Receiver tips/other tips for when equipment arrives

[maverick22]

I am an audio noob, and thanks to many of you here I decided on the following:

Denon 1100 receiver
5 Wavecrest HVL1-s
PSA XS15 sub
100 ft 14awg wire from monoprice http://www.monoprice.com/Product?p_id=2791&kpid=102791&gclid=CO_Vud3IvMYCFQqSaQodve8N6w&AID=11051853&PID=6155355&ref=cj&utm_source=cj&utm_medium=11051853&utm_term=VigLink-2470763

Is the speaker wire good enough?

Also, I am clueless when it comes to receivers. Any tips on setting it up, calibrating anything.

Just trying to get some feedback so when it all arrives next week I can read your suggestions and get started! The receiver will arrive before anything else. I guess there's nothing I can do until the others arrive, correct?

Thanks in advance!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Unless you plan 50ft runs - 14 gauge is fine. I would add banana plugs to dress the cable a bit and make re-connection easier. Though Not big fan of monoprice's plugs - these :
https://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=104&cp_id=10401&cs_id=1040115&p_id=9436&seq=1&format=2

^^ Didn't liked them much at all.

As for Denon/speakers setup: just read education articles on AH main site. there are plenty of good setup writeups.
Also this might come handy: http://batpigworld.com/wp/

 

[maverick22]

Unless you plan 50ft runs - 14 gauge is fine. I would add banana plugs to dress the cable a bit and make re-connection easier. Though Not big fan of monoprice's plugs - these :
https://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=104&cp_id=10401&cs_id=1040115&p_id=9436&seq=1&format=2

^^ Didn't liked them much at all.

As for Denon/speakers setup: just read education articles on AH main site. there are plenty of good setup writeups.
Also this might come handy: http://batpigworld.com/wp/

So banana plugs from another company? Why didn't you like the monoprice ones? They seem to have gotten good reviews.

I'm not sure how many feet it will be after running up and through the attic and back down. What is suggested after 50 feet then?

Also, is in-wall wire going to do much better? http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023902&p_id=2819&seq=1&format=2&AID=11051853&PID=6155355&ref=cj&utm_source=cj&utm_medium=11051853&utm_term=VigLink-2470763

Thanks for the quick reply! Heading out to do some errands with the wife...won't be able to respond until later. More

 

[slipperybidness]

Yeah, if you are gonna run speaker wire or any other cable in-wall, then you better get in-wall rated cables!!!

If you use cable that isn't rated for in-wall, then there is a problem, the insurance company likely won't cover the costs. In addition, using anything other than in-wall rated cables in the walls is almost certainly a violation of your city code!

As far as banana plugs, I have tried many different brands and styles.

These are by far my preferred plugs. Others are good, but these are great, IMO.

http://www.amazon.com/Sewell-Direct-SW-29863-6-Deadbolt-6-Pairs/dp/B007QUYQSY/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1435847419&sr=1-2&keywords=sewell+banana+plugs

 

[slipperybidness]

Tips--

Be sure you have plenty of ventilation around the receiver so that it won't over-heat.

Be sure that you have enough room BEHIND the receiver to make the connections and not put anything in a bind. If not, then 90 degree adapters may be in order.

You want the tweeters lined up at ear level when in the listening position.

 

[markw]

On another note, keep all packing materials and paperwork until you're dang sure you're going to keep everything.

And, as for banana plugs, I like these :http://www.amazon.com/Deadbolt-Banana-12-pair-Sewell-Direct/dp/B006U3O566/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1435868133&sr=1-2&keywords=banana+plugs+for+speaker+wire

 

[maverick22]

If I put the receiver in one of the little slots in the TV stand, would that be enough breathing room? If not, what might work better? Probably look tacky sitting on top of the TV stand, especially with all the wiring coming out. I am open to suggestions.

I am also going to put the center HVL-1 in/on the stand as well. Does that need quite a bit of ventilation as well, or is it okay to stick in one of the TV stand slots?

 

[agarwalro]

I use these Banana Plugs from Monoprice and really like them.

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[agarwalro]

If I put the receiver in one of the little slots in the TV stand, would that be enough breathing room? If not, what might work better?

Move the shelf to the 2nd from top level and put the cable box on top. Then the lower space will be enough for the receiver.

I use an open rack now, but, in a previous place, I left a 1" gap between the adjustable shelf and the back. From behind the entertainment unit, I cut a half inch slot just under the TV shelf and going across the width of the shelf.

 

[maverick22]

Thanks for the replies. Anyone place their receivers on top of their TV stands/entertainment centers?

I wonder if the receiver would be too tall to block the bottom view of the TV.

 

[agarwalro]

It will be too tall. The specs will give the exact height, but, 6" approximately will cover the lower edge by a couple of inches.

You could get a riser.

If you went that route, it would make more sense to have the center speaker under the riser.

 

[markw]

I use these Banana Plugs from Monoprice and really like them.

The only thing I have against these is that they are not insulated. I would not like to test my gears protective circuitry in the off chance that they get loose on the speaker end, fall out, and touch against each other. With my cat, that's a very good possibility. Several times I've had a dead speaker and found the wires laying on the floor.

 

[KEW]

My reciever is in a cabinet like that. I made a cut out about the height and width of the receiver on the back panel so I had access to plug everything in. Also helps with ventilation (my cabinet has a glass door over the front of the AVR).

 

[agarwalro]

The only thing I have against these is that they are not insulated. I would not like to test my gears protective circuitry in the off chance that they get loose on the speaker end, fall out, and touch against each other. With my cat, that's a very good possibility. Several times I've had a dead speaker and found the wires laying on the floor.

They're pretty snug and would need a fair tug to unhook, like say, a kitty playing with the wire . Maybe you can use ring type connectors on the speaker end,

I've used these. They have a threaded part that splays the plug and were near impossible to accidentally unhook,
http://www.amazon.com/GLS-Audio-Locking-Generation-Connector/dp/B000O8AHLA