System #342 (Vantage, Montage, Grotto-i)

[MIQURA786]

System #342 (Theos, Stage, Montage, Descent-i)

View attachment 20011View attachment 20010View attachment 15619View attachment 15617View attachment 15620View attachment 15621View attachment 15620View attachment 15621View attachment 15619View attachment 156171. Member Name: MIQURA
2. Location: New England
3. ML Models: Theos, Motif-X, Montage, Descent-i, Motion 2, FX2, Helos12 (2 pairs for Atmos)

4. Year Purchased: 2017

5. Associated electronics:

Processor: Marantz AV8805

Power Amp: Marantz MM8077, Marantz MM7055

DAC:
1) Using Oppo UDP-205 as a DAC by streaming high resolution music files from my media server.
2) AudioQuest DragonFly Black

Source:

Blu-ray Player: Oppo UDP-205
DVD/DVD-A/SACD Player: Oppo UDP-205
Music Streamer: Sonos Connect
Vinyl: Project Debut II

Display: Sony 65” A1E

Power Conditioner/Surge Protection: Panamax M5300-PM

Here's a link to more photos:

My Martin Logan Theater

 

[twich54]

Welcome to the group !

 

[MIQURA786]

Thanks. I have been visiting this site for the past 6 months or so, but finally decided to register and post my system so that I could get some feedback on how to improve this setup.

 

[churchill]

Nice looking room

 

[MIQURA786]

How do you guys clean your speakers. I have been vacumming the panels. Is that the best way?

 

[tsmooth]

Yup, just unplug them for a day and let them drain down. I heard about once a month or so depending on your room conditions.

 

[MIQURA786]

Hi - I just added some commentary around how this system came about. Also updated the post with new pictures and would love to get some feedback on how I could improve the sound more. I am looking into sound absorbers to place behind the Vantages. I was told to get Mini-trap HF version from RealTraps. :music:

 

[MIQURA786]

Update

I have upgraded to an Onkyo TX-NR5007 from the Onkyo 3007 and will be updating the pictures soon. The 5007 is definitely more dynamic on movies than the 3007. Musically, the difference is more subtle. More to come.

I also added a Sonos ZP90 and Controller CR100. Probably the best audio related purchase I have ever made!!!! This thing is awesome!!!!

I also went back to my Pioneer PDP-5071HD. Ended up returning the Sony. I don't like LCD's.

 

[MIQURA786]

Update - Added Motif and Depth-i

Hi - Just added the Motif and Depth-i. Updated pictures above. Thanks.

 

[omntch]

Sweet looking system.

 

[Bernard]

and post my system so that I could get some feedback on how to improve this setup.

A longer view of the speaker setup would be useful, i.e. where are the speakers relative to the corners of the room ? And how much space is there between the speakers and the wall?

 

[MIQURA786]

Bernard - I will measure and confirm the exact dimensions later this evening when I am home. Going from memory, the front wall is 21 feet long. The left and right speakers are 6 feet apart and I am exactly 8.5 feet from both the speakers. The front speakers are 28 to 30 inches from the front wall (need to confirm this). I used to torch light technique to determine toe-in. The right speaker is almost 4 feet away from the right wall (need to confrim). The left speaker is about 11 feet from left wall. The left surround is maybe 1 foot from the back wall and 4 feet away from the listening position, and the problem child (right speaker is squished) and 6 feet away from the listening position. Thank you.

 

[MIQURA786]

The front speakers are 28" from the front wall. The right speaker is 42" from the right wall and the left speaker is 110" from the right wall.

 

[MIQURA786]

Updated Pics to reflect changes.

I have made some changes to the setup. The Motif is now mounted on the wall. I have also replaced the Pioneer BDP-51Fd with the Sony BDP-1000ES. The Pioneer Plasma has been replaced with the Sony 55" HX800 (3D TV). The pics have been updated to reflect the changes. Thanks. :music:

 

[MIQURA786]

System update

System Update - Added a media server to the setup. Pictures upcoming! The Media Server allows me to play high resolution music downloads in their native resolution up to 24/192khz. It is a DYI with hand picked top of the line components. Outputs include USB 3.0, HDMI, Digital COAX, and Analog (7.1). Doubles up as a NAS (Network Attached Storage) for the SONOS System. I do not need to have my PC running all the time anymore. The server is extremely quite.

 

[MIQURA786]

Emotiva XPA2

I received the Emotiva XPA-2 on Friday. The XPA-2 is powering the Vantages and my receiver (Pioneer VSX-33) is powering the Motif and the Montage (rear). The biggest thing I have noticed so far is the sheer power of the amp in stereo mode. There is simply a lot more there in the midrange, the highs are smoother, and the bass is more powerful. I can only imagine how good the speakers would sound with a Pass Labs or Audio Research amp. I will be posting update pics soon.

 

[Jimna]

Glad to hear you like it, I like mine too. I took the 2 trim rails off and it made it look better IMO. Looking forward to the photos.

 

[MIQURA786]

Emotiva XPA-2 update

Updated pics of the Emotiva XPA-2. Also, added pics of the Media Server. The server plays bit-perfect audio at sample rates 44.1, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 through Foobar2000-->ASIO4all v2-->Xonar Essence STX sound card.

 

[MIQURA786]

Hi Everyone,
I am really excited about some of the recent changes that I have made to my system. I have added the Emotiva XDA-1 DAC and replaced the VSX-33 with the Pioneer Elite SC-37 for HT duties. I am not sure on how to best use the DAC yet. I experimented with connecting the DAC directly into the Emotiva XPA-2 and did notice overall improvement in the sound. The quiter passages in music were really quite with improvement in the bass and highs.

The other thing I am struggling with is which DACs to use, the SC-37 (has 32/192 DACs from Burr Brown) or the Emotiva XDA-1.

Thoughts and ideas are welcome!

Thank you.

 

[JordanD]

Miqura,

How do you like the XDA-1? I realize you said you aren't really sure how to best use it yet, but how is the sound? One of my co-workers just ordered one and is a bit nervous about how it will perform. He is running all Emo gear into a pair of Vienna Mozarts if that helps. He was between the DacMagic and the XDA-1, but chose XDA-1 of course.

I am also in the same boat as you, I am using the Marantz SR7005 and I am not sure if I should even get another DAC, so I am also curious.