Weighing my options

[Steve81]

So its time to start counting some chickens. You know how it is: gotta find a way to blow a Christmas bonus that I haven't gotten yet

This time around, I'm focusing in on my front end electronics, namely my Onkyo TX-SR707 receiver. It's done a good job for me, but being the consummate conservative type that I am, I'd like a bit more meat to my amplification to help me sleep better at night. If I can get cooler running equipment and improved functionality (ie reduced incidence of audio dropout for example) so much the better.

As it is, I've got a 5.1 system consisting of Klipsch RF-5s mains, RC-35 center, and RF-15 surrounds. Given the rated sensitivities, sheer wattage isn't so much a concern as stability into low impedance, reactive loads on all channels.

I've tossed around the possibility of getting an outboard amplifier to supplement the Onk, but that only solves one part of my annoyance with it, and brings up a few more (ie no 12V trigger).

Anyway, one possibility I'm tossing around getting an Emo separates setup, ie a UMC-200 and one of their amps. I'm hoping they release an XPA-500 in the near future in that regard.

The other possibility that's crossed my mind is a newer, hopefully better midrange receiver coupled with a stereo amplifier. A Marantz 6006 has strong amplification in its own right, Audyssey MultEQ XT, Airplay, and can be had for $700 on A4L. Add in an XPA-200 for $420, and I think I'll have a useful upgrade over what I've got now.

Thoughts, comments, and concerns are welcome. Budget for this as you may have guessed is in the $1,000 ballpark with a little wiggle room. Gotta save something for the kid's college education.

 

[PENG]

I thought ADTG posted some incredibly low prices for the 3312, that would get you more saving and I am pretty sure it will be every bit as good as the Marantz in SQ. I have owned both brands and still do, so I am speaking from my own experience. Too bad, the 4311 is not available for under 1K otherwise I thought they would be a cleaner and still viable solutions. Funny recently I have been thinking about going back to a robust AVR, such as the 4520 and get rid all those separate boxes, extra weights, shelf space and longer runs of cables.

 

[KEW]

Have you considered room treatments instead?
I understand you can get them custom printed with whatever photo or artwork you like.
This might do more to improve SQ and if you get enough treatments, you'll be able to hear the difference when you upgrade your amp next year!

 

[Steve81]

Have you considered room treatments instead?

The thought has certainly crossed my mind. One of my X-mas gifts is a Dayton Omnimic which should give me some idea of what the room/speaker interactions look like. Once I get that up and running, I'll at least be able to see what needs work, and go from there.

Of course, I've gotten the impression that the wife is going to balk at anything that would be truly effective (ie large bass traps), so what I'll be able to actually do once I see it is another story

 

[agarwalro]

If the room is already optimized (read, acoustically treated),

Onkyo TX-NR809 $445 on Amazon and Emotiva XPA-3 $600.

 

[Adam]

First, have fun and good luck with your new toy purchase(s)!

Second, you're a douche. Yeah, that's right. An hour ago as I was getting ready to work out, I saw your thread title, started chuckling and planned to post something about, "well, that's not all that you need to weigh" given your recent eating spree...then read about counting chickens and "more meat"...after which I proceeded to spend the past hour watching "America's Test Kitchen" as I threw down snack crackers that my parents sent to me. Bastard.

 

[KEW]

Of course, I've gotten the impression that the wife is going to balk at anything that would be truly effective (ie large bass traps), so what I'll be able to actually do once I see it is another story

Blow up a couple of your wedding pictures for printing on the bass traps (I assume this can be done), and give them to your wife on your wedding anniversary as a display of "how much you cherish her and appreciate the way she puts up with you"!

 

[Adam]

Blow up a couple of your wedding pictures for printing on the bass traps (I assume this can be done), and give them to your wife on your wedding anniversary as a display of "how much you cherish her and appreciate the way she puts up with you"!

I nominate this for the next Tip of the Day. Better yet, Tip of the Year! Downright brilliant. Granted, she'd have to be the opposite of brilliant...but it might just work.

Seriously, though - WAF images on room treatments would be a good tip.

 

[Steve81]

I thought ADTG posted some incredibly low prices for the 3312, that would get you more saving and I am pretty sure it will be every bit as good as the Marantz in SQ.

The 3312 is $50 less at A4L versus the 6006. Looks pretty comparable to the Marantz (power, MultEQ XT, Airplay, etc). Any thoughts on how do these receivers do temp wise?

 

[Steve81]

If the room is already optimized (read, acoustically treated),

Onkyo TX-NR809 $445 on Amazon and Emotiva XPA-3 $600.

Appreciate the response. Unfortunately, this would be too much amplifier/receiver to fit into my cabinet

 

[Steve81]

Blow up a couple of your wedding pictures for printing on the bass traps (I assume this can be done), and give them to your wife on your wedding anniversary as a display of "how much you cherish her and appreciate the way she puts up with you"!

And then stuff them in a corner

 

[Steve81]

First, have fun and good luck with your new toy purchase(s)!

Thanks! Heck, the agonizing over the purchase in a thread like this is half the fun for me

Second, you're a douche.

Jealousy really is an ugly thing You won't be that jealous when I have to burn all this lard off.

 

[Adam]

You won't be that jealous when I have to burn all this lard off.

I'll be jealous when you do, though, as I'm now acquiring some of my own...

 

[Steve81]

I'll be jealous when you do, though, as I'm now acquiring some of my own...

Well, just to get you salivating:

Breakfast: nothing special, just cereal.

Lunch: Wendys

Dinner 1: Pizza Rolls

Dinner 2: Stuffed Crust Pepperoni Pizza (stone is warming as we speak)

 

[Adam]

Well, just to get you salivating:

Sub 1: SVS PC13-Ultra

Sub 2: SVS SB13-Ultra

 

[Steve81]

PS: Any thoughts on the Marantz MM7025?

Curious how it performs relative to its competition, especially if I go with the Marantz SR6006 since well...you know how it is

 

[PENG]

The 3312 is $50 less at A4L versus the 6006. Looks pretty comparable to the Marantz (power, MultEQ XT, Airplay, etc). Any thoughts on how do these receivers do temp wise?

Denon AVR-3312CI A/V Receiver HT Labs Measures | Home Theater

Marantz SR6006 A/V Receiver HT Labs Measures | Home Theater

The Denon 3311 used to be more comparable to the Marantz 7005 and sure enough you can see that the 3312 has more powerful power supply and amp section than the 6002 based on objective tests (lab measurements) both by HTM and the same reviewer. As expected the reviewer would give Marantz the nod on SQ but I always ignore the subjective parts. I don't even find my Marantz separates (2 of them) any better/different than my Denon 3805 and 4308, but I totally prefer the look of the Marantz.

Given that the guts of the 3312 and 6006 would be similar, I think the 3312 would operate a little cooler base on comparing the specs but I think it would be within say 5 degrees C.

 

[Steve81]

Appreciate the input PENG.

but I totally prefer the look of the Marantz.

Me too Given the similarities, I'm not going to sweat the decision between these two all that much. Add in the MM7025, and I'm in OCD heaven

 

[PENG]

PS: Any thoughts on the Marantz MM7025?

Curious how it performs relative to its competition, especially if I go with the Marantz SR6006 since well...you know how it is

Well, again, I bet you are heading the 7025's way for the look. The XPA-2 offers much more power for less money, and 4 ohm capable, but then double the power gets you only 3dB more SPL right?

 

[Steve81]

Well, just to get you salivating:

Sub 1: SVS PC13-Ultra

Sub 2: SVS SB13-Ultra

You suck That's OK though, one day I'll probably jump to a X.2 setup, at which point I'll want something with SubEQ. That's a long way off though.