CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

Blorton · Joined: 27 Jan 2009 Posts: 105 Location: Hotlanta, GA

So I opened my email this morning and Curt has a flotilla of 808s' just in....

My ultimate goal was to replace the 1272 someday with a G90 - but the dying irreplaceble chips nixxed that one....

Ideally, I'd love a 9" LC set with EM focus, but those are still a bit pricey.

Has anyone upgraded from a 1272 to something "midrangish" like the 808s? I'd appreciate any *subjective* feedback.

Thanks,
Dan

jkruger · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 2435 Location: Carlsbad, CA

You can't go wrong with an 808s from Curt. The difference will amaze you.

rabies_70 · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 1:02 am Post subject:

If I didn't already own like 5 projectors I'd buy one. Sorry Curt

barcoguy · Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 128

HUGE difference. I have seen both side by side. If curt says they have mint tubes go for it! Also COG is amazing!!!!!!!!

ecrabb · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:13 am Post subject:

I went from a very clean low-hour 1271 to a minty G70, and the difference was huge. I never understood what Mike Parker was talking about when he'd refer to "background detail"... Til I got the G70 set up, that is. The picture is just gorgeous. The contrast increase and brightness really gives the picture "pop" that the 1271 didn't have.

On my screen size, I don't know that I'd even have much to gain going to a 9" machine. Yeah, it'd be sharper and brighter, but at MUCH greater cost.

I'm thrilled with my setup. Go for it - you won't regret it.

SC

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

I've got a 1252 and an NEC XG1100 and there is quite a difference between the two. There is another jump when you go from AC to LC as well.

I sitll like the 1252 though. Throws a nice image and great for gaming.

Blorton · Joined: 27 Jan 2009 Posts: 105 Location: Hotlanta, GA

Thanks all for the feedback! I figured it would be a nice upgrade.

The 808s is still an air coupled lens setup, right?

ecrabb · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:01 am Post subject:

I agree, Greg. The 12xx machines are just great machines. Given how cheap they are (practically free!), the bang-for-buck is just unbeatable - especially if you're on a tight budget. I'd still take a 12xx over most 720p digital stuff for sale in your typical AV retailer.

That said, moving from the 1271 to the G70 definitely bumped my theater into a slightly different category as far as image quality. In spite of what Dave says, I think I'd have to spend close to $3500 on a digital projector to even get into the ballpark of image quality that I could be happy with... And to say I wouldn't be that happy to spend $3500 is putting it mildly.

If you can deal with the physical size, noise, and challenging setup, it's really a sweet time for 8" EM/LC machines.

SC

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

ecrabb · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:11 am Post subject:

I don't know, dude. Maybe if you can get it cheap used. I think there would be better options, though.

Home Theater magazine just reviewed the Panny 3000, Mits 7000, and Sony HW10, and the Panny 3000 was by far the worst of the three in the on/off contrast department at under 3,000:1. It wasn't even close to the other two. If you like CRT, you might not be too crazy about how 3,000:1 looks. I'd definitely like to see one in somebody's room calibrated, though to see what it looks like.

SC

ecrabb · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:12 am Post subject:

Spanky Ham · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 5643 Location: Comedy Central

While the 808 might be nice, I would hold off for a LC pj. For a lot of us, the jump from AC to LC was the biggest step up in image quality.

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 6:37 am Post subject:

I had hands on with an 808s a couple of months ago. It was super sharp! I'd recommend one for sure. I'd love to have one infact but no ca$h flow right now. Sad

Tom.W · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 6635

secstate · Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 720

Blorton · Joined: 27 Jan 2009 Posts: 105 Location: Hotlanta, GA

Thanks Spanky. LC is something I'm being firm about so I'll see if I can't manage to resist the temptation this time around. Very Happy

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 2:50 pm Post subject:

28 are now sold. 1 left.

(OK, kidding, in my dreams they'd be all sold, but it can't hurt but drum up some excitement, right? ) Smile