Haha, I wish I could have stuck to $500! The Paradigm towers alone go for about $1k used, though I didn't pay quite that much.
Also I'll say I've been trading out and upgrading components from this system for a few years as I find deals for used stuff. So actually I've probably spent more considering all the equipment that's came-and-went, but also I didn't buy everything all at once so it wasn't actually a huge shock to my wallet.
Front LCR speakers: Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v.3, Paradigm Reference Studio CC-590 v.4
Surround speakers: SVS Prime Elevation
Subwoofer: SVS SB2000
Pre-amp/processor: Denon x3500h (using Dolby Atmos + Audyssey MultEQ XT32)
Amplification: Integra DTA-70.1
Power Conditioner: APC H-15 (I don't really know how much this does, but I found it used for like $60)
Streamer: Apple TV 4k, Apple Music + YouTube for music streaming.
I've been building this setup for a few years now, and am constantly tinkering with things. But I genuinely haven't felt the desire to upgrade any of these components for quite a while. I struggle with using the word 'perfect'... but the sound here is getting close for me.
It gets to reference levels at around 75% volume, and my ears just about start bleeding at about 85%, but the audio quality stays consistent through the whole range. I generally find myself around 40% volume for normal listening.
All-in, I think I paid just around $2000 for all the components here, and I'm incredibly happy with this system right now for that price. The SVS Elevation speakers and Apple TV are the only things that I bought New, everything else I found for very good deals.
Not quite as good, honestly!
This setup is in my bedroom at my parent's house. I live in an apartment in the same city, but I go back and forth somewhat often.
My apartment living room has a very solid setup too, but it's quite different for a few reasons - I don't want to annoy my apartment neighbors by being loud, I care more about the aesthetics of the equipment there, and I mostly test new equipment there now, instead of trading stuff in-and-out of this setup.
[Here's a pic of that setup](https://imgur.com/a/3SwPeUk), I play around with it a lot so there's two sets of speakers right now - my DIY Samba MT's, and some Klipsch Heresy III. Using a Denon x3400h for processing/amp. There's a Clark Synthesis bass shaker on the couch instead of using a subwoofer.
It’s called “Bestier 70 inch mid century modern tv stand” on Amazon, but it comes with 2 sliding black panels on the front. At some point I took out one of the sliding panels, and wrapped the other one in some white marble vinyl I had lying around.
Nice TV stand for the price though!
I think it made a pretty big difference, especially at higher volumes. The specs of the receiver's amps seem okay based on what the manufacturer claims, and it sounds fine in 2-channel for the most part. But I feel like trying to push 5+ channels with it... the dynamics really break down. Quieter parts of songs generally sounded fine, but I felt when there was a loud portion playing through all 7 speakers, it could get pretty muddy.
The Integra just feels effortless and transparent. There's clarity across the whole range, no matter the volume. I don't feel like I've ever heard it struggle. It really helped with my ability to pick out different instruments when multiple are playing at once.
I also think it should help the longevity of the Denon since it isn't pushing the amps hard or heating up as much. The reliability of the AVRs worries me a bit, since there's just so many parts inside to break.
Thanks! I suppose it was a rather obvious question.. I have a older Denon(4310) I am happy with driving just 2ch, but have been thinking to upgrade and/or add speakers, and wondering what's going to happen. That integra looks like a absolute beast. Hope I'll find something like that when I need one \^\^. Enjoy your setup!
I used a Denon 4308 for a while and added a separate power amp. The power amp was actually less wattage, but it sounded way better to my ears. It definitely was nice to take the load off of the complex receiver and have the power handled by a device engineered for it!
I picked up the Integra on ebay for $300 shipped, really feels like a steal at that price.
The only amp 'upgrade' that interests me would be one of the new multichannel Class D Purifi or Hypex amps, like Apollon Audio or Buckeye amps, but I think it would cost 5-15x as much as the Integra
They're incredible speakers, just amazing detail and imaging but not fatiguing at all. They make you want to sit and listen to them for hours every time.
Looks worse than it is in the pic, I had the display very dimmed which makes the backlight look terrible. But it is a budget TV from a few years ago, Hisense 50" U6G. Served me well through college!
In my living room I have a new 55" Sony A80CL, which is a great TV.
Man, you bought the dimmest OLED on the market! I owned the A80K and hated that TV. That looks like a bright room so probably not the best choice. Still, its okay for dark room viewing...
Its not that, its not bright enough to display HDR properly. I can promise you that the first time you saw HDR on it you thought "why is it so drab and dark" . IU made the same mistake with essentially the same TV so I'm not ragging on you. Can you still exchange it?
Definitely something I've been meaning to get around to. But every time I go to do it, I end up just sitting down and listening to music instead!
It was better cable-managed at one point, but I never fixed it after shifting components around.
If you paid around $500.00 for everything on the used market besides the SVS I'd consider it a budget system :) Love the Paradigms!!!!
Haha, I wish I could have stuck to $500! The Paradigm towers alone go for about $1k used, though I didn't pay quite that much. Also I'll say I've been trading out and upgrading components from this system for a few years as I find deals for used stuff. So actually I've probably spent more considering all the equipment that's came-and-went, but also I didn't buy everything all at once so it wasn't actually a huge shock to my wallet.
Front LCR speakers: Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v.3, Paradigm Reference Studio CC-590 v.4 Surround speakers: SVS Prime Elevation Subwoofer: SVS SB2000 Pre-amp/processor: Denon x3500h (using Dolby Atmos + Audyssey MultEQ XT32) Amplification: Integra DTA-70.1 Power Conditioner: APC H-15 (I don't really know how much this does, but I found it used for like $60) Streamer: Apple TV 4k, Apple Music + YouTube for music streaming. I've been building this setup for a few years now, and am constantly tinkering with things. But I genuinely haven't felt the desire to upgrade any of these components for quite a while. I struggle with using the word 'perfect'... but the sound here is getting close for me. It gets to reference levels at around 75% volume, and my ears just about start bleeding at about 85%, but the audio quality stays consistent through the whole range. I generally find myself around 40% volume for normal listening. All-in, I think I paid just around $2000 for all the components here, and I'm incredibly happy with this system right now for that price. The SVS Elevation speakers and Apple TV are the only things that I bought New, everything else I found for very good deals.
How’s your living room setup ?
Not quite as good, honestly! This setup is in my bedroom at my parent's house. I live in an apartment in the same city, but I go back and forth somewhat often. My apartment living room has a very solid setup too, but it's quite different for a few reasons - I don't want to annoy my apartment neighbors by being loud, I care more about the aesthetics of the equipment there, and I mostly test new equipment there now, instead of trading stuff in-and-out of this setup. [Here's a pic of that setup](https://imgur.com/a/3SwPeUk), I play around with it a lot so there's two sets of speakers right now - my DIY Samba MT's, and some Klipsch Heresy III. Using a Denon x3400h for processing/amp. There's a Clark Synthesis bass shaker on the couch instead of using a subwoofer.
May I ask where the TV stand in your apartment is from?
It’s called “Bestier 70 inch mid century modern tv stand” on Amazon, but it comes with 2 sliding black panels on the front. At some point I took out one of the sliding panels, and wrapped the other one in some white marble vinyl I had lying around. Nice TV stand for the price though!
Nice setup! How much difference did the Integra make on how it sounds?
I think it made a pretty big difference, especially at higher volumes. The specs of the receiver's amps seem okay based on what the manufacturer claims, and it sounds fine in 2-channel for the most part. But I feel like trying to push 5+ channels with it... the dynamics really break down. Quieter parts of songs generally sounded fine, but I felt when there was a loud portion playing through all 7 speakers, it could get pretty muddy. The Integra just feels effortless and transparent. There's clarity across the whole range, no matter the volume. I don't feel like I've ever heard it struggle. It really helped with my ability to pick out different instruments when multiple are playing at once. I also think it should help the longevity of the Denon since it isn't pushing the amps hard or heating up as much. The reliability of the AVRs worries me a bit, since there's just so many parts inside to break.
Thanks! I suppose it was a rather obvious question.. I have a older Denon(4310) I am happy with driving just 2ch, but have been thinking to upgrade and/or add speakers, and wondering what's going to happen. That integra looks like a absolute beast. Hope I'll find something like that when I need one \^\^. Enjoy your setup!
I used a Denon 4308 for a while and added a separate power amp. The power amp was actually less wattage, but it sounded way better to my ears. It definitely was nice to take the load off of the complex receiver and have the power handled by a device engineered for it!
That is interesting - thank you!
I picked up the Integra on ebay for $300 shipped, really feels like a steal at that price. The only amp 'upgrade' that interests me would be one of the new multichannel Class D Purifi or Hypex amps, like Apollon Audio or Buckeye amps, but I think it would cost 5-15x as much as the Integra
I covet your 100 v.3s If I ever see a pair used for a reasonable amount, I will totally buy them.
They're incredible speakers, just amazing detail and imaging but not fatiguing at all. They make you want to sit and listen to them for hours every time.
Agreed. I sold a number of pairs in my electronics retail days. And we extensively tested them. 😀
It’s also pushing the definition of ‘bedroom’
I took the picture sitting on the bed!
I was just kidding. Most people don’t have that much in their bedroom
You need a better TV to match your gear.
Looks worse than it is in the pic, I had the display very dimmed which makes the backlight look terrible. But it is a budget TV from a few years ago, Hisense 50" U6G. Served me well through college! In my living room I have a new 55" Sony A80CL, which is a great TV.
Man, you bought the dimmest OLED on the market! I owned the A80K and hated that TV. That looks like a bright room so probably not the best choice. Still, its okay for dark room viewing...
Lol ok, sorry my tv isn’t bright enough for you man
Its not that, its not bright enough to display HDR properly. I can promise you that the first time you saw HDR on it you thought "why is it so drab and dark" . IU made the same mistake with essentially the same TV so I'm not ragging on you. Can you still exchange it?
It must pump! Hide those wires. It will bring peace to the look.
Definitely something I've been meaning to get around to. But every time I go to do it, I end up just sitting down and listening to music instead! It was better cable-managed at one point, but I never fixed it after shifting components around.