2. home-theater
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Is There Greener Grass For Me?

I have owned an Onkyo TXSV515PRO for about 15 years. I have upgraded most other components in a modest AV system, but not the Onkyo. We use the AV system for audio only as it relates to TV programming and DVD play – there is no CDP involved – all music being played in a separate, dedicated 2-channel room.

Currently, the system consists of:
TV - Mitsubishi WS-65413 – 65” projection
Front Speakers – PSB Stratus Goldi’s
Rear Speakers – PSB Alpha Mini
Center Channel (own but not currently used) – PSB 9C
DVD - Zenith DVB318

Now. I am not trying to assemble a SOTA system in any way, shape, or form. However, I do not care much for the separation provided by the Onkyo, especially front to rear balance (regardless of how the speakers are positioned). Too, if something like a great performance on Soundstage or an audio DVD is used, the sound is a bit thin when cranking the volume. I’ve had these speakers in two-channel systems and they are not exactly what I’d call thin. As such, I am wondering if I could improve things much by using a different power/processor – or maybe given the level of all else I should just leave things alone.. I’d STRONGLY prefer a one-piece unit, as opposed to separates, due in part to space limitations. Don’t need a tuner which is provided in the Onkyo receiver. Appreciate suggestions in the $2K new, $1K used range. Obliged to all for their consideration – whether or not you choose to respond.
4yanx
jerrym303
54 posts
 
Don't know the TV. One often overlooked thing about HDMI is that you can up-convert material that you cannot with other formats due to copy protection. My DVD palyer will not upconvert over component, for example.

Keeping video separate is just fine, even better, as long as the remote is wife-proof :)
jspar
16 posts
 
Well 4yanx, I think your in for a great surprise-

I have the avr350 and it is absolutely amazing- very detailed and clear. I put a power conditioner in (shunyata) and it became even more clear, ultra black background, ect. Very happy with- it is far above all previous avr's from arcam.
jimmy2615
440 posts
 
4yanx,

I am not sure what your current receiver has in terms of power, but I found (a once owner of the gold-i's) that they needed a lot of power. Also, I found that even once I gave them a lot of power, they still sounded a bit thin in the mid-bass (but plenty of bass). I never liked these speakers and found them very hard to integrate with the room, like a monitor speaker with too little mid-range warmth and a dis-connected subwoofer with plenty of bass. It sounds like you want to keep them, so at a minimum I would make sure they have at least 100 if not 200 w/ch of good power. If you want to maintain the system per se but could make a small change, I would recommend the stratus silver i's for much better coherence and a decent subwoofer to fill in the bottom end.
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