Upgrade DVD Player or Purchase Mye Stands?

slbenz · « **on:** 25 Oct 2007, 12:14 pm »

Hello Everyone,

Since it's my birthday tomorrow, my wife is letting me upgrade the home theater. I am either looking to modify or replace my Oppo 970 DVD player or purchase a set of Mye stands for my Magnepan IIIa speakers. A set of Mye stands will cost me $433 while doing the level one mods by EVS for the Oppo will cost $350. Which would you think would be the more cost effective upgrade?

Slbenz

BobM · « **Reply #1 on:** 25 Oct 2007, 12:17 pm »

What are you looking to achieve, sound wise? What are the system flaws/shortcomings now?

Enjoy,
Bob

slbenz · « **Reply #2 on:** 25 Oct 2007, 12:32 pm »

Quote from: BobM on 25 Oct 2007, 12:17 pm

What are you looking to achieve, sound wise? What are the system flaws/shortcomings now?

Enjoy,
Bob

Bob,

I am trying to see if I could unveil a layer or two to the overall sound. Either choice is supposed to do this but which one can do more to the overall sound is what I am trying to find out. If you ask my wife, she will tell you that the system sounds fine right now. But for me, I know there is more potential in the system either by using more rigid stands to reduce the overall smearing of the soundstage or by going with an Oppo mod/replacement for a more purer sounding digital source.

Slbenz

BobM · « **Reply #3 on:** 25 Oct 2007, 01:29 pm »

I would suggest trying some no-cost options first then. Try speaker placement and basic room treatments using what you have (e.g. plants, treating or removing reflective surfaces and such). If speaker placement changes move the sound more toward your liking then the stands might be the best approach.

Good luck, but I wouold suggest experimenting first.

Enjoy,
Bob

slbenz · « **Reply #4 on:** 25 Oct 2007, 03:16 pm »

Bob,

Thanks for the various suggestions. Have already tried those options and my room response is quite flat. Your response had me thinking that if I did go with an upgraded player, I still would not be addressing the issue of the Magnepans not being rigidly held in place. So no matter how good the digital source, the Magnepans could not fully resolve the signal since the stock legs let the panels "bend in the wind" so to speak and slightly blur the instruments and soundstage.

Slbenz

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #5 on:** 25 Oct 2007, 03:34 pm »

Hi slbenz,

I had the full top-and-bottom Mye stands done on my MMG's....it helped matters greatly. I also did upgraded outboard crossover...that, too, helped greatly. About $1000.00

I found out well after I did both that another modder exists out there, Magnestand. Member berndt turned me on to them/him. I think it more properly addresses the deficiencies of Maggies....at similar costs to what I already had done. Go here for more info:

http://www.indiespinzone.com/magnestand.html

Enjoy - whatever your choice ends up being

John151 · « **Reply #6 on:** 25 Oct 2007, 03:35 pm »

Have you considered an external DAC for the Oppo?

slbenz · « **Reply #7 on:** 25 Oct 2007, 03:42 pm »

Quote from: John151 on 25 Oct 2007, 03:35 pm

Have you considered an external DAC for the Oppo?

John151,

Yes, I am currently running the Oppo with a Channel Islands Audio VDA-2 and VAC-1 combo. It addresses the deficiencies of the Oppo, especially with bass and life-like sound vs. stock. I had thought if I go with the mods or a more expensive DVD player, that I would sell the CIA combo but it looks like going with a set of stands that address the stock Magnepan legs would be a better way to go. Thanks for asking.

Slbenz

slbenz · « **Reply #8 on:** 25 Oct 2007, 03:52 pm »

Quote from: TheChairGuy on 25 Oct 2007, 03:34 pm

Hi slbenz,

I had the full top-and-bottom Mye stands done on my MMG's....it helped matters greatly. I also did upgraded outboard crossover...that, too, helped greatly. About $1000.00

I found out well after I did both that another modder exists out there, Magnestand. Member berndt turned me on to them/him. I think it more properly addresses the deficiencies of Maggies....at similar costs to what I already had done. Go here for more info:

http://www.indiespinzone.com/magnestand.html

Enjoy - whatever your choice ends up being

Hi TheChairGuy,

I have already contacted Peter Gunn about my Magnepans and unfortunately he will not do the IIIas because of the size and true ribbons that it uses. Based on your feedback and thinking about the rigidity issues inherent in all Magnepans, especially with the larger panels, looks like I need to give Grant at Mye Sound a call. Thanks for your feedback on the Mye Stands.

Slbenz

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #9 on:** 25 Oct 2007, 04:14 pm »

slbenz,

Grant's a real professional, low-key guy...and craftsman. His work is exceptional.

I think of the two choices you've made you'll get more from a speaker upgrade than an Oppo upgrade...particularly as you already have an outboard DAC at your disposal.

Enjoy, John/TCG

Joey B · « **Reply #10 on:** 25 Oct 2007, 04:18 pm »

Hi SL

Being an owner of MGIIIa's with Mye stands , I would recommend that route 1st . The overall increase in focus and Bass definition will blow you away .

Have you done any crossover mods yet ? wiring around the cheesey connectors on the crossovers , Fuse bypass (caveat emptor), replacing x-over caps with higher quality ones will all yield great results .

Here is the downside , the MGIIIa's are a big antenna for RFI ,and the better you get the speakers to resolve detail the more any sources of rfi in the house will cause the speakers to have slightly nasty highs, slightly confused midrange ,and lower bass definition . At this point you need to also work on reducing all sources of said RFI .

The old stands causing the slight smear masked this condition beforehand . So the elimination of the smear brings forward any other weakness's .

Sources for rfi are any appliance (i.e. TV , dvdplayer , ht reciever , PC , refrigerator ,etc) that works off a remote or has a switching power supply .these appliances put out RFI even when turned OFF and must be unplugged to eliminate RFI .I have a HT setup in the same room as my big rig . I eliminated it as a source of RFI by putting all components on a powerstrip and turning the power off everything at the powerstrip . I placed a few rf ferrites on power cords to PC and refridgerator ,etc .

I also put some high current RF chokes in series with my tweeters to eliminate even more RFI ala Al Sekela .

In the Lab Forum here there is a thread that talks about building a balanced power digital filter called the Felicia . Josh K and Occam worked out the details . I would build one of these and put it in front of the OPPO . This will keep the OPPO from feeding back digital nasties on the powerlines going to the rest of your system .Also , it will filter the AC feeding the OPPO . I can't tell you how good this filter is .

I would eventually either get the OPPO modified or add a NOS DAC ( or both

)
I speak from experience on all the above except the OPPO .

Joey B

John151 · « **Reply #11 on:** 25 Oct 2007, 04:23 pm »

Quote from: slbenz on 25 Oct 2007, 03:42 pm

Quote from: John151 on 25 Oct 2007, 03:35 pm
Have you considered an external DAC for the Oppo?

John151,

Yes, I am currently running the Oppo with a Channel Islands Audio VDA-2 and VAC-1 combo. It addresses the deficiencies of the Oppo, especially with bass and life-like sound vs. stock. I had thought if I go with the mods or a more expensive DVD player, that I would sell the CIA combo but it looks like going with a set of stands that address the stock Magnepan legs would be a better way to go. Thanks for asking.

Slbenz

If you have the Channel Islands Audio VDA-2 and VAC-1 combo, then I don't really see the need to modify or replace the Oppo. I have owned Maggies, but never the stands, but I understand they make a big difference. I vote for getting the stands.

slbenz · « **Reply #12 on:** 25 Oct 2007, 05:48 pm »

Quote from: Joey B on 25 Oct 2007, 04:18 pm

Hi SL

Being an owner of MGIIIa's with Mye stands , I would recommend that route 1st . The overall increase in focus and Bass definition will blow you away .

Have you done any crossover mods yet ? wiring around the cheesey connectors on the crossovers , Fuse bypass (caveat emptor), replacing x-over caps with higher quality ones will all yield great results .

Here is the downside , the MGIIIa's are a big antenna for RFI ,and the better you get the speakers to resolve detail the more any sources of rfi in the house will cause the speakers to have slightly nasty highs, slightly confused midrange ,and lower bass definition . At this point you need to also work on reducing all sources of said RFI .

The old stands causing the slight smear masked this condition beforehand . So the elimination of the smear brings forward any other weakness's .

Sources for rfi are any appliance (i.e. TV , dvdplayer , ht reciever , PC , refrigerator ,etc) that works off a remote or has a switching power supply .these appliances put out RFI even when turned OFF and must be unplugged to eliminate RFI .I have a HT setup in the same room as my big rig . I eliminated it as a source of RFI by putting all components on a powerstrip and turning the power off everything at the powerstrip . I placed a few rf ferrites on power cords to PC and refridgerator ,etc .

I also put some high current RF chokes in series with my tweeters to eliminate even more RFI ala Al Sekela .

In the Lab Forum here there is a thread that talks about building a balanced power digital filter called the Felicia . Josh K and Occam worked out the details . I would build one of these and put it in front of the OPPO . This will keep the OPPO from feeding back digital nasties on the powerlines going to the rest of your system .Also , it will filter the AC feeding the OPPO . I can't tell you how good this filter is .

I would eventually either get the OPPO modified or add a NOS DAC ( or both )
I speak from experience on all the above except the OPPO .

Joey B

Joey B,

Thanks for the very complete feedback on your experiences upgrading the IIIas. I have already done much of what you have listed to upgrading the IIIas and RF elimination throughout my house. Based on the feedback I am receiving, I need to call Grant at Mye Sound and place an order.

Slbenz

slbenz · « **Reply #13 on:** 25 Oct 2007, 05:50 pm »

Quote from: John151 on 25 Oct 2007, 04:23 pm

Quote from: slbenz on 25 Oct 2007, 03:42 pm
Quote from: John151 on 25 Oct 2007, 03:35 pm
Have you considered an external DAC for the Oppo?

John151,

Yes, I am currently running the Oppo with a Channel Islands Audio VDA-2 and VAC-1 combo. It addresses the deficiencies of the Oppo, especially with bass and life-like sound vs. stock. I had thought if I go with the mods or a more expensive DVD player, that I would sell the CIA combo but it looks like going with a set of stands that address the stock Magnepan legs would be a better way to go. Thanks for asking.

Slbenz

If you have the Channel Islands Audio VDA-2 and VAC-1 combo, then I don't really see the need to modify or replace the Oppo. I have owned Maggies, but never the stands, but I understand they make a big difference. I vote for getting the stands.

John151,

Looks like based on everyone's feedback here at AC, the way to go is with the Mye Stands. Time to give Mye Sound a call and order. Thanks for helping me make a decision on which way to upgrade.

Slbenz

Joey B · « **Reply #14 on:** 25 Oct 2007, 06:51 pm »

Yes sir , you would be good to go on Mye stands .

Joey B

BobM · « **Reply #15 on:** 25 Oct 2007, 07:01 pm »

Quote from: Joey B on 25 Oct 2007, 04:18 pm

In the Lab Forum here there is a thread that talks about building a balanced power digital filter called the Felicia . Josh K and Occam worked out the details . I would build one of these and put it in front of the OPPO . This will keep the OPPO from feeding back digital nasties on the powerlines going to the rest of your system .Also , it will filter the AC feeding the OPPO . I can't tell you how good this filter is .

The Felicia, or better yet the Felix, will help a lot. The parts are cheap and the implementation is simple enough for a first time DIY'er. You can work on this while you're waiting for your new stands to arrive.

Enjoy,
Bob

slbenz · « **Reply #16 on:** 26 Oct 2007, 03:52 am »

Thanks everyone for the quick feedback. You guys are great. Didn't receive any response at the Planar Asylum. Spoke with Grant at Mye Sound earlier this evening and a set of Mye Stands are being built. Can't wait to hear the difference the stands will make. Grant assured me on this. Also will look into the Felix. Have enough solder and two soldering guns to play with! Thanks again to all of you helping me with my birthday decision.

Slbenz

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #17 on:** 26 Oct 2007, 04:31 am »

Happy Birthday!

John

slbenz · « **Reply #18 on:** 26 Oct 2007, 05:27 am »

Quote from: TheChairGuy on 26 Oct 2007, 04:31 am

Happy Birthday!

John

John,

Thanks.

Slbenz

webnick · « **Reply #19 on:** 29 Oct 2007, 05:21 am »

Hey, slbenz, congrats on your all 3A HT set up. I may be late to this query, but I'll second the majority opinion previously presented that you should get the Mye stands - but for a different reason: I think that you'd see more of a change to your system with a different DVD player, but you'll see more accuracy out of your 3As with the Mye stands. So for the best audio accuracy, I'd go with the Mye stands. They improved my 3.6Rs - added clarity especially in the bass and more precise imaging. And, FWIW, I don't know why you didn't get a response in the Planar asylum, although a cursory review of your posts didn't reveal this query - in fact, it looks as though you were discussing the purchase of Mye stands a year ago. Perhaps the Planar crowd didn't want to get involved in a discussion of DVD players - don't know. Regardless, your 3A surround system should be very nice. What are you using for a center channel?