2. home-theater
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Requesting Thoughts and Ideas

Have been off Audiogon for quite some time and need some help/suggestions on updating my home theater system. Over the last few months I have read everything possible on the newest options available for a pre-processor and blue ray player. At this moment this is my two areas that need immediate updates.

My current system:

Classe SSP 60 pre-processor
Nuforce Ref 8B amps
Sonus Faber Grand Piano Homes, Solo & Wall speakers
Samsung BDP 2550 Blu Ray Player
Dual Velodyne FSR 12 Subs
Sony 55 inch rear projection TV

System is 5.1 with no thoughts of adding any other speakers. Usage is 95% home theater.

Room is 16 X 16 that has been treated with GIK panels recommended by manufacturer.Room has an opening to the kitchen that will either be treated with heavy drapes or acoustical accordion doors.

The Classe pre processor has been a flawless unit but lacks HDMI as well the latest codecs, Audyssey XT 32 or similar room correction and 3D capabilities.

The upgrade on the Blu Ray player will probably be the new OPPO 103 at this point which seems like a no brainer.

So I need some help on defining the best options on the pre processor upgrade first and foremost. It is not in the budget to upgrade to the Classe SSP 800. From what I have read here are some affordable choices:

Integra 80.3 /Onkyo 5509
Marantz 7005 or latest with XT32
Denon 4311CI receiver
Anthem 700 series receiver

In any case will use the Nuforce amps to drive the system.Also contemplating either upgrading the amps to V3 status or moving in another direction like the 5 channel Butler amps since Sonus Faber speakers do well with tube amps.

Last upgrade will be to an 80 inch TV but not many choices at the moment.

Any help or suggestions will be appreciated.
hiflyer
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"Yes I can do what you suggest but would like to add room correction with XT32 to dial in my dual subs."

If that's the case, you may want to consider another way to go about this. I have a digital EQ that I use sometimes to make bad recordings listenable. Its a Behringer Ultracurve Pro DEQ2496. If you put something like that between your SSP and the subs, the results should be far better than using the room correction feature of a mass market receiver. (And at a much lower cost)

That will allow you to keep your current preamp. The reason I keep suggesting you keep the one you already have, is quite often people don't realize how important a preamp is to good sound (Audio & Theater). I believe that if you go with one of the options that you list above, you will still like the SSP better, even though it doesn't have the room eq.

One thing that you can to is get a receiver from a place that offers a return policy. That way there is no risk of making a bad choice. You will be able to hear them both in your system at the same and then know, for sure, what you like better.
hiflyer OP
99 posts
 
Again thanks to everyone for thethoughts. Sounds like I might keep the Classe SSP 60 and add external correction for the subs. Will look at the Velodyne SMS-1 and Behringer suggestions. Which one is easier to use for a non techie? Or other alternatives?

Never had a plasma but will also investigate this tv option.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
In order to get the SMS-1 to perform optimally, set-up is a GIANT pain in the ass. The "auto-correct" function is inexplicably crude and manual adjustment is 1000% better. Unfortunately, it's also a time consuming process of trial and error for many of the settings.

However, once it's dialed in, the SMS-1 sounds pretty damn good, although you may wish to bypass the high cut function which is both inflexible (fixed at 6db/octave, 80hz) and possibly audible thru your main speakers (YMMV on that one). I ended up using an NHT outboard crossover ahead of the SMS-1 to take that unit out of the main signal path, but some might conclude that this is overkill - hence the YMMV, above.

Been there, moved on to Audyssey.

Marty
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Sorry - my previous post should have read "bypass the low cut function". This reference was to the portion of the SMS x-over that filters the bass out of the main speakers. The SMS-1 high cut (filters out the top end of the sub's response) is enormously flexible, doesn't impact the main signal path, and is integral to the unit's performance.

Marty
zd542
5,339 posts
 
I agree with Martykl in that you are better off doing your set up manually. It may be a little more work, but the results and experience you gain will be well worth the effort. You won't be at the mercy of using "What ever they give you in the box." I've owned Velodyne subs in the past but haven't used the SMS-1. As far as the Behringer goes, what I can tell you is that it is a little intimidating, at first, but if you sit with it for about 1/2hr to 1hr, it will all start to make sense. You have to learn how to use the menu system they give you. It doesn't take long because, for all the features, it surprisingly makes good sense in how everything is laid out. Another advantage is that its not designed for 1 specific task. In all likely hood, you will many other uses for it, as well (Especially in a theater setup).

Beyond that, its up to you. But I think most would agree that it would make sense to keep your SSP since its nowhere near your weakest component; probably just the opposite.
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