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Thread: Ht

  1. #1
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    Ht

    Im looking to upgrade from my Pioneer VSX-d906s receiver.I only have $300 to spend and want to get a used one.My wife says im going over board and the pioneer sounds fine.If i get aHK or yamaha is it going to make a huge difference in sound.I have Infinity sm 155,s for the front and psb surrounds.Im also getting a second pair of 155,s for the b side.I only listen my music on 2 channel and the reciever has plenty of power..but i think i could do better?Any advice?Also should i hook up my equipment ..like my dvd player to the video outs on my reciever?Does that change the sound?I just plug the sound in with digital out but not the video.

  2. #2
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    If I'm not mistaken, that receiver is a high current amp and was a good model. For $300, I don't think you could do much better. Save your money for something better like an Emotiva UPA 2ch power and a separate preamp. You would probably be making a lateral move if you go with a Yammy or HK receiver.
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

  3. #3
    Vinyl Fundamentalist Forums Moderator poppachubby's Avatar
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    I think spending $300 will get you nowhere. Lateral at best. You have a nice H/T receiver, what's the problem exactly? What don't you like?

    The receiver you have can accomodate just about anything you can throw at it in terms of sources. For that reason, I say have a look at your sources if you're unhappy with the sound. Speakers are number one on the list but it looks like you're in the midst of upgrading.

    For $300 you could buy a really spiff Blu-Ray player. If you're hell bent on DVD and want some good audio options, consider a used Oppo. If it was me, I would buy a dedicated CDP for my music.

    Hooking up your DVD player's video output will not enhance the audio. If you're using the digital ouput from your DVD, the Pioneer is processing the sound with it's internal DAC. If you find that really offensive, try using the players analog out (L/R) for a change. You could consider buying an external DAC to use between the DVD and amp.

    Stick with your Pioneer and focus your money on speakers and then sources.

  4. #4
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    For $300, I would buy a DAC, it will really improve the sound. Take a look for a used PS audio Digillink III or one of these DAC's.

    http://grantfidelity.com/site/Grant_...ty_Tube_DAC-09

    http://www.pacificvalve.us/XianshengDAC01.html

    http://www.pacificvalve.us/LITEDACAH.html
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

  5. #5
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    I dont really know how much a DAC will help me.Will it really improve the sound that much?My reciever already takes optical and digital signals.It just dosnt have DTS.It has DSP and dolby digital.I just cant get the right amount of control in the treble and bass on this thing in 2 channel ...or if its in surround i cant adjust the bass or trebel at all.Its pre-set.My speakers are fine.The fronts are anyway.Im really happy with the Infinity.I have listened to alot more expensive ones{in the $4000 dollar range and my sm 155s easily compete.I just need some b speakers.The PSB surround set i have are great for movies and acoustic music.I have a 250 watt powered sub with them.Im selling them tough if i can get the right price and buying bigger and better.I have pre outs on my reciever.Should i just buy an amp and hook it up to my reciever for two channel?Thanks so much for your input.Im greatfull.I will try and put a picture here but it wont take them for some reason.Look at my adds for sale

  6. #6
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by amature
    I dont really know how much a DAC will help me.Will it really improve the sound that much?

    Yes it will, much more than buying a Yammy of HK receiver! People that have never heard the diffence a DAC can make always ask the same question. A source component like a good CDP or DAC can make a huge difference. Your DAC in your receiver is cheap as most are until you get into high end gear and even then its questionable. I have an Adcom AVR that lists for $2K and my $1700 tube DAC blows the Adcoms away.


    READ THIS-- about to do it.
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

  7. #7
    Vinyl Fundamentalist Forums Moderator poppachubby's Avatar
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    With a proper DAC processing your signal, you won't need tone controls.

  8. #8
    Rob_a rob_a's Avatar
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    $300 is not a lot to go on. A better DAC of source can benefit you better for the money. Oppo's Blu ray player has good DACs. if you run analog, this can help clean up the sound. Used, you can pick one up in the ballpark.
    HT system:
    Marantz SR7001 receiver
    Emotiva UPA-2 Amplifier
    Adcom GDV-870 DVD-A/CD player
    Yamaha S1800 DVD/SACD player
    Panasonic DMP-BD60K blu Ray player
    PSB Image series speakes s/s
    Dayton RSS210HF 8" reference sub
    Hitachi 46" HD projector screen

  9. #9
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    Hi Amature, I hope you still have your Infinity sm 155 and are still happy with them. I also have a pair in black color. Since I couldn't find any stamp on them, I asked a guy and was answered that these speakers were made in Taiwan. I don't know if yours are the same or not. Please share what you know about this series. Thank you.

  10. #10
    Oldest join date recoveryone's Avatar
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    Hey Amature, I looked up your current AVR and yes it is dated and you can upgrade into a higher line of used AVR's That can give you better sound format support and HDMI for Blu Ray. If you start looking around the 06-07 model line of several brands you may find what you are looking for.

    www.productwiki.com/pioneer-elite-vsx-81txv

    www.crutchfield.com/ISEO.../Onkyo-TX-SR674-Black.html

    Check Ebay and other online resellers

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Pioneer-Elite-VS...item1e60aceb57

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Pioneer-Elite-VS...item3363dcd0ab

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Onkyo-TX-SR674-7...item20b645fc83

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Onkyo-TX-SR606-7...item20b64efa1e
    Last edited by recoveryone; 01-09-2011 at 04:36 PM.
    HT
    Pioneer Elite SC lx502
    Pioneer Elite N50
    Pioneer Cassette CTM66R
    Pioneer Elite BDP 85FD

    Vizio P series 2160p
    Panamax 5300 EX

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