New girl on the block when it comes to great audio. 3.1 HELP!

[NoumenalGirl]

I’m an audio newbie. Long time lurker, first-time poster.

Hoping you kind gents will send me in the right direction

I recently inherited a bunch of old soul LP’s from my aunt (all stuff I do not have digital copies of). It’s sparked an interest in creating an A/V setup for my living room.

Budget - $1,600 (not including speakers)
Purpose - 85% Music, 15% Films

Holding onto a set of old-ish PSB Image speakers. Image 5T fronts (125 nominal/250 peak, 6ohm, 92DB), Image 9C center (150 nominal/300 peak, 8ohm, 90DB) and Velodyne VX 10 sub.

Will upgrade the speakers sometime next year. Something in the < $2,000 range.

Still Need:

Amp -

Considering these, but open to any you guys suggest in the < $900 range.

• Outlaw Audio M2200 x’s 2 | $680
• NAD C 275BEE | $870
• Marantz 7025 | $500
• Adcom GFA-6002 x’s 2 | $1,000 (if you guys think it’s worth the extra cost compared to the above)

Caveat – everything needs to fit inside a stylish media cabinet. Usually means about an 18" depth.

So, most of the Emotiva amps are out.​

Receiver/Pre-Amp –

Considering these, but open to any suggestions in the < $600 range.

• Marantz NR 1604 | $425 from A4L
• Marantz SR 5008 | $550 from A4L

Receiver/preamp musts:​

1. Pre-Outs - L,R & Sub
2. 12v trigger
3. Enough power to push the Center and Subwoofer
4. HDMI Standby Passthrough
5. Networked (to pull music from NAS)
6. AirPlay
7. Spotify
8. DAC
9. MHL and Phono Inputs would be nice bonuses

Phono – No idea. Something easy enough for a newbie to set up, and < $400.

Phono preamp – No idea. But, < $150.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Swerd]

You have obviously been doing your homework. That's a nice list.

Just curious, why do you include stand-alone amplifiers? I haven't looked up your speakers, but they probably can be nicely driven by an AVR.

For a wide choice of turntables, look at The Needle Doctor Budget Turntables

You might go for this Pro-Ject Essential USB Turntable in Black

The Needle Doctor also has an extensive list of phono preamps.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Welcome We don't get too many ladies in here

Didn't check your receiver list but one check to see if it can handle a phono input. If none, see if there is a receiver that still can. May not need a stand alone phono preamps.
Don't rush to upgrade. Marginal upgrades get expensive over the long haul.

 

[Swerd]

You might go for this Pro-Ject Essential USB Turntable in Black

This turntable has an internal phono preamp, an internal analog-to-digital converter, and a USB output to connect to computers. That may not be what you want or need. Sorry, about not reading it first. Look on Needle Doctor for others in your price range.

If you need one, this external phono preamp is inexpensive and good
Amazon.com: Audio-Technica AT-PEQ3 | Phono Equalizer (Japan Import): Electronics

In the future, for a $2,000 speaker pair, look no further than these:

Salk SongTower

Philharmonic Audio Slim Jr. Tower

To power those, the Marantz SR5008 should be good, as well as any of those external amps you mentioned.

 

[zieglj01]

Welcome to the forum!

I would look to make it more simple and yet powerful

The Marantz 7008 will drive your speakers
MARANTZ SR7008 9.2 Network Home Theater Receiver with AirPlay | Accessories4less

One option for LPs - this Marantz turntable has a built-in pre-amp
Marantz TT42P Fully automatic belt-drive turntable with cartridge and built-in phono preamp at Crutchfield.com

 

[zieglj01]

One option for LPs - this Marantz turntable has a built-in pre-amp
Marantz TT42P Fully automatic belt-drive turntable with cartridge and built-in phono preamp at Crutchfield.com

AC4L also has the turntable (refurbish)
MARANTZ TT42P Auto Belt Drive Turntable w/On-Board Phono EQ | Accessories4less

 

[zieglj01]

The Marantz 7008 will drive your speakers
MARANTZ SR7008 9.2 Network Home Theater Receiver with AirPlay | Accessories4less

However, I would really look at the Denon X4000 - brand new with phono input
Amazon.com: Denon AVR-X4000 7.2-Channel 4K Ultra HD Networking Home Theater AV Receiver with AirPlay: Electronics

Also at Crutchfield
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_033AVX4000/Denon-AVR-X4000-IN-Command.html?showAll=N&search=denon_x400&skipvs=T

Refurbish at AC4L
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrx4000/denon-avr-x4000-7.2-4k-ultra-hd-networking-receiver-w/airplay/1.html

 

[NoumenalGirl]

Just curious, why do you include stand-alone amplifiers?

I'm considering Axiom Audio's M80's or PSB's Imagine T's for a future upgrade. Both have lower impedance and a 400 Watt peak.

I didn't think an AVR could drive them. But, you're right, my current setup can run just fine on a solid AVR.

The AVR I buy now can serve as a preamp later, so there isn't a need for a separate amp yet.

See, this is precisely why I needed to talk to you guys!


P.S. That Pro-Ject Essential looks perfect. AND, it's on closeout. Score!

 

[NoumenalGirl]

In the future, for a $2,000 speaker pair, look no further than these:

Salk SongTower

Philharmonic Audio Slim Jr. Tower

Will definitely add these to the consideration list for next year's upgrade.

The Salk's especially. The reviews suggest they're a great value. Plus, they're beautiful!

And, beauty is important. I'm hiding all my components behind a stylish media cabinet after all

Think there is a place in/around L.A. that I can listen to the Salks?

 

[NoumenalGirl]

I would look to make it more simple and yet powerful

The Marantz 7008 will drive your speakers

However, I would really look at the Denon X4000 - brand new with phono input

Specs on both of these look good. They're similarly featured; I wonder if the Marantz is truly worth the extra cash.

In fact, I think I actually tried out the Marantz 7008 at a hi-fi store here in LA. Except, at the time, the cost exceeded my budget. The A4L Refurb makes it a much better deal!

I want to check out the Denon, too. If I can't find a place to hear it locally, I'll purchase it from someplace with free return shipping - like Amazon Prime.

Thanks for this!!

 

[NoumenalGirl]

I think you guys have just saved me like $700+.

Game Plan:

- Skip the stand-alone amps for now
- Simplify with a more powerful AVR that can run it all
- Pro-Ject Essential Turntable, with built in preamp

I'll let you guys know how it all shakes out.

I sincerely appreciate your help.

 

[Bryceo]

Well looks like you're on the way with grate information.

Do wright back on how you go we'd love to no


Sent from my iPhone 5.

 

[Alex2507]

Well looks like you're on the way with grate information.

Do wright back on how you go we'd love to no

 

[PENG]

Specs on both of these look good. They're similarly featured; I wonder if the Marantz is truly worth the extra cash.

In fact, I think I actually tried out the Marantz 7008 at a hi-fi store here in LA. Except, at the time, the cost exceeded my budget. The A4L Refurb makes it a much better deal!

I want to check out the Denon, too. If I can't find a place to hear it locally, I'll purchase it from someplace with free return shipping - like Amazon Prime.

Thanks for this!!

People tend to compare the SR7008 with X-4000 and wonder why the Marantz costs more. In fact D&M seems to offer the two brands in the following ranking in terms of pricing/build quality/specs/features.

Denon AVR-4520
Marantz SR-7008
Denon AVR-X4000
Marantz SR-6008
Marantz SR-5008
Denon AVR-X3000

 

[zieglj01]

I think you guys have just saved me like $700+.

I'll let you guys know how it all shakes out.

I sincerely appreciate your help.

Enjoy the Adventure - and check back in

 

[Swerd]

Will definitely add these to the consideration list for next year's upgrade.

The Salk's especially. The reviews suggest they're a great value. Plus, they're beautiful!

And, beauty is important. I'm hiding all my components behind a stylish media cabinet after all

Think there is a place in/around L.A. that I can listen to the Salks?

There ought to be someone in the LA area who has Salk speakers. Most, but not all, Salk owners are happy to show them off to others. The SongTowers are the entry level tower speaker in the Salk line, and he sells a lot of them. Read my own SongTower review. See the link below in my signature line.

Ask Jim Salk your question, Contact Us. He maintains lists of owner's who will demo speakers to potential buyers.

Or look for the "Owner's Audition List" Salk Signature Sound.

You can also ask Jim Salk about finishing the speakers to match or complement your media cabinet. He also can build the media cabinet. He is an artist and an expert at wood finishing. My STs, with a standard curly cherry veneer, are nicer looking than any other furniture I own.

Dennis Murphy, the designer of most of the Salk line, also sells his own line of speakers, Philharmonic Audio. All of Dennis's speakers share a remarkably similar sound, especially through the all-important mid range. Spending more money gets you a deeper bass response, the smoothest ribbon tweeters available, and more exotic wood veneer finishes.

If you want, Jim Salk can build the cabinets, but you should ask Dennis for those details Philharmonic Audio.

We may have saved you $700+ now, but we'll get you to spend all those savings later when you get new speakers .

 

[zieglj01]

We may have saved you $700+ now, but we'll get you to spend all those savings later when you get new speakers .

Will need to put that $700 towards a new center channel!

 

[3db]

I'm considering Axiom Audio's M80's or PSB's Imagine T's for a future upgrade. Both have lower impedance and a 400 Watt peak.

I didn't think an AVR could drive them. But, you're right, my current setup can run just fine on a solid AVR.

The AVR I buy now can serve as a preamp later, so there isn't a need for a separate amp yet.

See, this is precisely why I needed to talk to you guys!


P.S. That Pro-Ject Essential looks perfect. AND, it's on closeout. Score!

IHO, the Axioms would be a move downwards in quality of sound from your current PSB Image series speakers. The Imagine Ts have been getting nothing but stellar reviews from everyone that has reviewed them. They would definately be a big step up from the Image series. Take a read through this thread on the PSBs, http://www.avsforum.com/forum/89-speakers/657301-psb-speakers-owners-thread.html

For receivers, I'm partial to Yamaha because of their top notch customer support and unbeaten reliability. I would look at Yamaha's Aventage line. I believe the RX-A1040 comes with pre-outs for adding amps at a later date.

 

[mtrycrafts]

...

The AVR I buy now can serve as a preamp later, so there isn't a need for a separate amp yet.

...

If that is a consideration make sure the AVR you get has pre outs on it for each channel.