[David Susilo]

Guys,

I'm itching for an upgrade. I haven't upgraded anything this year and usually I upgrade every year. It's not like I'm unhappy with any of my equipement. Just feel the want (not need) for upgrade.

My equipment list is as follows (and what I've tried to upgrade to -- but decided not to):

Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC-25 (tried SC-37, not liking it at all)

Projector: Panasonic PT-AE300U (tried 4000U, but supposedly there is no difference in lightpath seal, so the chance of dust getting in is not going to be better anyway -- so no upgrade there)

CD player: Pioneer PD-D9J (tried Emotiva CD player, not liking it, tried Cambridge Audio 640c, not likiting it)

BD player: Pioneer BDP-23 (tried multiple BD players - especially for upscaling - other than BDP-09 which I used to have, nothing I like better)

VP: Denon DVP-602CI: it's already 2 years old, but I can't seem to find anything better for anything less than $3,000 and I'm unwilling to spend that kind of money to upscale cable's 720p to 1080p

Speakers: PSB Century 300i x4, PSB Image C5 centre, PSB SubSeries 300 sub

Dedicated/separate electrical circuit for A/V from the rest of the house with battery backup, hospital grade surge protector and AC filters.

Any idea what should I upgrade?

 

[David Susilo]

You guys don't think tower speakers will be too large for my 16'x10' room? I'm thinking about getting PSB Image T6 but afraid they'll be too large.

As far as the Oppo 93, I already pre-ordered three of them to replace all of my BD players.

As far as Pioneer goes, for the past 20+ years I've been a Pioneer fan, but I'm not brand minded, if something else is better than I'll go with that. Hence I didn't use the Pioneer projector and will NEVER update my BD player with Pioneer (especially since now they are made by Sharp) and most probably won't upgrade with another Pioneer receiver since their MCACC this year is much worse than their previous year's MCACC.

In terms of HVAC, it's already separated from the rest of the house, just like the electricity in the HT.

 

[David Susilo]

no flamesuit required . I already use Ultralink Ambiance mkII cables for all-around. Yes, that's 45ft x2 for the rears and 12ft x3 for the fronts

 

[David Susilo]

I don't know what they use, I just go by my ears. Between a lamp-cord, generic 12 AWG wires and the Ultralink Ambiance mkII, I can hear the difference. So I settled with the Ultralink. I didn't pay retail either so I don't feel like I've been robbed either

 

[David Susilo]

@Stampeder, I know an Ultralink dealer whom I've been buying most of my gears from since 1992. The store owner always give me huge discounts on various brands (I usually pay regular wholesale + 5%)

@eXcessive, I actually currently love with the sound of my SC-25 even running 2-channel (maybe it's caused by my PD-D9J CD player). But I'm hearing good things about Anthem and Classe so maybe, if I can audition them (within the same store) I'll think about it.

@Almadacr, my room can be viewed here: http://acebydavidsusilo.webs.com The site is still in shambles and I haven't updated the photos, or gear list for quite a while, but it can give good-enough idea on the layout of the room, size, etc.

 

[David Susilo]

So true.

Those Century 300i I'm currently using in the entire house were from my recording-studio days. I used to use them for my final mix and I'm so very familiar with their neutrality. It's very difficult nowadays to find a store that has its own listening room.
I tried Synchrony and don't like the sound. B&W, don't like the sound. DynAudio, I actually like the sound but don't know where I can audition them (I listened to Dynaudio a long time ago in my colleague's recording studio, he exclusively use Dynaudio as his reference speakers).

But thanks for the suggestion. I think I'll start with upgrading my two fronts and match the rears too.

 

[David Susilo]

Nothing to brag about yet, it's work continually in progress.

I think I'll start with the fronts. My fronts (except for the centre) are 14+ years old. Maybe PSB Image T5 or T6 is in the cards.