System #163 (Vistas, Cinema)

[aerius007]

Name: Zachary Aaron

Location: Akron OH

ML models: Vantages, Cinema, and Aerius i

Year bought: late 2006

No Mods

Associated components: Bat VK-30se, BAT VK-500, Yamaha rxv-992, Acurus 100X3, Rotel 1072 cd player, Toshiba 50", Velodyne CT-12, MIT cables and a Oneac line conditioner.

I used to be into this stuff years ago and have caught the bug again. Last time around I powred the Logans with Krell and Acurus but decided on BAT this time around with no regrets. Future upgrades will be a tubed BAT VK-5i and a plasma 50" to get the big projection out of the way. That way I can put the components in a shelf in the middle and seperate my speakers a little more. I also plan on upgrading my sub to either a Sunfire, which I had last time I did this, or maybe even a ML.

[charliemike]

Wow, those Vistas look nice.

What did you think about moving from the Aerius to the Vista at first? Was it a no-brainer?

[aerius007]

I sold the aerius speakers about 7 years ago so there was no A/B testing. I moved into a new house with new acoustics and all new (new to me) equipment. I will say I loved the aerius and have a used set that I can buy for around $700. I think I am going to buy them, use them for HT and put the Vistas with the BAT upstairs for dedicated 2 channel.

It never ends.

[Pcar928fan]

I will say I loved the aerius and have a used set that I can buy for around $700. I think I am going to buy them, use them for HT and put the Vistas with the BAT upstairs for dedicated 2 channel.

That is a GREAT DEAL! I would buy them if they were close by. I sold mine for $1000 just a month or so ago. They were in quite good shape and sounded GREAT!

[sleepysurf]

Great setup! I bet that BAT sounds awesome, but it looks like it's sitting directly on the carpet. I hope it's got something solid under it to allow better ventilation! I seriously lusted after the dual mono VK-500, but ended up going with a Belles 350A Reference, which I'm very pleased with. I hope to audition a BAT design in my setup someday.

I recently replaced my Aerius i's with Summits. The Aerius' sounded great, and aside from their (obviously) limited bass, they were superbly balanced tonality, arguably almost as good as the Summits in midrange and highs. I would expect the Vistas to have a wider sweet spot than the Aerius, and perhaps a tad more bass. If you can get a used pair again for $700, that's a helluva deal!

[ScottG]

schweeet system!... I second sleepysuft's comments about hoping the BAT is on something other than carpet... Very intersted to hear about your future decision tree about the sub... I'm leaning toward the Velodyne DD-15 myself... but Sunfire and ML are still on the table.

[Robin]

Aaron,

I've seen this wonderful system somewhere before... I'm so glad you posted your system here, now it is imortilized here in the ML Club Member Systems hall of fame... I love the new digital photos as well. Your system is marvelous that's for sure.

[twich54]

Zach, Welcome ! and may your journey be an exciting one, it sounds like your off to a good start ! also to reiterate what Sleepysurf said, give your "Bat" some better breathing room !

[aerius007]

I know, the BAT on the floor scares me too. I have a BAT VK-5i bought that should be here next week and the rotel cd player is at the dealership waiting for me to pick it up. So in a few days this system is going to be ripped apart and split into two different systems. A 2 channel system upstairs (BAT gear and Vistas, no carpet) and the HT downstairs where it is now. I am getting rid of the Sunfire Theater Grand and going back to my Yamaha theater processor. Not that I like the Yama better but I am going to buy a pair of Aerius i (with the sunfire money) for the theater, run the front 3 off of the Acurus and the rears off of the Yama, for now anyways. I will post picks when I get this done, hopefully by next weekend.

[aerius007]

Some changes have been made to the system.

I sold the 50" Toshiba and bought a 50" Phillips plasma. I am hoping to install it tomorrow. I also am taking the Vistas, BAT amp, and Sunfire pro out of the HT system. I am going back to my Yamaha 5.1 which will be powering the rears and using the Acurus to power the center and a pair of Aerius i I picked up yesterday. I will probably order an Oppo dvd in the next few days. Future upgrades will be (no time soon) a 5 channel amp and a set of logan electrostat rears.

The Vistas, BAT, rotel and Sunfire are making their upstairs for a 2 channel system in my living room. I have the Sunfire for sale and will be getting a BAT tube pre soon. I am negotiating with someone right now on one. I will post picks as soon as it is all set up.

EDIT: I just moved the BAT amp and my back feels like I was hit with a frozen sledgehammer. The price we pay...

[Kruppy]

Some changes have been made to the system.

I sold the 50" Toshiba and bought a 50" Phillips plasma. I am hoping to install it tomorrow. I also am taking the Vistas, BAT amp, and Sunfire pro out of the HT system. I am going back to my Yamaha 5.1 which will be powering the rears and using the Acurus to power the center and a pair of Aerius i I picked up yesterday. I will probably order an Oppo dvd in the next few days. Future upgrades will be (no time soon) a 5 channel amp and a set of logan electrostat rears.

The Vistas, BAT, rotel and Sunfire are making their upstairs for a 2 channel system in my living room. I have the Sunfire for sale and will be getting a BAT tube pre soon. I am negotiating with someone right now on one. I will post picks as soon as it is all set up.

EDIT: I just moved the BAT amp and my back feels like I was hit with a frozen sledgehammer. The price we pay...

Holy cow! You upgrade equipment faster than Joey.......

[aerius007]

Some new pics of the 2 channel setup, I will post the HT in a few. The Sunfire is listed on audiogon for $800, I have made a deal for a BAT VK-5i.

[aerius007]

The HT setup. I need a line conditioner and a new rack for the components and center channel. The sub is in the back of the room.

[TheBobGoat]

Cool setups - The rack does look a little funny with the center channel being wide like that on top...what are you planning on replacing it with ?

[magnoliarichj]

nice fish i ahve a sw tank my self but its more of a reef setup.