Budget AVR for the preprocessing + Dedicated amps

[maverhick]

Hello!

I've finally decided on the Gallo Reference 3.5 towers for my music system and will be adding the stradas for the rears and centers over the next couple of months. My idea is to slowly build a system that will last me for quite some time - so will prefer not to do any short term moves around on this one.

Music/Movies - 80/20

I was looking at using a AVR that was reasonably future proof and then adding the emotiva xpa2s to drive the L/R and let the AVR drive the center/subs and rear

I was offered a good deal on a denon 3311 - was getting a denon 2010BD player free along with it. Open to Onkyos/Denon/Marantz AV receivers. Setup will never exceed a 5.1.

What do you guys suggest? I'm a newbie. But have the patience to build a much better setup that will last me for a while.

Budget for the AVR - 500 - 800$, but can be increased if it holds back the system.

 

[jostenmeat]

Sounds reasonable to me. I am not familiar with the speakers, but I would definitely consider getting an XPA3 instead of XPA2.

In all honesty, it's really only with the front three that I really want to make sure I have outboard amplification. It may prove to future proof you somewhat.

If your speakers aren't truly all that* difficult to drive, I'd even consider a UPA5.

 

[zumbo]

Foolish not to consider Yamaha, and at this price, I would say it would be foolish to wait.http://store.audioholics.com/product/3317/1/yamaha-rx-v3900-surround-receiver--yamaha-refurbished-/cc2d04a68b875d5793a24d553fb8b6e0

I don't believe in the term "future proof". Glad to finally remember to say that.

 

[maverhick]

Foolish not to consider Yamaha, and at this price, I would say it would be foolish to wait.I don't believe in the term "future proof". Glad to finally remember to say that.

Trouble is I am based out of India. Limited choices in Hardware - there is no 'refurbished' market in India like the US/Europe have. And the Yammies are expensive in India.

 

[ZeGhostbear]

The Gallo Reference 3.5 are some great looking speakers. I am sure they will pair well with an XPA-2. But your choice for a center speaker seems odd. I have never auditioned Gallo speakers and I know your focus is on music, but the Strada seems like it would not integrate all that well in your front sound stage. Have you heard them played together?

Instinctively I would lean towards a somewhat larger center and an XPA-3. Their Reference AV Center might be worth a look.

 

[maverhick]

@ZeGhostbear - no I have not heard the reference center AV nor the stradas used as centers. They didn't have the center AV in stock at that time. I faintly remember reading a review that mentioned that the center AV was worse off than the stradas as a center piece.

But before taking a decision, I'll hear them both. Thanks for reminding!

Also since the reference 3.5s are known for their phenomenal imaging, sometimes I wonder if I would even require a center channel or not. Can the AVRs run a 4.1 setup distributing the center channel to the L/R speakers?

 

[zumbo]

@ZeGhostbear - no I have not heard the reference center AV nor the stradas used as centers. They didn't have the center AV in stock at that time. I faintly remember reading a review that mentioned that the center AV was worse off than the stradas as a center piece.

But before taking a decision, I'll hear them both. Thanks for reminding!

Also since the reference 3.5s are known for their phenomenal imaging, sometimes I wonder if I would even require a center channel or not. Can the AVRs run a 4.1 setup distributing the center channel to the L/R speakers?

Center is very important.

 

[ZeGhostbear]

Also since the reference 3.5s are known for their phenomenal imaging, sometimes I wonder if I would even require a center channel or not. Can the AVRs run a 4.1 setup distributing the center channel to the L/R speakers?

Yes, you could try running it in 4.1 and see whether that satisfies you. The AVR can mix surround tracks down for you. I believe this is sometimes referred to as a phantom center speaker. Considering how happy I am with my 2.1 setup compared to any 5.1 or 7.1 HTIB, I would say it might be possible. I have read about mixed results.

That being said, I will never voluntarily give up my Paradigm Studio CC-690 v.4. I enjoy great sounding music, but home theater is important to me and it may not matter as much to you.