Choosing an AV Reciever for Audio 1st

[tonygraber]

Hi,

I'm new, hopefully posting right, so be gentle

I have reference type audio gear (2 channel) and am either going to add a seperate surround system or try to integrate the two ... will try both, and go with what works.

The recievers I'm looking at thus far:
Denon 3805 (or I can get a 3803 for $400 less)

I'm also interested in:
Marantz
Arcam
others???

I want something that sounds 'musical' and that has some direct mode for 2 channel music that's decent ... again music first ... and the ability to integrate some entry high end amp(s) and more reference speaker (front L/R) into a surround set up that's geared towards:

1) sounding very good with music (including DVD-A)
2) integrating a primary front pair (probably bi amped) with a center and surrounds and sub to do double duty as HTheater.

Value is also key, it has to be good, and should be reasonable ($1000-$2,000 range ... not $10K and up range).

Thanks

 

[shokhead]

Whats musical? A good reciever is a good reciever and the 3805 is a good reciever. I'd be more concerened about speakers.

 

[zumbo]

I put in a vote for the Yamaha RX-V2500.

 

[warpdrive]

NAD T753/T763 is one you should consider. http://www.nadelectronics.com/av_receivers/T763_frameset.htm

You'll sacrifice some features over a Denon or Yamaha, but I have yet to hear anybody who's really heard the NAD's say they don't sound better especially for just plain old stereo music.

Even my 7 year old T750 sounds better than my current Yamaha V2400 or any Denon I've heard recently.

Also, definitely check into the Rotel RSX-1056

 

[Shinerman]

Whats musical?

It's one of them thar Broadway shows with singin n stuff.

Seriously though Tonygraber,


So you now have "reference" audio gear and you want to add surround sound?

What "reference" gear do your have? You can always just get an A/V receiver and run your amps through it.

And what do you consider "entry" high end?

Shinerman

 

[Rotarhead69]

Ahhh, my delima recently!

For several years now I have had my 2ch separate from the HT setup.

I run a Denon 2805 for my HT just recently (very happy with it).

For my 2ch I run (or should say did run) an Acurus Preamp with Conrad Johnson MF2100 amp.

Just recently I went to using the preouts of the Denon for the CJ amp which run my Vandersteens and run the speaker outs of the Denon Receiver to my Klipsch Reference speakers for HT. Both the Vandersteens and Klipsch share the M&K subwoofer. I just turn off "speaker A" and turn on my CJ amp when I want to listen to 2 Channel setup. I went this route b/c I wanted to use the subwoofer in both setups. I sacrificed a little openness of the music but picked up significant low end and a little less brightness.

The downside is I have 2 sets of upfront speakers, esp. w/ the large size of the Vandersteens I begin to look like an audio shop - lets just say I have a cool wife, and she lets me get away with it.

Have you thought of this route?

 

[PENG]

I auditoned the NAD before I decided on the 3805. I did not find the NAD sound better. The safest way to find out is to listen to them yourself, otherwise rely on professional reviews.

 

[markw]

Actually, I'd be more concerned about the speakers than the receiver.

These have a much, much greater contribution on the sound of the system than the receiver/amp. Grab some music CD's and go listening.

If a system does music well, it's bound to do HT at least as well. It doesn't work the otherway, unfortunately, as many find out after the fact.

 

[shokhead]

I do go about a reciever the other way,HT first the the music will be fine.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Get the Marantz 8400 at www.ubid.com. You can probably get it for less than what you'd pay for the Denon 3803 or 2805. Awesome receiver - impossible to beat for the money.

 

[littleb]

I used to be running an older Yamaha AVR receiver, but I upgraded to a Denon for its DPL2 capabilities. Both receivers are similar, but somehow I think the Yamaha just sounded a bit better to me with certain types of music, specifically, jazz and classical. Except for the DPL2, I don't think the Denon is really an upgrade, at all.