avr for ht help: please and thankyou

[mlhrh]

Hi...somewhat new to this helpful site. I need a little advice. We are putting together a home theater room (14'x16'x9'). There will be a projector, sony or maybe low end runco as well as a silver or maybe gold Triad speaker package. The dilema rests with the avr. The intent is to get "the most bang for the buck", of course, with the most fidelity for music playback as well. We have set aside about $3500 for avr. Our home theater company advocates Integra 10.5. I have experience with old Yamaha DSP (DSP-A1000) and liked it; the RX-Z9 looks appealing. The avr must integrate with our crestron home auto system, but the features of the avr will only be used in the HT room, not for distribution.

I would ask some opinions as to the most capable and well rounded avr that also reproduces music well in this price range...for what it is worth, I am one of the rare people who likes dsp processing for music.
Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[mlhrh]

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[jimmit]

Given your "budget," I'd look at the B&K AVR 507 S2 at $3,299. I have no experience with B&K, but I understand they are highly respected. After a quick look at the specs, it appears this one will do everything you need it to do.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Nice budget. Depending on your speakers, you really don't need anything as extravagant as the Yamaha RX Z9. It is a wonderful receiver, but meant for multi-room usage. For what you are using it for, you would be better served with Yamaha's 7.1 receiver - the RX V2500. You are on the right track with DSP modes. Yamaha has the best and has done the most research in getting the effects near perfect. You will not hear any sonic difference between the RX Z9 and the RX V2500 with a 7.1 setup at normal and above average listening levels. If you are intent on spending the entire $3500 on an AVR, then I would recommend the newer up and coming Denon 4806. It has the most up to date features of any receiver, and priced under the flagship of all AVR's - the Denon 5805 with 10 assignable channels. Again, not necessary for a one room HT. We were discussing the new Denon 5805 on an earlier thread and had also brought up the Harman Kardon AVR7300. For a 7.1 receiver with the best video upconversion on the market, the $1299 Harman Kardon AVR7300 through www.jr.com is an absolute steal. I am running my Denon 3805 with 120x7 in a 14x32 room and having no trouble at all with outstanding musical and HT reproduction - just an FYI on not having to spend $3500 for a quality AVR. Audioholics has reviewed the Integra receivers and wasn't exactly impressed with their offerings. They are high on the Yamaha's as well as the Denon equipment. What speakers do you have or intend to purchase for your room? Are they efficient?

 

[mlhrh]

thanks for the replies...i find them thought-provoking.

i don't have any knowledge of b & k other than that of high end equipment; looks like nice stuff. Same goes for the HK, but I am concerned about some musical capabilities (see below).

I have been thinking about the denon machines, but as i said, i actually enjoy the music surround modes, and my previous side by side trials found me liking the yamahas better...this was 7-8 years ago, however.

What machine; Yamaha, Denon, B&K, Arcam, etc will have the power and articulate sound reproduction as well as robust movie usage, and the best "DSP" sound?

As for speakers; our home theater company has planned a silver or gold Triad Speaker set...I have done a little research on the internet and they seem good, but any comments are welcome!

 

[jaxvon]

I'd suggest that, if you can, find a dealer that carries the Triad speakers and go audition some top-flight recievers or separates there. What you're looking for in terms of connectivity, ergonomics, looks, and sound may be vastly different from someone on these forums. The best way is to try before you buy.

I personally have experience with B&K's stereo amps, and it's great stuff. It tends to sound a little "warm". I know there's someone on these forums (forgot who, sorry) who ended up buying a B&K reciever and loves it to death.

Honestly though, when it comes to the price range you're looking at, it's pretty hard to go wrong. Yamaha, Denon, B&K, Rotel, ATI, Parasound, etc. all make great stuff in your budget. It's always great to be able to afford the really nice gear. As far as I'm concerned, you're in the sweet spot. You have enough money to get a top-end reciever and some great speakers that will put you above the mid-fi crowd, but you're still in the sensible budget before you start laying out $25k for a pair of speakers.

 

[Xsound]

Check out the pioneer vsx-56txi receiver. In the same price range as the rx-v2500 and the 3805, with a few extras.The 56 has USB and Firewire for hooking up to computer, should the need arise, and connecting to Firewire equipped dvd players. Plenty of power, incredible quality sound. Probably the best auto set-up of the 3. Excellent DSP soundfields for movies and music (though Yamahas music DSP's are slightly better). I listen to multi-channel music, and enjoy it. AIR studios, aka Sir George Martin of Beatle production fame, provide post-production (a little like THX for music DSPs) tuning.

I highly recommend the elite line of receivers.