I've just gotten into audio since June 08. My audio comes from my AppleTV (connected to my Mac running iTunes with 320 kbps aac) A Denon turntable (stock cartridge), a Playstation 3 (blurays), and soon to be SACD player. I use 14 and 16 gauge wire (sadly) and HDMI for everything except the TT of course.
In the last four months I've started reading everything and in the last two months I've been checking AudiogoN several times a week. I started with:
Pioneer VSX-817s, Polk R50s and my computer attached.
Not soon after I added the Denon DP-300F turntable as well as a pair of Polk RTi6s. At this point the R50 went in the back with the RTi6s in front. Next came a PS3 and an AppleTV. From here I was able to separate my stereo from my computer directly. I then added the CSi5.
As of November 08 I had sold my R50s and my VSX-817, added RTi8s and the Marantz SR5003. I moved the RTi6s in back. I also shortly (2 weeks) had a Audiosource AMP300. This went away fast. I'm running generic speaker wires of mixed gauges (14 and 16 gauge).
By the 1 year mark I plan to have a Emotiva XPA-5 with a HSU Research subwoofer (or SVS cylinder) and new wiring. Also I will have a SACD player by January.
Beyond the 1 year mark I see rejection of multichannel audio and the birth of my real first two channel system.
Newest speaker addition. 300 dollars for a pair from Fry's. In my mind a killer deal
Polk Audio RTi6
My first RTis and also the first pair of speakers I could get real enjoyment from!
Polk Audio CSi5
Center chan, I was told the CSi5 runs circles over the CSi3, cant say for sure since I havent heard the 3 but I do enjoy this center channel. Unfortunately I have it quite a bit high up. Maybe I'll build a shelf below the TV for it.
Sony Playstation 3
You know it.
Marantz SR5003
This thing smokes my old receiver. I still have yet to properly amplify. It takes 8 seconds to switch digital sources and I get blue screen in that time. Annoying? Yes. Impatient? Yes.
If you're thinking about going retro with 2-channel you're making a smart move. The experts are saying that the stereo format will be around for quite some time (at least 20+ years) so you shouldn't worry about throwing your $$ away.
If properly setup, stereo can produce creepily good results. The trick, of course, is properly setting it all up; especially the speaker-to-room interface. The best thing you can do is to start to train your ears by experimenting with the speaker-to-room interfacing.
Try listening for the different types of character you can create by moving your floorstanders side-to-side, front-to-back, toe in/out, canted up/down. I'm not familiar with your particular model of floorstanders but you will start to notice very distinct changes with each position as well as musical details obscured by phase irregularities from the x-overs, ceiling/floor reflections, etc.. If you're in an experimenting mood I can give you some more pointers & methodology. Let me know & happy listening!
