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My first real hi-end audio system Please advise

Hi, this is my first post and I've just started to really get into the wonderful world of Hi-Fi audio. I'm a student at U of IL and live in a small apartment.

My father is upgrading his system and to my pleasant surprise decided to give me ALL of his audio equipments!!! I'm ridiculously excited since his equipments, although mostly 10 years old, are awesome. They include McIntosh (MC7300, C40, MCD7008, and MR7083) and a pair of 2 year old Revel M20 speakers.

The question I had was, would these gorgeous speakers sound as good in my apartment room? (about 10ft x 14ft)

I'm also thinking about selling all of the system but the speakers, and buying a Sunfire Ultimate Receiver, 3 more speakers and a subwoofer for a 5.1 system. Now, I don't have much $$$ as I'm a student, and I can't quite ask my parents for more audio equipments... I was wondering if 3 Aperion (aperionaudio.com) bookshelf speakers and a Sunfire True superjunior subwoofer would complement the Revel M20s well.

I know the sunfire receiver and the subwoofer aren't cheap for my standards, but I've done some research, and I think they'll last me a long long time and be a great entry system to the real hi-end audio world for me. As for the Aperion speakers, which I intend on using for center and surround speakers, they are only $180 each and have been receiving awesome reviews.

Has anyone tried these Aperion bookshelf speakers, sunfire ultimate receiver and the little subwoofer? Would you recommend any other system combinations for this price range? Oh, I almost forgot, can anyone also recommend a good DVD player for around $1000 or should I just connect my Apple G5 computer to the receiver? Would the computer's audio quality be a lot worse than a $1000 DVD/CD player?

Any comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm just excited and giddy that I'll be able to treat my ears to some really good sound while I'm at school!

Thank you in advance
seongoh9f94
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
Keep the gear your father is giving you, you will soon be sorry if you sell it to buy a receiver. While the Sunfire is a fine receiver, these types of products are designed for the no muss no fuss crowd.

You can always add cheap-used components to this system you will have in place for a movie every now and then. Last years model hometheater gear is always short a few bells and whistles...this keeps the used market flooded with these products.

Just my opinion

Dave
hgeifman
2,193 posts
 
The components you are receiving are excellent and your "new audio system" should sound great in your room. I agree with the person above that you should listen before you sell anything. There is no need to rush into equipment changes. You also should consider connecting your TV audio outputs to this 2-channel system and see how that sounds. If do decide to make adjustments, please listen before you make any changes. cheers..
mt10425
1,138 posts
 
Don't sell the equipment. Add to the speakers if you need to (listen to the Revels first to hear what they sound like before you try to match them) and there are many small subs that might work. If you want a great DVD player for under a grand, look at the Arcam
DV-78 (terrific video with outstanding audio). You seem preoccupied with Sunfire, but I agree with Jond about taking a step backward. Enjoy what you've been given and bask in the envy from your fellow students.
thinkat
63 posts
 
I agree with JOND. The stuff you have has a tremendous cult following, so it isn't going to depreciate any time soon. You could always sell later.
robm321
932 posts
 
I'd avoid the whole movie thing. Way too expensive to do right. Hard to place in a small room and more "techy" than anything.

If your a music guy focus on 2 channel - otherwise you'll spend the next 10 years talking about upgrades and watching nothing but action movies that sound good.

Why spend lots of money to hear every little detail of a movie soundtrack? Unless your into movies and not music....

Just my opinion.

Rob
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