Your Best Audio/Video Pick-up of 2009

[thekid]

Blue

Welcome to AR!

Nice set-up. Are those all CD's in the back?
What speakers are you running there?

[bluetrain]

Blue

Welcome to AR!

Nice set-up. Are those all CD's in the back?
What speakers are you running there?

Thank you!

Yeap, CDs all over the place
I'm running Vandersteen 2 Signatures.

[Worf101]

2009 was a good AV year.

1. Two new dedicated 20 amp lines for the amps in the main system: Finally! First electrician told me it couldn't be done in that room.



2. Gently used 300 disk Pioneer Elite PD-F27 CD changer for the garage system:



3. Apple iPhone and backup set of Shure E3s. Better sound than Palm Treo and offers nifty SPL meter app!

4. NOS Amperex 7308 tubes for the ARC preamp and a bunch of used 60s RCA Clear Top 12AU7s for the Manley DAC.

5. Samsung Blu-Ray player

rw

Oh my friggen gawd!!!!! Amazing stuff bud!!! Now THAT's power!!!! Dayum!!!! I'm almost speachless.

Da Worfster

[harley .guy07]

I had no new additions for 2009 but I had somewhat of a bad year, I had a motorcycle wreck in the middle of the year and had to take some time off of work to recover and am still having problems from it, and had other things come up that took priority. But I hope to hell 2010 will be a better year and I can get back on track to upgrading and changing some things in my system that I would like to. Time will tell but it is nice to see that some of you did some nice upgrades to your systems and I like the pictures, They give me a more realistic view of the systems you guys are talking about when you are setting up of upgrading your systems and it looks like you guys have some nice stuff.

[pixelthis]

NEW sony Blu ray.
NEW Integra receiver 6.9
NEW Emotiva two channel amp.
The Emotiva would have to be the best of the best, anybody with a receiver
needs at least the front two channels run through a power amp.
Not only does it improve your stereo immensly, but the load it takes off of your receiver
really helps the other channels.

[nightflier]

I got some great deals on A-gon and eBay this year. Ironically I spent a bit more on my HT setup than my 2-channel systems (may not be a good sign, lol):

McCormack MAP1:


Oppo BDP-83 & BDP-83se NE:


Magnepan MG-12, MC-1, MMGW, and MMGC
Kimber PBJ Audio Cables

Bluetrain, it's not often we see anything French around here. How do you like the Atoll gear? I was considering the Atoll CD-100 to replace an aging Audio Refinement player. Any thoughts on the matching CD player?

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

2009 was a pretty good year for video purchases for me.

1. a 65" Sony professional Cell processor based LED backlit LCD television with a native resolution of 4096×2160 pixels. It has the ability to convert 2D images to 3D on the fly using Real3D technology. It has 2000 individual local dimming zones each with a RGB LED cluster (called Triluminos) for richer colors, and a unmeasurable black level. It can display 18 different mini screens at SD resolution. or 4 full 1080p streams simultaneously. It can also upconvert 1080p to 4k in real time. It is only one of two televisions in the world that can deliver a full 1080p or 2160p content in full resolution with moving images. You are not going to find this at any consumer store, as these televisions are marketed to post production studios only (the price keeps it that way).

2. For my mixing/screening room, I have a brand new Sony 3D capable 4K projector.

3. Two Oppo players, both stock. I see no need for upgrade as I use HDMI for everything.

4. I purchased a PS3 slim for each of my 7 hometheaters spread out over 5 properties. This thing can be so tricked out, that a broadcast antenna or cable is unnecessary because of a small investment in a piece of software called playon.

5. I upgraded all of the video and audio cards on my HD switcher/ processor.

This year will the year for audio upgrades, as I have gotten myself all caught up(and a little ahead) on the video side.

[Mingus]

This has been a quiet year for me. I only added a Sony 46" for the basement HT and the PS3.

[M.T.Nest]

In 2009 we bought a 50" Panasonic TH-C50FD18 1080P Plasma, which we love because of it's great picture--especially for the money. (Good ol' Membership Warehourse Store) We also added a Panasonic DMB-BD605 Blu-Ray player. The jury is still out on that selection. We've only used it a couple of times so far.

I'm pretty excited about my new Onkyo HT-RC160 AVR. It may be off topic since I only picked it up last week, not in 2009. I did pick it out last year, though!

[atomicAdam]

1. a 65" Sony professional Cell processor based LED backlit LCD television with a native resolution of 4096×2160 pixels. It has the ability to convert 2D images to 3D on the fly using Real3D technology. It has 2000 individual local dimming zones each with a RGB LED cluster (called Triluminos) for richer colors, and a unmeasurable black level. It can display 18 different mini screens at SD resolution. or 4 full 1080p streams simultaneously. It can also upconvert 1080p to 4k in real time. It is only one of two televisions in the world that can deliver a full 1080p or 2160p content in full resolution with moving images. You are not going to find this at any consumer store, as these televisions are marketed to post production studios only (the price keeps it that way).

Eventually it is going to just be easier to go outside and play, isn't it?

[atomicAdam]

This year was a banner year at the old Bender house......

Almost everything is new this year. But the thing I like the most, that is mine, has to be the Rega P3/24 w/ the Sumiko Evo III. Maybe I should include the Moon LP3 in there as well, seeing as it is part of the package. But I really hate the chassis on this thing. Every time I've opened it up, closing it again is a real pain in the ass to get the screws aligned. nothing like good on Canadian manufacturing....hehe.. Though I can't say much better about the manufacturing of the Rega. The tone arm elevator didn't work, the plug for the power doesn't go in straight, or all the way, and I think it spins just a hair faster than it should.

Anyways, that is by far the best for me in 2009. And the best LP I picked up has to be Ratatat LP3. Amazing electronic, great engineering and production. It is my show off vinyl.

The other gear I'm really enjoying, the Granite Audio #560 power cords. Plug these into anything and it is whole near gear. Fanfreakingtastic. Also really liking the Audio Note DAC One, it is really detailed, but still sounds like a CD.

The Jeff Rowland is pretty awesome as well. Look for an upcoming review on Dagogo.com for that. But it is easily over excited with the right source and pre-amp. So finding a smooth source is key, and a good power cable.

I hope 2010 has a lot more to go. Not part of the thread, but I'm going to take my GMAT test on July 31st, I've started a new job while continuing to do side work for AudioREVIEW, and I'm getting in more gear for review, which is always great.

Enjoy all your gear and your loved ones. Life can be short, or long, but make it wonderful if you can. (I need to spot listening to hippie music, who wants to send me some new death metal CDs?)

[bobsticks]

This year was a banner year at the old Bender house......

Over here too..."I got a carton of smokes...Smoke up Johnny!"...

[bluetrain]

I

Bluetrain, it's not often we see anything French around here. How do you like the Atoll gear? I was considering the Atoll CD-100 to replace an aging Audio Refinement player. Any thoughts on the matching CD player?

Hey, I really like my Atolls. Years back I had Audio Refinement Complete integrated, so I can say Atoll retains that smoothness and musicality, but adds great bass, more details and incomparably better dynamics. As for their CDPs - can't comment on them, never heard them, but everybody loves their sound.

[E-Stat]

had a motorcycle wreck in the middle of the year and had to take some time off of work to recover and am still having problems from it...

Sorry to hear that from a fellow rider. That sucks big time, but I can relate. Two years ago, my '94 Magna was totaled at a stop light when the idiot behind me jumped the gun and knocked me into the intersection. Only got a bruise or two from that. It was when I got the new ST1300 that I did something really stupid. One day ONE, I rode about fifty miles and was enjoying the new bike. Then I decided to go out again and zoomed down my longish drive... my muscle memory was still attuned to the old bike's drum brakes and I hit them too hard for the new bike. Not to mention the fact that new tires are kinda slick anyway. The rear locked, fishtailed and went down. Unfortunately, the crash bar came down on my ankle and did a job on it. I was out of commission, too for a couple of months. Since I work at home (computer guy), it didn't affect my job.

Hope your out again!

rw

[E-Stat]

Oh my friggen gawd!!!!! Amazing stuff bud!!! Now THAT's power!!!! Dayum!!!! I'm almost speachless.

Each VTL amp peaks at 10 amps, so a standard 15 amp line for both just didn't do the trick. When I built my last house, I installed several dedicated lines. While the current house is better built, it didn't have enough juice in the room to drive the amps. I was really disappointed when the first electrician said new lines could not be run into that room. Now the amps afre not starved and benefit from isolation from the sources.

rw

[E-Stat]

1. a 65" Sony professional Cell processor based LED backlit LCD television with a native resolution of 4096×2160 pixels. It has the ability to convert 2D images to 3D on the fly using Real3D technology....

So when will you be adding IMAX capability? While the audio found at IMAX theatres is mediocre (if not loud), the video quality is on a completely different plane! I've seen Avatar twice so far and find it to showcase the potential of the medium.

rw

[02audionoob]

E-Stat...just now realized you're a Scout man. I'm a little jealous.

[E-Stat]

E-Stat...just now realized you're a Scout man. I'm a little jealous.

A couple of years ago, I moved the trusty Souther TQ-1 arm to a Scout and bought an old SME for the '75 Ariston (what I used originally) which now lives in the garage.

rw

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

So when will you be adding IMAX capability? While the audio found at IMAX theatres is mediocre (if not loud), the video quality is on a completely different plane! I've seen Avatar twice so far and find it to showcase the potential of the medium.

rw

Wow E, I am surprised that you found IMAX's audio to be just mediocre. Are you sure it wasn't fake IMAX? Difference, the new IMAX uses a smaller screen, DLP projectors, and a sound system based on JBL;s cinema stuff. If is truly mediocre sounding to these ears. The real IMAX has the 8 story screen, the 14,000 watt worth of power, and two surrounds as opposed to the common array of speakers. It uses the basic 5.1 channel setup with a front height channel the fake IMAX does not have. I have found the real IMAX sound system to be head and shoulders above the typical theater sound system.

IMAX is a 2011 upgrade

[E-Stat]

Wow E, I am surprised that you found IMAX's audio to be just mediocre

We have different points of reference. None of the twenty or so IMAX theatres I've attended has sound even approaching the resolution of the best audio I've heard. Zero depth and no finesse. Loud horns that no one would ever mistake for the live unamplified event. Everything sounds electronic. What do you expect from the JBL drivers used by Sonics Associates?

Are you sure it wasn't fake IMAX?

Fake IMAX? What is that?

The real IMAX has the 8 story screen, the 14,000 watt worth of power, and two surrounds as opposed to the common array of speakers. It uses the basic 5.1 channel setup with a front height channel the fake IMAX does not have. I have found the real IMAX sound system to be head and shoulders above the typical theater sound system.

Above the "typical theatre sound system". That isn't saying much since that sucks! In nearly twenty years of attending IMAX films (for which the video is incredible), the audio has never rendered the resolution or spatial characteristics I've heard in countless audio systems. As I indicated earlier, it is powerful and loud. Quantitative, not qualitative. It is all about the picture. Which is truly incredible as I've noted. Avatar is a work of art!

IMAX is a 2011 upgrade

Kewl, dude! The multi-projector Cinerama of the 60s I saw (Grand Prix, Sound of Music, etc) has never matched the video resolution of the huge lateral 70mm format. It is a pity the sound is not even in the same class.

rw

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

We have different points of reference. None of the twenty or so IMAX theatres I've attended has sound even approaching the resolution of the best audio I've heard. Zero depth and no finesse. Loud horns that no one would ever mistake for the live unamplified event. Everything sounds electronic. What do you expect from the JBL drivers used by Sonics Associates?

You are comparing apples and oranges here. The purpose of a theatrical sound system is not to sound as good as a home based audio system, but to cover many seats with good sound as possible. Some theatrical systems are better at this than others. Sonic Associates systems don't use JBL drivers, their whole sound system was totally proprietary down to the drivers. The fake IMAX uses a JBL based theatrical system.

Fake IMAX? What is that?

Fake IMAX= digital files at 2k resolution, a JBL based sound system, and smaller screen

Real IMAX= 70mm film set on its side, 8 story screen, and the custom sound system built by Sonic Associates.

Above the "typical theatre sound system". That isn't saying much since that sucks! In nearly twenty years of attending IMAX films (for which the video is incredible), the audio has never rendered the resolution or spatial characteristics I've heard in countless audio systems. As I indicated earlier, it is powerful and loud. Quantitative, not qualitative. It is all about the picture. Which is truly incredible as I've noted. Avatar is a work of art!

Another apples and oranges comparison. A audio system (especially a two channel system) is design to deliver its best output to one seat in room sizes a lot smaller than a movie theater. A movie theater sound system does not have that luxury.

The spatial characteristic you get from a home audio system is generated by reflections within the room. Home audio speakers can only acheive the spatial characteristics you describe by being located away from the walls. The more you push the speaker system towards the walls, the less spatial effect you will hear because you are turning a reflective pattern into a single event to the ears, as apposed to a multiple event with longer reflective paths to the ears. All depth from a two channel audio system comes from in front of you, and basically very little to none from the rear.

Theaterical speaker systems are built into baffles which prevent any rearward reflection event from happening. Hence the lack of rear depth. Depth is gained by pulling the signals "into" the room via the surround speakers.

Soundtracks, and music tracks are built totally different. Music is a event recorder, and soundtracks are made to match the the action on the screen. Music recordings are continual processes, and film soundtracks are sewn together from different events. Even if the quality of the systems were the same, you cannot compare a recording event to a manufactured recording. Audio is mixed one way, and film a completely different way.

It is not realistic or even logical to compare a home audio system to a multichannel theatrical sound system. What each has to accomplish within their environment is of opposite polarity, and almost everything about the listening experience is polar opposite as well. This is not a credible comparison, and it is illogical to frame it this way. Theatrical sound systems should be compared against other theatrical systems. A JBL theatrical system versus a Klipsch theatrical system is more credible because you are comparing systems that do the same thing in the same environment.

Kewl, dude! The multi-projector Cinerama of the 60s I saw (Grand Prix, Sound of Music, etc) has never matched the video resolution of the huge lateral 70mm format. It is a pity the sound is not even in the same class.

rw

If you really think that the audio on magnetic tape with a frequency response of 30-15khz, restricted dynamics in comparison to digital, complete with wow and flutter as the film goes through the projector, with a two way Altec based speaker system full of distortion is comparable to lossless digital sound with a frequency response of 20-20khz, no wow or flutter, coming through a 4 way custom speaker system with a fraction of the distortion is better sound, all I can say is nostalgia dominates your hearing capabilites more than reality.

Todays sound systems are lower in distortion, wider in frequency response, and have more controlled coverage patterns that require less acoustical tweaking than those old 2 way systems. Todays horns sound less "horn like" than the old systems. The bass response of a typical screen speaker is much lower than the old system (40hz versus 80hz). Amplifiers are lower in distortion than those older amps, and clarity of the overall system is far ahead today than back then.

[IRG]

Well I spent the last 4-5 years feeding my guitar gear addiction, but am thinking I'll get back in the audio game for 2010. Very humbly at first, compared to the rest of you. But back in the game, just the same.

[E-Stat]

You are comparing apples and oranges here. The purpose of a theatrical sound system is not to sound as good as a home based audio system, but to cover many seats with good sound as possible.

Understood. HP's Maggie based sound system is qualitatively the best HT audio I've heard.

Some theatrical systems are better at this than others. Sonic Associates systems don't use JBL drivers, their whole sound system was totally proprietary down to the drivers. The fake IMAX uses a JBL based theatrical system.

Does this link provide inaccurate information?

Fake IMAX= digital files at 2k resolution, a JBL based sound system, and smaller screenReal IMAX= 70mm film set on its side, 8 story screen, and the custom sound system built by Sonic Associates.

And I've attended quite a few standard IMAX (and OmniMax) theatres over the years. One of the most memorable non-3D titles was "The Dream is Alive" shot by Shuttle astronauts. The launch sequences are awesome at that power level and - I got bleary eyed when the shuttle opened the bay doors and revealed the beautiful majesty of our planet in such splendor rendered in the magnificent contrast afforded by the format. I now have that in Blu-Ray.

The spatial characteristic you get from a home audio system is generated by reflections within the room.

And by a far higher level of resolution and purity. The best home systems render like two and a quarter square Hassleblads while even the best theatre systems are more like entry level 35 mm rangefinders.

Home audio speakers can only acheive the spatial characteristics you describe by being located away from the walls.

Agreed.

All depth from a two channel audio system comes from in front of you, and basically very little to none from the rear.

Not so with all listening rooms. While the delay may not match that of a concert hall, I most certainly get some indirect radiation. Given that 95% of recorded music material is mixed down artifice, that provides a more natural result to me than gimmicky rear channel effects. OTOH, I will readily acknowledge the superiority of well done MC classical recordings. An EMM Labs transport/DAC through superb electronics, cabling and speakers does a fine job. Unfortunately, they are comparatively rare especially if what you prize is the performance - not limited to the quality of the recording. My classical repertoire consists of considerable pre-1980 content. I confess that I have zero interest in "live" rock MC recordings where the spatial characteristics consist solely of crowd noise added to what is fundamentally a monophonic wall of mud. The quality of the performance usually suffers in this environment as well. I don't own any video concerts of this type.

Theaterical speaker systems are built into baffles which prevent any rearward reflection event from happening. Hence the lack of rear depth. Depth is gained by pulling the signals "into" the room via the surround speakers.

Which I find quite realistic in an HT environment where sounds truly can emanate from behind you - unlike the overwhelming majority of musical performances.

It is not realistic or even logical to compare a home audio system to a multichannel theatrical sound system. What each has to accomplish within their environment is of opposite polarity, and almost everything about the listening experience is polar opposite as well. This is not a credible comparison, and it is illogical to frame it this way.

I'm not entirely agreeing with you. There is a sound of voices in space which my audio system can mimic - where theatrical systems fail miserably. Painted ships on a painted sky. They are utterly incapable of floating a voice in front of you as one finds in real life.

Theatrical sound systems should be compared against other theatrical systems.

From a commercial standpoint, that is a fair assessment. As for me, I've been ruined with the utter realism the best audio systems can render. Why not expect at some point a higher level of purity and coherence to make the sonic illusion more palpable?

... with a two way Altec based speaker system full of distortion is comparable to lossless digital sound with a frequency response of 20-20khz, no wow or flutter, coming through a 4 way custom speaker system with a fraction of the distortion is better sound, all I can say is nostalgia dominates your hearing capabilites more than reality.

I have no idea where this comment comes from. I find A5s and A7s to be intolerably honky and are severely bandwidth limited at both ends. They serve as no reference for me.

Todays sound systems are lower in distortion, wider in frequency response, and have more controlled coverage patterns that require less acoustical tweaking than those old 2 way systems.

Thank heaven for that! They still have quite a way to go.

Todays horns sound less "horn like" than the old systems. The bass response of a typical screen speaker is much lower than the old system (40hz versus 80hz). Amplifiers are lower in distortion than those older amps, and clarity of the overall system is far ahead today than back then.

I am in complete agreement with your assessment. It's just that I've been accustomed to far better for decades.

rw

[jvc]

In April of '09, I got my new 61" Samsung LED DLP.
In Nov.'09, I got my Oppo BDP-83
Now all I need is a new sub. Hope to get an SVS cylinder in April.

[kexodusc]

Kexo had to buy 2 cars and pay a 3rd in landscaping in 2009 so no new Audio or HT gear by court (wife) order...I managed to build 1 speaker system for a friend, record low from my shop. In addition to a big health scare that even kept me off ar.com for a month and change, work and other commitments kept me away from my gear for far too long. 2009 was about as inactive as I've ever been in this hobby.

But 2010 is looking pretty good...