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Audio |
Processing and Amplification
Marantz AV-560 - This is the brains of the whole deal. Sometimes
I wish it had more but I just have to remember to the times when I did not
have it. What I mean is, it can do simple video switching, automatically
detect sound mode, and remote control distribution. Features like on
screen programming are also cool but it don't use it. It produces a nice
clean, warm sound when paired with my amp. I wouldn't mind having a 6.1 or
7.1 system some day. My house is wired for it and I have the speakers but
for now this is perfect.
Marantz MM-9000 - Ah the big daddy of it's time. When I was in the
market for an amplifier there were a few choices. I could have gone with a
Parasound, Rotel, or the Sony. Please don't ask me the model numbers. I
scored this thing for about $1200 at the time and that was considered a
pretty good deal. Compared to a lot of the built-in amps in today's A/V
Receivers the MM-9000 seems a little weak. But as any audio geek will tell
you it's not all about watts. What is this some high school guy's "thumpin'
ride with 10 kazillion watts?!" No! I wanted good clean power and got it
with the MM-9000. Have never thought about upgrading my amp. That is a
good sign of it's quality.
It’s the horns - Speakers are also a very important part of the
home theater. I initally bought these Klipsch speakers based on word of
mouth. I was very new to the whole HT arena. I am glad I took the advice.
The sharp highs that come from these speakers are toned down by the warm sound
from my amp and processor. Note: the only part I have considered upgrading
is the sub. I would like to get a Sunfire or an Earthquake. But for now
this is more than enough. Here is the list my
speakers. Update 10-17-05 - I broke down and bought a MONSTER
subwoofer. Here is an example of how much bigger it is. My
Klipsch KSW10 weight about 20 lbs. My new sub weighs 100 lbs! Really sweet.
I had to rearrange my theater room to fit this baby in. Now I have
all of the processing and amplification in the unfinished section of the
basement. Have been very happy with these speakers
and rarely have a desire to upgrade. If I would get something new I would
look at the Def Tech reference series with the built-in subs. I also have
a set of bookshelf speakers that I plan to use if I get a new receiver for
the living room. We need a stereo up there anyway. We also need a plasma
TV too but that's a different story. Wires - I didn’t go nuts with the speaker wires
for this setup as I feel that is a completely over-rated area of Home
Theater. There is too much flashy marketing for me to be interested in
that sort of thing. I do have 16 gauge speaker wire from Home Depot in the
wall of my Home Theater. |
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