Wette Home Theater

[RaceTripper]

Video
Samsung HLM617W 61" DLP Widescreen HD Monitor
Samsung SIR-TS160 ATSC/DirecTV Tuner
Arcam DV88 Plus DVD player
Transparent Cable component video interconnects: Premium (DVD), HP (Sat)

Audio
Arcam AVR300 DD EX/PLIIx/DTS ES 7.1 Receiver
Front: Dynaudio Audience 72
Center: Dynaudio Audience 122C
Surround: Dynaudio Audience 52SE
Rear: Dynaudio Audience 62
Sub: Dynaudio Audience SUB-30A
Transparent Cable HP Coax audio interconnects and HP14-2 speaker cable

Misc
Home Theater Master MX-700 and MX-500 remotes
Transparent Cable Powerbank 6
Ideal-Lume backlight

300+ DVDs

Here are some pictures. I'm not very good with a camera, so these pictures really don't do justice to the system. I have moved and gone thru some upgrades (Arcam DV88+ DVD player amd AVR300), so the pictures are now out of date. I will take new ones when I have a chance.

The viewing environment:
Front
Rear

For viewing comfort
Eames Chair

The Home Theater System:
HT #1
HT #2
HT #3
HT #4
Rear Speakers

Shelving was somewhat a problem. I used brushed aluminum Rakks hardware I got from www.shelfshop.com and glass I had made locally. The top of the TV can't support my 25 lb. big-ass center channel speaker, but my shelf design works like a charm. It also supports the Ideal-lume backlight.

Custom center speaker shelving that I built:
Center Speaker #1
Center Speaker #2

I took the same approach for DVD storage:
DVD Shelving #1
DVD Shelving #2
DVD Shelving #3

Some component Shots:
Components
Subwoofer #1
Subwoofer #2

-----------------------------------------------

Second Audio system for LP playback
Arcam Alpha 10 Amp
Linn Sondek LP12 turntable
Rega RB300 tonearm
Goldring GL (Gerard Louis) MC phono cartridge
Rega AM/FM tuner
Linn SARA speakers with stands.
NAIM speaker cable

3000+ LPs (~1/3 Jazz, 2/3 Classical)

[Iguana Man]

Wow, that is one impressive list of gear my friend.

Did you audition other speakers ? If so, what sold you on the "Dyn's" ?

[RaceTripper]

Originally posted by Iguana Man
Wow, that is one impressive list of gear my friend.

Did you audition other speakers ? If so, what sold you on the "Dyn's" ?

Thanks. We really like it a lot. We don't have much reason to go to the movie theater anymore.

I considered Acoustic Energy, Linn (since I have Linn SARAs in my LP playback system), Martin Logan, and the Dynaudio Contours.

I didn't like the vinyl veneer finsih of the AEs so I ruled them out quickly. The others were more than I wanted to spend, but had I been willing to pay more (i.e. $10K rather than $5K), I'd have gone with the Dynaudio Contours. :p

The Dynaudio Audiences are awesome speakers for the money, especially after they've been run-in for awhile. Also, the newer ones have real wood veneer (I have Cherry, with Gray baffles and Charcoal grills) and look stunning. And at 4 Ohms, the Arcam drives them like a champ.

Dean

[Iguana Man]

Originally posted by dwette
Thanks. We really like it a lot. We don't have much reason to go to the movie theater anymore.

Dean

Well prove it !! You just gotta load up some pictures Dean!

[tomdkat]

Originally posted by Iguana Man
Wow, that is one impressive list of gear my friend.

That's the troof!

Why are you replacing the Marantz DV7100 with the Arcam DV88?

Pics! We want pics!

Peace...

[RaceTripper]

Originally posted by tomdkat
...Why are you replacing the Marantz DV7100 with the Arcam DV88?

Pics! We want pics!

I do really like the Marantz. It's a great DVD player.

But my dealer loaned me the Arcam for a weekend and I was just amazed at how good it is. With the Arcam, picture quality is a lot better. Better black levels, less graininess and the picture is more three dimensional looking. Colors are also richer. The digital audio outputs are also better quality, providing an audio signal that is more detailed and dynamic. I've never seen a DVD look as good on any system as it does on mine with the Arcam player. It's pricey ($1600), but given what I've spend on my HT system it's a justifiable purchase.

I'll get some pics up once I learn how to take good indoor shots of the screen with my Canon G2.

[Cap42086]

How do you like the DLP compared to a regular RPTV or have you not been able to make any comparisons?

[RaceTripper]

Originally posted by Cap42086
How do you like the DLP compared to a regular RPTV or have you not been able to make any comparisons?

The only comparisons I have to make are

1. It replaced my 5 yr. old Marantz 54" 4:3 RPTV.
2. I saw the 50" Samsung DLP at Ultimate along with un-calibrated CRT based RPTVs. It was closer in PQ to the HD Plasmas on display.

So given that, I think the DLP is awesome. Both my wife and I love everything about the quality of the picture. I've also had the Component input ISF calibrated for DVD playback (still haven't found anyone to calibrate a DVI input). DVD playback quality is beautiful, and will be even better once I upgrade to the Arcam DV88 Plus.

I find the DLP more satisfying to watch than any CRT based RPTV I've seen. I really like the set a lot, and have no regrets buying it. If I had to do it all over again, I'd still buy the same TV.

However, not everyone is as happy with it as I am. Go to avsforum.com where you'll find a bazillion threads about the Samsung DLP and members' love-hate relationship with it.

Dean

[mrkeeling]

Really, really nice equipment!

I would really like to know how do you like your Arcam AVR200 and did you audition anything else when deciding to go with it.

I am in a (looong) process of upgrading my receiver and I am looking for a really musical one. Multichannel music (DVD-a’s and SACD’s) is where I want the new one to be the best. Arcam popped out as one of the choices so I am curious how you like it – especially for music (multichannel).

And yea, we want pics!

[RaceTripper]

Originally posted by mrkeeling
I would really like to know how do you like your Arcam AVR200 and did you audition anything else when deciding to go with it.

To be honest I bought it without auditioning it. But, I already had an Arcam for my LP playback system and love it. Also, I got it from a dealer I've used for ages and trust. I asked them about the Marantz that they sell. They told me the Arcam (at $1200) sounds much better than the $3K Marantz and I believe that. Had I been unhappy with it, they would have taken it back for a full refund anyway.

Bottom line is, the Arcam is great and I recommend it wholeheartedly. I don't listen to music on it, although I have thrown in some CDs just to check it out. Sounded great! However, well done DVD audio tracks (DD and DTS) sound incredible with the Arcam/Dynaudio combo. I've never heard it sound bad with any audio source. Also, the Arcam is quite capable of driving 4 Ohm speakers like the Dynaudios, so you'll be able to throw just about anything at it.

Hope this helps...

Dean

[Cap42086]

Originally posted by dwette
The only comparisons I have to make are

1. It replaced my 5 yr. old Marantz 54" 4:3 RPTV.
2. I saw the 50" Samsung DLP at Ultimate along with un-calibrated CRT based RPTVs. It was closer in PQ to the HD Plasmas on display.

So given that, I think the DLP is awesome. Both my wife and I love everything about the quality of the picture. I've also had the Component input ISF calibrated for DVD playback (still haven't found anyone to calibrate a DVI input). DVD playback quality is beautiful, and will be even better once I upgrade to the Arcam DV88 Plus.

I find the DLP more satisfying to watch than any CRT based RPTV I've seen. I really like the set a lot, and have no regrets buying it. If I had to do it all over again, I'd still buy the same TV.

However, not everyone is as happy with it as I am. Go to avsforum.com where you'll find a bazillion threads about the Samsung DLP and members' love-hate relationship with it.

Dean

Sounds cool to me.

[RaceTripper]

OK. You've all been bugging me for pictures (proof ), so here they are. Look at my original post above. There's links to several pictures.

Dean

[Cap42086]

Originally posted by dwette
OK. You've all been bugging me for pictures (proof ), so here they are. Look at my original post above. There's links to several pictures.

Dean

It was worth the wait because those are some damn nice pictures. Be proud of your gear because your system doesn't just look really good, but it also has a kick-ass performance. You're one lucky guy, I'll tell you that.

[snipsnapsappy]

This very possibly is my new favortie theate rin this forum. I already knew the equipment list was amazing but now I love the way everything looks.

[RaceTripper]

Originally posted by snipsnapsappy
This very possibly is my new favortie theate rin this forum. I already knew the equipment list was amazing but now I love the way everything looks.

Wow, that's quite an endorsement. Thanks.

We just came back from seeing The Italian Job. We rarely go to the theater for movies. That's because it's way more enjoyable to see them at home. And the sound I get from my system is better than what I hear in theaters, at least the one I was in tonite.

But we live in a condo and my wife is always asking me to turn the volume down. But when we get a house, look out (I'll be adding another sub at that point).

[RaceTripper]

All,

I've now added a link in my original message to a table of our DVD collection.

It's repeated here as well:
My DVDs

[sub780lime]

that is just beautiful, i really enjoy your system, may i have it?

[RaceTripper]

Originally posted by sub780lime
that is just beautiful, i really enjoy your system, may i have it?

Sorry, my niece already called first dibs.

[Iguana Man]

Originally posted by dwette
OK. You've all been bugging me for pictures (proof ), so here they are. Look at my original post above. There's links to several pictures.Dean

Well it worked didn't it ? Seriously though, it looks (and I'm sure sounds) great. I gotta say Dean, those shelves are downright beautiful

I notice you've got a lot of glass in that room. Shelves, table, etc.. This usually means the room is 'live' or 'bright' sounding. Do you notice any brightness or does the couch and carpet minimize that effect ?

[RaceTripper]

Originally posted by Iguana Man
I notice you've got a lot of glass in that room. Shelves, table, etc.. This usually means the room is 'live' or 'bright' sounding. Do you notice any brightness or does the couch and carpet minimize that effect ?

There is lots of glass, but there's also lots of wood, leather, and carpet.

The sound is very neutral (not overly bright nor dull) because the speakers are extremely well balanced and driven by a very good amp. I would call the sound natural and warm if anything. I'd love to know how they sound with a hardwood floor. My Linn SARAs really shined when I had them on hardwood.

The Dynaudios remind me more of Linns than any other speakers I've heard, and I've never heard acoustic music (Classical/Jazz) sound better than coming from a Linn speaker (I never use electronic music as a test for anything in audio gear -- if it doesn't sound right with acoustic instruments, it isn't right period).

I think the Dynaudios would sound great in just about any environment, as long as you back them up with good electronics.

Dean

[Prancer]

Aside from the imressive equipment, I love the way your room looks. Very beautiful.

Sorry to get off topic but I couldn't help but notice all the cool art work. The Raku pot in front of the fireplace looks beautiful. I love Raku and have done many of them in high school.


The other piece that caught my eye was the vase in the back next to the cool lamp. The colors and shapes are so nice. It looks very good.

Also, the Isobella posters looks great. I was curious about the image. What is that? I love the how it looks from a distant with the colors. Looks like a "contained" version of a Miro painting with the black background. Love the colors.


The other three pieces on the side wall also look interesting. Are they little oil paintings or pastels? I also noticed the little piece next to the rear speaker. Is that an oil piece?

The two pieces in the front on either side of the televisions are nice abstracts. What media was it done in? It looks like pastels or pencils. That's beautiful. So organic leafy like. Beautifully textrued white with the colors showing through.

Sorry, couldn't help it. I love the art and the AV equipments.

Thanks for posting the pictures. They are great!

[RaceTripper]

Originally posted by Prancer
Aside from the imressive equipment, I love the way your room looks. Very beautiful.

We've never been accused of living in a dump (although I had things a bit messy when I took the pictures).

Sorry to get off topic but I couldn't help but notice all the cool art work...

Ah, you've discovered our other passion, for collecting art (and furniture). Give me a chance to go over your comments and I'll return to edit this message with answers.

Dean

[tomdkat]

Great pics!

Man, that Smasung DLP monitor looks beautiful!

Peace...

[RaceTripper]

Originally posted by Prancer
Sorry to get off topic but I couldn't help but notice all the cool art work. The Raku pot in front of the fireplace looks beautiful. I love Raku and have done many of them in high school.

The other piece that caught my eye was the vase in the back next to the cool lamp. The colors and shapes are so nice. It looks very good.

That pot is a nice piece. I bought that for my wife last year at a juried art show. The artist is Mike Bose of Bedford, IA.

The vase I can't tell you much about. My wife got that one, but I don't remember the circumstances

Also, the Isobella posters looks great. I was curious about the image. What is that? I love the how it looks from a distant with the colors. Looks like a "contained" version of a Miro painting with the black background. Love the colors.

The Isolabella is a French poster from the early 20th century for Isolabella liquors. It has a court jester dancing with various Italian liquors. The artist is Leonetto Capiello, one of the most famous poster artists of the time. Unfortunately, ours is not authentic. If it were it would be worth $5K or so. We just started collecting more pieces within the last year, so other than Isolabella, we do have some authentic stone lithograph posters. Our most recent aquisition is one from the 1967 Monaco Grand Prix Formula 1 race. One of my favorites is a poster for Larressingle Armanac from 1938 Paris by Henri Monnici. Our next piece will be Capiello's "Green Devil" which looks really awesome. A year ago it was about $4K, but I know where to get one now for under $2K.

The other three pieces on the side wall also look interesting. Are they little oil paintings or pastels? I also noticed the little piece next to the rear speaker. Is that an oil piece?

The three pieces are individual pieces (lithographs) on a jazz club theme by (I think) Charles Washington. I found these seperately in a bin at a gallery that specializes in Afro-American art. I designed the framing to create a triptych arrangement of them. Two of them are numbered and one is signed. Another litho barely visible to the right in the photos of the front is "Sax" by George Tolliver (from the same gallery)-- it's a signed and numbered artist's proof. I recently found out Tolliver died about a year ago, which means this print has just quadrupled in value at the least (or so I'm told by the dealer, who's also a jazz bassist). It's also one of my favorites.

The two pieces in the front on either side of the televisions are nice abstracts. What media was it done in? It looks like pastels or pencils. That's beautiful. So organic leafy like. Beautifully textrued white with the colors showing through.

You definitely just got on my wife's good side. She drew those two pieces (colored pencil). I'm really pleased you like them. The picture does not do justice to them though. The texuring is actually layered -- you can't see the more fine-grained texuring in the photo.

Anyway, I've gotten some great and interesting responses to my post. It's neat to see people take such an interest in it. Thanks for the feedback.

Dean

[octopus1256]

That is a spectacular setup there. Are you a music lover too? I'm sure music from SACD or DVD-A would sound awesome on that setup!