bigboss
Moderator
I think what we said gel is that the Arcam will be no better unless you're prepared to make some changes to your room setup and speaker placement.David@FrankHarvey said:
Yep, that's it. I need to know where my money is going? Thanks. Like for example Blu Ray players with extra sound components I don't need, so I need to know what I need here. Thanksbigboss said:
What percentage of the Arcam 850 amp do I need just for music and movies on Blu Ray? Against my Pioneer 81 for example? Thanks.David@FrankHarvey said:
bigboss
Moderator
If it's like 10 per cent or nothing, I don't need to buy a more expensive one. I am just wasting my money. What percentage of the Yamaha dsp-z11 too and the Pioneer lx90? Thanks a lot.
Gel, 2 very simple questions:
1. Are you prepared to go and hear a well set-up AV850?
2. If you like what you hear, are you prepared to make sensible changes to your room?
If the answer to either of those questions is NO, then stay with what you have.
If the answer is YES, then follow through on it, and you can then work out what to do after that (with advice from here, if necessary).
1. Are you prepared to go and hear a well set-up AV850?
2. If you like what you hear, are you prepared to make sensible changes to your room?
If the answer to either of those questions is NO, then stay with what you have.
If the answer is YES, then follow through on it, and you can then work out what to do after that (with advice from here, if necessary).
Nope, I am hoping it stays there. Just want to understand about more expensive speakers and amps, where the money goes against what I already have? Cheers BB.bigboss said:
David is my nearest dealer (I think) so possibly, I might have to catch the train though. Don't think I would make changes to my system setup I like the way I get them setup already. I think they sound great!CnoEvil said:
Looks like I should stay with what I have then. Thanks mate! What about the Yamaha dspz11 or the Pioneer Sc-lx90, does the same go for them too? Cheers.
gel said:
FWIW. Here is my advice.
David is familiar with this thread, so give him a ring (ie. don't do it on here)....and discuss setting up a dem.
Don't overthink this, or overcomplicate it with 101 possibilities....but just go and listen with an open mind.
I can almost guarantee, that after you have done that, it will greatly help your decision making process:
EITHER, you will be blown away by what you hear and can now work out how best to achieve the right sound for your needs (at a sensible budget).
OR, you will think, "what's all the fuss about, as what I have now, is as much as I need".
Until you go through this process methodically, you are stuck in a world of notions, opinions and guesswork. If you bounce randomly from one idea to the next, you will get nowhere fast.
You simply need to do this one step at a time and only move on after each step has been completed.
The first step being to contact David and talk over your needs/options. Simples.
Gel - I am setting up my temp Kef Ref cinema system now - I have a loan 2C centre speaker while the matching Kent and Foundry finish model is being manufactured.
Think I will be the first owner of one and if anyone buys one in the future you have me to thank for them manufacturing it in the first place - I will take paypal or cheques as thanks
Either way when its done and I am happy you can come and hear it and see what you think as promised. Apart from that speak to David and arrange a demo there too or another dealer like Nintronics in Welwyn just up the road to you.
What I / we have been saying is just buying boxes doesnt guarantee a sound quality benefit that matches the cost. Noone is saying they are not better products, its just how much of that benefit will you get. For me the Arcam 850 is a waste - the 550 will be more than good enough.
BUT Its best if you hear a proper setup system or 2 or more to know if yours is really as good as you think or is it hampered by its speaker / sub placement like a lot of us assume so without hearing it.
Think I will be the first owner of one and if anyone buys one in the future you have me to thank for them manufacturing it in the first place - I will take paypal or cheques as thanks
Either way when its done and I am happy you can come and hear it and see what you think as promised. Apart from that speak to David and arrange a demo there too or another dealer like Nintronics in Welwyn just up the road to you.
What I / we have been saying is just buying boxes doesnt guarantee a sound quality benefit that matches the cost. Noone is saying they are not better products, its just how much of that benefit will you get. For me the Arcam 850 is a waste - the 550 will be more than good enough.
BUT Its best if you hear a proper setup system or 2 or more to know if yours is really as good as you think or is it hampered by its speaker / sub placement like a lot of us assume so without hearing it.
ellisdj said:
Gel needs to do this to act as a bechmark/comparison...otherwise he is just floundering around in the dark (spending money).
Okay, thanks. I am just wondering with budget first though, as if I can't afford it there is no point in demoing. I seem to have specific likes and dislikes too. I am talking to Hifix over my options at the moment and Soundcrafthifi. Cheers.CnoEvil said:
What about my Pioneer Sc-lx81 amp? What's the difference between the Arcam 550 and the Pioneer? Cheers.ellisdj said:
Here's the Arcam 550 at £2200:
http://hifipig.com/new-av-amps-from-arcam/
The same price as the Pioneer 81 virtually and the same price as the Pioneer 89. Would keeping with the Pioneer 81 be best? Thanks.
http://hifipig.com/new-av-amps-from-arcam/
The same price as the Pioneer 81 virtually and the same price as the Pioneer 89. Would keeping with the Pioneer 81 be best? Thanks.
So this is backing up what you say mate, the Arcam 550 is much the same as the Arcam 850 but with a bit less power. Great, thanks!gel said:
less power different amplification - you need to hear it. Everyone has specific tastes and needs - your experience is litmited dude.
The latest arcam have Dirac which is an excellent system that is flexible and user adjustable - its a ferrari product
Pioneer MCCAC is pony by comparison its a 3 wheeler Del boy van by comparison - however the Pio does a decent job at setting up your levels and distances but thats about it from memory. Even that could be improved
I started out with B&W and thought these are the best - I dont think I would ever buy another set now I have heard loads of speakers - its all about hearing as much as you can until something grabs you and then working to get the best out of it
The latest arcam have Dirac which is an excellent system that is flexible and user adjustable - its a ferrari product
Pioneer MCCAC is pony by comparison its a 3 wheeler Del boy van by comparison - however the Pio does a decent job at setting up your levels and distances but thats about it from memory. Even that could be improved
I started out with B&W and thought these are the best - I dont think I would ever buy another set now I have heard loads of speakers - its all about hearing as much as you can until something grabs you and then working to get the best out of it
My only concern with dirac is your understanding of how it works
You will need to learn it I can only help you a tiny bit as I have no experience of how the software works
You will need to learn it I can only help you a tiny bit as I have no experience of how the software works
gel said:
You are getting ahead of yourself again.
You opened this thread talking about components that could set you back 20k....and I would hope that what ever you do, you will get nowhere near that.
As I see it, you might end up keeping what you have; or you might end up replacing some of it.....but the process has to start somewhere....and that somewhere is a demo.
Remember that your likes are based on what you have heard.....but if you have limited experience of different systems, then what you like may change, as you hear what is available.
I think that you need to draw a simple layout of your room, with measurements and take photos from different angles, which you can show to the dealers that you are getting advice from.
At this stage, just lay on the dems, with speakers like LS50s, a 2k amp and a sub that is equivalent to your own. That is a starting point, and then depending on what you think, you can take it from there.
EDIT. Soundcraft look as if they do Arcam (550 and 850) & Anthem (MRX-710) + B&W & PMC.
Hifix do Pioneer/Yamaha/Marantz/Rotel etc + Kef/PMC
This gives some interesting options.
Thanks, read it, I quoted again about which speakers you recommended with the Kef ones? You recommended (I think) a Kef reference centre and a sub?CnoEvil said:
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