New to AV NIRVANA!

cgramer

New Member
Thread Starter
Joined
May 3, 2018
Posts
13
Location
Washington, DC
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Pioneer SX-680 (to be replaced by Yamaha R-N803)
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Sony PlayStation 3
Streaming Subscriptions
Google Chromecast, dbx 110 Subharmonic Synthesizer
Front Speakers
Yamaha NS-A2835 towers (to be replaced by TBD)
Subwoofers
N/A (plan to buy 2 Hsu VTF-1 MK3s or SVS SB-1000s)
Video Display Device
Vizio E55-C2
Hi, all!

My name's Chris, I live near Washington, DC, and work in graphic design/desktop publishing. I've got an ancient two-channel system that I'm planning to completely update over the next couple of years, so I'll be looking for opinions/advice on speakers, subs, and universal players. I'm active on other forums as well, including AVSForums, the Emotiva Lounge, Head-Fi, and the forums on Chane Music and Cinema's website.

My current receiver, a Pioneer SX-680 which my dad bought new in about 1979, is still going strong, but it obviously isn't as powerful as I'd like and doesn't have the modern connectivity we need these days. I want to stay with a two-channel setup, so my plan is to replace it with the Yamaha R-N803 or possibly the new Outlaw Audio RR2160 "Retro Receiver."

As for speakers, the foam surrounds on my long-serving (since about 1994) Yamaha NS-A2835 towers have crumbled to dust, so they'll probably be the first thing to be replaced in my system. I'm looking at the upcoming Chane A5.4 towers and the new Q Acoustics 3050i towers right now, and I'm curious as to what Chane's new L7 towers will sound like, but other suggestions are welcome!

For subs, I plan on two smaller (10" or possibly 12") sealed (or pluggable) subs since my system will be geared mostly toward music. My current top candidates are the Hsu VTF-1 MK3 and the SVS SB-1000. I had been eyeing a pair of SVS SB12-NSDs, but they appear to be sold out now. Like with the speakers, other sub suggestions are welcome.

I'm originally from Chicago (go Bears!), can speak German, and have a wonderful 2-year-old daughter and a son on the way any day now.

Glad to be here!

—Chris
 
Last edited:

Mark C Flick

Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2017
Posts
417
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Denon 3805
Main Amp
Acurus A250
Additional Amp
Acurus 200X3
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Sony PS3
Streaming Subscriptions
Netflix & Amazon Prime
Front Speakers
RBH Signature Classic 1266-SE
Center Channel Speaker
RBH Signature Classic 661-SE
Surround Speakers
RBH Signature Classic 66-SE
Subwoofers
RBH Signature Classic 1212-SE
Other Speakers
Kenwood CT-406
Video Display Device
LG OLED55B9PUA
Other Equipment
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Hello Chris, welcome aboard!
 

cgramer

New Member
Thread Starter
Joined
May 3, 2018
Posts
13
Location
Washington, DC
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Pioneer SX-680 (to be replaced by Yamaha R-N803)
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Sony PlayStation 3
Streaming Subscriptions
Google Chromecast, dbx 110 Subharmonic Synthesizer
Front Speakers
Yamaha NS-A2835 towers (to be replaced by TBD)
Subwoofers
N/A (plan to buy 2 Hsu VTF-1 MK3s or SVS SB-1000s)
Video Display Device
Vizio E55-C2
Quick question... Are the forums here available via Tapatalk? Can't find you in a search. Thanks!
 

Tony V.

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2017
Posts
1,066
Location
Edmonton, AB, Canada
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Onkyo TX RZ920
Main Amp
Samson Servo 600
Additional Amp
QSC MX1500
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Panasonic 220
Streaming Subscriptions
Denon DT 625 CD/Tape unit, Nintendo WiiU, and more
Front Speakers
EV Sentry 500
Center Channel Speaker
EV Sentry 500
Surround Speakers
Mission 762
Surround Back Speakers
Mission 762
Subwoofers
SVS PB13u
Video Display Device
Panasonic AE 8000
Remote Control
Logitech 1100
Hey Chris, Welcome aboard :wave:

I believe Tapatalk is available. Never used it though
 

Matthew J Poes

AV Addict
Joined
Oct 18, 2017
Posts
1,903
Hi Chris, sorry this forum doesn't work with Tapatalk. When I first came on board I asked the same question. It would require a different forum software and further, it appears that Tapatalk tracks your postings and collects information on its users.

Welcome aboard, I think you have some great ideas and great questions.

I do have some suggestions, but...before delving into them, I suggest starting a new thread dedicated to your questions. It helps keep the welcomes separate from the advice.
 

Sonnie Parker

Senior Admin
Staff member
Joined
Apr 2, 2017
Posts
5,784
Location
Alabama
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StormAudio ISP Elite 24 MK3 Processor
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McIntosh MC1.25KW Monoblock Amps
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StormAudio PA 16 MK3
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ROON Nucleus One
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Lifetime Roon Subscription
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Zero Surge 8R15W-1
Zero Surge 2R20W
Front Speakers
RTJ 410
Front Wide Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT
Center Channel Speaker
MartinLogan Focus C-18
Surround Speakers
JTR Neosis 210RT
Surround Back Speakers
JTR Neosis 210RT
Front Height Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT-SL
Middle Height Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT-SL
Rear Height Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT-SL
Subwoofers
JTR Captivators - 4000ULF-TL x2 + 2400 x6
Video Display Device
Sony 98X90L
Remote Control
AVA Cinema
Cables
AudioQuest - Various
THX PixelGen HDMI
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Dish Joey 4K
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Omada ER8411 10G Router
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SilentPower LAN iPurifier Pro (for Nucleus One)
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Salamander Synergy Equipment Stand
VTI Amp Stands for the Monoblocks
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HIFIMAN HE1000se
Unique Melody Mest MKII
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RME ADI-2 DAC FS
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Home-150 Speaker x6
Samsung S9 Tablet w/ HEOS
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Onkyo TX-SR805 Receiver
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Shield TV Pro
Sony 55" TV
Secondary/Additional Room System
Vinyl Room
Accuphase E-280 Integrated Amp
Technics SL-1210GR2 Turntable
Ortofon 2M Blue Cartridge
KLH Model Three Speakers
Zero Surge 8R15W-1
Welcome to AV NIRVANA ... you are up there in Todd's neck of the country.

The forum is designed as "responsive"... which means it works on any source and resizes itself accordingly, so you there is no reason to need Tapatalk, which as Matt states, does things in the background that you might not desire. If you open our site on a small tablet or phone... it resizes accordingly to match your resolution... very neat and functional. :T
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Asere

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2017
Posts
1,529
Location
Texas
More  
Main Amp
Denon AVR X4200W
Additional Amp
Parasound HCA 1500A
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Oppo 103D
Streaming Subscriptions
Panamax M5300 PM, Monster HTS 3600
Front Speakers
SVS Prime Towers
Center Channel Speaker
SVS Prime
Surround Speakers
SVS Prime Satellites
Front Height Speakers
Proficient
Rear Height Speakers
Proficient
Subwoofers
Dual Kreisel DXD 12012, PSA S3000i
Screen
60"
Video Display Device
Samsung PNF8500
Remote Control
Harmony Ultra

mechman

Senior Admin
Staff member
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Posts
2,131
Location
Empire, MN
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Pioneer VSX-832
Streaming Subscriptions
HBO Max, YouTubeTV, Hulu, Netflix, Disney+
Front Speakers
Definitive Technology Studio Monitor 55s
Center Channel Speaker
Definitive Technology CS8040
Surround Back Speakers
Definitive Technology DI6.5R
Other Speakers
Apple TV 4K
Video Display Device
LG OLED65C7P
Remote Control
Logitech Harmony 650
Welcome to Nirvana Chris! :T
 

cgramer

New Member
Thread Starter
Joined
May 3, 2018
Posts
13
Location
Washington, DC
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Pioneer SX-680 (to be replaced by Yamaha R-N803)
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Sony PlayStation 3
Streaming Subscriptions
Google Chromecast, dbx 110 Subharmonic Synthesizer
Front Speakers
Yamaha NS-A2835 towers (to be replaced by TBD)
Subwoofers
N/A (plan to buy 2 Hsu VTF-1 MK3s or SVS SB-1000s)
Video Display Device
Vizio E55-C2
My budget is somewhat limited and my timeframe is pretty far out, so it'll depend on when the Chane L-series comes out and what price range they're in. And if I've found something I like before then, I doubt I'd order anything else just to compare.

Thanks for the warm welcome, everybody!

—Chris
 

tesseract

Senior Admin
Joined
Nov 12, 2016
Posts
1,266
Location
Lincoln, NE
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Emotiva XMC-1
Main Amp
Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2
Additional Amp
Emotiva XPA-3 Gen 2
Other Amp
Dayton SA1000
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Sony BDP S590 & Pioneer DV-610AV
Streaming Subscriptions
h/k TC35C/Ortofon Super OM10/Pro-Ject Phono Box S
Front Speakers
JTR NOESIS 210 RT - L/R mains
Center Channel Speaker
Chase SHO-10 - Center
Surround Speakers
Chase PRO-10 - Surrounds
Subwoofers
Chase VS-18.1 x 2 - Subwoofers
Video Display Device
Vizio E550VL
Welcome, Chris!

Yes, the forum is smartphone/tablet/comupter friendly, no Tapatalk needed, and I am glad for that.

Chane owner here as well, love the five A2rx-c I have.
 

Todd Anderson

Editor / Senior Admin
Staff member
Joined
Jan 20, 2017
Posts
9,813
Location
Balt/Wash Metro
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
StormAudio ISP.24 MK2
Main Amp
Emotiva XPA-5
Additional Amp
Emotiva XPA Gen3 2.8 multichannel amp
Other Amp
Denon X8500H
DAC
THX ONYX
Computer Audio
AudioEngine A2+
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Kaleidescape TERRA, OPPO UDP-203, Panasonic UB9000
Streaming Equipment
iFi Audio Zen Blue
Streaming Subscriptions
Spotify
Front Speakers
GoldenEar Technology Triton One.R
Center Channel Speaker
GoldenEar Technology SuperCenter Reference
Surround Speakers
GoldenEar Invisa MPX
Surround Back Speakers
GoldenEar Invisa MPX
Front Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Front, Top Mid-Front)
Rear Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Middle, Top Rear)
Subwoofers
Quad Array SVS SB16s
Other Speakers
Behringer 1124p; Aura Bass Shaker Pros; SuperSub X
Screen
Seymour Screen Excellence, Enlightor NEO AT Screen
Video Display Device
JVC NZ8
Other Equipment
Sony 65-inch A95L OLED, Sony 65-inch X900F, ZeroSurge 8R15W x 2, ZeroSurge 2R15W x 2
Welcome, Chris! Good to have another DC-area member on board! :T
 

cgramer

New Member
Thread Starter
Joined
May 3, 2018
Posts
13
Location
Washington, DC
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Pioneer SX-680 (to be replaced by Yamaha R-N803)
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Sony PlayStation 3
Streaming Subscriptions
Google Chromecast, dbx 110 Subharmonic Synthesizer
Front Speakers
Yamaha NS-A2835 towers (to be replaced by TBD)
Subwoofers
N/A (plan to buy 2 Hsu VTF-1 MK3s or SVS SB-1000s)
Video Display Device
Vizio E55-C2
Welcome, Chris!

Thanks, tesseract! I lived in Lincoln for a while and went to UNL for grad school (~1999-2004). Go Huskers! :-)

—Chris
 

cgramer

New Member
Thread Starter
Joined
May 3, 2018
Posts
13
Location
Washington, DC
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Pioneer SX-680 (to be replaced by Yamaha R-N803)
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Sony PlayStation 3
Streaming Subscriptions
Google Chromecast, dbx 110 Subharmonic Synthesizer
Front Speakers
Yamaha NS-A2835 towers (to be replaced by TBD)
Subwoofers
N/A (plan to buy 2 Hsu VTF-1 MK3s or SVS SB-1000s)
Video Display Device
Vizio E55-C2
Welcome, Chris! Good to have another DC-area member on board! :T
Thanks! I live in upper Montgomery County (Gaithersburg). How about you? Also, what's the best audio gear store to go to around here? I've been wanting to check out Gramophone, but so far in my speaker search I've only gone to Magnolia (at Best Buy) to hear some B&W and PSB towers.

—Chris
 
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