Theta Casanova

Posted by Bryan P. on October 01, 1998 at 21:26:13:

In Reply to: Theta Casanova posted by Tony on October 01, 1998 at 15:21:49:

: O.K., you like Theta, but can you really hear a difference over othr units or is it more prestige. $4K for a piece of equipment is not a cheap venture.
: Tony

Don't know if I like this piece...haven't heard it yet. I know their past and my dealer and trust them both. This should be a killer piece for the money. If it is half as good as it is supposed to be it will be a bargain at $4100 retail. You definitely get what you pay for.

I haven't heard anything I would even settle for in my system for less than $3500. Again, how much music do you listen to or is this strictly a theater piece. I listen to music a lot and in many pieces, that is where the difference is. Face it, movie soundtracks, sound effects, and voice hardly tax challenge a pieces harmonic reproduction, soundstage size and stability, microdynamics, etc.

I wouldn't even bother with the B&K. I have a loaner right now and my 12 year old $1500 PS Audio blows it away on music. (No, my system is not $100k, more like $10k without the preamp)

In my humble opinion, the preamp probably has the most effect on the overall sound quality/imaging of a system whether it is 2 channel music or 6/8 channel surround theater. Many people will dispute this but believe me, an extra $1k on the pre/pro side will give more flexibility/ sonic benefits than the same investment spread over 6 speakers, or on an amplifier.

When you compare, listen to music first and get a good idea of the overall sound. Then view a couple of movies and get a sense of how "involved" you get in the soundscape and how seamless it is. Then(this is the tought part) decide what you are willing to trade off. $4k is hardly a state of the art piece but it will get you a long way there when carefully matched.

In short, right now, I'll probably end up spending the $4100 on the Theta and the $900 I save over the Lexicon on good interconnects (yes, they do matter a lot) and maybe a couple of DVDs. Not to mention the loss I won't have to take on an obsolete piece in 3 years when MPEG2 and 24/96 CD audio are in full swing.

: : I think the CasaNova will sing, dance AND juggle. From what I have been told, this unit will blow away everything else in it's class. I've also been told that it compares to the "Standard" DAC's in the Casablanca, which are anything but standard (and I think my sources are good...they're one of the top Theta dealers in the counry, and they're getting one of the first 5 beta units).

: : I think that 4K is worth it. You get serious upgradability, along with a 10 year warranty from Theta. Spending the money now will save money in the long run, while providing a top-quality component now.

: : Come on...this is Theta we're talking about. What have they ever made that is anything less than great?

: : Rob

: : : Guys, at that price, I would hope this thing would sing and dance. Seriously, do you think it would be worth it? Are there less expensive contenders?

: : :
: : : : I just received literature from Theta and exchanged a few emails with them. The Casa Nova, "reasonably" configured
: : : : with Base unit, Analog input, digital input, analog output, video board, DD, DTS and "panel grade cover" will retail at $4100.

: : : : This is a highly configurable pre-pro. With the exception of the analog output card ($1000) various cards/options run anywhere from $200-$400 each.

: : : : The DACs used are Burr-Brown 1716: (96/24) 106dB dynamic range, -96dB THD, 105dB SNR. According to BB lit, "suitable for mid to high-grade audio applications".

: : : : Theta rep has also confirmed the 3-4 week ship date, based on design/production team estimates as of 9/28.

: : : : jeff

: : : :
: : : : :
: : : : : : : Any new imaginary dates for the 'Nova release??? Even rumors would be appreciated.

: : : : : : According to a Theta tech, the first pieces will be shipped in the next 3 - 4 weeks. However, the system is truly modular. You have to add everything to the base unit, e.g. inputs/outputs (analog, digital, and video) as well as dolby digital and dts. A functional system will probably be in the $4K range retail.

: : : : : Interesting. I was told the price went from $2800 to $3100 for video switching and AC3 with another few hundred for DTS.

: : : : : All I keep hearing is that it will be worth the wait. That's fine as long as they don't price it out of my reach. If it ends up around 4k or a bit over, it will HAVE to be good to compete at that price point.

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