System edited: Added photo of my 16 foot wide 12 foot high projection screen

mitch4t May 08, 2007 13:08

System edited: Installation complete of Da-Lite Scenic Roller 16 Foot Wide Movie Screen for my home theater.

mitch4t April 23, 2007 22:32

Justin,......I'll probably get the least expensive option of the PS3. I'm buying it primarily as a Blu-Ray player, I'll use it as a gaming system somewhat also.
x
x
Tboooe.......No complaints on the Ref3. It seems to get everything right. I bought the unit here on Audiogon ...it had 60 hours on it. Sorry, but I have no references for an ARC dealer. I bought my ARC PH5 from GNP Audio in Pasadena, but I already knew what I wanted. I walked in, plunked my money down and took the unit home. I really didn't establish a relationship with anyone there. I was in and out of the store in 15 minutes. I was a pretty nice store, but it seems their focus is on home theater.

mitch4t March 12, 2007 18:02

Mitch, how do you like your ARC Ref 3??? Any complaints? I am seriously thinking of getting one. In my auditions, it came the closest to sounding like my reference, the Einstein The Tube preamp.

By the way, did you buy it from Audio Enchantment? I live in OC and am looking for a good ARC dealer.

Thanks in advance.

tboooe March 11, 2007 23:18

Mitch,

Are you getting the 60gb or 20gb version? Just curious. Also, use your Toshiba for regular DVD's. The PS3 doesn't upconvert on standard dvd's.

I don't know if it's age appropriate but Resistance Fall of Man is the best game out right now for the PS3. You might enjoy it too.

Justin

nrostov March 11, 2007 16:33

It's funny, I get asked that all the time. The sound is incredible. My carpet is super thick and I have overstuffed furniture. No problems with the sound at all. Maybe in theory it is supposed to have problems, but in the real thing, it works beautifully.

mitch4t March 09, 2007 21:41

Hey Mitch,

Nice system.

I was just wondering do you have problems with the sound in that room. I ask because it looks like there are mirrors all over the back wall. Just curious?

nrostov March 09, 2007 16:23

System edited: Just added a Da-Lite Scenic Roller 240 inch Diagonal Movie Screen. The screen is 12 ft high and 16 ft wide.

mitch4t March 07, 2007 19:40

System edited: Just added a Toshiba HD-A1 HD DVD player

mitch4t March 02, 2007 02:47

Mitch,

Thanks for the compliments on my system. I'm still wiping the drool of the keyboard after seeing your system!Great choice of equipment. I now have been motivated to save for a REF 3 preamp to replace my LS-25 MKII.I've yet to hear the REF3 and the CD7 together I'm sure they sound awesome?

Cheers

statman February 04, 2007 17:21

Mike, yes, the Genesis will be overkill for a room your size. Even though great sound is what we are pursuing, I still believe the system should look presentable also. You have outstanding components that're well organized in a gorgeos room. With four towers nearly six feet tall each, it would look cluttered in your room. They need a lot of room away from the rear and side walls to sing. They work in my space only because the room is so huge. Aesthically they work because smaller speakers are just dwarfed by the size of my room. Looking at your room and system, I'd say you're already there. Forget the Genesis.....kick back and enjoy that badass system you have.

regards......mitch

mitch4t February 04, 2007 11:19

I have been drooling over the size of your room. I have the itch to get the Genesis speakers but I think my room is just too small.
My room is 9X15X22 and from what I have read on other audiogon post with respect to the Genesis 2 or the 2.1, my room will be too small. Any thought's?
Thanks,
Mike

rugyboogie February 03, 2007 21:14

Sbr3,...I had the Audio Research CD2. Once I got the Ref3 and saw how good it was, it peaked my curiosity for the CD7. I don't play enough vinyl to justify purchasing the Reference PH7 phono pre, so, I upgraded from the PH3SE to the PH5. I am seriously looking to pull the trigger on a pair of Ref 600 MkII tube monoblocs. I've never had tube amplification before and the curiosity is killing me. I would like to try the new Ref 610-T monoblocs, but $40k for a pair of them is out of my reach right now.

So yes, the purchase of the Ref3 did influence my decisions on other AR gear.

mitch4t January 19, 2007 17:44

Mitch4t, I seem to be on the same upgrade path. I traded in my Ref2Mk2 for a Ref 3 which I just recieved this week. It really is a wonderful piece of gear. I did an in home demo of the Levinson 326s pre but for me the ref 3 was more musical. I want to audition the cd7 but my next step will be a Levinson amp. What did you audition before going with the cd7. Did the ref 3 influence your decisions on the other AR gear?

thanks in advance for your response and sharing your system.

sbr3 January 19, 2007 01:55

System edited: Just added photos of the Ref3, CD7 and PH5

mitch4t January 15, 2007 20:40

Groovster,

The Carver Silvers are a HUGE bargain for the money. They are available for $1200 to $1500 here on the 'Gon or Ebay a few times a year. 900 wpc @ 4 ohms and they will drive ANYTHTING. Put a nice preamp in front of them and be amazed. No, they are not in the same class as the Pass X-600's, but they sure as heck hold their own for the money.

The aural reflections and flutter echo mentioned by JPE are non-existent. The system truly sounds good.

Gyrodec vs CD-7.....well, they are both excellent in their own right and I never thought to compare the two. I don't get a chance to listen to vinyl as much as I'd like to. I do know that since I've gotten my record cleaning machine and when I've got a piece of well engineerd vinyl on the table...it is sonic bliss. The CD-7 is no slouch either. I have no preference for one over the other as far as the way they sound. CD's of course are much more convenient, so I tend to listen to them 98% of the time. I will devote more time to vinyl in 2007.

mitch4t December 19, 2006 09:54

Mitch4t,

Have you concluded you beta test are you trully alpha now !
You have a lot of fine components there. How do you like the Carver Silver's?, thats a lot of power for HT ! How does the new AR CD-7 compare to your Gyrodeck Front end? The VPT RCM was a smart move you must hear the difference, YES ?

I have to agree with Jpe that the mirrored wall on the long side of the room must rob your system of its full potential, as a counter point the heavy furniture and type of rug can do the same as well. Getting the advice of an acoustic engineer or better yet designer would be in your best interest.
The Room is one of the MAJOR components in your system

It would change your system dramaticly and you would profit from it

Beautiful Loft

Groovey Records

Listening to

High Fidelity-Elvis Costello and The Attractions-GET HAPPY !
Columbia PC 36347

groovey December 15, 2006 13:50

System edited: Just added Audio Research CD-7 cd player.

mitch4t November 24, 2006 17:36

System edited: Just added a VPI 16.5 Record Cleaning machine to system. Long overdue and sorely needed.

mitch4t October 25, 2006 18:01

Gunbei.....The past ArtWalk was the lowest attendance I have ever seen. There was a lot of other major goings-on near downtown LA and it took away a large chunk of the art audience. The committee that organizes it plans to re-tool and make sure they do their homework next time to make sure there are no major events going at the same time.

mitch4t October 23, 2006 23:32

Great new pics, Mitch! I haven't popped in A'Gon in awhile, glad to see your system's continued evolution. How was the Fall Art Walk?

gunbei October 23, 2006 20:26

System edited: Just added the Audio Research PH-5 tube-hybrid phono preamp

mitch4t October 17, 2006 22:19

Guido, the X.02 was a very good preamp, but for $10k retail it is overpriced and it is nowhere near the performance of the Ref3. Overall, even the Audio Research LS-10 was better than the X.02. I bought the X.02 believing that I would have better system symmetry because I have Pass amps, that was not the case. The Audio Research preamps totally eclipsed the X.02. I have sold the X.02 and the LS-10.

I may keep my Ref2 Mk2 for a second system. I have a pair of Infinity Rennaisance 90's in storage that I'd like to try with the Ref2 Mk2 in a second system.

I found out right out of the box, the Ref3 lives up to all of the accolades that have been heaped upon it by other owners and reviewers. It is a truly great preamp. I've had it for 2 months now. I now need to save some scratch for the Audio Research Reference CD player and the PH7 Reference phono preamp.

mitch4t September 24, 2006 02:08

Congrats Mitch. Could you comment on the sonic differences you have experienced between the X.02 and the Ref 3 preamps? Thanks a bunch, Guido

guidocorona September 24, 2006 00:45

System edited: Added the Audio Research Reference 3 Preamp. Killer preamp

mitch4t September 23, 2006 02:50