Most basic AVR

[Danem]

Hi, I want to set up a basic sound system composed of a pair of front speakers and a centre speaker.
Do I need an AVR to accomplish that? If so, can anyone suggest a basic AVR that is not required to do anything more?

All input will be appreciated. Cheers, Dan

 

[markw]

You need a true multi-channel if you want a center speaker. Now, if you just wanted the right/left channels, even with a subwoofer, then you could get by with a two channel unit.

Now, if "basic" means inexpensive, there's a multitude out there. Here's a nice source of quality refurbished units. http://www.accessories4less.com/

 

[lovinthehd]

Try not to think of the units available for good prices as having features you don't currently use, but rather as units that have potential for future uses. Economies of scale give you more features than you want, no doubt. Simplest avr would be a basic 5.1 unit, perhaps from the site markw suggested this particular somewhat basic yet capable unit http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/marnr1504/marantz-nr1504-slimline-5.1-network-av-receiver-airplay/1.html

 

[Danem]

Simplest avr would be a basic 5.1 unit, perhaps from the site markw suggested this particular somewhat basic yet capable unit http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/marnr1504/marantz-nr1504-slimline-5.1-network-av-receiver-airplay/1.html

Thank you Loveinthehd & Markw.

Regretably, the store that you mentioned is in the States whereas I live in the sticks in the UK.
I shall scout the net here now that I know that a 5.1 will fit the bill. It is all I need as I have my own setup and this centre speaker will be for my partner to match her pair of Wharfedale Diamonds.

I assume (usually an error) that Subwoofers & Centre Speakers come with their own crossover networks inbuilt and the AVR would only be acting as pass-through switch. If so, would the AVR fail to perform if a Centre Speaker was conected to the output terminals tagged as being for the Subwoofer ?

 

[lovinthehd]

Thank you Loveinthehd & Markw.

Regretably, the store that you mentioned is in the States whereas I live in the sticks in the UK.
I shall scout the net here now that I know that a 5.1 will fit the bill. It is all I need as I have my own setup and this centre speaker will be for my partner to match her pair of Wharfedale Diamonds.

I assume (usually an error) that Subwoofers & Centre Speakers come with their own crossover networks inbuilt and the AVR would only be acting as pass-through switch. If so, would the AVR fail to perform if a Centre Speaker was conected to the output terminals tagged as being for the Subwoofer ?

Standard with most avrs is to only provide a pre-out for the sub whereas the other channels will have amplified output for passive speakers, but no amplified channel for a sub (not only are passive subs not the norm but typically have greater amp requirements than most avrs are capable of.

 

[lovinthehd]

Thank you Loveinthehd & Markw.

Regretably, the store that you mentioned is in the States whereas I live in the sticks in the UK.
I shall scout the net here now that I know that a 5.1 will fit the bill. It is all I need as I have my own setup and this centre speaker will be for my partner to match her pair of Wharfedale Diamonds.

I assume (usually an error) that Subwoofers & Centre Speakers come with their own crossover networks inbuilt and the AVR would only be acting as pass-through switch. If so, would the AVR fail to perform if a Centre Speaker was conected to the output terminals tagged as being for the Subwoofer ?

Two part reply due to no edit...

The speaker should have an internal crossover for the drivers in the speaker. Nothing to do with a speaker/sub crossover in an avr. Some subs have crossover capability but often simply a low pass filter...even if the sub has a high pass filter it isn't usually as flexible as the bass management/crossover in the avr and is usually bypassed and only the avr's is employed.

 

[Danem]

Thanks for the info, even if it did shoot my theory down in flames
Good of you to share your knowledge with a tyro.
Best regards, Dante

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks for the info, even if it did shoot my theory down in flames
Good of you to share your knowledge with a tyro.
Best regards, Dante

Do you mean the UK are the boonies, or you live in the boonies of the UK?

You actually have a lot of choices in the UK. You have on line dealers a store front locations all over the UK.

Best bets are Superfi, Sevenoaks Hi-Fi and Richer Sound.

You also have a good number of local independents, especially out of Greater London and the SE, who are often willing to deal.

Superfi have this fantastic deal at their Camden High Street store right by Mornington Crescent tube station, close to Regents Park, Euston and Kings Cross St. Pancras.

Richer Sound have this deal.

For brands, I would stick with Yamaha, Denon/Marantz.

 

[Danem]

Thank you for the input. I won't be spending the time & money to travel to shop to listen to their setup which will be quite different from how I will be listening at home. However, I have taken note of your reccomendations and will follow up on them.
Obliged to you. Cheers, Dan.