Plan for open baffle Jamo r909 clone

Poultrygeist · « **Reply #60 on:** 3 Mar 2012, 11:50 pm »

Pre-pro?

jonirvine · « **Reply #61 on:** 4 Mar 2012, 04:07 am »

Meaning a professional preamp? I've looked at some Emotiva's and Rotels but those are out of my price range at this point. Any recommendations on affordable models?

jonirvine · « **Reply #62 on:** 6 Mar 2012, 01:21 am »

*PROJECT UPDATE*

> All components are in
> One day of sanding the baffles down
> Next: puddy edges and resand. also, router & and chamfer the rear holes.

Pics:

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #63 on:** 6 Mar 2012, 01:27 pm »

Very Cool

Thanks for the pictures.

Poultrygeist · « **Reply #64 on:** 10 Mar 2012, 01:00 pm »

I've seen older Marantz AV preamp processors for under $100 on ebay.

Keep those pictures coming.

jonirvine · « **Reply #65 on:** 12 Mar 2012, 03:50 pm »

So I sold some old guitar equipment and scrounged up just under $400 to buy this missing component. Based on searching around on the net and CL I found 2 possible solutions:

1.) ROTEL RSX-1058 ($400 used) - this is a used unit but originally a much more expensive unit. It's more powerful but lacks the latest Dolby codecs for when I'm in HT mode. It also uses 1.1 HDMI standards which may cause issues down the road. However it'a high quality amp for a good price. I'd also consider using it to power my Alpha's and removing my power amp from the equation.

2.) Marantz NR-1402 ($390 new) - This is a less powerful amp but it has the lastest codecs. It's received good reviews across the board. Again, since I'll really only be powering the center/surrounds speakers with it when I'm in 5.1 mode, it doesn't have to have much power. I also like that it comes with a calibration mic and built in software. My biggest issue is choosing this one over the Rotel which has an even better reputation and may be able to power my alphas thereby cleaning up the system clutter a bit.

It's a dilema but I'm leaning towards the Marantz because Dolby TrueHD and HDMI 1.3 seem like significant upgrades that will be highly noticeable in a HT context. I would love to remove my power amp from the equation though so the Rotel also is appealing. oh the decisions!

Poultrygeist · « **Reply #66 on:** 12 Mar 2012, 06:37 pm »

HT is for movies and their sound effects.

Two channel is for music.

It would be a waste to drive the TB's with an AV receiver.

jonirvine · « **Reply #67 on:** 12 Mar 2012, 06:58 pm »

OOh no

, I'm still going to power the TB's with my Music Angel Tube amp. I just need something to act as a preamp so I can switch between 2.0 for Music and 5.1 for theater. So basically I'd run my sources into the integrated amp and use the pre-amp out (using a y-adapter) to the Music Angel and Alesis power amp. Then, when I want to listen to music, I just turn off the Dolby and go into 2 channel bypass. Basically, I'm trying to prevent having 2 systems in one room. I'd say I use the room 50/50 for music/movies. I think the open baffles may be odd for HT but I'm going to see how they work. I have some EV OB's in my office and they actually sound pretty good for HT, the sounds are very atmospheric. Usually in HT the center channel is doing most of the work anyhow, so I don't think the TB's will get much exercise while in 5.1 mode. See below:

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #68 on:** 12 Mar 2012, 08:29 pm »

Quote from: Poultrygeist on 12 Mar 2012, 06:37 pm

HT is for movies and their sound effects.

Two channel is for music.

It would be a waste to drive the TB's with an AV receiver.

Oh Jesus.....

Poultrygeist · « **Reply #69 on:** 12 Mar 2012, 09:14 pm »

Music in the round is fine if you play in the orchestra

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #70 on:** 12 Mar 2012, 09:37 pm »

Right. I think you should just stay where you're at. You seem happy there so there's no reason to change, and certainly not on my account. You will not receive a multi-channel music sales pitch from me.

Jon - What you're proposing will work just fine. I do it in my system for home theater AND two channel, using a tube amp from the pre-outs to power both "modes". The "surround off" button can be pressed on any AVR to feed the main channel only.

I have no knowledge of the specific AVR units you mentioned though.

Bob

scorpion · « **Reply #71 on:** 12 Mar 2012, 09:51 pm »

If I may suggest something it would really be to investigate how the 8 channel MiniDSP could be used in your setup. I think the DAC section of that unit is most acceptable and then Crossover and EQ facilities will be far superior to anything you thought of so far. Regarding the center channel I dont really know their frequency range but possibly you could run them from the TB fullrange amp or an amp of their own, a cheap T-amp would probably do. I would venture to suggest Vifa TC9FD-18-08 units for this channel, very good value.

/Erling

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #72 on:** 12 Mar 2012, 09:53 pm »

On the subject of the MiniDSP, I know a fella that has a 2x8 unit he's willing to get rid of (and no, it's not me).

Bob

jonirvine · « **Reply #73 on:** 13 Mar 2012, 03:45 am »

Interesting Scorpion... so does a mini DSP negate the need for a passive crossover?

Unfortunately, it doesn't really help me with my need for a preamp as far as I can tell.

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #74 on:** 13 Mar 2012, 12:21 pm »

http://www.minidsp.com/

jonirvine · « **Reply #75 on:** 15 Mar 2012, 05:53 am »

Is this enough chamfer/roundover for the 8" FR? I wanted to go about twice this radius or more but I don't have a router with a large enough shaft to fit a larger bit (ugh). I also did the 15" woofer holes just "because". Will this help the sound at all?

jacozz · « **Reply #76 on:** 15 Mar 2012, 10:03 am »

Wow!
You got some wood working skills there Jon

The roundover looks good enough. The woofers doesn't really need roundover but it won't hurt either and it looks better.

/Jacozz

jonirvine · « **Reply #77 on:** 16 Mar 2012, 03:07 am »

Thanks Jacozz!

versus rider · « **Reply #78 on:** 16 Mar 2012, 01:29 pm »

You may want to consider flow coating the baffles and then sanding smooth, priming and finish coat. The flow coat will give a very hard and durable finish like on a glass fibre boat.

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #79 on:** 17 Mar 2012, 08:13 pm »

.....otherwise the MDF seams will show later down the road.