Looking for advice on system-

[gib]

Greetings-

I have had a 2 ch. system for more years than I care to admit, but just have really never desired to go multi-channel, etc. I was using a Carver 6250 receiver, until it recently died, along with DCM Time Windows and was very satisfied.

When the Carver died, I looked around and replaced it with a Harmon Kardon AVR 354. The convienece of moving to a single remote, being able to bring in all sources, including Media server, DVD, Satellite receiver, etc., along with the flexibility of the AVR to mix and match inputs, seemed like the way to go. I really do like the upscaling and ability to push all HDMI to my screen through it.

Well, although the AVR seems to be doing an ok job, I find that I am missing the quality that I had with the Carver. So comes my dilemia-

Does it make sense to use the AVR as a Pre-Amp/switcher, which it does well?

Should I get the Carver repaired? It would cost around $300-$400 with shipping.

I also have a old Rotel amp from the ealry 80's, which I was using before I moved to the Carver. (Can't remember the model number, I will post it when I get home tonight) The Rotel still sounds great, actually still using it for a small system I have in my home office. Would this be a viable option for an Amp, I can use it in that manner.

So just looking for some thought and opinions. Would I get back the quality from the Carver or Rotel using the AVR as a pre-amp or would the AVR be the primary influence on the audio quality as everything would flow through it?

 

[westcott]

The Carver would be worth fixing but like you said, the modern conveniences of a new receiver are hard to ignore.

The Rotel is a nice piece too but I doubt is as feature rich as the HK either.

I think you can still get good results with the HK, you just may have to go about it from another direction.

I would suggest some research into proper speaker placement for surround sound, time delay, acoustic treatments, subwoofer placement, and signal processing selection.

All of these newer features need research and doing the other things I mentioned can make a huge difference.

I just did a friend of mines basic system and it made a world of difference. He has more work to do but just a few things like speaker stands, moving furniture, and getting the center channel relocated really transformed his system.

 

[gib]

As I am only using the HK as a 2 channel configuration, I am pretty sure that I have gone through and have everything set up as required and properly in the HK. I do like the feature set of the HK, but just wondering if using it as a Pre-Amp/switcher and feeding it into the Carver or Rotel would improve the audio quality as opposed to using the HK by itself.

Thanks for the response.

 

[westcott]

As I am only using the HK as a 2 channel configuration, I am pretty sure that I have gone through and have everything set up as required and properly in the HK. I do like the feature set of the HK, but just wondering if using it as a Pre-Amp/switcher and feeding it into the Carver or Rotel would improve the audio quality as opposed to using the HK by itself.

Thanks for the response.

Then I would guess that it depends on how loud you listen to music and what it takes to drive your speakers.

The HK should have enough power for most applications. If you use it for signal processing, I doubt the Carver or Rotel amp will provide any appreciably better sound if combined at normal listening levels. The noise floor on the HK's are pretty low.

 

[gib]

Ok, that is what I was trying to determine. Generally, fairly low/normal listening levels. The HK, I beleive has around 75W per channel, but I am only using 2 of the 5. The Rotel and Carver were 100W, I don't think that really would make much of a difference at the levels I normally use. The Time Windows, as I remember way back then, were looking for 90-100W to be happy.

Thanks again.