Building a new HT system

[ducker]

Here's where I'm at:

I'm onboard with the Athena Speakers. I'm looking to go with the following speakers:
2 AS-F1 (possibly B2's)
(2)3 AS-R1
P400
AS-C1

My huge hangup is the receiver. I understand you should let your ears do the judging, but it's not exactly easy to find this type of setup (as I've found)

I first heard these speakers at a Best Buy; on a Yamaha HTR-57** setup.

So I started my receiver search there.... Now I'm stuck...
I'm only looking to spend around $300 or so for a receiver.
The 1k HT config suggests: Onkyo TX-SR502
The 3k HT config suggests: Yamaha RX-V450

I don't know much about the Onkyo receivers, but either the Yamaha receiver is REALLY good or something is odd... if that receiver is that good, why not put it in the 1k suggested system???

Now the RX-V450 is quite similar to the HTR-5740. except the HTR-5740 carries 100W per channel vs. the 85W per on the V450.

I'd love to be able to go all the way up to the 5790, but at a minimum of $500 (on ebay) it's a bit too rich. I suppose I could, if I cut my two fronts down to AS-B2's instead of F1's, and maybe down grading the Sub from P400 to P300. But would this be worth it? or am I downgrading the speakers so much, it's a waste of a good receiver???

Also.... Will a 7.1 system actually be able to play in a 5.1 or 6.1 configuration??? If not, I might as well just look at the 6.1 receivers.

All these newbie questions, I hope they come across as at least semi clued

-Mike

(ps. right now only have 3 AS-R1's, I'm looking to find some good deals on the other speaks.. and then I'll get the receiver)

 

[Shinerman]

Don't downgrade the speakers to move up the receiver chain! The RX-V450 or the Onkyo 502 should be plenty good assuming they have the features you want. I personally like Yamaha, but that's just me. Onkyo makes very good receivers.

An yes, you can run a 5.1 speaker setup on a 7.1 receiver. No problem at all. I actually run a 6.1 speaker setup on my RX-V1400. I think that's the same as the HTR- 5790.

Remember, don't skimp on the speakers. Speakers are more of a personal choice and can make or break a system. Receivers, not so much.

Shinerman

 

[ducker]

I'm not overly concerned with the features of the Receiver I suppose. ie. I'm not trying to find a receiver to fit in to my current configuration of components. I simply have a couple of "traditional components" I'll be looking to connect to the receiver.

Play Station 2 via optical
DVD player via optical (older model - might need to upgrade)
VCR
all to a Sony Wega TV.

So I pretty much want a good receiver that will last a fairly long time.. 6.1 just seemed more "advanced/ahead" of 5.1

I'm guessing overall people stick to the RX-V line vs. the "HTR" line of Yamaha's receivers? It's just that the HTR-5730 (bottom of the line) looks like junk vs. the higher models... and I was figuring that the RX-V450 is likewise the same... older and rather "non-flash" in terms of features/abilities.

Then again, it just might be the fact that I don't want to buy the lowest model available

--edit--
hm it looks like the RX-V550 might be just enough for me... more optical imputs, as well as S-Video inputs. where as the RX-V450 only has 2 optical ins and no S-video.

 

[ducker]

One last question... does higher model number always equate to better performace?
RX-V650 is better then the RX-V550 which is better then the RX-V450
etc etc etc...

 

[Leprkon]

The 650 will be a little better than the 550 which will be a little better than the 450. As Shiner says, scrimp on the receiver, not the speakers. You will get better results with the FS-1 (or even better FS-2's) and an HTR-5740 than with the B2 and a HTR 5760 or RX-V650.

Watch for falling prcies on these. Since Yamaha has just come out with their X0radio lineup (HTR-58xx), prices will be droppping as long as the supply lasts (I think etronics had the HTR-5740 for right at $ 200, the RX-V650 for less than $ 340 and the 1500 for $ 525)

 

[Shinerman]

Features aside, I doubt you or anyone else for that matter could hear any sonic improvement in the 650 over the 450. 85WPC is more than enough to drive the Athenas. Athenas, from what I remember, are fairly efficient so you should have no problems at all. Just make sure the 450 has the inputs you need for your PS2, DVD, etc. Generally, as you go up the model line you will get more inputs. Most of the time.

I'd go with the 450 and enjoy. Oh, and don't sweat the RX-V vs. HTR difference. You can find posts galore regarding the lack of any real differences between them.

Shinerman.

 

[krzywica]

I built my h/t about a year ago and have almost the same setup.

Yammy 5740
Athena fs2's
Athena c1
Athena asb2's for l/r surround
Athena b1
Klipsch ksw-12 sub


You may find that the athena subs are lacking in the oomph department, I did when I auditioned them and decided to go with more power.

I got my whole setup(all brand new) for about $1000, through connections at best buy and hard core shopping. I love my system and it sounds awesome, especially for what I paid for it.

And yes there are slight performance gains as you climb up the yammy ladder, but you must also account for the production cost of added features, IE 7.1, s-video, more DSP's, YPAO, ect. So you see it's not just performance you get for extra $ it's features and convenience.

 

[ducker]

I built my h/t about a year ago and have almost the same setup.

Yammy 5740
Athena fs2's
Athena c1
Athena asb2's for l/r surround
Athena b1
Klipsch ksw-12 sub


You may find that the athena subs are lacking in the oomph department, I did when I auditioned them and decided to go with more power.

Why did you go with the as-b2's(b1) instead of the r1's?

Hm, so from what it sounds like I should see if I could find a way to get F2's instead of the F1's and don't sweat over the receiver toooooo much; that Yamaha will work just fine....

What about a different sub aside from the P400? Hm, I was almost going to go with the P300, figuring I'll get more low end from the F2's. After reading a lot on the forums, it sounds like people are concerened about the quality of the Sub and that it DOES matter.... so what would be a good Sub for AROUND 300ish.

Thanks for all the feedback thus far!

 

[ducker]

After more research today...
I'm looking to go with
Yamaha RX-V550 (looks to have more Movie sound options then the Onyko TX-SR502 - everything else appears to be approx. the same in terms of inputs/outputs)

As far as a sub around $300... I still have no idea..
For the most part it appears as if I should simply wait, find another $129 and get a SVS pb10_isd

How does that sound?

-Mike

 

[Shinerman]

After more research today...
I'm looking to go with
Yamaha RX-V550 (looks to have more Movie sound options then the Onyko TX-SR502 - everything else appears to be approx

As far as a sub around $300... I still have no idea..
For the most part it appears as if I should simply wait, find another $129 and get a SVS pb10_isd

How does that sound?

-Mike

I have never heard the Athena Subs but from what I have read they are the only real weak point in the Athena line up. I would suggest that you do look and SVS, HSU, Adire, and maybe even the DIY Titanic Sub from partsexpress.com. You can buy the Titanic as a DIY kit or fully assembled. I think any of these would be far better and not much more money.

Shinerman

 

[Shinerman]

I have never heard the Athena Subs but from what I have read they are the only real weak point in the Athena line up. I would suggest that you do look and SVS, HSU, Adire, and maybe even the DIY Titanic Sub from partsexpress.com. You can buy the Titanic as a DIY kit or fully assembled. I think any of these would be far better and not much more money.

Shinerman

Wow, never quoted myself before. Hmmm?

Anyway, the reason I mentioned the Titanic subs is that they are really good for the money. My best friend just built the 15 inch monster and it is awesome. HUGE bass. The 15 inch is probably not the best for music but for HT, it is awesome. For a system that is used for both music and HT, I would go with the 10 or 12 inch models. Beside's the 15 inch is massive.

Have a good one!

Shinerman

 

[Leprkon]

Wow, never quoted myself before. Hmmm?
Shinerman

be careful doing that... you might go blind...

 

[Shinerman]

be careful doing that... you might go blind...

Already am!


Shinerman

 

[ducker]

Wow, never quoted myself before. Hmmm?

Anyway, the reason I mentioned the Titanic subs is that they are really good for the money. My best friend just built the 15 inch monster and it is awesome. HUGE bass. The 15 inch is probably not the best for music but for HT, it is awesome. For a system that is used for both music and HT, I would go with the 10 or 12 inch models. Beside's the 15 inch is massive.

Have a good one!

Shinerman

10 or 12 inch models.... SVS or DiY style?

Yea I am looking to build something on a shoe string... wish I wasn't but I have too many other hobbies that pulls my money in different directions

-m

 

[ducker]

This is what you're talking about right?

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=300-760

What would the pros / cons be between the two? The Titanic and the SVS?

 

[Shinerman]

This is what you're talking about right?

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=300-760

What would the pros / cons be between the two? The Titanic and the SVS?

Yep, that's it. I will answer your question on the other thread you started.

Shinerman

 

[ducker]

thanks Shinerman, you're feedback has been great thus far!

I'm trying to do as much research prior to asking questions

-mike