Your opinion on this possible stereo/surround setup?

J

JollyGreen

Audiophyte
Hey people - I'm overhauling a decades old stereo system and starting to scratch the surface of some equipment I've wanted for years. Thanks in advanced for your feedback on this setup - I'm particularly curious of any issues/pitfalls I may not be thinking of.

Receiver: Yamaha RX-S601 (link)
Integrated Amp: NAD C 338 (link)
Fronts: MartinLogan Motion 15 (link)
Center: MartinLogan Motion 8 (link)
Rears: may include later (still need to figure out ideal placement)
Woofer: Klipsch R-12SWi (link) OR MartinLogan Dynamo 700W (link)

A few things I noticed that I'm unsure about:
  • MartinLogan 15's are 5 ohms. Their Motion 8 center speaker is 4 ohms. Receiver is rated at 8 ohms, while amp can handle 50W x 2 channels at either 8 or 4 ohms. Will the amp's ability to handle 4 ohms take care of the deficiency at the receiver level?
  • I'm looking to maximize this system for music listening (both digital and vinyl/phono) but also run a 3.1 for movies. With this in mind, would I run all speakers+sub through the receiver? Or connect fronts through amp first? (I've never used a separate amp so don't really know how to configure optimally).
There's probably a ton of other stuff I am not thinking about yet, but was hoping to get some guidance from anyone interested in helping out. I should also mention my budget is max $3k so I can't interchange the above with anything much higher-end (but am open to suggestions).

Thanks in advance,
Jack
 
j_garcia

j_garcia

Audioholic Jedi
Welcome to AH :) That receiver does not appear to have preamp outputs so you can't use it with an external amp. The NAD is an integrated and wouldn't really fit what you're describing, though it could be used that way - an actual external amp would be a better choice, though as mentioned, it won't work regardless with that receiver. Rather than getting two devices, get one better receiver to handle the speakers properly.

5 Ohm isn't too bad considering they are 92dB sensitive, but you'll still want a more hefty amp than either of those listed IMO, though it depends on how loud you intend to listen. Something in the 100W actual output range.

For sub, I'd be looking at the SVS SB2000 or HSU VTF-2 Mk5 without question:

https://www.svsound.com/products/sb-2000

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2mk5.html
 
Pogre

Pogre

Audioholic Slumlord
Welcome to AH :) That receiver does not appear to have preamp outputs so you can't use it with an external amp. The NAD is an integrated and wouldn't really fit what you're describing, though it could be used that way - an actual external amp would be a better choice, though as mentioned, it won't work regardless with that receiver. Rather than getting two devices, get one better receiver to handle the speakers properly.

5 Ohm isn't too bad considering they are 92dB sensitive, but you'll still want a more hefty amp than either of those listed IMO, though it depends on how loud you intend to listen. Something in the 100W actual output range.

For sub, I'd be looking at the SVS SB2000 or HSU VTF-2 Mk5 without question:

https://www.svsound.com/products/sb-2000

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2mk5.html
Sounds like something like a Denon AVR X4200W or the newer X4300H would suit his needs? I personally would go with the X4200 for the cost. Both come with a 3 year warranty.
 
S

shadyJ

Speaker of the House
Staff member
Hey people - I'm overhauling a decades old stereo system and starting to scratch the surface of some equipment I've wanted for years. Thanks in advanced for your feedback on this setup - I'm particularly curious of any issues/pitfalls I may not be thinking of.

Receiver: Yamaha RX-S601 (link)
Integrated Amp: NAD C 338 (link)
Fronts: MartinLogan Motion 15 (link)
Center: MartinLogan Motion 8 (link)
Rears: may include later (still need to figure out ideal placement)
Woofer: Klipsch R-12SWi (link) OR MartinLogan Dynamo 700W (link)

A few things I noticed that I'm unsure about:
  • MartinLogan 15's are 5 ohms. Their Motion 8 center speaker is 4 ohms. Receiver is rated at 8 ohms, while amp can handle 50W x 2 channels at either 8 or 4 ohms. Will the amp's ability to handle 4 ohms take care of the deficiency at the receiver level?
  • I'm looking to maximize this system for music listening (both digital and vinyl/phono) but also run a 3.1 for movies. With this in mind, would I run all speakers+sub through the receiver? Or connect fronts through amp first? (I've never used a separate amp so don't really know how to configure optimally).
There's probably a ton of other stuff I am not thinking about yet, but was hoping to get some guidance from anyone interested in helping out. I should also mention my budget is max $3k so I can't interchange the above with anything much higher-end (but am open to suggestions).

Thanks in advance,
Jack
If you need a slim center speaker, that might be OK, but if you can handle something taller, there are better choices, even if you have to switch left and right fronts as well. I would go with something else for the front stage speakers if you have the room. Same thing with the subwoofers. If you can handle a larger sub, you will be rewarded with a better sound.
 
2

2channel lover

Audioholic Field Marshall
Hey people - I'm overhauling a decades old stereo system and starting to scratch the surface of some equipment I've wanted for years. Thanks in advanced for your feedback on this setup - I'm particularly curious of any issues/pitfalls I may not be thinking of.

Receiver: Yamaha RX-S601 (link)
Integrated Amp: NAD C 338 (link)
Fronts: MartinLogan Motion 15 (link)
Center: MartinLogan Motion 8 (link)
Rears: may include later (still need to figure out ideal placement)
Woofer: Klipsch R-12SWi (link) OR MartinLogan Dynamo 700W (link)

A few things I noticed that I'm unsure about:
  • MartinLogan 15's are 5 ohms. Their Motion 8 center speaker is 4 ohms. Receiver is rated at 8 ohms, while amp can handle 50W x 2 channels at either 8 or 4 ohms. Will the amp's ability to handle 4 ohms take care of the deficiency at the receiver level?
  • I'm looking to maximize this system for music listening (both digital and vinyl/phono) but also run a 3.1 for movies. With this in mind, would I run all speakers+sub through the receiver? Or connect fronts through amp first? (I've never used a separate amp so don't really know how to configure optimally).
There's probably a ton of other stuff I am not thinking about yet, but was hoping to get some guidance from anyone interested in helping out. I should also mention my budget is max $3k so I can't interchange the above with anything much higher-end (but am open to suggestions).

Thanks in advance,
Jack

Instead of the Yamaha/NAD combo...I would go with two Outlaw products.

975 preamp...http://outlawaudio.com/products/975.html

5000 amp...http://outlawaudio.com/products/5000.html

The combo price is $999...save yourself a couple hundred bucks and remove any doubt about having enough power to push the 5ohm speaker.

On the speakers themselves...I like your choice, but having recently bought these and have a good 35-40 hours listening to them, I would consider getting 3 RBH R5Bi speakers across the front and you'd save enough to get another pair for the rear.

Good luck with the build.
 
Pogre

Pogre

Audioholic Slumlord
If you need a slim center speaker, that might be OK, but if you can handle something taller, there are better choices, even if you have to switch left and right fronts as well. I would go with something else for the front stage speakers if you have the room. Same thing with the subwoofers. If you can handle a larger sub, you will be rewarded with a better sound.
How about a set of SVS Utras from their outlet? I might have been lucky, but I doubt it. If you keep an eye out they pop up fairly often. I've never had to look for more than a week. I managed to find three in gloss black with very minor marks on them. Not even as bad as the ones I linked and I consider those to still be minor also.

They're great speakers and I have a big room. No problem filling it up with a little help from a pair of subs. Even full range without subs they do well with a lot of music. Some of the stuff I listen to that's lighter on bass (think System of a Down, some 80's metal, older recordings) I can turn my subs off and not really tell the difference.
 
Pogre

Pogre

Audioholic Slumlord
Instead of the Yamaha/NAD combo...I would go with two Outlaw products.

975 preamp...http://outlawaudio.com/products/975.html

5000 amp...http://outlawaudio.com/products/5000.html

The combo price is $999...save yourself a couple hundred bucks and remove any doubt about having enough power to push the 5ohm speaker.

On the speakers themselves...I like your choice, but having recently bought these and have a good 35-40 hours listening to them, I would consider getting 3 RBH R5Bi speakers across the front and you'd save enough to get another pair for the rear.

Good luck with the build.
The Denon I linked above is $799 with a 3 year warranty. Everything I've read talks about about its beefy amp section. It should be able to handle that load unless op's goal is to drive them to painful levels for long periods, yes? It would also serve as a pre if he decides more power is needed down the road or upgrades speakers? That would save him a couple hundred bucks.

(? Because I'm still learning. I've never owned separates or an upper tier AVR)
 
2

2channel lover

Audioholic Field Marshall
The Denon I linked above is $799 with a 3 year warranty. Everything I've read talks about about its beefy amp section. It should be able to handle that load unless op's goal is to drive them to painful levels for long periods, yes? It would also serve as a pre if he decides more power is needed down the road or upgrades speakers? That would save him a couple hundred bucks.

(? Because I'm still learning. I've never owned separates or an upper tier AVR)
For $200 I'd go separates almost every time and let that amp handle the grunt work. However, if the budget is tight, I'd have no problem with the Denon either.

Where I saw the most value was with the speakers. I've grown to like those little RBH speakers...a steal for the money...I've heard those ML the OP is thinking about...great little speaker also, but $ for $...with a sub that one is pretty easy.

I've never heard the SVS one you have , but I can imagine they are solid as well...read good things about them.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
The Outlaw combo isn't bad, but if you want the avr to have internet/radio options or 4k/Atmos features, then the Denon 4200/4300 avr makes more sense and has pre-outs in case of need to expand with an external amp (a power amp, not an integrated amp that is).

I'd also look elsewhere for a sub than Klipsch or ML unless you absolutely must buy from a b&m store (or are getting killer discounts), would also recommend the sub specialists such as SVS, Power Sound Audio, Rythmik, Hsu, etc.
 
2

2channel lover

Audioholic Field Marshall
The Outlaw combo isn't bad, but if you want the avr to have internet/radio options or 4k/Atmos features, then the Denon 4200/4300 avr makes more sense and has pre-outs in case of need to expand with an external amp (a power amp, not an integrated amp that is).

I'd also look elsewhere for a sub than Klipsch or ML unless you absolutely must buy from a b&m store (or are getting killer discounts), would also recommend the sub specialists such as SVS, Power Sound Audio, Rythmik, Hsu, etc.
True...if those features were even remotely in his thinking for the future...the AVR makes more sense today and expand with upgraded power later.

But, since he was in that vein (separates), I was just helping him stay in it...:)
 
zieglj01

zieglj01

Audioholic Spartan
The Motion 15 will dip to 2.9 ohms, so a beefy receiver will be beneficial, if not going with amps. I would lean for a beefy receiver for now, and see how that receiver drives them. I would also aim for something from HSU or SVS for the sub

For amps I would keep Emotiva on a short list
https://emotiva.com/products/amplifiers/500
 
Last edited:
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
True...if those features were even remotely in his thinking for the future...the AVR makes more sense today and expand with upgraded power later.

But, since he was in that vein (separates), I was just helping him stay in it...:)
Also depends if he has goals beyond 5.1 as to that amp/pre-pro combo; if he wanted to use the full 7.1 capability of the Outlaw pre-pro then he needs another amp beyond the 5000 whereas with the Denon avrs unlikely he'd need to provide additional amp power beyond the L/C/R speakers plus he has more room to expand with inherent 9.1 processing in the 4200/4300 avrs mentioned. Also, the Audyssey XT32 suite in the 4200/4300 Denons for room eq/auto setup can be quite nice, whereas it appears you're fully manual with the Outlaw pre-pro.

@JollyGreen I notice you said rears instead of surrounds....makes a difference in speaker placement between the two (surrounds exist in 5.1 and beyond, but rears only come into play starting with 7.1).
 
2

2channel lover

Audioholic Field Marshall
Also depends if he has goals beyond 5.1 as to that amp/pre-pro combo; if he wanted to use the full 7.1 capability of the Outlaw pre-pro then he needs another amp beyond the 5000 whereas with the Denon avrs unlikely he'd need to provide additional amp power beyond the L/C/R speakers plus he has more room to expand with inherent 9.1 processing in the 4200/4300 avrs mentioned. Also, the Audyssey XT32 suite in the 4200/4300 Denons for room eq/auto setup can be quite nice, whereas it appears you're fully manual with the Outlaw pre-pro.

@JollyGreen I notice you said rears instead of surrounds....makes a difference in speaker placement between the two (surrounds exist in 5.1 and beyond, but rears only come into play starting with 7.1).
Also true...LTHD...I can't be a hypocrite...I may never get beyond 5.2.4 (if I get that far) and I bought an 11.2 channel processor.

So, if he wants to future protect, the AVR is definitely the way to go.

The 975 is 7.1 processor I believe, but it's a bare bones unit compared to the Denon you speak of. As you've probably seen me post before...I'm grounded more in the music. I got a super deal on my AV and admittedly I was conscious of the Atmos surround mode when I bought the unit. When this is all built out I hope it was worth it.

In general for most any buyer getting into the midfi/hifi music/HT arena...a feature packed AVR is the more prudent purchase...on that end we agree 100%.
 
newsletter

  • RBHsound.com
  • BlueJeansCable.com
  • SVS Sound Subwoofers
  • Experience the Martin Logan Montis
Top