Around $1,000: Receiver or Seperates?

[kexodusc]

Hi Kex,

Thanks for the primer. That all makes sense. Although I don't understand how you described using an integrated amp for the mains (as oppossed to just a regular amp for the mains).

So how much do these expensive pre-pro's go for- maybe for a decent, but not crazy expensive one, to make a noticable difference versus using a receiver as a pre-pro?

And if I don't want to spend $5,000 just on power and electronics now, you seem to think using an AV receiver as a pre-pro is a decent way to go, correct? Better than just getting a big receiver for the same total cost?

I like the idea. You can buy a few amps. Those will always be useful. Then just change the receiver as the technology changes.

In, say, a 5.1 system with a powered sub, you've got the main speakers to drive, the center channel, and the rear/surrounds. Do you get 3 amps- 1 for each of the mains, the center, and the rears? Or get 2 amps and use the receiver amp for either the rears or center? On one hand, the rears have 2 speakers so they should get the amp. On the other hand, the center works more often than the rears.

By the way, I would not have thought to get a cheap receiver and then some amps. This forum and you folks are really helpful. Thanks.

Jon, when I read your posts again you suggest that you watch a movie or two a week. I don't know how many hours of critical music listening you do where you sit in front of a stereo, but I'm guessing home theater might be a bit more important to you than 5%.

As for the receiver, if it has pre-outs (and make sure it does, entry level ones don't, you have to go up a few steps), you can add as many amps as you have speakers. Depending how many amps you decide to get, I'd order the priority as follows:
Front mains,
Side Surrounds,
Center Channel.


Some people might like the center channel higher up the priority list, but I run mine off the reciever...most recievers have no problem powering 1 speaker.

Amps last for decades if treated well and they don't really deteriorate in sound sound quality. Usually they just crap out. Tons of used amps available, best part about buying used amps is that you can sell them in a year or two for 80-90% of what you paid for them if you want to upgrade.As for using the integrated amp, I thought about it, and I don't think it's right for you. You'd have to fuss around with setting speaker levels and everything. I don't think the benefit is enough to warrant the extra cost and hassle for you at this stage especially if you're looking for a good pre/pro later on.

Eventually you'd want a pre-pro I think, but those are a lot pricier than receivers.

Nice pre-pros start at $1000...and can be pretty expensive. You can find a lot of used ones for sale too, but they have slightly dated processing. If you're only looking for basic 5.1 processing and good sound, you can find a lot of pre-pros used for under $1000. If buying used doesn't scare you, this might be the way to go.

I'd take some time to think about this. It's easy for us to preach about separates, but we're into all this gear stuff as a hobby anyway. If you decide to buy a receiver, and 2 or 3 power amps to augment it, you're going to need a lot of rack space, and have a bunch of cables running back there. There are good sounding receivers in the $1000 range that'll sound excellent, despite what you might read here. The Rotel RSX-1056 is a heck of a reciever at about $1100-$1200, that will rival the sound from a lot of small separate systems. For the best sound quality and flexibility though, separates are probably the way to go.

[JonW]

Jon, when I read your posts again you suggest that you watch a movie or two a week. I don't know how many hours of critical music listening you do where you sit in front of a stereo, but I'm guessing home theater might be a bit more important to you than 5%.

Well, at the moment, I rent a movie about once every 3 months. I'm just guessing that with a really good sound system, I might then be compelled to watch more movies. 2 channel music is definitely the far higher priority. I've always got music playing, even right now, here at work.

As for the receiver, if it has pre-outs (and make sure it does, entry level ones don't, you have to go up a few steps), you can add as many amps as you have speakers. Depending how many amps you decide to get, I'd order the priority as follows:
Front mains,
Side Surrounds,
Center Channel.


Some people might like the center channel higher up the priority list, but I run mine off the reciever...most recievers have no problem powering 1 speaker.

Amps last for decades if treated well and they don't really deteriorate in sound sound quality. Usually they just crap out. Tons of used amps available, best part about buying used amps is that you can sell them in a year or two for 80-90% of what you paid for them if you want to upgrade.As for using the integrated amp, I thought about it, and I don't think it's right for you. You'd have to fuss around with setting speaker levels and everything. I don't think the benefit is enough to warrant the extra cost and hassle for you at this stage especially if you're looking for a good pre/pro later on.

Eventually you'd want a pre-pro I think, but those are a lot pricier than receivers.

Nice pre-pros start at $1000...and can be pretty expensive. You can find a lot of used ones for sale too, but they have slightly dated processing. If you're only looking for basic 5.1 processing and good sound, you can find a lot of pre-pros used for under $1000. If buying used doesn't scare you, this might be the way to go.

I'd take some time to think about this. It's easy for us to preach about separates, but we're into all this gear stuff as a hobby anyway. If you decide to buy a receiver, and 2 or 3 power amps to augment it, you're going to need a lot of rack space, and have a bunch of cables running back there. There are good sounding receivers in the $1000 range that'll sound excellent, despite what you might read here. The Rotel RSX-1056 is a heck of a reciever at about $1100-$1200, that will rival the sound from a lot of small separate systems. For the best sound quality and flexibility though, separates are probably the way to go.

Definitely- I need to take time to think about how I want to go. Shopping around for the right system is both important and, to me, fun. I'm not too worried about space. The room that all this will go into is completely empty at the moment. Heck, maybe I should factor a sofa into my budget.

Like you say, amps last a good, long time. Pre-pros are expensive. And low end receivers are cheap. So maybe a good way for me to start all this is get a cheap receiver with pre-outs and add 2 amps or so. I could then view the receiver as dispoable after a few years if I want newer technology (not likely) or want to upgrade sound quality to a real pre-pro (more likely). Then again, you make a good point about getting one good receiver. I'll do some more reading,thinking, and shopping- which are all fun.

I really appreciate all the excellent advice.

-Jon