High End Receiver dilema ?

[Yoda]

Hey guys,

I'm pretty new at this stuff and I'm building a home theater. I have the Jamo E770 in the front with E750s in back (yes this is 4 floorstandings), one forward and one rear center channel, and 2 subs (6.1 setup). Using the Optoma H78DC3 with Da-Lite screen. Large room.

I was planning on using the Integra DTR-7.4. However, I began reading about the Marantz and the Denons and onkyos.......and this lead to confusion.

I want to spend about $1500.....what do you guys suggest ??

Thanks

[GMichael]

Hey guys,

I'm pretty new at this stuff and I'm building a home theater. I have the Jamo E770 in the front with E750s in back (yes this is 4 floorstandings), one forward and one rear center channel, and 2 subs (6.1 setup). Using the Optoma H78DC3 with Da-Lite screen. Large room.

I was planning on using the Integra DTR-7.4. However, I began reading about the Marantz and the Denons and onkyos.......and this lead to confusion.

I want to spend about $1500.....what do you guys suggest ??

Thanks

Many to choose from, and most of them are very good. I like my Yamaha a lot. It does it all. Plenty of others will like Denon, Onkyo, HK etc. I picked the Yammie because I liked how it sounded and how few returns they get on them. You can get the RX-V2500 for about $1000 at authorized dealers (I like getting a warranty). The RX-V4600 is about $1800 and has a better amp. But I don't think you need it. Your speakers are 6 ohm right? Should be no problem.

[N. Abstentia]

For $1500 I wouldn't waste time with a receiver, you can do far far far better for the money with seperates. I would suggest this preamp:
http://outlawaudio.com/products/990.html

Which leaves you $400 for a 5 channel amp which is very doable if you keep an eye on Ebay and Audiogon. I'm seeing nice amps from B&K, Rotel, Parasound, Acurus, etc in that price range. This combo will absolutely kill any receiver in the price range.

[kexodusc]

I'm with N.Abstentia - if you can swing it, go the power amp route.
If space is a concern, I'd look at either Arcam, Rotel, or NAD in that order. These receivers should be in your price range and do deliver quality and power on par with separates.

[Tarheel_]

I disagree with the above recommendations on going seperates....

Yoda didn't mention trying to squeeze every bit of performance. He said he needs a AV receiver to control his 6.1 system.

For $1500, your forced to buy used or lower-end seperates which probably will not possess video up conversion, advanced bass management, etc....all of which a $1500 receiver will do. Plus, he gets a warranty and the overall convenience a AVR provides.

Stick with your plan and go get a new receiver (with warranty), any of the brands mentioned will provide a nice hub for your HT. I'll throw another brand to consider....Sherwood Newcastle. The Newcastle line is Sherwood's upper brand and will do your HT right.

[kexodusc]

Tarheel's right, might be a bit too forward thinking on our part to dive into separates. I'm just looking at bucks we're talking about, and thinking in 2, 3, 4 years, one might be in a better position to upgrade and probably still have all the control/processing features he needs.
Nothing wrong with getting a good avr and then adding amps as needed (if needed)...which is why I recommend Adcom, Rotel, Nad, etc...I find them the most user friendly, best sounding, and among the highest quality receivers in that price range. For most people, that's all they'd need.

[N. Abstentia]

I disagree with the above recommendations on going seperates....

Yoda didn't mention trying to squeeze every bit of performance. He said he needs a AV receiver to control his 6.1 system.

For $1500, your forced to buy used or lower-end seperates which probably will not possess video up conversion, advanced bass management, etc....all of which a $1500 receiver will do. Plus, he gets a warranty and the overall convenience a AVR provides.

Wait a minute now, the 7.1 preamp I suggested does indeed have video up conversion, advanced bass mangagement ALONG with other features that an AVR might not have, such as balanced outputs, DVI switching, better DAC's, and more than 2 component video inputs. This $1100 preamp trounces the cheap preamp that is found in a $1500 AVR and it does indeed have a full warranty. A 6 channel amp can be had for less than $500 that will bury any AVR amp. True at that price you have to go used with no warranty...but it's an AMP. It just works.


I just don't understand how someone with $1500 would not get seperates. It boggles the mind. It's a no brainer, get the seperates. If you don't, you'll kick yourself in the ass every time you turn on your all-in-one receiver.

[JonW]

For $1500 I wouldn't waste time with a receiver, you can do far far far better for the money with seperates. I would suggest this preamp:
http://outlawaudio.com/products/990.html

Which leaves you $400 for a 5 channel amp which is very doable if you keep an eye on Ebay and Audiogon. I'm seeing nice amps from B&K, Rotel, Parasound, Acurus, etc in that price range. This combo will absolutely kill any receiver in the price range.

Hmmm... receivers vs. seperates... I keep thinking about this. For my needs (mostly music with a little movies) I'm thinking about the Arcam AVR300 at the moment. But for $2,000...? Idunno. I guess there are multiple options.

[GMichael]

Hmmm... receivers vs. seperates... I keep thinking about this. For my needs (mostly music with a little movies) I'm thinking about the Arcam AVR300 at the moment. But for $2,000...? Idunno. I guess there are multiple options.

Here is a good combo of seperates if you want to go that way. These may be available cheeper on Ebay or something if you don't care about warranties.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/pr...er%20Amplifier

[JonW]

Here is a good combo of seperates if you want to go that way. These may be available cheeper on Ebay or something if you don't care about warranties.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/pr...er%20Amplifier

Thanks. I haven't read much about Adcom, so I should do some looking around. About 50% more than the Arcam receiver. Although part of that expense is an amp, which you can always use ven when the pre pro is obsolete.

Maybe I need to compare the sound of the Arcam (not using the internal amp) to some dedicated pre pros. And see if there's an appreciable difference. If not, I can always just get the Arcam receiver and add amps later, as needed.

[Lexmark3200]

Hmmm... receivers vs. seperates... I keep thinking about this. For my needs (mostly music with a little movies) I'm thinking about the Arcam AVR300 at the moment. But for $2,000...? Idunno. I guess there are multiple options.

And thus Jon it turns into that inevitable "at which point do you consider separates?" as flagship receivers from the likes of, say, Denon or Onkyo, can easily be 3 to 4,000 dollars and so we must wonder......go with a flagship receiver THAT expensive or start looking into separates?

[Yoda]

First of all.....THANKS YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR INPUT. You guys are great.

I do want the warranty...just my preference. I think separates are not an option, especially since I live in AL. Dealers have always been a problem down here.

[Glen B]

Hey guys,

I'm pretty new at this stuff and I'm building a home theater. I have the Jamo E770 in the front with E750s in back (yes this is 4 floorstandings), one forward and one rear center channel, and 2 subs (6.1 setup). Using the Optoma H78DC3 with Da-Lite screen. Large room.

I was planning on using the Integra DTR-7.4. However, I began reading about the Marantz and the Denons and onkyos.......and this lead to confusion.

I want to spend about $1500.....what do you guys suggest ??

Thanks

If you can swing $2,000, it will get you nice, no-nonsense separates from Outlaw Audio.
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/index.html

[MyThingIs23InchesFlacid!]

Ain't no dilema HOLMES - get yo' a---s----s a Denon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lexmark3200]

Now some observations about all this if I may because this has become a very interesting and popular matter of subject for some time around enthusiast/audiophile circles....

It seems to me the only real benefit those 6 thousand dollar flagship receivers offer (because the $500 models all decode every audio soundtrack you would POSSIBLY need right now---DTS, DTS ES, DD, DD EX, etc albeit with less power output, sure) are these aforementioned "dual room" powering situtaions which I would PERSONALLY have no need for whatsoever-----my philosophy is, you have guests over that are watching a film in 5.1 surround? They stay in the MAIN home theater room with you-----no need to power two 5.1 systems in a house as it seems kind of ludicrous to me; I mean, if you have a HT in a secondary room, why not power THAT system with another $500 good unit from Onkyo or Denon or perhaps Yamaha? To feed two 5.1 systems AND allow for stereo listening in another room, plus all the other internet gizmos these flagship models offer is just too much and overkill in my opinion.

Yet, that still leaves us with this dilemma, folks: once you start going into the $4,000, $5,000 and $6,000 (which is what I believe the new Denon flagship receiver sells for in Crutchfield if I am not mistaken) range, when you have that kind of cash to spend.....is a RECEIVER the way to go at that point? Besides all the multiroom powering, what are these models offering for six thousand dollars over the ones we can buy for $500 that feel very sturdy and are made well (depending upon who they come from-----not talking JVC or Kenwood or Sony of course)? Are these units REALLY putting out 170 WATTS X 7 or X 8 or whatever they are advertising? THAT'S the essential question here.....how do we know when to step up into separates? Would a multichannel amp and home theater preamp make sense at that price point?

[GMichael]

Now some observations about all this if I may because this has become a very interesting and popular matter of subject for some time around enthusiast/audiophile circles....

It seems to me the only real benefit those 6 thousand dollar flagship receivers offer (because the $500 models all decode every audio soundtrack you would POSSIBLY need right now---DTS, DTS ES, DD, DD EX, etc albeit with less power output, sure) are these aforementioned "dual room" powering situtaions which I would PERSONALLY have no need for whatsoever-----my philosophy is, you have guests over that are watching a film in 5.1 surround? They stay in the MAIN home theater room with you-----no need to power two 5.1 systems in a house as it seems kind of ludicrous to me; I mean, if you have a HT in a secondary room, why not power THAT system with another $500 good unit from Onkyo or Denon or perhaps Yamaha? To feed two 5.1 systems AND allow for stereo listening in another room, plus all the other internet gizmos these flagship models offer is just too much and overkill in my opinion.

Yet, that still leaves us with this dilemma, folks: once you start going into the $4,000, $5,000 and $6,000 (which is what I believe the new Denon flagship receiver sells for in Crutchfield if I am not mistaken) range, when you have that kind of cash to spend.....is a RECEIVER the way to go at that point? Besides all the multiroom powering, what are these models offering for six thousand dollars over the ones we can buy for $500 that feel very sturdy and are made well (depending upon who they come from-----not talking JVC or Kenwood or Sony of course)? Are these units REALLY putting out 170 WATTS X 7 or X 8 or whatever they are advertising? THAT'S the essential question here.....how do we know when to step up into separates? Would a multichannel amp and home theater preamp make sense at that price point?

Maybe.

That seems to be the final answer. Did you look at the link I started? (receivers vs. separates.)

In my opinion separates would be better at that price point. Most people seem to agree, but not everyone.

Receivers vs. separates?

[Lexmark3200]

Maybe.

That seems to be the final answer. Did you look at the link I started? (receivers vs. separates.)

In my opinion separates would be better at that price point. Most people seem to agree, but not everyone.

Receivers vs. separates?

Yes G, Im going to look that link over and take the conversation to that more appropriate thread. Thank you!