Need advice on new A/V or seperates.

[Surudos]

My Pioneer VSX-816 receiver has finally been put on the replacement list. It's been to the shop twice over the past few years and it's not worth repairing it again. The rear speakers are cutting in and out and I think it's due to the solder cracking again.

That being said I've been reading forums and really think I want to upgrade my whole system over the next couple of years. I'm torn between getting a high end A/V (Denon or Yamaha) or going with entry level seperates such as Emotiva UMC-1 and X-5 (until I get my towers then I'll get an X-2 to drive those).

I know I don't want a feature rich receiver that has crap components so I've already determined that if I go with an A/V I'll be spending around $1000-$1500. What are your thoughts given my parameters below on if I should go for a high end A/V unit or get a pre/pro and amp instead with the intention of upgrading my speakers here over the next year? See sweet A/V deal I found at the bottom of the post...

My setup is as follows:
Towers: JBL E80s
Center: JBL EC25
Rears: JBL EC10s
Sub: Infinity RABOS TSS4000 (12" in side firing sub)
Room Size: 8' wide, 14' long, 9' ceilings
Listening Position: 12' away

I'm in an apartment and plan on moving to a house in the near future so the room size will be much larger then.

From what I've read my speakers are basically just crap. Great for the average listeners and perfect for college. I want to start auditioning different brands over the the next few months and find what really sounds great to me. I'll take as long as it takes to find the best bang for my buck. The number I have in my head to spend on speakers would be around 10k for a good 5.1 system maybe even 7.1. This does not include cables, speaker wires, A/V etc. I've read that it's best to spend your money on the speakers instead of the other items b/c even if you have a great set driving the audio it will still make crap speakers sound like crap.

Until tomorrow at midnight I found a pretty sweet deal on some Yamaha receivers. I assume it's because they're closing them out and will be releasing their new ones (mid range already released in May) here in a month or so.

RX-A800 for $500 free shipping
RX-A1000 for $650 free shipping
RX-A2000 for $900 free shipping
RX-A3000 for $1300 free shipping

What do you think? I've read where some people have problems with them faulting. Would you recommend Denon over Yamaha for the Audessy vs. YPAO?

What about getting the Emotiva Seperates based on the price range in speakers I'm looking to get?

Thanks for all your thoughts and considerations! I really appreciate the feedback.

 

[TLS Guy]

My Pioneer VSX-816 receiver has finally been put on the replacement list. It's been to the shop twice over the past few years and it's not worth repairing it again. The rear speakers are cutting in and out and I think it's due to the solder cracking again.

That being said I've been reading forums and really think I want to upgrade my whole system over the next couple of years. I'm torn between getting a high end A/V (Denon or Yamaha) or going with entry level seperates such as Emotiva UMC-1 and X-5 (until I get my towers then I'll get an X-2 to drive those).

I know I don't want a feature rich receiver that has crap components so I've already determined that if I go with an A/V I'll be spending around $1000-$1500. What are your thoughts given my parameters below on if I should go for a high end A/V unit or get a pre/pro and amp instead with the intention of upgrading my speakers here over the next year? See sweet A/V deal I found at the bottom of the post...

My setup is as follows:
Towers: JBL E80s
Center: JBL EC25
Rears: JBL EC10s
Sub: Infinity RABOS TSS4000 (12" in side firing sub)
Room Size: 8' wide, 14' long, 9' ceilings
Listening Position: 12' away

I'm in an apartment and plan on moving to a house in the near future so the room size will be much larger then.

From what I've read my speakers are basically just crap. Great for the average listeners and perfect for college. I want to start auditioning different brands over the the next few months and find what really sounds great to me. I'll take as long as it takes to find the best bang for my buck. The number I have in my head to spend on speakers would be around 10k for a good 5.1 system maybe even 7.1. This does not include cables, speaker wires, A/V etc. I've read that it's best to spend your money on the speakers instead of the other items b/c even if you have a great set driving the audio it will still make crap speakers sound like crap.

Until tomorrow at midnight I found a pretty sweet deal on some Yamaha receivers. I assume it's because they're closing them out and will be releasing their new ones (mid range already released in May) here in a month or so.

RX-A800 for $500 free shipping
RX-A1000 for $650 free shipping
RX-A2000 for $900 free shipping
RX-A3000 for $1300 free shipping

What do you think? I've read where some people have problems with them faulting. Would you recommend Denon over Yamaha for the Audessy vs. YPAO?

What about getting the Emotiva Seperates based on the price range in speakers I'm looking to get?

Thanks for all your thoughts and considerations! I really appreciate the feedback.

I would try and make do with your current receiver. I would sort out your speaker situation first and then decide on powering them.

If you do go the receiver route, get one with pre outs so you can add amps.

I think the Emo amps are very solid, but I think I would steer you to the Marantz pre pro, if you go that route.

I'm recommend going with a pre pro if you want ext amps, then you don't have wasted space and powering amps you don't need.

I really think that receiver amps are limited and if funds are there I would go with separates every time. (Puny power devices packed into too small a space and cluttered round everything else).

 

[LAB3]

Just to answer your question about the AVR you have listed. The Yamaha A2000 is the best buy for the dollar of the one's you listed.. If I had the coin I would take the TLS post to heart. I am a Big Yamaha AVR fan........... play them all day every day (retired). My 2003 RX-V 2400 still plays.The jury is still out on the new HD 1900 I have now. Will see in a few years. I hope. A2000 on "Pure Direct" mode sounds really good.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Amazon has three of the Denon 3311 units for only $530 (LIKE-NEW, full warranty, dealer authorized):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B003LVZYNI/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&qid=1308504801&sr=1-5&condition=used

 

[Surudos]

What's it mean when it says "like - new" I'm skeptical on getting a used A/V when they seem so fragile.

 

[Surudos]

I would try and make do with your current receiver. I would sort out your speaker situation first and then decide on powering them.

If you do go the receiver route, get one with pre outs so you can add amps.

I think the Emo amps are very solid, but I think I would steer you to the Marantz pre pro, if you go that route.

I'm recommend going with a pre pro if you want ext amps, then you don't have wasted space and powering amps you don't need.

I really think that receiver amps are limited and if funds are there I would go with separates every time. (Puny power devices packed into too small a space and cluttered round everything else).

Well after talking it over with the significant other we both agree I should wait on new speakers until we at least get a 3 bedroom or house that I can setup my home theater in properly. That being said that is going to be at least 6 months so no speakers until then.

With the quality of the speakers I currently have is it worth getting an A/V like the RX-A2000 for $900 or should I just see if I can get a used one off craigslist for like $100 to use until I build a new system sometime in 2012? I figure if I get a high end A/V I can add an amp later at least.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Subwoofers

$10k for a good 5.1 system maybe even 7.1.

Speakers are the most important, so I would go with quality over quantity.

So put all that money into a 5.1 system, instead of 7.1.

You don't have to buy a "CENTER" horizontal speaker and you don't have to buy "SURROUND" speakers. You could buy bookshelf vertical speakers to use as your center speaker and surround speakers.

Or you could buy 5 towers speakers.

I highly recommend the Rythmik subwoofers. I have never heard bass that tight before in my life, and I've listened to the the Def Tech Trinity subwoofer and RBH 1010 subs. I bought 2 Rythmik D15SE subs (get 10% off when buying 2 subs).

There are other models. The ported ones give more output.

So two Rythmik D15SE subs = $2,158 to my door. Absolutely amazing tight bass.

That leaves $8K for the 5.0 speakers.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

What's it mean when it says "like - new" I'm skeptical on getting a used A/V when they seem so fragile.

I definitely hate REFURBISHED things. I've had my shares of bad ones. But I fully trust Amazon.

LIKE-NEW from AMAZON.COM means it looks new, it smells new, works like new. Basically people changed their minds on the purchases and returned the AVRs. But they have been checked upon return.

And if you don't think it looks new, smells new, you can return it for free back to amazon.

It also means it qualifies for full factory warranty.

 

[LAB3]

Well after talking it over with the significant other we both agree I should wait on new speakers until we at least get a 3 bedroom or house that I can setup my home theater in properly. That being said that is going to be at least 6 months so no speakers until then.

With the quality of the speakers I currently have is it worth getting an A/V like the RX-A2000 for $900 or should I just see if I can get a used one off craigslist for like $100 to use until I build a new system sometime in 2012? I figure if I get a high end A/V I can add an amp later at least.

That Denopn for $530.00 with factory warranty is a DEAL.... you will not find much on CL for $100.00.And get a good HD AVR. I know money is tight but I would JUMP on that Denon 3311. I just spent $600.00 on a like new/used Yamaha RX-V1900 (retailed for $1,300.00)that has about a year of Best Buys warranty. I wish I had waited this Denon for $530.00 is a Great unit that you can build on nex year.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

That Denopn for $530.00 with factory warranty is a DEAL.... you will not find much on CL for $100.00.And get a good HD AVR. I know money is tight but I would JUMP on that Denon 3311. I just spent $600.00 on a like new/used Yamaha RX-V1900 (retailed for $1,300.00)that has about a year of Best Buys warranty. I wish I had waited this Denon for $530.00 is a Great unit that you can build on nex year.

The 3311 for only $530 shipped is an awesome price.

But the fact that it is sold directly by AMAZON is the best part. I've bought a million things from amazon. Their customer service and return policy is the absolute best.

A lot of times, I will even pay a little extra just for the fact that it is sold directly by Amazon.

I wish amazon offers an extended/replacement warranty DIRECTLY, not 3rd party. I would buy an Amazon-direct warranty for everything I buy. That's how much I trust Amazon.

 

[LAB3]

The 3311 for only $530 shipped is an awesome price.

But the fact that it is sold directly by AMAZON is the best part. I've bought a million things from amazon. Their customer service and return policy is the absolute best.

A lot of times, I will even pay a little extra just for the fact that it is sold directly by Amazon.

I wish amazon offers an extended/replacement warranty DIRECTLY, not 3rd party. I would buy an Amazon-direct warranty for everything I buy. That's how much I trust Amazon.

I sent a email to a friend that is looking for a new HD AVR. There will be one less very soon. Great find.

 

[sholling]

First as long as your receiver is working then I agree with TLS about resolving where you're going with speakers and a sub first and then worry about the receiver. That said the older non-Elite Pioneers were anemic at best and sold by using "optimistic" power ratings. You're probably just pushing a weak design too hard and killing it. I own two old Pioneers (812 & 1014) and they live out in my storage shed.

I would start saving for a brand new Denon or Onkyo (both make great receivers) or just buy a refurbished Onkyo with preouts like the 708. One of our members was 0 for 3 with refurbished Denons so I'm gunshy about them. I've had zero issues with 2 refurbished Onkyos.

 

[Surudos]

First as long as your receiver is working then I agree with TLS about resolving where you're going with speakers and a sub first and then worry about the receiver. That said the older non-Elite Pioneers were anemic at best and sold by using "optimistic" power ratings. You're probably pushing a weak design too hard and killing it. I own two old Pioneers (812 & 1014) and they live out in my storage shed.

That's where the problem lies...I don't get any audio from my rears anymore so I'm just operating on 3.1. I want to at least be able to enjoy the speakers I currently have.

 

[Surudos]

Double post

 

[AVRat]

Yes.............

 

[Surudos]

Picking the AVR

I've decided after looking through all of the various AVR options and features that I am going to go with something that will do a good job for the next year or so with the option to upgrade it with an additional amp once I get better speakers.

I think I'm going to go with Denon 3311CI over the Yamaha RX-A2000 model due to the Audyssey room equalization features over the YPAO. That coupled with the deal on Amazon for $530 vs. $900 Yamaha I might as well get a good AVR and put the extra $350 towards those new speakers I want. The Yamaha weighs an extra 10lbs so I assume the power supply or amps are a bit higher quality but I'm unsure.

Would you all agree that this is a smart decision to hold me off until I get my new speakers sometime next year?

 

[LAB3]

I've decided after looking through all of the various AVR options and features that I am going to go with something that will do a good job for the next year or so with the option to upgrade it with an additional amp once I get better speakers.

I think I'm going to go with Denon 3311CI over the Yamaha RX-A2000 model due to the Audyssey room equalization features over the YPAO. That coupled with the deal on Amazon for $530 vs. $900 Yamaha I might as well get a good AVR and put the extra $350 towards those new speakers I want. The Yamaha weighs an extra 10lbs so I assume the power supply or amps are a bit higher quality but I'm unsure.

Would you all agree that this is a smart decision to hold me off until I get my new speakers sometime next year?

Yes, go the $530.00 and you are listening to all the speakers. I have owned AVR with Audyssey(Onkyo 805) and 2 different Yamaha with YPAO... I can't tell any difference on my Klipsch speakers.

 

[Surudos]

Thanks everyone for the replies! I went ahead and got the Denon 3311CI for $530 from Amazon. I figure this will set me up for a good upgrade path in the future.

1) Use the Denon on my existing speakers so I can actually get 5.1 again for the next 6mos to 2yrs
2) Move to new place and look at upgrading Speakers to high end between 5k-10k range
3) Get amp to power the new speakers using existing Denon
4) Upgrade to seperates etc in the future

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thanks everyone for the replies! I went ahead and got the Denon 3311CI for $530 from Amazon. I figure this will set me up for a good upgrade path in the future.

1) Use the Denon on my existing speakers so I can actually get 5.1 again for the next 6mos to 2yrs
2) Move to new place and look at upgrading Speakers to high end between 5k-10k range
3) Get amp to power the new speakers using existing Denon
4) Upgrade to seperates etc in the future

Congrats!

I love Amazon. The absolute best customer service and some of their deals are impossible to beat!