i'm looking for....

[dem beats]

I want something unique. I am building my first big boy home theater. I can be as loud as I want and am finding out what speakers will work in my budget(2000 for surrounds) and I want either a pre/pro set or receiver that can power this set up. Mainly Movies and games powering big towers up front. I have seen the NAD gear, impressed, actualy the simplicity is what drew me to the product... but in the end they seam a bit behind the times. I don't need a full EQ set up or all the bells and whistles but I want to take advantage of everything my XBOX 360, PS3(someday) and big epson front projector can really send cranking high up. I am running a velodyne 10 right now but that is the only item that will stay.. I have heard NAD can handle down to 2 ohms, but is that something I really need to think about, even at pretty high end later down the road should it be a concern when blasting Carmina, or blowing off someones head with an RPG on Gears of war.

The pre/pro has me nervous and seams there would be a ton of cost just in interface and asthetics for both units it would be hard to make something cost effective. My budget here is 1500, if I go up I will HAVE to go less on speakers which is something I didn't want to do. this web site frequently has ads for a pre/pro company that looks the game but do they play hard. I have nothing against Denon, they seam to be top kit also, I was just hoping to get something "unique". Thanks for the leads all!

 

[wire]

I want something unique. I am building my first big boy home theater. I can be as loud as I want and am finding out what speakers will work in my budget(2000 for surrounds) and I want either a pre/pro set or receiver that can power this set up. Mainly Movies and games powering big towers up front. I have seen the NAD gear, impressed, actualy the simplicity is what drew me to the product... but in the end they seam a bit behind the times. I don't need a full EQ set up or all the bells and whistles but I want to take advantage of everything my XBOX 360, PS3(someday) and big epson front projector can really send cranking high up. I am running a velodyne 10 right now but that is the only item that will stay.. I have heard NAD can handle down to 2 ohms, but is that something I really need to think about, even at pretty high end later down the road should it be a concern when blasting Carmina, or blowing off someones head with an RPG on Gears of war.

The pre/pro has me nervous and seams there would be a ton of cost just in interface and asthetics for both units it would be hard to make something cost effective. My budget here is 1500, if I go up I will HAVE to go less on speakers which is something I didn't want to do. this web site frequently has ads for a pre/pro company that looks the game but do they play hard. I have nothing against Denon, they seam to be top kit also, I was just hoping to get something "unique". Thanks for the leads all!

Spend sometime doing some DD on the equipment , by going to chain stores and boutiqes stores and see what is out there and have some fun , before spending your $ { take your time , try some stuff at home and take it bake if its not quite what you want ) .
NAD is good starting point into upper midfi stuff , there amp sections are good and powerful . Amp/pres are always a step above recievers , there is something about reference amps , that seem to have a fuller sound ( but thats something you have to graduate to ) .
Have Fun

Peace

 

[dem beats]

So something from Emotiva would be worth a Peak. I never heard of them, I have heard of many of the brands listed here though.

They have some crazy sale at the moment for home theater.... The pre/pro + amp set up from NAD gets a bit lofty for price. I hope to keep it under 1500.

Should I just resolve to get a verry solid versitile receiver in that price point, or could I truely find something in that range with a pre/pro wherer I can upgrade later if I wish?

 

[dem beats]

This is a shameless bump.

I hate to admit fellows the more I read and try to research about the receiver and pre/pro amp style set ups the more confused I am.

all the 1.3 HDMI etc...
I use VGA cords to my projector(epson put to an 80") and I get a beautiful picture. I don't know if this is something I need to consider but I don't plan on upgrading the projector for some time. I really want a powerfull and versitile kit for the "heart" of the system I am building. I have never baught a receiver set up before and this is the most confusing thing in the world to me. It's this that is holding me back at the moment because i can't even audition anything in my home w/o something to give the speakers power.

I hear one name come up repeatedly and that's denon. I hope I don't offend anyone... but they seam overproduced. The million options and features frankly intimidate me and remind me of a toy. I clearly have no clue on this issue, I'm sorry if you took it as a flame to you or the product.... I just don't even know what I need to look for?

Could someone help me with general guidelines? I'm looking at speakers for my HT(Movies and games 70% of the time. Music also) in the range of Kef Q energy referance NHT classic, I have been encouraged to try axiom also. Nothing incredable and amazing just the best of mid-fi?

What I guess would be most usefull is some explanation of what I will need out a receiver for this type of set up, and what to avoid. I understand the pitfalls of speaker shoping, and know what I want to hear in my mind, but I have know idea for the electronics. The sales people are the least usefull also. It's hard to get them to want to teach you this part, the speakers they drone on and on.. I know what I like in sound, I just want to know how to power it when i find that sound!
=)

I hope I'm not out of line, I am just all boiled up with excitement and want to get the ball rolling and exparament... and open up that big heavy box filled with a shiny new toy to make the G/F roll her eyes at me!

 

[jcPanny]

New HT

Dem,
For your first HT you should consider a Yamaha or Deonon receiver in the $1k price range. Use the extra money on the speakers and sub or maybe a HD-DVD player.

A receiver will include the latest video features, auto setup, ect. A pre-pro and amp from Emotiva or NAD will look cool but will cost more, have less features, and could be more difficult to setup and use.
The Emotiva LMC-1 and LPA-1 combo is some of the lowest priced seperates at <$1k.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Yep...what JC said.

Get the AVR that has the features you need (doesnt have to be a thousand bucks) buy the best speakers you can possibly afford and then decide what you need from there.

 

[AVRat]

For a bit of uniqueness, you might consider Marantz receivers. The SR-5/6/7001 models should work well. As you've found, your own ears must decide when it comes to speakers. The NHT3s would be a nice setup in your space.

 

[Nick250]

I will add my usual comment, and that is that 65% of your budget (excluding the video part) goes to speakers. If you have to compromise somewhere in your system, do it anywhere else but the speakers. The receiver and DVD player have almost nothing to do with sound quality, so I suggest really working hard on auditioning and finding the speakers that sound best to you. A lot of folks here here on seem to agree that the Oppo DVD player has very good video qualities for it's price. I have not seen one myself however.

Nick

 

[dem beats]

thanks!

I will check out the Marantz you mentioned when I get home today as a referance.

Someone else recomended a rotel RSX-1057 as something in the 1K price range. And it's more "elite..." sales people even the ernest ones are sometimes tough though because their preferance clouds both fact and value.

great help here guys thanks. For a projector set up should I even be concirned with the 1.1 1.3 issue on HDMI?

 

[j_garcia]

You might also look at Arcam's AVR-250 and -350. Definitely uncommon. Marantz fan here, but Rotel is also a solid choice.

 

[dem beats]

SR6001 XM.... this seams like a novel choice.

The I can't read anything all positive on can't find anywhere that look safe to order from and ultimate AV gave the rotel a review that made me feel they didn't love it for sure... I was suprised at that.

 

[dem beats]

I am kind of learning something here..... The high end unique brands don't seam to do anything well other than just what they are there for.. being the best of the best.

Do you think the harsh reviews about these brands with such top end kit get reviewed on a steeper grade as their verry high end it so"high end" I must say this, it's hard to find something about someone saying how much they hate their Denon or Yam...
lol I think I might wait a while before I get snobby and need something exotic =)

 

[dem beats]

The yam HTR-6090 and the RX-V1700(being 200 list above where I wanted at 1299.99) seam nice but I'm confused. Withing getting to in depth what is the major differences between the two lines the HRT-6090 is the top of that line and the RX-v1700 mid range in that line...

I also think the AVR-3806 or AVR-2807, would do what I want with less hassle and more help. I really came into this receiver thinking the less bells and whistles the better, but it seams those bells and whistles help alot with the end set up of your system.... could anyone help me run a real life comparison with these?
Thanks

 

[davidtwotrees]

Seth, I'm with you buddy. Less bells and whistles. Many people like going through a thousand menus to see what their piece of electronics can do. Even cheap HT receivers can launch the space shuttle they're so complicated. That was part of the reason I went with the gear that I have. The Frenchie that designed my audio refinement gear is the father of a boutique line, YBA. He wanted a simple, affordable pre/pro for his "second" line. Many here would find it woefully lacking in bells and whistles, but you know what? It works for me. I just bought a used DenonAVR-1801 and the thing is always trying to guess what I want it to do. Hrumph.
I think much of the problem with gear being complicated is that they are from Japanese companies. The Japanese are FREAKS when it comes to electronics!
Take a look on VideoGon to get a sense of other products besides Yamaha, Denon, and Pioneer. Theta, Classe, Parasound, Adcom, Sunfire, and manymany more. And if you can go to a store, look at the product and its remote and users manual, and see what you think............

 

[dem beats]

BANG!!!!

That noise is the sound of me pulling the trigger.
Energy all around RC with RC50 towers.

the receiver DTR-4.6 from integra. I went much much lower than intended there because these speakers completely blew me out of the water and into the ocean....

anyway, I listened to a few new options and myself, i was verry impressed with the rotel and thought it could handel even more impressive speakers but the sales rep wouldn't go under 1000 and that was 400 dollars i said to myself i would not spend. The receiver is the only part i am not 110% sure on as I felt the Rotel actual had a more robust sound, it had a few quirks but seamed...less stressed.. i don't know how I just felt that way.. it was the lowest of the line receiver. So thats my kit. I put 1/2 down now?

I woudl love feedback on it, its just about the most exciting thing I've done in years =)))

TY all for the help!

 

[wire]

BANG!!!!

That noise is the sound of me pulling the trigger.
Energy all around RC with RC50 towers.

the receiver DTR-4.6 from integra. I went much much lower than intended there because these speakers completely blew me out of the water and into the ocean....

anyway, I listened to a few new options and myself, i was verry impressed with the rotel and thought it could handel even more impressive speakers but the sales rep wouldn't go under 1000 and that was 400 dollars i said to myself i would not spend. The receiver is the only part i am not 110% sure on as I felt the Rotel actual had a more robust sound, it had a few quirks but seamed...less stressed.. i don't know how I just felt that way.. it was the lowest of the line receiver. So thats my kit. I put 1/2 down now?

I woudl love feedback on it, its just about the most exciting thing I've done in years =)))

TY all for the help!

Humm
Rotel is a step above Yammy , good choice and a good amp section in it .

 

[dem beats]

Ty

I am excited. The integra is fine. The Rotel was as i said super sexy. Just out of price range at the shop. I only had 600 left after speaks.

 

[dem beats]

anyone else have thoughts??

..or even better know where to get a rotel for 600 bucks from a reliable dealer to my door lol

 

[AVRat]

In the noob forum you mention adding an amp. Looking at the rear panel in the manual, the 4.6 only has a sub pre-out. No other pre-outs to add an amp.

 

[dem beats]

In the noob forum you mention adding an amp. Looking at the rear panel in the manual, the 4.6 only has a sub pre-out. No other pre-outs to add an amp.

I actualy just hopped online and noticed this. I'm kinda pissed now. I was worried about the power from that amp and no room to upgrade. I will have to find another option. I may call the place and see what they can offer me, but that rubs me wrong. I think the guy was confused about what receiver he was settign me up for. I will call them and cancel the receiver order.