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Recommendations for upgrade from 5.1 to 7.1

Being still in the state of upgrade frenzy (I am finishing up improving my main stereo rig - see other thread I started about a month ago), I like to hear your suggestions for system changes and/or improvement for my den based HT system.

Please note:
Planned changes are marked between [[brackets]].
The mix of components are to blame because of regular upgrades in my other music systems, relegating older or less suitable components to the HT system.

Source:
Video: Sony PS3 for blue ray movies and DVDs, HTPC. [[Oppo BDP 103 after uprading my current Samsung 55" LED HDTV to a 3D model]]
Music: HTPC/Logitech SB Touch [[after market power supply upgrade]], Sonic Frontiers SFT-1 as transport, Benchmark DAC1 [[Eastern Electric MiniMax Plus DAC with DEXA opamps upgrade]].

Amplification:
Krell Home Theater Standard [[7.1 processor but which one?]]
Krell KAV250a/3 + KAV250a [[selling them and get a better value/money 5 ch amp?]]

Speakers/sub:
Fronts: Duntech PCL400 (Black Knights) with Cardas binding posts (used to have Snell B Minor as fronts)
Center: 2x Snell ICS1000
[[Snell AMC800 in wall planned for 7.1]]
Surrounds: Snell AMC900 in wall
Sub: 2x Snell PS10 [[Velodyne DD-10 or one Linn Sizmik on ASC bass base]]

Power Conditioning:
Shunyata Hydra 4

Cabling:
IC: Cardas Golden Reference for L/R/C, Transparent Music Link for SR/SL
NordOst Silver Shadow for digital
Sonic Wave glass optical cable from the PS3 to Krell HTS [[any need to upgrade this cable?]]
SC: Audience AU24e for the fronts and center, Belden in wall for the rest
PC: Shunyata Python from Pconditioner to wall, the rest on a mix of Cardas Quadlink and Shunyata Venom3

Isolation: Black Diamond Racing cones/pucks under most devices [[will try Aurio, Symposium]], hockey pucks under the front speakers and subs.

Room treatment: 6" thick 48"x 24" Bass Traps on the side and back walls, thick curtain behind the system and front speakers on the long wall (best placement for the Duntechs) for a 9' x 12' basement room with hard wood floor on concrete and a relatively low ceiling of 7'. Two 8'x 5' carpets to reduce the echo. [[corner bass traps, maybe an acoustic panel on the ceiling right above the listening couch]]

What is my weakest link?

Of course YMMV but appreciate any suggestion to improve this system and/or improve the synergy between components in general and for a 7.1 processor specifically, thanks!
polyglot
internetmin
258 posts
 
To Shakedown's point, while that's true, newer titles are taking advantage of 7.1 and having a 7.1 setup in a larger room makes a significant difference over a 5.1 setup. Using additional surround modes in the major processors will allow you to use 7.1 from a 5.1 encoded environment.

In terms of processors, consider Emotiva, Marantz, Integra, NAD, and Anthem (listed in ascending price). If you want to go more than 9k for a processor, then look to audition a Classe, Theta, or SimAudio Moon. Some of the more expensive brands have not kept up well with the flurry of HDMI changes, FYI. I personally prefer the upgradability of the Anthem models and the NAD designs. At least you know that you have a stable platform for 5-10 years. My disclaimer is that I've been an Anthem pre-pro owner for years and very, very satisfied.
dtc's avatar
dtc
1,047 posts
 
Do you really have room for speakers behind you? If you think of a theater, the speakers are meant to be well behind you and provide that perspective. If they are right behind your chairs, then they will be too directional. I have back speakers in my theater, which is a long room and in my family room, which is 16 feet wide. The back speakers are great in the theater, but in the family room they are an interesting feature but far too direction to give a good effect. Think of sitting 2 feet from your front speakers. With a 9 by 12 room I have not sure you really have space for a 7.1 system. If you really want back speakers, I would suggest trying them in mono rather than is stereo. You will just be too close to the speakers for good stereo effects.
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,180 posts
 
your weakest link is your room, if you want a 7.1 setup, you need to move it to a much bigger room.
vicdamone
850 posts
 
I strongly disagree with the idea that 7.1 needs a large room. My 7.1 using Triangle Comets and a 15" Earthquake situated diagonally in the corner of a 16'x16' space gets outstanding results.

The biggest gain came from the room correction within my updated 7.1 receiver.

The LCR speakers are on a flat plane with the display. The left and right speakers are just slightly toed by approximately 3 degrees. The side speakers are mounted high on the walls aimed at the listening position. The rears are behind the couch at the rear wall aimed up at the ceiling.

Compared the previous 5.1 setup the matrixed surround is excellent.
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,180 posts
 
Vicdamone,
Please read my first post: smaller speakers will work better in your room ( OP's room 9'x12'x7'H )
16'x16' vs 9'x12'
Triangle Comets vs Duntech PCL400 Black Knights
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