CMonster
Well-Known Member
It's been awhile, and several changes have been made in both the living room and HT.
Living Room:
Home Theater:
Here's a press photo of the Focal:
Living Room:
- New speakers! Focal Sopra N°2 in a limited edition concrete finish replaced the Dynaudio C1 mkII.
- New integrated amp! Atoll SDA300 replaced the Hegel H190. I felt something was missing with the Hegel driving the Focals. Bass seemed dry and lacking, and now is much more lush and full while still being defined. Streaming capabilities are also more robust on the Atoll. I thought about going with the Naim new classic line but couldn't justify the cost.
- New acoustic panels! The wall behind the couch has a built-in metal shelving unit that previously held nine wine-related photos (three rows of three) that we commissioned from Zing. Those photos have been moved to a more prominent location in the main hallway, and I worked with GIK Acoustics to have six custom panels made to fit on the shelving unit (three rows of two). Now, instead of glass and metal behind us, we have combo diffuser/absorption panels.
- Sold! With the Focal/Atoll combo, there was no longer a need for the SVS PC-2000 Pro. I played around with it in the HT as a third subwoofer for a bit, but decided to sell. The Hegel is also gone.
Home Theater:
- New streamer! After watching way too many Youtube video reviews of streamers, I decided on the Eversolo DMP-A6 Master Edition. The main reason I went with Eversolo is because its Android-based OS supports the Apple Music app. That means no sampling manipulation from Airplay and/or the AppleTV. Does that matter? Not sure. (The Atoll included a free six month trial to Qobuz, and it was fine, but I've been in the Apple ecosystem too long to change now.)
- New projector! I went with the Epson QB1000 since my eyes can't handle the technology used by JVC laser projectors. Not going to go too deep right now but will provide more info in a future post.
- New video processor! The Epson has been paired with the new madVR Envy Core.
- Sold! Ugh, this might hurt a bit, but the Dynaudio C2s have been sold. I played around so much with their placement, but could never get them to sound like the first time I heard them at an audio store. A Dynaudio employee posted on AVS Forum that they need more room than I have to sound their best, so I knew it was time to let them go. The C1s from the living room are back in the HT so we have three of them for LCR.
- Sold! With the C2s gone, I decided the Parasound A2 stereo amplifier could go as well. The front speakers and side surrounds are all being driven by an old Outlaw Audio 7500.
- Sold! The JVC projector.
Here's a press photo of the Focal:
