Well with the 990 on order my next upgrade will be speakers. I'm using older Paradigm speakers, 9MKseIII, as my mains. I like to listen to alot of two channel and now I'm concerned that my upgrade plan my be flawed. I was planning on combining Paradigm Studio 100s with a new 7500 to replace my Acurus A200x3. My current Paradigms have silk dome tweeters...sweet, but the Studio 100 has aluminum domes that can be harsh and fatigueing. I do prefer solid state over tubes, but I still want to listen to smooth music for ours without my ears bleeding. The studio 100 get rave reviews but I understand you must take care to match the amp. Any people with this combo? Any harshness? Can you listen to music for extended periods with out fatigue?

Thanks

I don't have that exact combination, but my combination of older v2 Paradigm Studio 60's and Model 750 amp would lead me to suggest that you'd be very happy with the combination of Studio 100 and Model 7500.

Thanks Gonk, how much two channel do you listen to? I have followed the forum and it appears that most people here perfer DPLIIx to two channel. Am I wrong but doesnt DPLIIx apply a gradual roll off in the freqeuncies above 15kHz? I know I can try the 7500 and see if it's a match but the shipping cost is too much to risk. I wonder if Outlaw would allow me to pick up the amp. I remember a post that said it is shipped out of Whittier CA. Thats less than 20 miles. It would cost much less than shipping.

I use PLIIx for watching TV and Dolby 2.0 DVD's, but I listen to CD's in stereo. I don't recall hearing about a roll-off at high frequencies with Pro Logic II/IIx, but even with the unaltered full-range signal in stereo mode I've had no problem with harshness.

Paradigm's aluminum domes are anything but harsh and fatiguing. I've heard silk domes that sound far more harsh. It's all in the design...saying that all metal domes sound harsh is like saying all pizza tastes the same

Hi star113
I do ALL my music listening in two channel
through my 1070
with my main mirage speakers + sub only...
which have titanium tweeters and I must say...
I've never had them bleeding ears...
To the contrary...
I actually noticed that they seemed to come alive When I swiched to the 1070...and took my Yamaha behind the barn...
I now have incredible highs...that are accurate and thight...
But your best bet is to listen to what your buying...your ears will tell you...

Darth Tater makes a good point. Metal dome tweeters are typically classified as harsh or fatiguing, but it really depends on the specific design - and if you've ever seen info on Paradigm's facilities, you know that they're pretty picky about design.

There are many advantages to using aluminum, titanium and other rigid metals in speaker design. In the case of Paradigm speakers they use S-PAL™ satin-anodize pure aluminum dome. That process or design if you will “softens” or takes the edge off in my opinion. I do not own Paradigm 100 V.3's but have listen to them extensively over the last several years. I have heard them with Parasound, Denon, Rotel and B&K equipment. I never once experienced harshness. In my opinion the Paradigms are anything but harsh. I suspect that the Outlaw amp would be a nice match.

Thanks for the replies, and I know it all depends on the design. Just for the record I never said "..all metal domes are harsh." I actually said that I have read a few reviews from owners of the STUDIO 100 who said they can be harsh if not matched properly. I know the only way to know for sure is to demo the speakers with the amp. Gonk does Outlaw allow for local pick up or will call of product? Thanks guys for the help..and the passion.

STAR

Being many, many miles from any Outlaw facilities, I've never checked on the option of local pick-up. It's certainly worth asking Outlaw what they can do for you.

Star113,
I play w/ Paradigm 60's - v3 and the 990/7125.
My dad has rub off on me so i have been listening to 2-channel (classical/jazz).
It really comes down to the recording/mastering of the cd. The setup is actually pretty revealing. I tend to run into flat (sound stage/dynamics) sounding recordings.
I have not run into harsh sound from the 7125/paradigm combo.
I was really concerned w/ harshness in the upper end as well. Happy to report I have not had any extended listening ending up fatigued do to upper frequency roughness/harshness.

DIY CAT5 speaker cables. Speaker crossover at 80 Hz

Thanks tmdlp, That is very helpful. I think I will go with the Paradigms, I still love my 9MKseII. They still sound great, and I always wanted the Studios. When I go to my local dealer he always has them hooked up to a VERY nice mono combo. I wish he sold ATI, I'd ask for a demo with the Studio 100. Well I'm on my way for one hell of an upgrade. Paradigm Ref. all around. SVS PB12-Ultra. Outlaw 990, 7500, Acurus A200x3, HP Pavilion MD6580n. After all this I hope I'm satisfied for awhile....

Oooh... Nice assortment, Star113. That'll be a sweet setup.

Star113,
I had the chance to see the HP in our demo center(work) - very nice. The techs completed the fine tuning and threw in a HD feed from a NASCAR race.....
30 minumtes later .... wow - sweet - very cool. Just a smookin' picture.

Nice setup - have fun. Keep us in the loop w/ an update.

Star113,

I have the 990/7125 combo with the Paradigm Reference Studio 100s, plus the CC-570 and 4 ADP 470s. I haven't actually gotten to hook up the ADP-470s yet, but I can tell you that the setup sounds great--I have absolutely no complaints, and all my friends want the same set-up (except their wives are simply not as cool as mine!) Anyway, I hope you do go with the 100s, as they are the best speaker that I have ever heard anywhere near their price point.

I have always loved the Studio 100s. I guess I let a few not so good reviews get to me, but its Paradigm all the way. Now the HP DLP was an easy decision, and after seeing Aperions display at HE 06 its a done deal simply the best DLP around. But first the 990 should be in my eager lil hands in a few days just got the tracking number today.

You'll love it, and congrats!

I got my 990 B stock. I havent hooked it up yet. All looks well needs a little cleaning on the top. I was suprised that the unit was not in a bag or had something to protect it from moisture or condensation during the trip from the east coast, but all in all it looks good. I think I will do the upgrade before I do anything else. Will keep you posted

Upgrade complete with the USB very easy no problems at all.