Where to start??

[adam71]

First of all I am brand spankin' new to the forums and would like to say Hellllloooooooo!!!! as this is my 1st post.

To my topic of where to start?? I am a HUGE home audio/ home theater fan. Which is obvious or why would I have joined the forum?? I am also a huge fan of car audio. I guess you could say audio is my thing. Anyway, in car audio I've always gone with seperate everything. I won't even use a crossover in my decks because an outboard is of better quality. Now I want to go that route with home theater. Right now I have an A/V receiver and want to go with seperates. I can't afford anything outrageous so I'll be doing this piece by piece. My question is if I want to switch over to seperate PRE/PRO and Amps what do I do first?? I could go the pre/pro first and use the pre ins on my receiver and use the receiver as a multi-channel amp. OR I could use the pre outs on my receiver and pickup 7 channels of amplification either it be a 7 channel or a combination of multiple amps. I was thinking of finding some used but very reputable amps from ebay (such as Rotel and Adcom) which some of the good ones go for $300 or less. Any input or advice would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. Be gentle.

 

[Davemcc]

Quick question - what speakers are you using? That will have an effect on what type of amp you need, if you need one at all for the size of room you have the speakers in. What receiver is being replaced?

 

[adam71]

Quick question - what speakers are you using? That will have an effect on what type of amp you need, if you need one at all for the size of room you have the speakers in. What receiver is being replaced?

Paradigm "Mini-Monitors" and CC-190 Center. Atlantic Technology Dipole surrounds X 4. So I assume you're recommending going for amps for now and down the road the PRE/PRO???

The receiver that will be used as a temporary PRE/PRO is a Denon AVR-3805.

The room size is 12 X 24 and its in a basement with not so lively accoustics.

 

[mazersteven]

Paradigm "Mini-Monitors" and CC-190 Center. Atlantic Technology Dipole surrounds X 4. So I assume you're recommending going for amps for now and down the road the PRE/PRO???

The receiver that will be used as a temporary PRE/PRO is a Denon AVR-3805.

I personally see no reason to switch to separates with the current speakers you are running. That is my opinion.

But if you want to I recommend you purchase amps first. Purchase these amps instead of purchasing used.

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/2200.html

 

[adam71]

I don't have a single speaker that can handle 200 watts. Also, I will eventually be going with bigger speakers. Aside from the power aspect aren't there other things to gain by going seperates?? Like sound quality and flexibility.

Also, what is wrong with a used 100 x 5 amp?? Of course, I'm talking one of good quality and condition.

 

[Davemcc]

Well, your speakers are not terribly hard to drive, being 8 ohm, 89dB sensitivity. They are only recommended to handle 80 watts. The Denon receiver you are using has a very capable amp section that far exceeds any requirements of the speakers. I fear that adding an amp with these speakers will produce no tangible benefit whatsoever.

Moving over to the pre/pro side of things, unless you need HDMI switching and the new hi-def audio formats, you also stand to gain little from replacing this Denon, which has a very competant audio processing section as well.

If your goal is simply go with separates just for kicks and giggles, you will be hard pressed to find any component for $300 that will do a better job than the 3805, even using Audiogon. Far be it from me to tell you how your system should be arranged, but were I in your shoes, I would apply the whole budget to a better set of L/R mains for the greastest improvement in sound quality.

If you go listening to speakers and fall in love with a difficult set to drive (low impedance, low sensitivity), then let the requirements of the speakers dictate the type of amplification you need. If you find that you require more features in a pre/pro than the Denon offers, then let that be the deciding factor in that choice.

 

[adam71]

Gotcha.

Ok, I see what you're saying. To be honest with you I was sort of thinking that when I was speaker shopping and went with the Mini Monitors. But at the time I wasn't really set on spending a fortune on speakers. These sounded best to me and I guess I could see what the bigger Monitors would do.

 

[mazersteven]

I don't have a single speaker that can handle 200 watts. Also, I will eventually be going with bigger speakers. Aside from the power aspect aren't there other things to gain by going seperates?? Like sound quality and flexibility.

Also, what is wrong with a used 100 x 5 amp?? Of course, I'm talking one of good quality and condition.

IMO I doubt you will hear a tremendous difference, if any difference at all going with separates instead of the Denon. Not with the Mini Monitors. Now if you up-graded your speakers to the Studio 100's then I would say yes.

Separates do offer flexibility to change components easier yes.

And if your looking to up-grading your speakers down the road then future proofing your purchases today would be a good idea.

 

[adam71]

IMO I doubt you will hear a tremendous difference, if any difference at all going with separates instead of the Denon. Not with the Mini Monitors. Now if you up-graded your speakers to the Studio 100's then I would say yes.

Separates do offer flexibility to change components easier yes.

And if your looking to up-grading your speakers down the road then future proofing your purchases today would be a good idea.

Actually the 9900 Pre/Pro and 7700 amp look like a good combo. With bigger speakers of course. I know it sounds like I'm only after LOUD but it's actually the opposite. I just like to have the headroom available for the big peaks in music and movies.

 

[mazersteven]

Ok, I see what you're saying. To be honest with you I was sort of thinking that when I was speaker shopping and went with the Mini Monitors. But at the time I wasn't really set on spending a fortune on speakers. These sounded best to me and I guess I could see what the bigger Monitors would do.

Wherever you purchased the Min's from. See if they have an up-grade policy. If your going to up-grade I suggest the Studio series over bigger Monitors.

 

[mazersteven]

Actually the 9900 Pre/Pro and 7700 amp look like a good combo. With bigger speakers of course.

How about these?


http://www.emotiva.com/products.html

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Dave has your back on this one. Unless you spent a lot of money on a pre-pro you are going to have a difficult time beating that Denon. Amps are pretty much amps. I would say the Denon also has plenty of power but if you want more (and we are Audioholics so you should always add more power) I would us it as a pre/pro and add an amp. Look at Anthem, Krell, Rotel if you are dying to spend a lot of money. Look at Boehringer or Outlaw for a good deal or look at Emotiva for a perfect "in-between".

 

[adam71]

Wherever you purchased the Min's from. See if they have an up-grade policy. If your going to up-grade I suggest the Studio series over bigger Monitors.

Thanx, I'll keep that in mind. I have some time off this coming week. I'll have to go down and see.

 

[adam71]

How about these?


http://www.emotiva.com/products.html

Dave has your back on this one. Unless you spent a lot of money on a pre-pro you are going to have a difficult time beating that Denon. Amps are pretty much amps. I would say the Denon also has plenty of power but if you want more (and we are Audioholics so you should always add more power) I would us it as a pre/pro and add an amp. Look at Anthem, Krell, Rotel if you are dying to spend a lot of money. Look at Boehringer or Outlaw for a good deal or look at Emotiva for a perfect "in-between".

I must say, those Emotiva not only seem impressive spec wise.....they look downright sexy. Are those internet only??

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Yes. ID only but a lot of us including me, use Emo.

 

[Davemcc]

How's this for a plan? Upgrade the speakers to a set of Studio 20 now, then wait about a month until Emotiva starts shipping the XPA-5 amplifier, supposed to be in January. It is 200w x 5 for only $699. If you keep the minis, you could have a 7.1 set-up, running the surround rear channels from the Denon's amp.

 

[gus6464]

Or better yet, upgrade to a pair of Studio 40's.

 

[adam71]

I was thinking of maybe the Signature S4s. I have NO idea what the MSRP is on those though.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I think they are right at 3k if I remember correctly. I had a chance to get a new pair for a great price but the center channel was so expensive that it made the total cost of LCR out of my range.

I was thinking of maybe the Signature S4s. I have NO idea what the MSRP is on those though.

 

[adam71]

I think they are right at 3k if I remember correctly. I had a chance to get a new pair for a great price but the center channel was so expensive that it made the total cost of LCR out of my range.

That figures. I guess I'll look at the Studio line instead. They look just as nice and I bet there isn't that much of a difference in sound anyway.