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I hope I made good choices with new gear. Comments?

(Subtitled: Rabbit holes can run deep)

Synergy and such. It always worries me as I don’t have time for much trial and error.

Some of this appears in a recent thread elsewhere but it was getting off topic.

This all started out by me wanting a new TV. So I bought an LG 77" C5 OLED model. Well, then I decided I might as well redo the room it’s going in so that’s almost done.

 Gee, then I figured I need a new DVD player, a 4K one. I bought a Panasonic DP-UB820-K for that. It reads like it’s a pretty good unit for picture and sound. Of course with the long cable run from the TV to the rack holding the audio gear and DVD player, I would need a 30’ or so optical HDMI cable. Also long audio cables from the TV to the rack.

  My main audio system is also in the same room the TV is in. It’s mostly equipment I bought 36 years ago, save for the CD players. The amps are getting old and nobody around here works on them. So I purchased a pair of Cambridge Audio Edge M monoblocks. I figured I would use my old Harmon Kardon Citation 25 preamp with them. It’s compatible and still works. Nah, I ordered a Parasound Halo JC 2BP preamplifier today. Hey, those new components have XLR inputs and outputs! I bought some Audioquest Red River XLR cables for that.

 No way am I going to just plug all of this stuff into wall outlets. I bought a pair of APC BR1500MS2 uninterruptible power supplies to protect against power surges and brownouts. These do not provide enough battery power to run for any length of time but we have an emergency standby generator that kicks in in less than 10 seconds so it’s not an issue. 

 With all the new gear, I need someplace comfortable to sit. I found a good set of wing chairs on sale on the ’net. Also got a nice small narrow table to put between them to hold remotes and a drink. My new gear also needs a nice place to sit so I also purchased a Salamander Designs rack for it. 

 New and much longer SP6 speaker cables are currently on the burn-in machine at Morrow Audio. 

 All of this started with wanting a new TV and it just kept going, LOL! Oh well. Did I miss anything? Did I get anything that’s not going to work well together?  I did as much research as I could and it was quite a bit. Ya never know though.

Any and all input is greatly appreciated! Thank you all.

toddsyr
evanpress
50 posts
 

congrats on all your new toys.  Enjoy!  A few things I have learned:

Live with what you have.  Listen carefully.  Make one change at a time and listen.  That change might be a new piece of gear, a new rug, a new cable, or moving the speakers.  

 

It's the room.  A good rug can improve the sound of a room with a beautiful oak floor more than any new amp, preamp or whatever.  Goes for wall hangings that absorb or diffuse sound.

The real test for me, when I knew I had made real progress, is that at night I have a hard time turning it off and going to bed.  Luckily, I am retired and am not on a tight schedule.  

78sman
46 posts
 

I can't comment on the video choices so I will focus on the audio.  Parasound and Cambridge offer good value that bridges the gap between mid-fi and high-end.  I have tubed equipment (Primaluna, Zesto, and Pathos) in my two systems because I prefer tubed sound.  JBL speakers are good rock and roll speakers, and they probably work well for movies too.  I have Sonus Faber and B & W speakers in my systems, and they are refined speakers that work well with jazz, acoustic blues, and classical.  The cables that you chose probably work well with your system.  Kimber cables would also work well with your system.  If you ever want cables that are ore open, then consider Nordost at level Heimdall or higher.

I think that your system is a big improvement over your previous system, and you will get a lot of enjoyment out of it.  I used to have Paradigm and Cambridge electronics in my system, and I enjoyed my time with them before I moved on to other things.

 

wsrrsw's avatar
wsrrsw
1,475 posts
 

@toddsyr Maybe pulg your audio gear into a power conditioner. See below. 

The APC BR1500MS2 uninterruptible power supplies to protect against power surges and brownouts makes me think a whole house protector would the best things for brownout, surges and poor electrical supply. And clean that poor electricity with a power conditioner. 

bassbuyer's avatar
bassbuyer
884 posts
 

Thanks for sharing your most recent equipment journey.  I’ve been there many times.  Looks like you’ve covered all the bases.  As noted what matters is how your system looks and sounds to you.  If you’re happy you’re all set.  Enjoy! 

thecarpathian's avatar
thecarpathian
6,094 posts
 

No matter what protection you decide on, if you're home during an impending thunderstorm, or leaving the house before a chance of thunderstorms, unplug everything. It's the only way to ensure gear safety 100%.

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