[jimmyp58]

Seems like a popular thing....

I've got a huge order soon to be on its way (shipping either Monday or Tuesday):

RM-40's, LRC, two New Larger Subwoofers (one with upgrades and one base stock), and Ribbon Dipoles w/FST.

I am one pumped dude and can't wait to get these bad boys hooked up and putting a serious smile on my face.

Powering the line up will be a Bryston 14B SST (RM-40's), Bryston 7B SST (LRC), CineNova Grande 5 (Dipoles), Crown K2 (New Larger Subwoofer w/upgrades), and Carver PRO ZR1600 (New Larger Subwoofer - base stock).

I'll be talking to all of you in the days and weeks to come....

Jim

P.S.  Thanks John and Brian!!!

[meilankev]

Jim,

Congratulations on your new purchases!!!  I got to spend an afternoon with a gentleman who owns a similar set-up (RM2, Larger, LRC, and Ribbon Dipoles).  He drove them all with a couple of humongous Cinenova amps.  Very nice indeed.

I have to be honest - I had a hard time taking my eyes off the Ribbon Dipoles.  They were fascinating.

Kevin

[Marbles]

Jimmy, AWESOME setup.

I have a few questions for you.

Did you feel that the K2 could not handle both subwoofers?

Did you feel the LRC could keep up with the RM40's?

If money was an issue, and it looks like it wasn't   , I would have thought you might have gone for an RM30C for the center channel.

[jimmyp58]

Marbles:

With my setup, I have one of the larger subs near the front of my ht and the other in the rear.  I have no doubt that one K2 could handle both but because of the layout, the rear would be too loud or front too quiet with simple bass management corrections.  Hence, I got an amp for each one and will further control the dynamics with a Creek passive pre-amp in front of each amp.

I went back-and-forth on the LRC vs. RM30C.  For now, I have a RPTV that is ~ 50 inches across.  The RM30C would just barely fit.  On the other hand, I have room to spare with the LRC.  If for whatever reason the LRC cannot keep up with the RM40's across the front, I'll get the RM30C and move the LRC to rear center back duties (where I am still using a Def Tech center channel speaker).  If it works, then I'll make a change on a rainy day.

Thanks guys for the support and congrats....

Jim

[Marbles]

Jimmy, sounds good.

You shouldn't need a pre in front of the K2 as it has a built in volume control, one for each channel.

Best of luck

[lkosova]

You will be one happy boy. My set up is the RM-30m with vertical Rm-30c and larger subs and dipole ribbon surrounds. Get ready!!!!  The surrounds really pump out the music and sound effects. With your setup your "house" will literally shake!!!!

Have fun,

Larry

[jimmyp58]

Thanks Larry....

Marbles, I did some reading and some of the authors suggested the K2 with a passive pre-amp performs better than using the controls on the front panel.  We'll see.  I'll try it both ways and pick the best one.  Worst case scenario is that I am out $150 for the passive pre-amp (I spoke to the dealer I bought the K2 from and he said the controls offered some control but that the passive pre-amp would give me greater control).  Again, we'll see but thanks for the pointer nonetheless!

Jim

[jpsartre]

On the K2 subject I found that if you jack up the volume too high (lower than about "15" on the K2) some noise is introduced in my VMPS larger. On the other hand the lower the gain on the K2, the cleaner the bass. I keep the K2 at the "21" setting.

You may have to turn the K2 volume up if you are not level matching between -10dBV consumer  and +4dBm pro. I use one of these to level-match http://www.aphex.com/124A.htm and I get great results.

I use the K2 in bridge-mono driving a single VMPS larger with megawoofer option.

My (bass) chain: Sony NC555ES -> Outlaw ICBM -> Behringer Feedback Destroyer (Parametric EQ) -> McCormack MAP-1 Pre -> Aphex 124A Level Match -> Crown K2 -> VMPS Larger.

After weeks of experimentation and rearranging, I concluded that the following factors were the most improtant in achieving the most satisfying bass

1. Flat response up to 80 Hz
2. Keeping the input into the Behringer well away from "clipping" territory before EQ (by keeping the ICBM sub level at 0 gain and manipulating DVD and SACD source levels accordingly in the SONY)
3. Using only the McCormack's sub volume as needed (i.e. after it was EQ'ed flat)

Now, if I can spend as much time it took to calibrate, actually listening to music, my friends may stop calling me "weird"  

[jimmyp58]

Great input, thanks!

Jim

[Marbles]

jpsartre,

I have my K2 all the way up for movies (+4db over my speakers) and I reduce the volume to about the 3:00- 3:30 position for concert DVD's to get it the same as my speakers.

Two channel goes through a different pre and the sub's are not engauged.

My K2/SVS Ultra's are silent.

At one time, I did have a ground loop in the subs that was caused by my ART EQ.  You might want to check for that (ground loop).

I use the "y" input, that is the input for channel 1 also is used for channel 2, stereo mode.  1.4 v input sensitivity.

[Marbles]

I haven't tried the K2 in bridged mode, so I suppose in this mode it could be noisier.

If your amp is under 3 years old, Crown will fix it free, even if you are not the original owner.  If it is as noisy as you say, I would take advantage of this.

I'm curious, could it be another of your upstream components adding noise to the subs that the K2 is just amplifying?

[jpsartre]

Actually in order to hear the "noise" you'd have to virtually squat next to the subwoofer with nothing playing. I've had ground loops in the past and it's nowhere near as pronounced so I am fairly convinced this is not the case. BTW, the K2 is not even a year old so it's got plenty of time left for warranty but I doubt there's anything wrong with it. Thanks for the tip though, it's good to know they'll work with you if needed. I called Crown support once-they were pretty cool.

I wouldn't be surprised if something else in the chain is adding noise but since my approach has completely alleviated it, it's a non issue.
 
The most important thing is to make sure there's no clipping anywhere in the chain. It's easy to inadvertently clip at the eq without even realizing it (I speak from experience).

Listening to music through the rig you tend to be more selective than movies. There are plenty of ways to skin the cat and at the end of the day, if you are happy with it that's what matters.

[jimmyp58]

They're on the way...should be receiving them next Tuesday!!!!!!!!!!!

[jimmyp58]

THEY'RE HERE.....A DAY EARLY!!!!!

Now the real fun begins.

[KJ]

Don't forget the pics.  

-KJ

[jimmyp58]

I took a picture of the friggin' semi that pulled up along with the pallet full of VMPS speakers.  I'll be posting soon.

Jim

[John Casler]

Always great to see another Owner take the "BIG DELIVERY"

Have been in touch with Jim "off and on" today, and it never gets old hearing about the "magic" we hear when we first power them up.

I don't get tired of hearing that the clarity and detail are amazing.

Jim also is one of the "select few" with the Ribbon Dipole (bipole) which many would find startling in its presentation.  He has them set up sitting "atop" a normal "monopole" floor stander that he uses for a stand to set them on.

The two speakers are wired so that he can play the monopole seperately, the dipole seperately, or both at the same time for a "tripole" presentation.

Only thing,.... now we'll have to replace that "other brand" monopole floorstander with a pair of RM1's  

Hey Jim,

Have fun!!!

[jimmyp58]

How did you know John that I am already thinking about the RM1's???

 

[jimmyp58]

Some pictures posted on the Gallery....

[KJ]

I took a picture of the friggin' semi that pulled up along with the pallet full of VMPS speakers.

I thought you were joking until I saw the picture!  

Looking good!  Start burnin' those babies in.  We locals are ready to invade your home.  

-KJ