Help spending $6,000.00 on upgrades.

[superman180]

Hello all,

I have been happily enjoying my system for the past 9 years. The last upgrade was just after my second daughter was born, I have since had a son and have had no desire or funds for upgrades until now.

My current system consists of the following pieces that I would like to replace.

Receiver. Yamaha RXV 2500
Projector. Panasonic AE900u
Screen. 96" Graywolf

I am pretty certain I'm sold on the Epson 5030UB projector and it seems like the visual apex bundle with the tensioned 120" screen is an acceptable deal.

As far as Receivers I feel a bit lost mulling through all the reviews. I can say my only experience has been with Yamaha and Onkyo so I am pretty sure I would like to invest my money with one of those companies as they have both served my very well.


Any input/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for your time and interest in my post.
Mike.

 

[jinjuku]

I would add the Denon X4000 to that list.

What are all the components you are trying to upgrade? What target are you trying to hit with this?

 

[superman180]

I'm only looking to upgrade the equipment listed. For the time being I am only connecting a PS4 my Direct TV high Def box and A CD player. I would like to stream music a well.

My main speakers are B&W CDN7Nt's with Matching center channel and rear surrounds. The sub is a SVS PB12plus2. All of that will remain the same.

My goal is to switch out the aging projector and biggest reason for changing my Receiver is to get everything connected Via HDMI.


Thanks for the feedback.
Mike.

 

[its phillip]

I'd wait for somebody like BMX to chime in on screen and projector recommendations. I think jinjuku's suggestion of the Denon X4000 is a solid recommendation to replace your aging receiver.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I think you got the PJ right and above mentioned X4000 is a great AVR. As for screen, Try to PM BMXTRIX for advice
Best of luck... these B&W's you have a bit old, but still great speakers and SVS sub - no reason to replace if it works right and you happy with bass
Found it's measurements here
B&W CDM NT Series Speaker System HT Labs Measures | Sound & Vision

 

[cpp]

Hello all,

I have been happily enjoying my system for the past 9 years. The last upgrade was just after my second daughter was born, I have since had a son and have had no desire or funds for upgrades until now.

My current system consists of the following pieces that I would like to replace.

Receiver. Yamaha RXV 2500
Projector. Panasonic AE900u
Screen. 96" Graywolf

I am pretty certain I'm sold on the Epson 5030UB projector and it seems like the visual apex bundle with the tensioned 120" screen is an acceptable deal.

As far as Receivers I feel a bit lost mulling through all the reviews. I can say my only experience has been with Yamaha and Onkyo so I am pretty sure I would like to invest my money with one of those companies as they have both served my very well.


Any input/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for your time and interest in my post.
Mike.

What do you feel is missing in your current setup ????? picture quality, sound etc....

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would unequivocally buy the Denon X4000 for the AVR.

For the source, I would either build or buy a fast quiet PC with HDMI, BD drive, and at least 12TB of HDD. Then install XBMC (free) and stream movies, TV shows, and music.

 

[superman180]

What do you feel is missing in your current setup ????? picture quality, sound etc....

Projector is quite dim and really needs a new bulb and I would like a brighter full 1080 PJ. When I got my 2500 it was shortly after everything went to HDMI and I always wish I had waited a while longer. We have not been using the room very often lately mainly because the lost wow factor of picture quality. I guess I just have the upgrade bug as well.

 

[superman180]

I Looked at the X4000 and I think it has a ton of awesome features I am a bit concerned with the amp output, It's has less output than my current 2500. I have always felt like I the B&W's could use more power as they are hungry. I could get an external amp however not sure I want to go that route. Am I splitting hairs?
Thanks again
mike.

 

[PENG]

I Looked at the X4000 and I think it has a ton of awesome features I am a bit concerned with the amp output, It's has less output than my current 2500. I have always felt like I the B&W's could use more power as they are hungry. I could get an external amp however not sure I want to go that route. Am I splitting hairs?
Thanks again
mike.

Yes, for that little difference in output you are splitting hairs. In fact the X4000 will likely do better than the RX-V2500 in all but two channel driven output. If it makes you feel better to have a little more power, then you can consider the AVR-4311 that has a stronger power supply and is 4 ohm capable, for a few hundred dollars more but it does not have the 4K feature that the X-4000 has.

DENON AVR-4311CI 9.2 Channel Network Home Theater Receiver | Accessories4less

Link to bench test results:

http://issuu.com/homecinemachoice/docs/hcc193denon

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I Looked at the X4000 and I think it has a ton of awesome features I am a bit concerned with the amp output, It's has less output than my current 2500. I have always felt like I the B&W's could use more power as they are hungry. I could get an external amp however not sure I want to go that route. Am I splitting hairs?
Thanks again
mike.

As everyone already says, you are splitting hair. For example, compare the $1200 Yamaha 1020 vs $1200 Denon 3312.

Yamaha: 129WPC x 2Ch 8 ohms/173WPC x 2Ch 4 ohms/73WPC x 5Ch 8 ohms, 1% THD.
Denon: 143WPC x 2Ch/226WPC x 2Ch 4 ohms/103WPC x 5Ch 8 ohms, 1% THD.

When it comes to AVRs, the only thing I would worry about are the features, reliability, and cost, not a few watts difference here and there. I think an AVR needs to have 50-100% more power to be significant. For example, if one AVR is 100WPC x 2Ch and the other is 150WPC and especially 200WPC.

And contrary to hearsay and internet myths, I think most speakers including B&W 800s are very sensitive (90dB/2.83v/m) and don't actually require as much power as some people claim. Just listen to safe comfortably loud volume and keep the AVR well ventilated, assuming you don't listen from 25 feet away.

But when your AVR has pre-outs, you can always add an amp if you actually need it.

Bottom line, you are splitting hair.

 

[superman180]

Yes, for that little difference in output you are splitting hairs. In fact the X4000 will likely do better than the RX-V2500 in all but two channel driven output. If it makes you feel better to have a little more power, then you can consider the AVR-4311 that has a stronger power supply and is 4 ohm capable, for a few hundred dollars more but it does not have the 4K feature that the X-4000 has.

DENON AVR-4311CI 9.2 Channel Network Home Theater Receiver | Accessories4less

Link to bench test results:

ISSUU - Denon AVR-4311 review by Home Cinema Choice

Thank you.

I am partial to Yamaha any reason I should not consider the AVENTAGE-RX-A3030?Appreciate the patients I know this stuff gets asked a lot.

Mike.

 

[PENG]

The 3030 is an excellent choice if it has all the features you need.

 

[JonnyFive23517]

Denon x4000 and Emotiva XPA-5 power amp when it goes on sale. Now you're future proof when it comes to upgrading the Denon in the future. I know that Denon can currently be had for $900, and it'll probably go even cheaper once next years models come out. IMO, subwoofer is the cornerstone of a home theater, so I'd recommend upgrading the SVS or adding a second one.

 

[cpp]

Projector is quite dim and really needs a new bulb and I would like a brighter full 1080 PJ. When I got my 2500 it was shortly after everything went to HDMI and I always wish I had waited a while longer. We have not been using the room very often lately mainly because the lost wow factor of picture quality. I guess I just have the upgrade bug as well.

Like the others have noted, a Denon X4000. I own the 4311ci and you should be able to locate one at a discount. But the Yammy is a worthly AVR. Maybe I missed it but which B&W speakers are you driving ?? I can't find B&W CDN7Nt's anywhere to look at the specs

Projectors: Epson Powerlite 5030UB $2,500 ( depends on how serious you are about your movies) or a BenQW1070 for under a $1,000 both highly rated.

 

[fuzz092888]

Maybe I missed it but which B&W speakers are you driving ?? I can't find B&W CDN7Nt's anywhere to look at the specs

I believe it was a typo and he meant the CDM 7NT

 

[superman180]

Thank you Fuzz it was a typo those are the speakers I have. I am sold on the 5030UB projector. At this point I am sure either receiver, the Denon or Yamaha will suit my need perfectly. I have a bit of loyalty to Yamaha as my RX-V2500 has done such a great job for the past ten years that it may be the deciding factor and to tell the truth if it was HDMI capable I probably wouldn't even upgrade it yet.

What am I missing feature or performance wise between the Denon and 3030 Yamaha that one would pick one over the other?

And just to comment on the sub woofer I really cannot see needing more boom in my room so to speak the svs fills the space fine only problem is keeping things on the shelves.


I really appreciate all the comments and advice it's been great.
Mike.

 

[PENG]

What am I missing feature or performance wise between the Denon and 3030 Yamaha that one would pick one over the other?

To me it is Audyssey XT32 that would force me to go with Denon, though for me I would defintily go with the 4311 or the 4520 if the budget is flexible. The Marantz SR7008 can also a good alternative. Other than that I would probably prefer the Yamaha. I highly doubt you would benefit from an external amp base on the specs of your speakers.

 

[cpp]

Audyssey XT32 does a good job in my HT when it comes to the top of the line Denons, but the top of the line Yammy is also hard to beat. I guess it really depends what you can get a 3030 Yammy for. Any of these top rated AVR's will drive your speakers which are 90dB spl (2.83V, 1m) 8 ohm, 50watt min.

 

[JonnyFive23517]

To me it is Audyssey XT32 that would force me to go with Denon, though for me I would defintily go with the 4311 or the 4520 if the budget is flexible. The Marantz SR7008 can also a good alternative. Other than that I would probably prefer the Yamaha. I highly doubt you would benefit from an external amp base on the specs of your speakers.

In addition to XT32, Dynamic EQ is awesome if you're listening at less than reference level.