Equipment and setup advice

[Corbin Grimes]

Hello I have a good general familiarity with audio equipment but when it comes to separates and some other things, I am fairly green.

I have some existing equipment that I would like to utilize in a new enhanced setup.

I have B&W 683 S2s as my front L/R and a HTM61 S2 for my center. (Some basic Yamaha 2 ways in the ceiling for my rear surrounds.)

Running dual 12” subs.

Current receiver is a Yamaha, 135W x7.1 channel. Cant remember the model number but it was like 1500 bucks so decent.

I am biamping the left and right B&W s (they are rated for 200w so thought that was the right thing to do with the extra channels i wasnt using)

Looking to move that Yamaha to the upstairs to power my in new in wall Klipch speakers. My current Denon head unit quit last week.

Checking out the following separates for the basement home theater setup. Any thoughts or advice? Feels like separates are the better way to go.

Im only running a 5.2 setup down there so don’t want to pay for extra channels I won’t use but want clean clear natural/warm awesome sound for just stereo music.

Amplifier – Marantz MM8077
Receiver – Marantz NR1607 ??

Is this is a good combo for me?

It looks like if I want to biamp again, the min I need is a 7.2 setup? But, to get the 150w per channel I have to upgrade to their next tier which is a lot more money.

Is it,worth it? Dont want to buy stuff I dont need, but want a great setup,with a reasonable, future proof amp. (Could upgrade the reciecer in a few years if wanted)

The specialist I talked to at Best buy tried to talk me into a 200.00 power cable. Not sure about that?

A power conditioner is likely going to be a part of my purchase.

Budget is like 2500/3k bucks total…

 

[rojo]

Hello I have a good general familiarity with audio equipment but when it comes to separates and some other things, I am fairly green.

I have some existing equipment that I would like to utilize in a new enhanced setup.

I have B&W 683 S2s as my front L/R and a HTM61 S2 for my center. (Some basic Yamaha 2 ways in the ceiling for my rear surrounds.)

Running dual 12” subs.

Current receiver is a Yamaha, 135W x7.1 channel. Cant remember the model number but it was like 1500 bucks so decent.

I am biamping the left and right B&W s (they are rated for 200w so thought that was the right thing to do with the extra channels i wasnt using)

Looking to move that Yamaha to the upstairs to power my in new in wall Klipch speakers. My current Denon head unit quit last week.

Checking out the following separates for the basement home theater setup. Any thoughts or advice? Feels like separates are the better way to go.

Im only running a 5.2 setup down there so don’t want to pay for extra channels I won’t use but want clean clear natural/warm awesome sound for just stereo music.

Amplifier – Marantz MM8077
Receiver – Marantz NR1607 ??

Is this is a good combo for me?

It looks like if I want to biamp again, the min I need is a 7.2 setup? But, to get the 150w per channel I have to upgrade to their next tier which is a lot more money.

Is it,worth it? Dont want to buy stuff I dont need, but want a great setup,with a reasonable, future proof amp. (Could upgrade the reciecer in a few years if wanted)

The specialist I talked to at Best buy tried to talk me into a 200.00 power cable. Not sure about that?

A power conditioner is likely going to be a part of my purchase.

Budget is like 2500/3k bucks total…

I don't believe the NR line of Marantz AVRs offer preamp outs. You'll need to jump to the SR line for that. I'd get a refurb Marantz SR series AVR from accessories4less. If you want to pinch pennies, then get one from the 5000 level. For an amp, the Monoprice Monolith amps are a pretty good deal: the 7x200W amp is $1500. That should put you under budget and tick all your check boxes. Since you've got dual subs, if you don't already have some sort of DSP for bass management, consider getting the 6010 or 6011 (might be worth it for the free warranty upgrade), or one of the 7000 series. Those offer Audyssey XT32 with SubEQ HT, providing more bands of room correction as well as individual correction of dual subs, which the lower models don't.

Boutique power cable? Just, no. Unless you also upgrade the full circuit coming from the power pole, through your breaker box, and into your walls, your power will have the exact same quality with one of those extension cords for rich idiots as with stock. Same goes for signal cables and speaker wire. Don't go any more expensive than Blue Jeans Cable. Indeed, Monoprice is more than adequate for any signal cables you need. For speaker wire, just make sure you're getting the OFC stuff and not CCA, and make sure the gauge is appropriate for the impedance of your speakers and distance from your amp -- probably 14 gauge for up to 30 feet will be fine.

And welcome to the forums! I hope you stick around.

 

[lovinthehd]

$200 power cable is a total bullshit sales crap thing.

Passive bi-amping is a waste of wire IMO but try this article for yourself. http://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/the-difference-between-biamping-vs-biwiring.

You realize to gain merely 3dB of spl it takes a doubling of amp power? You sure you need an external amp beyond a good avr?

ps Jim's post reminded me I also meant to say skip the power conditioner thing and put that towards actual audio gear.

 

[-Jim-]

I'm with the gang here on expensive cables as that's just snake oil. In almost all cases I'd stay away from power conditioners as well. Once you have everything paid for in your system, and still want to doll it up just for grins, because you got money to burn, then try them out.

As for separates, the sensitivity of your B&W 683 S2s are 89dB spl (2.83V, 1m); while the center HTM61 S2 is 88dB spl (2.83V, 1m). For illustration, assuming the latter as your average, and say you are listening 3 meters (10 feet) away from them (with no contribution from your rears) with an amplifier capable of 100 Watts RMS per channel, the SPL can be in excess of 103 dB. Hearing loss can begin to occur after only 7.5 minutes of exposure at these levels. (Even using 50 Watts RMS per channel is over 100 dB. Loud enough to begin causing permanent damage after just 15 minutes per day!)

So while I do recommend reserve capacity in amplifiers, jumping into a Ferrari to go across the street is a little excessive. I'd bet you can do just fine with a decent AVR. Of course, like jumping into a Ferrari is really cool, going for separates is often more about the "bling" factor than a real technical need.

Just my 2 bits...

 

[j_garcia]

I agree, rather than going for the amp and the lowest receiver, you'd be better off going with a solid AVR. OR, there are other options that probably fit what you're after like the Emotiva MC700 and an A500 or A700 amp as needed.

The NR line has preouts but only for the main L&R.