2. home-theater
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review my list please

Hello everyone. I am new to the high end world of home audio/video and am looking to build a system that i will be satisfied with for a long time and hopefully get it done on the first try. Music and Movies will have equal weight so i'm hoping for the best of both worlds. It will be going in our 2 story family room 23'x18'. The back wall is half open to the kitchen and the left side (facing the tv) is open partially to front rooms and upstairs rooms. I know this isn't a great room but I'm hoping it can sound great with only modest acoustic help. I would welcome any comments and suggestions in regards to the list of components I have so far. Thank you.here is my list.
TV- Samsung 85in. Q90
Mcintosh MX123 Processor
Mcintosh 8207 AMP
Focal Kanta 2 towers
Focal Kanta center channel
Focal 300-ILWCR6 surrounds
2X REL S-510 SUBS
Panasonic DP-UB900 Reference Blue Ray Player
Sonos Port Audio streamer
Audioquest cables
ronboco
glupson
7,842 posts
 
-1 for Oppo.

Sound is good, but two samples I have had experience with freeze often. To the point that the only way to get the disc out is to unplug from the wall, plug in again, and hope it opens when you press the button. Sometimes it even works from the first try. There are more issues of similar/freezing nature with different commands/applications so I would stay away.

Again, that is based on only two particular machines (105 and 205) and their inconvenience. No complaints about the sound, though.
flrun's avatar
flrun
92 posts
 
Glupson, Strange... I have the 103 and 203 and have never had that issue, never had any issue.

Have you updated the firmware?

Ronboco - The bass is preference. I have B&W CDM7 SE front speakers and they provide all the bass I need or want for 2 channel music. I have 2 subs that only come into use during tv and movies.

Will
glupson
7,842 posts
 

flrun,


Those two Oppos are not mine, but I frequently use them and was the one who updated to the latest firmware and all that. It actually seems it has been getting worse. I always read about satisfied owners so these two may just be my magic touch. The sound and picture are just fine when they work. At least one of them I think it is 105 but am not certain at this moment, is Darby edition, if that matters for anything.

auxinput
2,920 posts
 
For general music, the Kanta 2 might be okay without a subwoofer.  I haven't had direct experience with these, but I seem to remember they are kind of light on bass (I could be wrong).

The REL subwoofers are extraordinarily clean and smooth.  If you want really good resolution, they are excellent.  If your primary purpose is music, they might be a good choice.  But they are not meaty sounding subs and if your primary purpose is home theater, I would look at a really good vented sub, like something from Rythmik.  There's a definite difference in sound between a sealed sub and a vented sub
ronboco OP
754 posts
 
Again many thanks for all of the great input! I’d like to touch upon the mx123 and get some advice. I’ve been reading that the marantz 8805 is every bit as good as the mx123 at a much cheaper price. And that they are also sisters in many ways using some of the same tech. Should I save the money and get the 8805? Is the 8805 a good pairing with the mc8207? 
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