RF-7: DeanG mod vs new amp vs new AVR?

[maseline_98]

I was wondering what would be more beneficial to my sound experience for my RF-7s. $$$$ is a little tight or else I would probably do both(which in time I will eventually), but my question is, which one should I do first? Currently I am powering them with my Marantz SR-8400, but I was leaning on getting a Rotel RB-1080(which seems to be a pretty good match with 7s) and still using my marantz as a pre. Of course, I would go with another amp option as well, but for the price, it seems to fit well with the 7s. I have also considered getting a new AVR with HDMI 1.3a for TrueHD sound for a HT experience, but it doesn't seem to be in my budget.

Reason for the change:

1. They just don't seem to produce enough bass for me and the highs are a little bright(but I still like the way the highs sound). I run them with my SVS 20-39 PC+ (I would like to remove my sub and put it in another room to give some of my smaller setups LF help).

2. Always seem to have an upgrade bug.

[audioqueso]

What's a DeanG mod?

Do you have Blu-ray or HD-DVD player to take advantage of a new AVR?

Yes, I know and have heard tons of Klipsch owner that seem to love the Rotel/Klipsch combination. I would say go for the amp. Especially since you have the big RF-7s.

But I wonder if HD audio is a bigger improvement over an amp.

[soundhound]

maseline,
as a long time, and current RF 7 owner, electronics makes a huge difference with them. The 1080 is a good addittion, especially vs a receiver to drive them.
I corresponded with Dean early on as had heard all the rave on his mod, and chose to do my own, leaving the Klipsch engineered values, and just installing much "better"(pricier) components. This took the "bite" out of the top end when at higher volume.

The biggest changes came about when:
1) the 10's were broken in as it sounded like I picked up an extra ocvtive on the bottom. There are things that can be done to expedite this process.The change was out of the blue, and certainly not subtle. For 2 channel a sub is not needed. Correctly set up in a room they dig deeeep.

2)Tubes made the biggest difference on the top end. There are tubed components that can be had very reasonably on the used market, from source (cd players) to preamps, to power.
The 7's are some of the most dynamic, full bandwidth, honest speakers I have listened to and can sound rough out of the box with mass marketed pieces driving them, but set the room up, get some quality out ahead of them, let them settle in, and it will take 4 times their price to oust them from the room...............

Something compelled you to buy them, hopefully it was the way they sounded. Now, before chasing your tail, and anyone elses (and $$$$$) be patient, try 1 step, and build.
I have had mine for about 3 1/2 yrs, it took 2 1/2 years to get the all tube electronics built ahead of them, and now, I wouldn't trade them for a set of VA Mahler's (which are growing on me).

[maseline_98]

What's a DeanG mod?

Do you have Blu-ray or HD-DVD player to take advantage of a new AVR?

Yes, I know and have heard tons of Klipsch owner that seem to love the Rotel/Klipsch combination. I would say go for the amp. Especially since you have the big RF-7s.

But I wonder if HD audio is a bigger improvement over an amp.

I do not own a blu or red player..however, I have considered it, but it seems that HD-DVD is on its way out the door and I can't see spending money on a Blu-ray as of now b/c none of them has a 2.0 interface.

[maseline_98]

maseline,
as a long time, and current RF 7 owner, electronics makes a huge difference with them. The 1080 is a good addittion, especially vs a receiver to drive them.
I corresponded with Dean early on as had heard all the rave on his mod, and chose to do my own, leaving the Klipsch engineered values, and just installing much "better"(pricier) components. This took the "bite" out of the top end when at higher volume.

The biggest changes came about when:
1) the 10's were broken in as it sounded like I picked up an extra ocvtive on the bottom. There are things that can be done to expedite this process.The change was out of the blue, and certainly not subtle. For 2 channel a sub is not needed. Correctly set up in a room they dig deeeep.

2)Tubes made the biggest difference on the top end. There are tubed components that can be had very reasonably on the used market, from source (cd players) to preamps, to power.
The 7's are some of the most dynamic, full bandwidth, honest speakers I have listened to and can sound rough out of the box with mass marketed pieces driving them, but set the room up, get some quality out ahead of them, let them settle in, and it will take 4 times their price to oust them from the room...............

Something compelled you to buy them, hopefully it was the way they sounded. Now, before chasing your tail, and anyone elses (and $$$$$) be patient, try 1 step, and build.
I have had mine for about 3 1/2 yrs, it took 2 1/2 years to get the all tube electronics built ahead of them, and now, I wouldn't trade them for a set of VA Mahler's (which are growing on me).

How should they be setup in the room? They are about 12-18" from the back wall? Should I pull them out a little more and see how that works...the space that I'm working with isnt really great. I'm sitting about 10' from them in a listening area. I could try to draw a diagram and post that so you can see what my setup currently is....