Looking for Ideas/Thoughts on less than perfect HT set-up

[multiham]

Would like to get some ideas on equipment and set-up for a less than ideal Home Theater room. I had a very nice spot in our basement that nicely served as both my 2 channel and movie watching room. Unfortunately, we had to use that room for another purpose and I've had to move my equipment to another room in the basement.

This room is less than ideal with dimensions of 16ft long, 13.5 ft wide and ceiling heights ranging from 7 foot 7 inches, to 6 foot 9 inches as there are 2 long and wide soffits that cover the hvac duct work. The first soffit runs the length of the room (16 ft). It starts against the left wall and is 3 ft wide. The second soffit also runs the length of the room and starts against the right wall. It is also 3 ft wide. Imagine a runway that is about 7.5 feet wide running down the center of the room. That sections height is 7 ft 7. This "runway" is surrounded by the 2 previously described soffits where the ceiling height is 6ft 9. Ceiling is also drywalled.

My current equipment is:

• Classe SSP-800 (about 5 years old)
• Classe CA-5200 5 channel amp
• SilenZio
• Apple TV
• Pioneer Kuro 60 inch TV
• B&W 804 D2's with matching center for front
• B&W 805 D2's for rear

My Classe Amp (purchased used) has just died and cost to fix is rather high. Thinking of changing it out after 5 years. I find myself and the family watching more movies than 2 channel right now. Also willing to change out the SSP-800 to get more "modern" features.

Looking for suggestions on the following:

1. Recommendations on Amp/Pre to replace the Classe gear. Budget would be a total of $10,000
2. Do you think I could do Atmos in a room with 2 major soffits running down the length of the room. The soffits are more towards the middle of the room than the ends.

Appreciate any thoughts/ideas. I tried to take some pictures, but no matter what angle I used, I could not capture the room properly.

Thank you - Steve

[Rex Anderson]

In a room that size I would stick with 5.1.

A used Bryston 9BSST2 would be a good amp to replace the Classe CA-5200.

A Bryston SP3 would be over your budget, why not just keep the Classe SSP-800?

You don't mention having any subwoofers. I think you need at least one for home theater, two is better.

[multiham]

Sorry for the slow reply, away for Thanksgiving.

I have a Paradigm Sub 15 as part of the home theater now.

Reason I was thinking of moving on from the Classe SSP-800 is I would like to get into 4K, etc. and my unit does not handle that.

Love the Bryston recommendation. I have a Bryston Integrated amp which I really like.

Thank you!

Steve

[pweg]

i run a cary processor - for sound it is fantastic, it doesnt touch the video signals. This runs into bel canto monos for each channel.

not the highest level of functionality or the latest technology but it sounds sweet.

[stollen]

I recently finished putting together a theater room and wound up getting a Marantz 7702 MKii to use as the processor. They have officially replaced it with a new model that basically adds Heos (Denon's SonoS competitor basically) and support for some Audssey room correction app that is not yet available. Not enough of a difference to me (since I am already invested in SonoS all through the house) and there are a couple places selling the 7702mkii for an absolute steal in my opinion.

It does Atmos, has 11 channel pre-outs including XLR (not a fully balanced unit though) and all the other bells and whistles you could want (including HDR and 4k for the video side of things). For the price Crutchfield is selling for now I think it is impossible to beat, especially since it comes with a full warranty from them. Have had mine up and running for a couple weeks and absolutely love it. I currently run it in 7.1 configuration while I look around for a few more channels of amplification so I can hook up the atmos speakers I already have in the ceiling.