I need some help?

[Darrenmc]

Originally I was posting in the receiver thread and was looking at upgrading my Onkyo TX-SR701 to something in the $1000.00 - $1500.00CDN range (NAD T753/63, (Marantz SR6001/7001), Denon AVR2807, but I'm not so sure that may be the right thing to do? Maybe spending a $1000.00 - $1200.00CDN or so and upgrading my front speakers would give me better results? I just bought a NAD C542 player and listen to audio/movies about 50/50.

My current gear is the Onkyo TX-SR701 a/v receiver, NAD C542 cd player, Acoustat Trans Twin Nova 200 power amp, and Angstrom Modular 2's(Front), Modular 4's(rear), Modular 8's(subs), and 6C Centre Channel.
http://www.angstromloudspeakers.com...ar_showroom.htm.

Room dimensions are 15X11X7. I wouldn't want floor standing speakers as the sub's act as stands(save some money) and was looking at a little bit larger bookshelf speakers. I have access through my dealer to Paradigm Monitor 5's/Studio 40's/Signature 4's, Monitor Audio BR2's, KWF 201's, Focal.JM Lab 908's, and Acoustic Energy Aelite 2's. I'm not sure which of these $$$ wise are in the $1000-$1200CDN range? So would you suggest change the speakers, if so, what would you recommend, or stick to my original thought of upgrading the receiver? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[MDS]

Unless you need additional features offered by a new receiver, speakers are a MUCH better use of your money. The sound quality difference between similarly priced receivers from different manufacturers is zip.

 

[Davemcc]

The only Focal.JMLabs that I've heard are the Electra 1007 Be that the dealer wanted $5K cdn for. I auditioned my Era Design 5's ($1,100 cdn tax in) in the same room as the Focals, on the same stands actually, and while those Focals did indeed sound better than my Era's, for $5K they darn well better. Even then, it wasn't as much of a runaway as you might think given the price disparity. The Era's still sounded very good, enough so that I bought them. Note that this audition was immediately after auditioning the Paradigm Studio series, as the dealers are right across the street from each other.

I don't know how the Focal 908's might stack up, but if you can find an Era dealer, its worth the effort to give them a listen as they are right in your range.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Your AVR is fine; go with the speakers.

Your dealer has some good stuff so you are in a much better situation than most people who are looking for speakers. Listen to them all and pick out the ones that you like the best and are in your price range.

 

[mazersteven]

Room dimensions are 15X11X7. I wouldn't want floor standing speakers as the sub's act as stands(save some money) and was looking at a little bit larger bookshelf speakers. I have access through my dealer to Paradigm Monitor 5's/Studio 40's/Signature 4's, Monitor Audio BR2's, KWF 201's, Focal.JM Lab 908's, and Acoustic Energy Aelite 2's. I'm not sure which of these $$$ wise are in the $1000-$1200CDN range? So would you suggest change the speakers, if so, what would you recommend, or stick to my original thought of upgrading the receiver? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Speakers will give you the biggest immediate impact in sound quality. Unless you need more features or power then your current receiver has, I would keep it.

What speakers are you using now?

 

[Seth=L]

Speakers will give you the biggest immediate impact in sound quality. Unless you need more features or power then your current receiver has, I would keep it.

What speakers are you using now?

He is using Angstrom Modular 2's for the fronts. He is also using a Acoustat Trans Twin Nova 200 power amp to power is fronts, unless I missunderstood the OP.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Acoustat-Trans-Nova-Twin-200-Amp-MINT_W0QQitemZ280095195273QQcategoryZ39783QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Darrenmc]

He is using Angstrom Modular 2's for the fronts. He is also using a Acoustat Trans Twin Nova 200 power amp to power is fronts, unless I missunderstood the OP.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Acoustat-Trans-Nova-Twin-200-Amp-MINT_W0QQitemZ280095195273QQcategoryZ39783QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This is correct. Angstrom Modular 2's(front), 4's(rear), 8's(subs), 6c Centre channel. I have provided a link to the manufacturer here:
http://www.angstromloudspeakers.com/index.htm

 

[mazersteven]

I have not heard the Modular 2's so it's hard for me to say up-grade the speakers not knowing how good they are.

Purchasing a new receiver isn't going to give you any impact in Sound Quality like up-grading speakers can.

The Paradigm Studio 40's are a really nice choice. If I was to go with the Monitor Audio's I would do the Silver series over the Bronze. Look at the RS1's

http://www.monitoraudio.co.uk/produ...nge=2&product=3

Also look at

http://www.tyleracoustics.com/freedom.html

http://www.psbspeakers.com/product.php?pId=76&sId=2

http://www.mackie.com/products/hr824/

http://www.bwspeakers.com/index.cfm...bel/Model CM1

 

[mazersteven]

Thank you Mazersteven! This is the kind of input I needed. I went down to the dealer today and auditioned my Angstrom Modular 2's against the Monitor Audio RS1's in fact, the Acoustic Energy Aelite 2's and Amphion Helium 2's which I've never head of. I was there for about 2 hours playing a variety of music from Metallica to blues music. I must say that my Modular 2's($629.00CDN), held their own against these more expensive bookshelf speakers, MA's($850.00CDN), AE's($1100.00CDN), Amphion($1000.00CDN). All the speakers were tested through an Anthem AVM 50 recevier and PVA 7 amp combo, at the same levels and same speaker wire, Tara Labs Prisim Bi-wire. After lots of listening I think only the Monitor Audio RS1's had better sound and I'm contemplating buying them????


Don't over look the rest of the speakers I've listen. All are major contenders. No lightweighs there. Take your time and don't jump at the first pair you hear.