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July 9, 2013 - 5:35pm
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2.1 HT setup for small condo
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The Oppo BDP105 will do all the video and audio processing needed. I'd get the 105. You don't say anything about future expansion. If you will expand to 5.1 later then maybe an AV receiver might be used. Do some research into and consider:
Oppo BDP105 universal player http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-105/ http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-105/blu-ray-BDP-105-Review.aspx
Emotiva XSP-1 stereo preamp with bass management http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/processors/products/xsp1 http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/preamplifiers/preamplifiers-reviews/emotiva-xsp-1-balanced-stereo-preamplifier.html
Emotiva XPA-1 mono power amps (pair) http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/amplifiers/products/xpa1 http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/power-amplifiers/power-amplifiers-reviews/a-secrets-power-amplifier-review98.html OR Emotiva XPA-1L mono power amps (pair) http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/amplifiers/products/xpa-1l http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/amplifiers/emotiva-audio-xpa-1l-pre
Loudspeakers are a very individual consideration. I would try to listen to as many models in your price range as possible and choose based on your ears. Ideally, you can listen with the other components you are considering. Those which might work with your placement limitations are Totem and Vandersteen.
Rythmik F12 ot F15 subwoofer http://www.rythmikaudio.com/F12.html http://www.rythmikaudio.com/F15.html The best sounding subwoofers under $2000, maybe more.
I will suggest the follwing for consideration:
A pair of Vandersteen Model 2CE Signature speakers ($2400)
An NHT B12D subwoofer ($800)
An Arcam A38 integrated amplifier ($2400)
An OPPO BDP-105 ($1200)
I see you already got your message from the Emotiva sales department, but IMO their equipment is mediocre. I would suggest that you look elsewhere for best sound quality.
I have the Vandersteen Treo speakers and they are fabulous, but they run $6000, so that is over budget for your system.
Thank you both for the suggestions, all the subs mentioned look superb for what im going for. I noticed you both recommended Vandersteen, and Jack specifically mentions them in a small room context. In either of your personal experience is there a specific attribute to them that lends itself to small room listening (apart from speakers with similar specifications)?
I should probably mention that I'm in the middle of nowhere, around 5-7 hours hours drive from the nearest place that would have any speakers on this site. So listening is going to be hard to do, but I could make a dedicated weekend out of it I suppose!
Don't know if either of you have heard these two pieces of gear but from what I've read they look like attractive options (the amp is literally sexy as hell).
PSB Synchrony One (pushing the price barrier a bit)
HK 990 integrated amp (on sale for 2k)
Thanks,
Brian
Vandersteen speakers are simply the best-sounding for the price; period.
The Vandersteen Model 2 was first made almost 40 years ago, and it is still in production and selling well. It has undergone constant driver upgrades and incremental improvements over the years, but it is still excellent, especially for its price.
It is by far the best-selling high-end speaker in history; nothing else even comes close.
The Arcam integrated amplifiers will sound better than the HK990 IMO.
The Musical Fidelity M3i is another excellent one that is available for $1500 from Music Direct; I can recommend it highly.
You can find the list of Vandersteen dealers on their website.
The PSB Image T6 speakers are actually very very good, and under $1500.
I had them for 2 years and was very happy with them. The Synchrony One is very good, but at that price there are others i would prefer.