First real system

[termite]

I'm happy to get a 5/6/7.1 receiver, as long as it has good 2.1 capabilities. Surround is a later option, even though I'm not interested in it now.

 

[termite]

while we're on building me a system, would the Energy S10.3 B-stocks (as in http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48568) be good for this sort of system? Getting two is certainly an option if my receiver has two sub outs!

 

[Alex2507]

Good for you. I had my sister get one of these:

http://store.audioholics.com/product/1759/69/yamaha-rx-v663

AFAIK it has the current features and is highly recommended. You can shop around and ask these guys to price match. It's let's say a couple hundred more than a refurb H/K stereo receiver and not as powerful. A doubling of power in watts does not translate into much more real world volume though according to the smart crowd. Still, watts/dollar bargains are on that Harman eBay site. There is another thread kind of like this that is going on now:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49518

Should you go after anything listed there it might be a good idea to contact the other poster so that you accidently start an Audioholics Civil Bidding War. As in any war, both sides lose.
Cough, damn republicans, Cough. He he he. My monkey made me say that ...

Please be courteous and let us know what you decide on. It's just good manners. Pictures would be way to much to ask for.

 

[termite]

It may be a while before I actually take the plunge. We'll see...

I will come back and tell the forums what I decided on when I do decide.

Would it be a good idea to go for the HK 3490 (it has optical inputs) for about $300-$350, or would that money be better spent on a 5.1 or 7.1? Remember that I mostly listen to music!

 

[Alex2507]

It may be a while before I actually take the plunge.

In that case you have time to become an expert in your own right on the options.

Budget, function, future proofing and cool factor/pride of ownership all factor into the decision before you. Probably in that order for myself. I lusted after an H/K AVR 7300 and did not buy one even with WAF (wife acceptance factor) due to the impracticality of it. I live in a condo.

We're not talking a lot of money here. It's not the GNP of a small country.
If you can afford it and you want it, why not? Are there better options? Maybe. Probably. Does anything else look as cool as an H/K? No.

My thinking on it is affected by the fact that I use 5.1. I can't understand how movies in surround are not a must have.

 

[termite]

Well, I'm a grad student, so it's not a tiny investment either. I honestly don't see myself doing surround in the near future, so maybe it's worth dropping the money on a good stereo receiver, a good pair of floor-standing speakers and one or two subs, then selling the receiver if I ever want to buy a surround one.

OK, so let's start over. I have a budget of $900-$1000. I want a stereo receiver, a pair of floor-standing speakers, one or two subs and a pile of cables.

The receiver must have optical in, plus phono and extra inputs for cd and tape deck. Anything else is extra.

The speakers and sub(s) could use up most of the rest of the cash, leaving some for the cables.

My current idea is to get the HK 3490 ($350), plus two Infinity P362 speakers ($300-$400 for the pair). I have no idea regarding the sub, but looking at that budget, I should probably stick to one for now. Ideas welcome, and none of this is firm (except the budget...)

 

[Seth=L]

I'd go with a surround AVR at the price of that H/K stereo receiver. Since it is only stereo you would have to upgrade not only additional speakers, but the receiver as well if you get into surround sound.

Sorry if this has already been asked, but is HDMI a possible future or present concern? The highest resolution audio available in movies is only truly at it's best when HDMI is used. Of course this only applies to Blu-ray and the now defunct HD DVD formats.

 

[termite]

I'd go with a surround AVR at the price of that H/K stereo receiver. Since it is only stereo you would have to upgrade not only additional speakers, but the receiver as well if you get into surround sound.

Sorry if this has already been asked, but is HDMI a possible future or present concern? The highest resolution audio available in movies is only truly at it's best when HDMI is used. Of course this only applies to Blu-ray and the now defunct HD DVD formats.

Any recommendations on the receiver? HDMI isn't much of a concern, but if you could give your recommendation either, that would rock