Best Receiver for $2500?

[jinjuku]

I read a couple of years ago a review that the Arcam AVR600 was the best reciever they had heard at any pricepoint. I was hoping the avr400 would share some of that technology

Sound quality without question is 98% in the domain of the speaker you are playing back on.

Get a $400 receiver with all the latest formats and pre-outs. Get a 3 channel amp for driving the mains (left/center/right channels). Figure about $1100 for the budget on this.

Spend $100-150 on a BR player and the rest on speakers.

 

[Ironman129]

It really doesn't, unless you're saying that you prefer compressed dynamics. A well designed multi driver tower should have just as balanced tonality as a well designed bookshelf, and should have just as stable a stereo image too.

What I meant was that i wanted a speaker that could fill the room without being so large that it physically took all the space of the room. My ideal speaker is one that I can hear and feel but doesn't visually distract from the music or movie, that I can forget that it's there.

Sound quality without question is 98% in the domain of the speaker you are playing back on.

Get a $400 receiver with all the latest formats and pre-outs. Get a 3 channel amp for driving the mains (left/center/right channels). Figure about $1100 for the budget on this.

Spend $100-150 on a BR player and the rest on speakers.

Yeah it looks like I need to redistribute my funds. I've been overseas for the last 2 years and it's probably been a good 4 years since I was seriously looking at upgrading my HT. My last setup was a sony receiver with Polk satalites and sub.

I had a place back in San Diego that had Paradigms and B&Ws that I listend too a fews times. They were different setups in different rooms, but I just remember liking the Signature and studios just as much as the higher priced B&Ws. Now I know a lot has changed in the last 4 years and I've been getting most of my info from reviews.

It sounds like most people are recommending a cheaper reciever with an amp to power the fronts. My priority is sound quality. In fact I'd rather start 2.1 or 3.1 with an incredible soundstage and upgrade with surrounds as the money comes in. So if I up'd by budget for speakers to $4k for fronts, center, and sub, would that changed any of the recommended speakers? I know this is now starting to change the topic of the thread and I appreciate the patience for the noob.

 

[Ironman129]

Where did you read this? How do you know it was an unbiased review? If it wasn't, how good can the opinion be?

The review was from Peter Moncrieff - Widescreen Review.

When I was looking at a new system a few years back, that review was posted all over the shop. Biased or not I have no idea.

 

[jinjuku]

What I meant was that i wanted a speaker that could fill the room without being so large that it physically took all the space of the room. My ideal speaker is one that I can hear and feel but doesn't visually distract from the music or movie, that I can forget that it's there.

There is no replacement for displacement. You may need to look at in wall speakers.

 

[PENG]

What I meant was that i wanted a speaker that could fill the room without being so large that it physically took all the space of the room. My ideal speaker is one that I can hear and feel but doesn't visually distract from the music or movie, that I can forget that it's there.

Have you check out the Totems? I have not heard smaller speakers that sound better than them.

 

[PENG]

Sound quality without question is 98% in the domain of the speaker you are playing back on.

Agree, and I know it goes without saying but I am going to say it anyway, that the source media is the starting point and is a pre-requisite for good sound quality. So to seriously compare any downstream components, i.e. the media player, pre/prepro/amp, loudspeakers one must stick to a media source of top quality whether it is a disc, Flac, vinyl or whatever.

 

[GranteedEV]

What I meant was that i wanted a speaker that could fill the room without being so large that it physically took all the space of the room. My ideal speaker is one that I can hear and feel but doesn't visually distract from the music or movie, that I can forget that it's there.

What you need isn't smaller speakers. Most of us feel that good speakers never give you the cues that remind you that they're there - they "disappear" even though they're physically in front of you. If you're that visually distracted, you need to figure out a way to make the speakers less visible (don't use high gloss finishes, and dim the front of the room for starters) Otherwise you're going to end up with compromised speakers when it wasn't necessary.

If you were to look at this HT:

Would you say that the speaker size is the distraction? Here's a picture of the speakers used in that room:

Because it audible dissappears, there are no cues that they are big speakers. They of course visually dissapear too.

I strongly recommend considering big speakers. Obv you might not need 15" woofer and 15" waveguide like the speakers above (though you'd be surprised how they sound) but if you can get away from "lifestyle" speakers i think you'll be happier with the sound, and good sound is a welcome distraction.

 

[PENG]

This was the small speaker that I referred to:

http://totemacoustic.com/en/hi-fi/compact/element-fire/?series=element-series

It is amazingly small in size relative to its big sound stage and excellent sound quality.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Me too... when constructing a home, every bedroom will be a minimum 18 x 15 if not bigger... That way I can justify tower speakers 4ft away from the wall in every bedroom

My children will grow up, and always wonder why their friends don't have sexy tower speakers in their rooms

Do you even have kids?

 

[GranteedEV]

Do you even have kids?

I'm 22.. so NO!! I will put speakers in their rooms before they are born.

 

[jcl]

Who would put these:

in a corner

My wife!

The OP mentioned this was a living room. This can mean different things for a family vs. a single audioholic....

 

[GranteedEV]

Show your wife the picture, and I want a transcript of the conversation after

Just because it'll amuse me.

 

[agarwalro]

Salk is a custom speaker company. Any of their speakers could be purchased active with a DEQX, if you so desire.

True.

Let me tell you, I have been dreaming of Salk Speakers since then. To this day, I cannot decide if active speakers or the HT2's should be my next purchase.

To build on what I am thinking... Either, the Veracity HT2 (passive crossover and all) or something in the active monitor arena, like those from KRK or Adam Audio...

 

[jinjuku]

True.

To build on what I am thinking... Either, the Veracity HT2 (passive crossover and all) or something in the active monitor arena, like those from KRK or Adam Audio...

What is your next setup going to be like? Even dumping the SVS huh? Should be interesting. Or is this all over your transgender confusion?

 

[Ironman129]

So rearranged the fund distribution and am now looking for a preamp or reciever in the $500 range. The yamaha RX-A1000 was recommended earlier and I've seen advertised on this site the Emotiva UMC-1. Any others to consider? To power the fronts I've been looking at the Emotiva XPA-3. Again appreciate other suggestion in this range.

 

[mtrycrafts]

The review was from Peter Moncrieff - Widescreen Review.

When I was looking at a new system a few years back, that review was posted all over the shop. Biased or not I have no idea.

I have not seen a bias controlled report on a component since The Audio
Critic closed its publication. I am familiar with Widescreen Review but have never seen a review that was claimed to be such. If not claimed, it wasn't. Such reports are good to get an idea what the component has but worthless to judge sound quality.

 

[GranteedEV]

I've seen advertised on this site the Emotiva UMC-1.

The UMC-1 is something I would avoid. The bass management/EQ is implemented poorly and i believe a lot of people have had lots of other issues with is.

Any others to consider?

This: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR6004/Marantz-SR6004-110w-X-7ch-Home-Theater-Surround-Receiver/1.html

To power the fronts I've been looking at the Emotiva XPA-3.

You can only feed speakers power, that can benefit from, and won't be destroyed by, power.

 

[agarwalro]

What is your next setup going to be like?... Should be interesting.

Interesting indeed and I honestly, I don't know where I will land. The Axiom setup was built up over time and budget was always a severely constraining factor. I have learnt so much over the half decade plus on AH and technology has also improved as has my financial situation (read, better paying job and college loans paid up). Active monitors are coming into their own for the HT crowd. I am just playing around with ideas for now while the fund is built up. The road leading up to the Axiom setup was very enjoyable. I am looking forward to the pursuit of the next setup.

Even dumping the SVS huh?

Just put it up for kicks and I have absolutely no complaints with it, none. Not when my neighbor asks me, "How many subs do I have?". Except upgraditis is strong in me...

Or is this all over your transgender confusion?

HAHA! Phase plug or But plug...

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I am familiar with Widescreen Review but have never seen a review that was claimed to be such.

They don't even measure anything!

100% biased and subjective!!!

One of those fake reviews.

 

[billy p]

This was the small speaker that I referred to:

http://totemacoustic.com/en/hi-fi/compact/element-fire/?series=element-series

It is amazingly small in size relative to its big sound stage and excellent sound quality.

Yikes...Peng those speakers list for ~$6000 pr...they better sound excellent....