Owner Impressions, Delivery Times and Things to Do While You Wait

vintagebob · « **on:** 27 May 2009, 07:06 pm »

This is a list of owner delivery times and listening impressions as well as a discussion about what folks are doing to get ready for their new Salk speakers.

-vintagebob

Delivered!

Earthbound (Ordered April 23rd, delivered July 20th) HT2-TL http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=70152.0
bahorn1 (Ordered April 5th, delivered July 23rd) HT3 http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=68360.msg658174#msg658174
bryede (Ordered June 1st, delivered July 23rd) STs with SongCenter
mchuckp (Ordered June 9th, delivered Aug 3rd) ST RT http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=70513.0
mathgeek97 (Ordered June 9th, delivered Aug 25th) HT2-TLs http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=68753.msg662794#msg662794
jazzcat1 (Ordered July 21, delivered Sep 18th) HT2-TLs http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=70044.msg672251#msg672251
saveferris (Ordered July 5th, delivered September 24th) HT1s http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=71976.0
Advent75 (Ordered June 15th, delivered October 1st) V3's + HT Cntr w/Fr Ports & expanded cabinet
ardee (Ordered Feb 5th, delivered October 2nd) HT3s, HTs and a special HTC http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=72060.0
vintagebob (Ordered July 7, delivered October 14th) HT2-TL, HT-2 Center & HT-1s http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=68360.msg680768#msg680768
xls7 (Ordered Aug 26th, delivered October 15th) STs, Center & Surround Is
floresjc (Ordered June 27th, delivered Nov 2nd) Two pair ST (dome) and Song Center, Song Sub, HT-2TLs http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=73474.0
Sedah (Ordered July 6, delivered Nov 4th) STs, Center & Surround Is, SongSub http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=73001.msg690542#msg690542
nhotumlum (Ordered July 21st, delivered Nov 11th) HT3s, HT3-Center
stc4life (Ordered June 9th, delivered Nov 19th) ST RT
metier (Ordered Sep 17th, delivered Nov 20th) STs and Center
Jon65 (Ordered Oct 7th, delivered Dec 4th) STs, Center and Sub http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=68360.msg702656#msg702656
newzooreview (Ordered Oct 12th, delivered Dec 10th) HT1-TLs http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=75042.0
cgarrett (Ordered Oct 21st, delivered Dec 14th) HT1-TLs http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=75237.0
coke (Ordered Oct 27th, delivered Dec 19th) HT2-TLs http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=75377.0
WntrMute2 (Ordered Oct 29th, delivered Dec 24th) HT2-TLs http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=75541.0
Caustic Casey (Ordered Nov 13th, delivered Jan 6th) SongTowers
irishluck73 (Ordered Nov 29th, delivered Jan 18th) STs, Center and Surrounds http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=76222.msg723485#msg723485
Kinger (Ordered Jan 12th, delivered Jan 25th) ST RTs http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=68360.msg724891#msg724891
luckyrolls (Ordered Jan?, delivered Jan 29th) STs
stew (Ordered Jan?, delivered Feb 10th) HT1-TLs
darwin (Ordered Jan 25th, delivered Mar 5th) Surround IIs RT (x4), SongCenter RT and Song Sub (x2)
divisionbell77 (Ordered Jan 5th, delivered Mar 8th) STs, Center and Surrounds
ctouhey (Ordered Oct 20th, delivered Mar 12th) HT3, HT-Center
Bigload (Ordered Feb 6th, delivered Mar 25th) STs http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=79357.0
GhostintheToast (Ordered Mar 5th, delivered Mar 27th) HT2-TLs and Rhythmik F15
polarbare (Ordered Feb 3rd, delivered Apr 6th) HT2-TLs, HTC, STs and Rhythmik F15 (x2) http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=79800.0
HAITIMAN (Ordered Mar 26th, delivered May 3rd) STs http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=81454.msg781844#msg781844
sirbrine (Ordered Feb 9th, delivered Jun 24th) ST DTs http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=82777.0
purplesaber (Ordered Mar 7th, delivered June 6th?) SongBirds http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=82124.msg789581#msg789581
billmcc (Ordered Jun 7th, delivered July 21st) STs and Center http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=83680.msg810571#msg810571
fsimms (Ordered Mar 27th, delivered Sep 17th) Soundscape 10 http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=86244.0
ccotenj (Ordered Apr 27th, delivered Jul 27th) HT2-TLs and Center http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=83803.msg810484#msg810484
jrg4785 (Ordered Apr 11th, delivered Oct 25th) Soundscape 10 http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=86401.msg853836#msg853836
sarge_in (Ordered Aug 1st, delivered Oct 27th) ST DTs, Center and Sub http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=87383.msg854569#msg854569
jw87c (Ordered Sep 4th, delivered Nov 4th) HT2-TLs http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=87867.0
ratso (Ordered Sep 10th, delivered Nov 20th) HT2-TLs http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=88392.0
prvngrnd (Ordered Nov 17, delivered Nov 22nd) STs http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=88506.0
highfilter (Ordered May 24th, delivered Nov 27th) Soundscape 10 http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=88463.0
catastrofe (Ordered May 25th, delivered Dec 29th) Soundscape 10 http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=89486.msg883684#msg883684
chrisw (Ordered Nov 1st, delivered Jan 25th) HT2-TLs, Rythmik Sub http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=90445.msg897113#msg897113
Saturn94 (Ordered Dec 14th, delivered Feb 15th) HT2-TLs http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=92814.0
jonpol (Ordered Mar 2nd, delivered Apr 25th) ST-RTs, SongCenter RT, SongBirds, SongSub
dlbeck (Ordered Apr 1st, picked-up May 09th ) HT2-TL, HT2-C http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=68360.msg942291#msg942291
vermont99 (Ordered Feb 26, delivered Jul 23rd) HT3, HTC RAAL http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=96828.msg968972#msg968972
sarge_in (Ordered Jun 5th, delivered Aug 4th) HT2-TLs, HT2-C http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=97380.msg975913#msg975913
jboiler76 (Ordered Jun 5th. delivered Aug 5th) ST RAAL, Center http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=97419.msg976526#msg976526
Brucemck (Ordered ?, delivered Aug 8th) Soundscape 12 http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=97333.msg975221#msg975221
advanced101 (Ordered Jun 23, delivered Oct 7th) HT2-TL http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=99356.0
Richard in Idaho (Ordered Aug 15, delivered Nov 4th) Songbirds http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=100195.msg1010439#msg1010439
Gzerro (Ordered Sep 28th, delivered Nov 9th) ST RAAL, Center, Songbirds http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=100368.msg1012458#msg1012458
vintagebob (Ordered Jun 29, Delivered Dec 9th) SoundScape 10 http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=101377.0
qwknuf6 (Ordered May 6th, delivered Jul 18th) http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=96262.msg967107#msg967107
abongiov (Ordered Feb 1st, delivered Feb 27th) STs http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=104040.msg1058263#msg1058263
Austin08 (Ordered Jan 9th, delivered Mar 14th) Soundscape 8 http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=104583.0
PSB Guy (Ordered Feb 21st, delivered Mar 27th) Songbirds http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=103910.msg1070531#msg1070531
Big Red Machine (Ordered Jan, delivered Mar 31st) Soundscape 8
grantc79 (Ordered Feb 6th. delivered May 8th) HT3, HTC, Sub
DBeistel (Ordered Mar 3rd, delivered May 17th) HT2-TLs and HTC http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=104155.msg1090794#msg1090794
repete66211(Ordered Mar 12th, delivered May 23rd) Supercharged Songtowers & Center, Sub (12), SS1s
wyowolf (Ordered Apr 19th, delivered May 30th) Songtowers http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=106907.msg1095849#msg1095849
audiotom (Ordered Oct 28, delivered Sep 07th) SoundScape 10 http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=108974.msg1121594#msg1121594
yetis (Ordered Mar 13th, delivered May 2012) SoundScape 8 http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=106370.msg1088955#msg1088955
saeydoc (Ordered May 24th, delivered August 2012) Supercharged Songtowers http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=108328.msg1117260#msg1117260
glangford (Ordered Aug 29th, delivered Nov 2012) Supercharged SongTowers http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=68360.msg1157992#msg1157992

In the Queue

benguin (Ordered 09/11) Soundscape 8, Soundscape Center, SS1
benguin (Ordered 10/15) WOW1s

mchuckp · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 May 2009, 07:31 pm »

Congrats on your purchase! You know what I've been doing as I wait on ordering my Salks until I move? Buy tons of media. It is the only way I can stay sane right now. I've bought over 80 LPs and numerous CDs over the last few months.

Of course, doing this has led me to buy a Jolida tube phono preamp and a Peachtree Decco.

If you are looking at Oppos, they should be releasing their BDP83 bluray player soon. I was lucky enough to be an early adopter since earlier this year. Several weeks ago, they've started selling finished production units to those on the mailing list. So I think they are close to going public.

It is a GREAT unit for audio and video. I used to own a 980H and wasn't impressed with the audio quality. This is definitely a step up.

Good luck with your wait. Here's you with your order confirmation in hand

. here's me reading about you and your order

.

vintagebob · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 May 2009, 07:35 pm »

Sorry guy.

Thanks for the update on the OPPO. It looks like I need to do some more research on that one.

Nuance · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 May 2009, 08:21 pm »

+1 on the Oppo.

While waiting, do four very important things:

1) Get your acoustics order, using room treatments and figuring out the ideal setup and location for the speakers. Poor room acoustics can make a great speaker sound really terrible.
2) Get your "front end gear" ready. If you don't have a decent power plant, get one (ie a good amplifier). A solid front end will ensure the SongTower's really sing. You don't want your electronics ruining the sound.
3) Get familiar with your music and start adding to your collection. For me that would mean picking up all new CD's I've been wanting and getting everything ripped to my Squeezebox.
4) Spend lots of time with your family, cause when the speakers come your focus will be 100% on them.

vintagebob · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 May 2009, 08:32 pm »

Quote from: Nuance on 27 May 2009, 08:21 pm

While waiting, do four very important things:

Thanks. My front end is a Pioneer Elite SC-05 so I think I'm good?...for now. I'll probably buy a few more discs but will probably spend more time dusting off all of my old GRP label music and getting familiar with it again.

Squeezebox?!

More research...

Nuance · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 May 2009, 09:15 pm »

Slimdevices.com

A Squeezebox is a device that wirelessly streams music from your laptop or PC, runs it through it's own DAC and sends the signal to your receiver or preamp. You'll never have to get up and put another CD in again, as you've got a remote that allows you to cycle through your entire collection. Just point and select.

In short, you simply rip all your music to a lossless format such as FLAC or Apple/Windows Lossless, and enjoy. I'll never go back to a CD player again.

I will probably pick up a nicer DAC to run it though, though. But that's a long ways away and will be the last thing I purchase.

earthbound · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 May 2009, 10:48 pm »

What am I doing while I wait for my HT2-TLs? Keeping very busy preparing my listening room, or more accurately almost rebuilding it from scratch. The room is smallish at 14 wide by 15.5 long and was part of a 1980's add-on to what started out as a barn built in 1890. We bought the place almost 4 years ago. My wife nixed the idea of adding acoustic treatments but said that I can do whatever I want when I turn the large basement into a man cave of sorts. I already have a pool table down there.

Events so far:

- threw out the carpet and found disintegrating 0.5 inch particle board underneath, so ripped that out and found 0.5 inch plywood sub-floor underneath which needs to be replaced or fortified with another layer of wood. The floor has always had an interesting trampoline quality to it even though the floor joists look great.

- removed dark paneling from the walls, found a layer of darker paneling underneath.

- removed ceiling tiles because they were ugly and had to go anyway for better access to the 2nd layer of paneling which is now gone too

- found very badly installed drywall on the old barn side of the room so I ripped all that off, and will have to fix the 1890's wood to even it out for new drywall

- found black fiber sheathing on the outside walls so ripped that off too

- am currently framing in existing second doorway to the front porch to make it a solid wall, and have already moved some light switches that were there. This will be the 14 foot wall the speakers will be on (ok, they won't technically be on the wall)

- two windows are old and leaky so I should replace them too while that wall is opened up

- adding ceiling fan/light electrical box in center of room but am wondering what spinning fan blades will do to the sound - probably nothing good, even when they're off!

Still to do: decide what to do with floor and windows (hardwood with area rug or carpet for better acoustics?), drywall/tape/texture, install moulding, paint, etc.

So, anybody else doing something more fun than that??

vintagebob · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 May 2009, 11:50 pm »

Dang!

No time left to worry about when your speakers will be done?! Can't wait to see pictures of the finished project.

mathgeek97 · « **Reply #8 on:** 28 May 2009, 12:40 am »

Quote from: earthbound on 27 May 2009, 10:48 pm

- removed dark paneling from the walls, found a layer of darker paneling underneath.

Maybe I'm evil, but that made me chuckle a little!

+1 for the Oppo, too.
I finally got my e-mail from Oppo, so gotta grab one of those. It looks to be an incredible player for the money.

Kevin

rahimlee54 · « **Reply #9 on:** 28 May 2009, 02:20 am »

Quote from: earthbound on 27 May 2009, 10:48 pm

What am I doing while I wait for my HT2-TLs? Keeping very busy preparing my listening room, or more accurately almost rebuilding it from scratch. The room is smallish at 14 wide by 15.5 long and was part of a 1980's add-on to what started out as a barn built in 1890. We bought the place almost 4 years ago. My wife nixed the idea of adding acoustic treatments but said that I can do whatever I want when I turn the large basement into a man cave of sorts. I already have a pool table down there.

Events so far:

- threw out the carpet and found disintegrating 0.5 inch particle board underneath, so ripped that out and found 0.5 inch plywood sub-floor underneath which needs to be replaced or fortified with another layer of wood. The floor has always had an interesting trampoline quality to it even though the floor joists look great.

- removed dark paneling from the walls, found a layer of darker paneling underneath.

- removed ceiling tiles because they were ugly and had to go anyway for better access to the 2nd layer of paneling which is now gone too

- found very badly installed drywall on the old barn side of the room so I ripped all that off, and will have to fix the 1890's wood to even it out for new drywall

- found black fiber sheathing on the outside walls so ripped that off too

- am currently framing in existing second doorway to the front porch to make it a solid wall, and have already moved some light switches that were there. This will be the 14 foot wall the speakers will be on (ok, they won't technically be on the wall)

- two windows are old and leaky so I should replace them too while that wall is opened up

- adding ceiling fan/light electrical box in center of room but am wondering what spinning fan blades will do to the sound - probably nothing good, even when they're off!

Still to do: decide what to do with floor and windows (hardwood with area rug or carpet for better acoustics?), drywall/tape/texture, install moulding, paint, etc.

So, anybody else doing something more fun than that??

Not that extreme but house choirs and landscaping while I waited. Being a first time homeowner is a real experience, my motto is "Why pay when I can read." I can't wait until I mess something up and have to pay someone to do it plus fix it. The first month flys by, the second one is when the agony sets in. Plus I bought a few cds in preparation, and otherwise gawked at everyone else's pictures and reviews.

vintagebob · « **Reply #10 on:** 28 May 2009, 02:59 am »

otherwise gawked at everyone else's pictures and reviews.
[/quote]

+1 on the pictures. Jim has created some stunning enclosures!

earthbound · « **Reply #11 on:** 28 May 2009, 01:48 pm »

Quote from: vintagebob on 27 May 2009, 11:50 pm

Dang!

No time left to worry about when your speakers will be done?! Can't wait to see pictures of the finished project.

If you're referring to my room rebuild, it might be awhile before I get to the point where it will look like a room deserving of the Salks. More interesting is how it looks now! Maybe I should take a few pics for posterity. I will eventually post pics of the completed room with Salks but don't hold your breath for that!

One other thing I forgot to mention that needs to done is to remove a metal bracket thing in the ceiling that held an 8 inch metal chimney duct but is no longer used. I beat it with a sledge hammer but nothing happened so I need to get in the attic to remove it. It would have made a funny video when I pulled the ceiling tile down from around that bracket and got covered with pounds of dusty, puffed mica insulation! Ahh the joys of owning an old home!

Nuance · « **Reply #12 on:** 29 May 2009, 12:33 am »

Quote from: earthbound on 27 May 2009, 10:48 pm

What am I doing while I wait for my HT2-TLs? Keeping very busy preparing my listening room, or more accurately almost rebuilding it from scratch. The room is smallish at 14 wide by 15.5 long and was part of a 1980's add-on to what started out as a barn built in 1890. We bought the place almost 4 years ago. My wife nixed the idea of adding acoustic treatments but said that I can do whatever I want when I turn the large basement into a man cave of sorts. I already have a pool table down there.

Events so far:

- threw out the carpet and found disintegrating 0.5 inch particle board underneath, so ripped that out and found 0.5 inch plywood sub-floor underneath which needs to be replaced or fortified with another layer of wood. The floor has always had an interesting trampoline quality to it even though the floor joists look great.

- removed dark paneling from the walls, found a layer of darker paneling underneath.

- removed ceiling tiles because they were ugly and had to go anyway for better access to the 2nd layer of paneling which is now gone too

- found very badly installed drywall on the old barn side of the room so I ripped all that off, and will have to fix the 1890's wood to even it out for new drywall

- found black fiber sheathing on the outside walls so ripped that off too

- am currently framing in existing second doorway to the front porch to make it a solid wall, and have already moved some light switches that were there. This will be the 14 foot wall the speakers will be on (ok, they won't technically be on the wall)

- two windows are old and leaky so I should replace them too while that wall is opened up

- adding ceiling fan/light electrical box in center of room but am wondering what spinning fan blades will do to the sound - probably nothing good, even when they're off!

Still to do: decide what to do with floor and windows (hardwood with area rug or carpet for better acoustics?), drywall/tape/texture, install moulding, paint, etc.

So, anybody else doing something more fun than that??

Wow - you go buddy!

Oh, and I'd love to see pics of your room renovation.

vintagebob · « **Reply #13 on:** 30 May 2009, 01:45 pm »

Quote from: Nuance on 27 May 2009, 09:15 pm

Slimdevices.com

A Squeezebox is a device that wirelessly streams music from your laptop or PC, runs it through it's own DAC and sends the signal to your receiver or preamp. You'll never have to get up and put another CD in again, as you've got a remote that allows you to cycle through your entire collection. Just point and select.

In short, you simply rip all your music to a lossless format such as FLAC or Apple/Windows Lossless, and enjoy. I'll never go back to a CD player again. I will probably pick up a nicer DAC to run it though, though. But that's a long ways away and will be the last thing I purchase.

So this is the Squeezebox Duet? (vs Transporter)

Nuance · « **Reply #14 on:** 30 May 2009, 08:38 pm »

^ Yes. The Transporter is $2000, compared to the Duet's average price of around $320 (like at amazon). Some people say the transporter is nicer, but a buddy of mine didn't hear much difference, so he kept the SB and sold the transporter. Plus you can buy your own DAC and run it through that if you want to, all for less than the transporter. The duet has the nice little remote too.

Anyway, it's not for everyone, but I love it and will never go back. I have about 450 gigs of music ripped already.

bryede · « **Reply #15 on:** 1 Jun 2009, 02:01 am »

I just ordered a pair of dyed cherry Songtowers and Songcenter. So now it's like knowing what you're getting for Christmas in the middle of November.

vintagebob · « **Reply #16 on:** 1 Jun 2009, 02:50 am »

Quote from: bryede on 1 Jun 2009, 02:01 am

I just ordered a pair of dyed cherry Songtowers and Songcenter. So now it's like knowing what you're getting for Christmas in the middle of November.

What are you doing while you wait? I changed my room orientation around for the second time this weekend. Moving that 60" plasma is a bear! I like the sound better now but the overall form factor of the speaker locations is poor. The current setup would easily flunk the WAF test.

Listened to some Diana Krall today on my Swan Diva 4.1s...and dreamed about my Salk system.

bryede · « **Reply #17 on:** 1 Jun 2009, 10:58 am »

Quote from: vintagebob

What are you doing while you wait? I changed my room orientation around for the second time this weekend. Moving that 60" plasma is a bear! I like the sound better now but the overall form factor of the speaker locations is poor. The current setup would easily flunk the WAF test.

Listed to some Diana Krall today on my Swan Diva 4.1s...and dreamed about my Salk system.

Well, I've posted my PSB Imagine T's for sale and I bought a universal remote control. I'm ready to ditch the 7-8 controls I'm tripping over right now. Just before ordering the Salks I bought an Arcam AVR300. When it didn't solve the peaky midrange problem I was having with the PSB's, I decided they had to go.

Nuance · « **Reply #18 on:** 1 Jun 2009, 06:23 pm »

^ Well, at least now you have a real nice AVR.

bryede · « **Reply #19 on:** 1 Jun 2009, 07:44 pm »

Quote from: Nuance on 1 Jun 2009, 06:23 pm

^ Well, at least now you have a real nice AVR.

Yeah, I'm really happy with it. I was using an HK for movies and a Roksan Kandy amp for music so this solution simplifies things quite a bit.