Quote Originally Posted by Bernd
Hi Kex,

I put the parts quality issue in as it was that mostly that got me started. I kept reading the glowing accounts of how much fellow AR Members enjoy their MC over the 2 channel set ups. And then I take a look at the equipment list used and it's nothing special and therefore I gather that no great parts are used.
Well, the level of their equipment really shouldn't be an issue...it's their point of reference that allows their points to remain valid. If they're giving their Paradigm bookshelf speaker/Denon receiver 5.1 setup a glowing review, and just came from a 2-channel system consisting of $150 Paradigm bookshelf speakers, and a $200 Denon stereo reciever, they've still experienced the benefits of going to multi-channel audio. It's all relative. Their point of reference might be lower than yours, but that doesn't invalidate their point that multichannel offers improvements over stereo.

I am talking about parts from Hovland,Black Gates, Jensen, Muhndorf, Clarity,etc.
Never used Mhndorf or Clarity, but in my experience Hovland, Jensen, Black Gates are decent enough. I think too expensive for what they offer but there's not exactly a lot of choice. I really can't say a $30 cap sounds 10 times better than a $3 cap...or that even sounds twice as good. Oh well, until Wal-Mart starts selling crossover parts I don't have much choice...I try to buy these parts when they go on sale if I can, but I like to use quality, but inexpensive generics like Solen or Dayton parts - usually they work just as well. The trick is to ensure the values are true and match what the design calls for. A good LCR multi-meter can do that. Inductors are usually fairly close, but I've had problems with inexpensive caps being far off spec. Hit and miss there. I avoid np electrolytic caps, they sound bad. I don't worry much about durability and longevity in speakers, they're cheap enough to refurbish every several years.
I try to match crossover parts cost with driver costs to a certain extent. $15 drivers found in $500 speakers don't benefit much from a $30 capacitor. $90 -$150 woofers found in $5000 speakers on the other hand probably do.

I really think companies use the higher grade crossover parts to save the time and worry about them being off spec more than sonic benefits, and also just to appease consumer demand and expectations....What? You used a $7 inductor in a $4000 speaker? Blashpehemy! I can't say a 4.7 uf film/foil cap sounds much different than a 4.7 uf metallized poly, but that's just me.

I can say I've heard a real difference in sound quality improving the quality of resistors. I like Mills resistors, but resistors are cheap anyway. I don't know what it is, the cheaper resistors measured to spec but the sound in the top octaves was noticeably better with the higher grade resistors - cleaner for lack of a better word. I've really rambled on too far off topic now.

For suggestions, well, you have a lot of options. Why not buy 5 Art stilettos and go from there? If you like the quasi wave-guide Peerless tweeter and coated paper Seas woofer, you might be a good candidate for a few Totem Acoustics models, the Rainmaker in particular. (I haven't heard the Stilettos, but I know the CA12RCY woofer well and use a very similar textile Peerless dome tweeter minus the horn face plate thing in my home theater speakers). Totem use a lot of Seas/Peerless drivers with solid grade crossovers, and excellent cabinetry (and actually veneer the interior of the cabinets because the designer believes it sounds better - go figure). If you're so inclined, there's some excellent speaker kits I could recommend that I think would approach your Art speakers in sound quality. Might make this project less of a burden financially.

An Arcam a/v receiver is a good starting point for power and processing. You could consider going with a mid-fi Denon/ Yamaha/Harman Kardon etc receiver and buy a decent multi-channel amp or a few stereo amps and probably save some money. Using the receiver as a pre-pro and maybe 2 surround channels lets you upgrade to better quality amplification in the more important channels (I do consider the front 3 much more important).

However, I would suggest rather than asking other people to recommend systems for you, why not give it the same honest effort all the multi-channel advocates gave. Only your ears know what speakers you find agreeable...give it a shot.