Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners DVD-A, or SACD recommendations

I currently have:
M3ti, VP100, QS4, EP175, Denon 1802

My room is about 12ft x 20ft with vaulted ceilings, but I'm in an apartment so I can't pump up the volume/bass as much as I'd like =/ Hopefully I'll get a house/townhouse soon so it won't be as much of an issue.

I have two questions:
1) What speakers should I upgrade first? What will give me the most bang for the buck?

2) Any recommendations on a good DVD-A or SACD? I'd like to find a good orchestral disc that has nice strings/percussion/etc, but I'm not very familiar with what is available.

Thanks,
Jeremy

I hat to say it, but if you can't crank the volume and bass very much I wouldn't upgrade anything yet. Set aside an upgrade fund so you have a few $$ when you move to a house or townhouse and you know how big a room you are dealing with.

I just received a copy of "Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds" album on SACD in the mail today (ordered a few days ago from Amazon). Haven't had a chance to listen to it yet but I have very high expectations.

I had the tune for "Forever Autumn" floating through my head for a couple of years until I gradually remembered enough of the lyrics to figure out the title, Google it and find the album. I never owned the LP or I might have saved a couple of years

Yeah, I probably am not going to upgrade immediately. My immediate question was really just the DVD-A/SACD question. But I am curious, once I get a bigger place, which components would have the biggest impact? Or do I need to upgrade all the way around? =)

If you are moving into a bigger room and can play loudly but still have your system arranged in a reasonably small area (ie you don't move the sofa way back from the speakers) the answer is simple -- get a high quality, big-ass sub and enjoy

If you are going to take advantage of the space and spread everything out further so the distance between you and the speakers is much greater, or if you want to play REALLY loudly, then you're looking at upgrading more of the speakers -- although upgrading the mains to M50 or M60 would be a really good start if you listen to a lot of music.

If you would, could you give us a little bit more information about your musical tastes? OK, you said orchestral with strings and percussion. Do you mean classical? Do you mean standards/jazz like those performed by Diana Krall, and other artists? Do you mean Pop artists? I'm assuming you don't mean rock. I can't think of too many rock discs with orchestras and strings. Give us an idea of what you're hearing in your head when you say "orchestral with strings and percussion."

Like Jack said, narrow the field down to a genre. If you do prefer rock, I can only think of The Moody Blues for an orchestral flavor.

I personally like Gustav Holst's "The Planets" musical suite for a good taste of what you describe.

Gee, imagine you using Diana Krall as an example...

Ok - I realize my question is a bit vague. I typically listen to a variety of rock music - Coldplay, Better than Ezra, Weezer, Counting Crows, Foo Fighters, Beatles, Jack Johnson, Death Cab for Cutie, etc...

But I am really looking for a suggestion outside of what I normally listen to. For example, a good classical or jazz album. Not Beethoven, Bach, Loius Armstrong etc. - but maybe a more modern classical composer or good jazz artist. My problem is that since this is outside of what I normally listen to, I'm not familiar enough to give a reference point of what I like. Any general recommendations of a modern classical composer or jazz artist that has a great SACD or DVD-A mix with a full range of sounds? I realize this is still a broad question - is there any more information I could provide that would be helpful?

The Planets is considered modern, though it was completed in 1917.

Anything from John Williams or Erich Kunzel would be a good start as well.

I'm willing to bet you'd really enjoy this...