Ok... The upgrade process has begun... I have ordered two custom made racks in solid Kauri wood. One would be dedicated to the TV and the center speaker (I'll be going with the SuperCenter X) and the second one will be for the audio bit and pieces.

Here is a picture of my current, very intimate, set up

Picture 1: Current picture


Picture 2: Old one, from the time we just moved into this house...So much has changed, but so you guys have a better understanding of the room....



and I have ordered the Triton 7, the SuperCenter X and the Aon 2... hopefully I can pick them up next week end!!!! Honestly cant wait... I feel like child on Christmas!!!



Every time I upgrade something I do spend time researching.... and base my decision on: Best Value for Money; Long term plans, and; the best I can afford at the time.

I always had my eyes on Oppo... but... at the end of the day is just another universal player. My current one (Pioneer BDP450) at a fraction of the cost, can output the same quality images and... it can do something that the Oppo cant: As my player and the receiver are both Pioneer, they have a thing called PQLS that allows the clock to be controlled by the receiver reducing jitters and use the receiver's DAC... with is almost the same as the dac in the Oppo 105 (Sabre DAC 9016 vs 9018... the only difference is a slightly lower DNR and THD)

So... I more inclined to keep my player for movies and go for a high quality dedicated CD player for music. any suggestions?

After that... Dedicated power amp (still using the LX57 as preamp)

I also thought of adding a turntable to the system... but... the price of the vinyl just puts me off!... on average $40.... I could buy 37 discs... or spend almost $1500 in a cd player instead....

and some may suggest going the streaming way... I got that partly covered... there is a HTPC hooked up in there, that I use to play FLAC files through an Asus Xonar Essence STX


.... and my audiophile trip has began....

Looks like you are WELL on your audiophile way!!!!
Cool!!!!
That system you are upgrading to should be awesome!!!! I like the way you are thinking and planning.
Happy Listening and thanks for the pics and feedback. Looking forward to more from you Mantrass when you get everything in place.
I am SURE the new speakers will make a much larger impact and improvement in your sound system than a new CD player would.
I got a good tubed CD player from Jolida and I cannot hear the difference between it and the Oppo.
So I bet you are good there.
Anyway, happy listening,
God Bless, Wayne

Welcome and thanks for the interest, and for the very original method of creating a room drawing!!

In answer to your questions:

1) Two inches above the passive in the SuperCenter will be fine, but, if used full range (no sub and no bass management) that might be an issue at very high volumes;

2) Opinions vary on the value/need for full range surround speakers, if you use SuperSats you will need to use bass management and direct bass to the mains or a sub, Aons would be fine full range.

3) I wouldn't worry about close proximity issues with surround speakers. Also, Dolby's new preference for surround would be in the L/R corners of the room, pointed towards the center of the room/listening area. I would NOT suggest pointing the side speakers directly at your listening area in a 5.1 setup.

Thanks again.

Thank you Moderator!

1) what do you think the problem would be?
I ll be running the receiver auto calibration and fiddling with it afterwards to achieve the best result possible.
Also note that the speaker will on its own dedicated wide open shelf (only boundaries will be top, bottom and the wall, about 10 inches (25cm) behind.

2) I ordered the Aon's

3) if you have a loot a the picture 2... In my particular set up (already aware that is less than ideal) would you point the surround speakers towards the coffee table? Or make them cros between the coffee table and the couch, just in front of the listenin position?

My pleasure.

1) Rattle the shelf above, make strange noises from the trapped air (port noise basically);
2) Nice!
3) Me personally, I'd point them towards the center of the room and keep them as far away from the couch (as wide apart) as possible.

Hello guys!

So as I said almost a week ago... I put the order through.... but sadly, the supplier had run out of Triton Sevens!!!!

So, here I am waiting for the shipping to arrive.... and I managed to sold my old set up... so, no 5.1 goodness...

BUT! in the meantime, I got the Aon2 at home and I have broken them in... and I'm getting to know them better.... so far... I love them!

In a stereo set up, run Full Range they are fantastic... it impressive the amount of bass they output for such a small thing. Also, they made me hear things I havent before... At first, I thought the speaker were rattling, that there was something loose. I looked at it, inspected it, but couldn't see a thing.

So I put on my good headphones and listened to the same passage... in the back, very faint... but the same noise was actually on the recording!! Simply amazing!


Now... While waiting, I've been having a look at a local auction website (I'm always there looking for bargains)

there are 2 things that caught my eye and both things that are on my "to upgrade" list....

1) Emotiva XPA-5 power amp. $700.00 (half the landed cost of a new one...)
2) Wadia 8 CD Transport. $800.00

and a very honorable mention to a Rega Planet 2000 for about $500.00

With my current setup on mind... what do you think that would make the biggest and longer lasting improvement?

Panasonic ST60, Pioneer LX57, Pioneer DBP450 / Triton Seven + SuperCenter X + Aon2

I love the looks of the Rega and reviews and comments have it on a very high place....

The Wadia transport... its and older piece of equipment and I will be used with the very same DAC... so.... how much more information can a good transport extract from a cd?

XPA-5.... probably the item I most inclined to... but, would it be overkill? Its a great bargain for the price... but my amp has more than enough power to drive the ear bleeding levels already... Also, this setup is used on everyday basis (with TV) do I really need a 5 channel class A/B power amp sucking power and driving a pair of Triton while I watch some random TV show?



...... or shall I just go to the record store and buy $500 worth of CD's and just enjoy the music?



....... man... I should have picked a cheaper hobby... like woodcarving or bird-watching...