I'm ready to buy my equipment - check me over

[Dumb-rod]

TV - Sony Grand Wega 55" XS series
Reciever - Sony 3000ES
DVD - Sony (HDMI output)

I know lots of you don't like sony recievers, but I like my current one and the looks of this new one. Is there any good reason not to buy it? I don't have a sound store close at all, so this will all be bought over the net and I can't listen to it. Any good alternatives?

Speakers - I have 2 Swan Diva 6.1 for the fronts, and I haven't bought surrounds yet. I might buy a whole new set if I find something that looks and sounds sweet. Any suggestions at around 1-2k price range?

Oh, for a sub, i was thinking a velodyne DLS 12". Anyone have experience with this sub? It's a pretty small room, but I want something decent.

 

[Leprkon]

I know lots of you don't like sony recievers, but I like my current one and the looks of this new one. Is there any good reason not to buy it? I don't have a sound store close at all, so this will all be bought over the net and I can't listen to it. Any good alternatives?

Take some time and research the Sony. I haven't seen much on Audioholics about them, but when I was looking for a receiver back in November, there were a number of complaints on other websites about the ES-series build quality. They might have cleared up any production problems since then... I've had several of their STR series and never had any problems with those.

Competing receivers will be the Denon 2105 or 2805 and Yamaha RX-V1500 or 2500. Any of these would be a solid choice.

I have a smaller Velodyne in a bigger room and it works well. I think the DLS will really do the job for you. There's a really good article on the Audioholics main web site about placing a sub that you may want to read.

http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/setup/loudspeakers/subwooferplacementguide.php

 

[Venger]

I examined the Sony as I was planning on getting the 70" XBR set, and wanted it all to match.

But the humm/hiss bug was there on every one I demoed. Turn it up - you'll hear it. Search the forums for Sony and buzz or humm or hiss - I didn't want to believe it, but it's true. Also - it does seems a little winded, despite it's power ratings...

Venger

 

[Dumb-rod]

I'd like it all to match in silver too, but I can't deal with noise hum.

Would the yamaha 1500 be the way to go then and give me 6.1 sound?

 

[Leprkon]

Would the yamaha 1500 be the way to go then and give me 6.1 sound?

are the Swans 8 ohm or 4 ? Yamaha "recommends" no lower than 6 ohm. You might look at the Denon 2105 or 2805, or consider a seperate amp for the Yammie.

 

[Dumb-rod]

So which would be better: Yamaha 2500, or Denon 2805?

I can get either for about the same cash. I have no experience with either brand.

Or cheapter yet, what does the yamaha 1500 lack vs. the other two?

 

[Venger]

Well, I just bought the RX-V2500, so... guess that tells you my opinion. Nice, nice receiver. Plenty loud - I run efficient speakers and 4 15"s though, so... I have read where some foilks think it can't fill a room with sound - don't know how, unless you are using 89db sens or lower speakers perhaps.

I looked at the Denon 3805, but I saved some bread - plus, alot of remote concerns, and I've known a few folks with trouble from time to time with them. Still, it was close...

I bet you'll be happy with either of them (though if you primarily watch movies, I'd slightly favor the Yamaha)

Venger
P.S. I can confirm the Yamaha doesn't like low impedance loads. Had a pair of small infinities run in parallel with my TV's integrated speakers (6.5 x 2 plus two tweeters) - it consistently bailed during testing that path. Once I decoupled the infinities - ran like a champ. I think there may be current limiting that clamps down when you present too low a load...

 

[rschleicher]

Were you using a pair of small Infinity's plus the TV's internal speakers, as "paralleled" left and right front/main speakers? Or were you using all of them tied together for the center channel? If former, then I guess it was effectively paralleling two speakers together. But if it was the latter, then it was like tieing 4 speakers together in parallel - dropping the impedance to less than 2 ohms, and may be more like 1 ohm at some frequencies.

Just curious.

 

[tom69edw]

Venger,

I'm curious too. I've been looking at receivers for a while and am narrowed down to the Yamaha 2500 or Denon 3805.

I've got the Infinity Modulus System and was wondering if anyone else has these speakers to either of these units.

FYI, I'm a 95% TV/Movie guy....

 

[tom69edw]

Venger,

Oops, the Infinity Modulus have a 8 Ohm load so I guess I'm OK.

 

[Dumb-rod]

I went ahead and bought the Yamaha 1500 last night ($550). Didn't think the 2500 had anything more worth the price dif.

Can't wait till all my stuff comes in now. Ordered my 60" tv today too

Now i just gotta finish the dang room i'm reduing. Been several months already!

Thx for help guys

 

[Venger]

They are run in series, parallel. Heh.

In other words, the infinity pair run in series, raising to 16 ohms, same with the integrated television speakers, the two pair then run in parallel. So no, not a 1 or 2 ohm load (it'd be 2 with four 8-ohm speakers).

Honestly, the integrated television speakers I believe are actually using the televisions amp and simply using a high-power drop down to get the signal - the speakers don't work with the television off. It's a 61"XBR, bout 8 years old or so.

I just made the same choice you did, between the Denon and the Yamaha, and got the Yamaha, because they are both so equal in features, but the Yamaha was slightly less, is movieriffic, and the Denon remote quality scared me. Still, I think you'll be thrilled with either...