Hi. My sound system is slowly falling into place, piece by piece.
It's all still very much a "beginner" system but for the time being
I have to say I'm more than pleased with it's sound. :groovy:
This is what I currently have:
Music Source: HTPC with X-Fi Elite Pro (Pci Version) *This would be the active DAC and also plays the role of receiver or pre-amp in my setup.
Amplification: Logitech Z-5500 *Now this is where things start to get a little complicated, since only the Z-5500 subwoofer and centre speaker are being used.
(I've replaced all the original Z-5500 satellites with more capable bookshelf speakers.)
Now, to accommodate its non-full range satellites, the Z-5500 was designed with a fixed (140hz) hardware crossover, but this has been
effectively "defeated" by using a non-Logitech (3rd-party) control pod.
The crossover point is now fully adjustable within the X-Fi Software when "Bass Redirection" is enabled.
Notable improvements are: Instantly faster, more accurate bass from a subwoofer generally known to be a little "sloppy" and "boomy."
The lower 80hz crossover I use instantly solves this. Also, as a high-end sound card, the X-Fi Elite's DAC's, op-amps and components are
far superior to those found in the the Z-5500 so all processing, decoding, etc. is done on the X-Fi and not the Z-5500
(which is now only being used as an amplifier in this particular setup.)
Speakers: Recently acquired a pair of B&W 685 S1's (Front L&R)
B&W DM602 S3 (Rears)
*I am looking at possibly using a B&W HTM62 for centre channel but still making use of the Logitech centre (for now.)
Additionally: I listen to more music (in 2.1) than I watch movies (5.1.)
The questions I have are:
Is there any risk in running my B&W 685's off the Z-5500 amplifier? (Bearing in mind I don't ever exceed the halfway mark on my volume knob)
Is it possible to add a better quality stereo amplifier to my current setup and wire my 685's to both amps so that they're the front mains in my 5.1
and also the 2 main speakers in my stereo setup? And would this be a safe thing to do? If so, what is the best way to wire this?
Also, which stereo amplifier would you guys recommend for someone happy to go pre-owned, and with a budget of under R3K?
Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this rather lengthy post.
:dop:
It's all still very much a "beginner" system but for the time being
I have to say I'm more than pleased with it's sound. :groovy:
This is what I currently have:
Music Source: HTPC with X-Fi Elite Pro (Pci Version) *This would be the active DAC and also plays the role of receiver or pre-amp in my setup.
Amplification: Logitech Z-5500 *Now this is where things start to get a little complicated, since only the Z-5500 subwoofer and centre speaker are being used.
(I've replaced all the original Z-5500 satellites with more capable bookshelf speakers.)
Now, to accommodate its non-full range satellites, the Z-5500 was designed with a fixed (140hz) hardware crossover, but this has been
effectively "defeated" by using a non-Logitech (3rd-party) control pod.
The crossover point is now fully adjustable within the X-Fi Software when "Bass Redirection" is enabled.
Notable improvements are: Instantly faster, more accurate bass from a subwoofer generally known to be a little "sloppy" and "boomy."
The lower 80hz crossover I use instantly solves this. Also, as a high-end sound card, the X-Fi Elite's DAC's, op-amps and components are
far superior to those found in the the Z-5500 so all processing, decoding, etc. is done on the X-Fi and not the Z-5500
(which is now only being used as an amplifier in this particular setup.)
Speakers: Recently acquired a pair of B&W 685 S1's (Front L&R)
B&W DM602 S3 (Rears)
*I am looking at possibly using a B&W HTM62 for centre channel but still making use of the Logitech centre (for now.)
Additionally: I listen to more music (in 2.1) than I watch movies (5.1.)
The questions I have are:
Is there any risk in running my B&W 685's off the Z-5500 amplifier? (Bearing in mind I don't ever exceed the halfway mark on my volume knob)
Is it possible to add a better quality stereo amplifier to my current setup and wire my 685's to both amps so that they're the front mains in my 5.1
and also the 2 main speakers in my stereo setup? And would this be a safe thing to do? If so, what is the best way to wire this?
Also, which stereo amplifier would you guys recommend for someone happy to go pre-owned, and with a budget of under R3K?
Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this rather lengthy post.
:dop:
