Conflicted new to forum

[Audiodreamer]

Hello all! I have a question! I have a receiver that according to a review actually put out 90 watts to 7 channels. True or not I don't know. At least 90 per 2 channels. It's an Onkyo 606.

I have def tech bp6 supposed to have an over all freq response 30-30k.
I don't know how efficient.

Focussing on two channel audio. Not concerned with the sub at this point. It's just LFE. Without getting into room acoustics, I am looking for more detailed sound at low and high volumes.

If I wanted to spend $2-3,000 what would be your first upgrade and why? And supporting documentation.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

Hello all! I have a question! I have a receiver that according to a review actually put out 90 watts to 7 channels. True or not I don't know. At least 90 per 2 channels. It's an Onkyo 606.

The 606 does not have the necessary power supply to run 90 watts in to all channels from 20-20khz. So 90 watts into two channels is more realistic.

I have def tech bp6 supposed to have an over all freq response 30-30k.
I don't know how efficient.

Focussing on two channel audio. Not concerned with the sub at this point. It's just LFE. Without getting into room acoustics, I am looking for more detailed sound at low and high volumes.

If I wanted to spend $2-3,000 what would be your first upgrade and why? And supporting documentation.

If you are brushing acoustics aside, forget getting the best sound from your equipment no matter how much more you are willing to spend. If I spend $10,000 on equipment and put it in room with loads of acoustical issues, it will just be $10,000 dollar poorly spent - I will never get to hear the best the system can do. Dealing with the acoustics of your room is the best upgrade you can give yourself. It yields the best bang for the buck.

[Mr Peabody]

You asked for documentation, that does not exist, your receiver's specs on paper may look better than a mega dollar amp, so specs are out. Then what, reviews, maybe, they can be helpful to some extent if you are familiar with the writer and can agree on equipment you've heard yourself. The thing is every one has their personal tastes and bias, you have to listen to gear and find what makes your toe tap.

With that being said if I were you and wanted better detail for 2-channel playback I'd start with a stand alone CD or SACD player depending on what you have for media source, or maybe just a DAC. A better playback source will give you better detail. Plus just a DAC is popular with the streaming crowd. Some may debate this point but consider if the detail is never pulled off the disc nothing downstream will allow you to hear it because it's not there, downstream can only make the detail retrieved sound better. It goes without saying the components downstream also have to be capable of maintaining the detail.

Clear at loud volume you need clean large power in the amp, and speakers that can handle it.

If you like the Def Tech you might want to listen to Golden Ear, they get great reviews and have built in amplification which could take strain off the receiver amp. The designer of Golden Ear used to work with Def Tech. Just a thought if you want to keep your current receiver. If looking to begin from scratch there's so many ways to go. If wanting specific brands a bit more info would help, what type of music, room size etc.

[blackraven]

For $2K to $3K I would look at these Preamp/DAC combo's

Peachtree Preamp/DAC- Peachtree makes some very nice gear

Peachtree Audio - Nova Pre - Hybrid-Tube Preamp/DAC-Audio Advisor

Benchmark Pre/DAC-

Benchmark - DAC1 PRE - Preamplifier / DAC / Headphone Amp-Audio Advisor


Grant Fidelity Preamp/DAC-

Grant Fidelity TubeDAC-11 D/A Converter
I have the Grant Fidelity in a secondary system. It is a great budget hybrid tube preamp/DAC and it performs like a preamp costing 2-3 times the cost.

For amps-

One of these Class D Audio amps, the SDS versions, they have a nice detailed airy sound, almost tube like. I have a CDA amp and I believe that Feanor a forum member has has an SDS amp. They get you high end sound on a budget.

Class D Audio Complete Amplifiers

or any one of these solid state amps-


Parasound - Halo A23 Balanced Amplifier-Audio Advisor

Marantz - MM7025 - Two Channel Power Amplifier-Audio Advisor

Emotiva Audio

If you just want to go the Receiver route then take a look at this Outlaw Audio 2ch Receiver that is well regarded but wont get you comparable sound to a separate amp and preamp-
RR2150 Stereo Receiver



Spend the rest on some nice speakers- Although speakers are very subjective

PSB - Image T6 - Tower Loudspeaker-Audio Advisor

You can get a pair of B-stock PSB Image T-6's from here-
Saturday Audio

SongBird - Pricing

Also consider a pair of B&W 683's

And if you have any interest in Planar speakers-

MG 12 - Magnepan, Inc.

MMG - Magnepan, Inc.

Although, you will need a subwoofer with either of these if you like heart pounding bass. The Martin Logan and Velodyne non-ported subs pair well with them.

[Audiodreamer]

So am I to understand that my current speakers, if my room acoustics are right, are more than adequate and and worthy for an amp, or receiver upgrade, or other source components?

suppose I start over. If I am starting from scratch. And let's say I bought a htib and realize that it doesn't do it for me. I subscribe to magazines and based on reviews and sales, I buy a new receiver. It's at the top end of their entry level.
Now I've got receiver and small satellite
speakers. Since I haven't had anything before, am I supposed to treat room acoustically, when right now I just want to listen, I can fine tune later.

So now do spend $2-3,000 on an amp to drive small sat speakers, or do I invest in speakers?

[markw]

So, where did this HTIB stuff come from? Are you schnitzing us and trying to put words into our mouths?

Advice is freely offered here but please don't try to play games when people took their time to provide well thought out and composed answers to your questions.

Rather than sitting there contemplating your navel, I suggest you go out and listen to speakers that live up to your expectations. Then, once you've decided on them, start looking for an amplifier that is capable of driving them to what you consider a suitable level.

Repeat the process until you find a pair that fall within your financial lmits. I'm sure you can find something that satisfies you.

Then worry about fine tuning the room.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

So am I to understand that my current speakers, if my room acoustics are right, are more than adequate and and worthy for an amp, or receiver upgrade, or other source components?

Absolutely. People can recommend components all day and all night, but if the rooms acoustics are lousy, you will not benefit one bit from their advice. Start with what you have, improve the rooms acoustics, and THEN decide if you want new equipment.

[blackraven]

First off, are you wanting a system that doubles as a Home theater and music or is it just for music? Also, what are the dimensions of your room and what type of music do you listen to the most?

If you are wanting a system that doubles as a home theater, then buy a nice AVR like an NAD, Marantz as I prefer the sound of these brands over Onkyo, Yamaha but thats just a personal preference. If you like your Def Tech BP6's then keep them, speakers are so subjective but there are better sounding speakers than the BP6's, I would conside upgrading all your electronic gear and the speakers last and then see if you like the sound. Consider a new CD player like the Marantz SA-8004 (this is an SACD player as well and has the typical warmer Marantz sound, Cambridge Audio 751, or if you are in the market for a Universal player that also does BluRay consider the Oppo Digital player which does everything well.

OPPO BDP-95 Blu-ray Disc Player

Or get a stand alone DAC like this great buy on a PS Audio digilink III-
PS AUDIO DIGITAL LINK III DAC at Music Direct

Other options instead of an AVR is to buy a multichannel amp and then a Multi channel preamp-Processor such as these for example-

Pres & Pros | Emotiva Audio | High-end audio components for audiophiles and videophiles, spanning 2-channel music systems, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 home theaters. Products include multichannel amplifiers, stereo amplifiers, and monoblock amplifiers, as

The benefit of this is that as new formats become available, all you have to do is replace the processor/preamp and not the amp if you ever desire to upgrade again.