[RaceTripper]

I did the Arcam DV79 HDMI audition recently. I decided it is not an improvement over my current player. Even though it has HDMI progressive out, it's deinterlacer is not as good as the Silicon Image SiI504 used in my modified DV88+. So I'm going to stand pat on my player, unless I come across a great deal on a b-stock FMJ DV27A (which has the same video section as my player, but much improved audio, plus DVD-A support).

But I found what will be my next upgrade. I spent this weekend auditioning a new Dynaudio sub, the Sub300 (MSRP $1400). Compared to my Sub30A, it's much faster, cleaner, and more detailed & refined. And there is absolutely no hint of boominess whatsoever. It really disppears in the room and enhances the overall soundstage. It also has a nifty remote control with discrete codes for setting phase control (0, 90, 180, 270), level, extended bass (on/off), and crossover (60, 80, 100, Flat), making it much easier to setup. It also has 4 presets you can program, so you can -- for example -- setup a late night mode with ext bass off, or one mode for music and another for movies. The power can be setup to be always on, or for auto on/standby. This is a really great sub. It's a ported design with a long-excursion 10" driver.

My current Sub30A, however, has somewhat deeper response. So I think I will go for the Sub500 (MSRP $1900) to get the best of both worlds: the excellent SQ of the Sub300 and the deeper bass of the Sub30A (the Sub500 actually goes deeper, to 18Hz). The Sub500 also has a 250 Watt amp, compared to the 200 Watt of the Sub300 and the 100 Watt of my Sub30A. The Sub500 is a sealed design with a long-excursion 12" driver. Both 300 and 500 are available in Cherry finish to match my Audience speakers.

Now I just have to sell my Sub30A and come up with some extra money...