Building my Dream System - need advice

[TOBZDV]

Hey Guys,

I am in the process of building my first house here in SoCal. Decided to go big and automate the whole house with Control 4 + invest in my dream home theater/music system. My TV room isn't that large but I want to make the best of it, regardless. Cement floors + high ceilings.

Here's where I am headed -

Mx122
Mc205
Mc452

Plus a pair of 803d3's from Bower & Wilkins and most likely one of their subs as well. Ideally, I would be able to put the rest of the speakers in-wall (for the rest of the theater system) but still trying to figure that part out.

I currently I don't have a need to add more channels but have definitely gone back and forth between the Mc205 and the Mc207.

Am I missing a pre-amp with this system? Do I need one?

Appreciate everyone's thought/input.

Thanks!

[W9TR]

If you are looking for a combined theater and music system, then adding a stereo preamp will really kick it up a notch.

If I was planning a theater today, I'd add wiring for 4 height speakers in the ceiling, 4 surround speakers, and 2 subs.

Then you'd be set for 7.2.4, even if you don't use all the capability right away.

If you are going front projection then a 2" minimum id conduit in the ceiling for the projector is needed, terminating where your equipment will be located. That's because as standards change so will the requirements for video cabling. Run projector power separately and spaced away from the video cabling.

Tom

[Dreamsystem]

Funny name for a thread... hehehe. Guess Im not the only one moving forward to building the best system we can dream up..

With regards to your preamp question... I've had a MX121/MC205/B&W805D2s HT combo for a couple of years now, sounded awesome and felt I needed nothing else. That was until I got a dedicated 2 channel system with a D1100/(2)MC275s/B&W803D2s.

It is amazing how much better it sounds with a preamp, its like another brand/system all together. So if you can go the extra mile, I would suggest to go for it.

I'm in the process of going for a C2600/MC452 for another room. I've read that a tube preamp with a SS amp is amazing.

One final comment. Since your building the house, make sure you get a good 10 gauge dedicated line to where your placing the equipment. I haven't been able to compare it yet as that is where the C2600/MC452 will reside. But Ive read that its a game changer.

Good luck!! Hope my suggestions help in any way.

[miketuason]

TOBZDV, where in SoCal are you, I might be able to help.

[TOBZDV]

Hey Mike, I am in West LA. Where are you?

[TOBZDV]

Hey Guys, if i was to add a stere pre-amp which one would you suggest? Something like the C1100? With that plus my Mc452 would that be enough for a dedicated 2 channel system?

Still open to suggestions on the rest of the speakers for room as well. Ideally, I would be able to put them in-wall (except for the sub) as my wife is already freaking out a bit that I'm doing this.. she really wants everything to look clean/modern.

[crwilli]

Originally Posted by TOBZDV

Hey Guys, if i was to add a stere pre-amp which one would you suggest? Something like the C1100? With that plus my Mc452 would that be enough for a dedicated 2 channel system?

Still open to suggestions on the rest of the speakers for room as well. Ideally, I would be able to put them in-wall (except for the sub) as my wife is already freaking out a bit that I'm doing this.. she really wants everything to look clean/modern.

What’s your budget?

[miketuason]

Originally Posted by TOBZDV

Hey Mike, I am in West LA. Where are you?

Cerritos

[TOBZDV]

I don't have a set budget. Trying to find the optimal set up.. within reason

[biscorbit]

my mc452 with c52 is fantastic combination! You can't go wrong! I did demo c2100 and the c52 was much better. Also my speakers are harbeth c7es3. I could really listen to music all day with this combo.

Good luck!