like better. Now I don't have that problem as I stream cd over HDMI. I love it.

So the Sc07 is a fantastic preamp. I have not used the Internal amps yet. I will once I receive my new speaker package but I refuse to try to drive my Dynaudio's off it. My Rotel Rmb1095 handles that duty like a champ and It really mates well with the Sc07 up front. This is something I have been against for years. I am not a fan of having a receiver as a pre but as most of you know I wanted to jump off a building trying to find the right preamp for me. I kept thinking about how I wish Pioneer Elite would make a preamp. I would be all over it so this is the closest thing. And Honestly I love it.
MCACC has 6 settings for 6 positions. This is a nice feature but I don't plan on using more then just my seat. I like it perfect where I sit so thats the game with MCACC. I also use the Phase control as I find it to sound more natural with it on. My room sucks for theater and is OK for 2 channel so without my wife throwing me and my system out , I have not done any room treatments. I have however done a few things she doesn't even notice so Her room is still Her room.
I got my first(in my house) experiece with Dolby and DTS HD audio. I still have a Ps3 for Blu Ray and I also have my HD DVD player. I ran Transformers and man what a experience when you can do it for yourself. Man I'm digging it. Blu Ray with Spiderman 3 was also fantasic. I like to use the Battle with Peter and Harry. Dynamic scene and I use it at work a lot.
I snapped a few crappy pic's but you can see. I can't wait to finish out this upgrade. I'm so juiced.

Dan

[Sherardp]

Congrats Mantis, SC-07 is a beast for the going price. I'm glad you're loving it as a pre as I too enjoy it. With MCCAC I also chose to use only one setting out of the 6. So many bells and whistles on this AVR its insane. Have you tried the HMG music networking, some good tunes on there as well. If you come across any tricks/tweaks please share. Welcome to the ICE Club bro. Nice set btw.

[mantis]

Yeah Ice Club . I like that. We should have member sign in and everthing. Ice club..... Thats great.

Dan

[Retro152]

Real nice setup Mantis!:D Tell me where i pay my dues to join the ICE club. lol.

[mantis]

Real nice setup Mantis!:D Tell me where i pay my dues to join the ICE club. lol.

Thanks man, well for starters you have to have a ICE powered Elite receiver or External Ice amps. I see you have that covered so ok your in.

Dan

[mantis]

So Pioneer Elite is bring out a new Stand alone Blu ray player in the Elite 320. Ok It has Profile 2.0 and Ethernet connection, BD live etc. So this maybe my Stand alone player. Only time will tell. If this player works out to my standards , then maybe I'll put the Ps3 on the market or just move it to the Master Bedroom. Either way I would really like a stand alone but currently none of them are up to my standards.

That new Oppo is looking promising. I'd like to check that one out.

The Elite 09 is nice but man it's expensive.

[cnh]

I've heard those ICE amps with Polk LSI-series. Very impressive by itself. Those Elites are definitely in my longer term future. They're great!

Set up looks nice too. Glad to see I'm not the only one running an HDTV RPTV...I have the Toshiba version of that model-had it calibrated. Puts out a wonderful HD picture IMO.

Nice set up. I think I missed your posts on the New Speakers there? They are??

cnh

[mantis]

I've heard those ICE amps with Polk LSI-series. Very impressive by itself. Those Elites are definitely in my longer term future. They're great!

Set up looks nice too. Glad to see I'm not the only one running an HDTV RPTV...I have the Toshiba version of that model-had it calibrated. Puts out a wonderful HD picture IMO.

Nice set up. I think I missed your posts on the New Speakers there? They are??

cnh

That Tv was excellent when I got it and the picture is still top notch but I want to get rid of it. I want to pick up a Pioneer Elite Kuro 60 inch Pro 151fd before they are all gone. I plan on getting one soon.

The new speakers are not in yet. I'm getting an Entire Definitive Technology Mythos system consisting of Mythos ST fronts , Mythos 10 Center and a pair of Mythos Gem Xl or Mythos 10's. No additional sub.
The Mythos St's are completely Impressive. I keep listening to them and find them to not do anything wrong and a lot of things right. the bass is so damn smooth and natural. Nothing like Powered Towers I have messed with in the past. Then I swore I'd never go back to that design but Def Tech got it right and then some. They are a Audiophiles Home theater SACD DVD AUDIO speaker package. I Really like them a lot. They don't outclass my Dynaudio speakers but they are different and easy to drive at 8 ohm and 93db so then I can use the ICE amps in the Pioneer without running them out of gas.
I'm very excited to build this system.
As any audiophile, new could just mean different or upgrade could mean different. Not necessarily better.

Dan

[janmike]

Congrats Dan, nice gear. I still have not made a decision on a Pre for my HT. Enjoy!

[Retro152]

Mantis, I just ordered a NAD C-565BEE CDP to pair up with my SC-05, forgive my ignorance being somewhat of a newb, but what would you recommend for optimal hookup, and how do you feel about this union?


Pat.

[metal83]

Congrats on your new gear!

[mantis]

Mantis, I just ordered a NAD C-565BEE CDP to pair up with my SC-05, forgive my ignorance being somewhat of a newb, but what would you recommend for optimal hookup, and how do you feel about this union?


Pat.

I would try 2 ways and find out what sounds better. First go Coax or Optical and listen to the Wolfson Internal Dac's of the Sc05. this shoud yield really nice results. Then run good quality Analog Single ended RCA's and listen to the Internal Dac's of the NAD. Which ever one you like better, remove the other wires.
I like the full digital approach as there will not be a influence in sound due to the Single ended RCA cables for analog audio transfer. I prefer to keep everything in the digital domain until it has to go out to the speakers.

Dan

[Retro152]

I would try 2 ways and find out what sounds better. First go Coax or Optical and listen to the Wolfson Internal Dac's of the Sc05. this shoud yield really nice results. Then run good quality Analog Single ended RCA's and listen to the Internal Dac's of the NAD. Which ever one you like better, remove the other wires.
I like the full digital approach as there will not be a influence in sound due to the Single ended RCA cables for analog audio transfer. I prefer to keep everything in the digital domain until it has to go out to the speakers.

Dan

Dan, appreciate the advice alot! Will post how i make out. :)



Pat.