Making the leap to seperates....

[TheWick]

First of all, my name is Randy and I've been lurking around and reading for quite some time and just want to say thanks for what seems to be a very good/helpful community a man can come and learn a little

Now my dilemma... I currently have a Sony DA80ES reciever I bought in 1997 it has served me well and continues to do so. I would like to replace it but am very apprehensive as I'm not sure what benefit one of these fancy new Yamaha or Denon recievers will really do for me. Aesthetics are very important for this next purchase and I really like the "pimpness" of seperates as well as what I considera increase in sound quality. I do not need HDMI switching, so I've been looking at the lower end pre/pro's and amps from Emotiva, Outlaw, and Rotel. I need DD 5.1 for movies and some HD cable watching and very little music.

Current setup

Sony DA80ES reciever
Oppo 971 DVD
Sony 55WF655 LCD projection
Klipsch KSF 10.5 fronts
Klipsch KSC C1 center
Klipsch KSW10
Klipsch quintets for the rear

I know the speakers aren't top notch so would I be spinning my wheels upgrading to a approx $2000 pre/pro amp setup or should I just start all over? If so where should I start?

I was thinking of trying the low end Emotiva setup for 30 days to see how I liked it and returning it if I didn't. Would that be a waste of time?

Any help is appreciated...I'm new so be nice

 

[PENG]

Try auditioning some $2000 per pair speakers first. You may hear more improvements from those speakers powered by your present receiver, than from a $2000 pair of pre/pro/amp with your present speakers. Then you can decide on whether to upgrade your speakers or to upgrade your receiver by going the separates route.

 

[Seth=L]

If you are feeling the need to upgrade your receiver to something better I wouldn't go with cheap seperates, I would stick with the receivers. I would definitely look at newer Yamaha, Denon, or Marantz for an upgrade.

I don't like the look of Emotivia's processors, to many shiney chrome plastic buttons and knobs for me. That to me means they are trying to be flashy, which isn't a good sign in most cases. Sometimes boring is good.

 

[highfihoney]

Hi randy,were always nice I Think pengs advice was spot on,from the gear you listed i think you'd notice a more dramatic improvement by upgrading your main speakers,dont think im bashing your klipsch gear because im not,its good stuff & i own some klipsch gear but pumping cash into electronics with the speakers you have is a lateral move.

If you decide to go with seperates buying new gear from a dealer/manufacturer offers very little value(huge mark up's)weather you buy from a web dealer,manufacturer direct or a brick & mortar dealer you will be paying a premium,you'd be much better off going to dealers stores & auditioning everything you can to get a feel for what brands & models you like then searching the site in the link for that model or a like model that will meet your needs.

If you dont like shipping used gear you can use the zip code feature on the search function to buy gear in your area.

http://www.audiogon.com/

Im a firm believer in running seperates in all cases but i also believe in running seperates that will stand the test of time & hold resale value,buying cheap seperates will get you the latest & greatest connections but offers very little in resale value,last years models can be bought used from audio & videophiles who take great care of their gear at huge discounts,do some research over at audiogon on used seperates from krell & mcintosh,these brands offer a greater resale value than any other brands & for the features you want are within your budget if you buy used.

 

[PENG]

If you decide to go with seperates buying new gear from a dealer/manufacturer offers very little value(huge mark up's)weather you buy from a web dealer,manufacturer direct or a brick & mortar dealer you will be paying a premium,you'd be much better off going to dealers stores & auditioning everything you can to get a feel for what brands & models you like then searching the site in the link for that model or a like model that will meet your needs.

http://www.audiogon.com/

I can easily imagine how the mark up on a new Krell or McIntosh amp compare to that of a mass produced HK or Yamaha receiver/amps. Used separate gears are definitely a good option.

 

[TheWick]

Thanks guys, I'll poke around on audiogon. I had never heard of the that site before. I can feel my bank account shrinking as we speak

 

[Nick250]

Thanks guys, I'll poke around on audiogon. I had never heard of the that site before. I can feel my bank account shrinking as we speak

TheWick, I just want to emphasis what Peng posted and that is that a new amp or receiver will not improve the sound much if at all. If you have been lurking for a while you may seen some of my repetitive posts relating to improved sound quality via better speakers and room treatments. That is where dramatic improvements are to be found. You are on the wrong track by looking for more amplification. If you feel you must upgrade your receiver any Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha etc in the $350 range will do the trick. Put the savings towards better speakers and room treatments.

Nick

 

[zumbo]

Yep! Speakers.

But, if you buy demanding speakers, there may be a need for more power.

Any speaker that is better than Klipsch will not be as sensitive. So, you will end-up with better sound at the cost of loudness. Then, to get the loudness back, you will need more power.

It's a vicious circle.

 

[Seth=L]

Yes, buying really highend stuff like McIntosh or Krell isn't going to help your Klipsch very much.

 

[TheWick]

What is everyone's feeling on the AV123 deal going on for the rocket 760 setup that is 2099? I really like the looks of the speakers but of course have never heard them. Its so hard to audition this stuff you almost have to buy on what other owners say. I've had these speakers for so long probably anything new will sound like a whole new world

 

[Seth=L]

AV123 has a thirty day return policy and that includes shipping. Give them a try with no worries. Just make sure you keep and use the packing materials they send you to avoid damage if you wish to return them (that would probably get you charged if you damage them before you return them if you decide to do so).

 

[moverton]

What is everyone's feeling on the AV123 deal going on for the rocket 760 setup that is 2099? I really like the looks of the speakers but of course have never heard them. Its so hard to audition this stuff you almost have to buy on what other owners say. I've had these speakers for so long probably anything new will sound like a whole new world

This seems to be running into the speaker category but...

I agree 100% on putting the money in the speakers rather than more amp.
I don't know anything about the AV123 but I've heard a lot of good speakers. I like the Totem line very much but there are a lot of great speakers out there under 2k.
If you audition speakers:
Take a cd or two that you know well.
Take your time (at least 20 minutes a speaker type)
Don't buy them retail unless they give you 40% off list.
Buy used and you'll get the best value(just shop carefully).

 

[highfihoney]

I can easily imagine how the mark up on a new Krell or McIntosh amp compare to that of a mass produced HK or Yamaha receiver/amps. Used separate gears are definitely a good option.

Oh god,used seperates are the only way to go,the mark up's are out of sight.

I only reccomend buying used & for the new guys to think about resale value at upgrade time,i think not enough emphasis is put on long range planning & being able to pull the cash investment back out of the system.

 

[highfihoney]

Yes, buying really highend stuff like McIntosh or Krell isn't going to help your Klipsch very much.

Hi seth,your right in that buying high end seperates wont help his speakers but if he is intent on going that route he is better off researching used high end gear prices & buying krell or mcintosh units that have allready bottomed out in price as oposed to buying most other new seperates that have little resale value or have not bottomed out in price.

 

[TheWick]

I didn't realize this was such an "investment"

I just wanted to watch some movies, listen to some tunes, and listen to my friends tell me how cool I was.

Just kidding guys...I'm gonna try speakers first and keep learning about the used market...thanks

 

[highfihoney]

I didn't realize this was such an "investment"

Its more of an investment than most realize

No matter what you buy its nice to be able to get your money back out of it if you want to sell it,isnt it?

 

[TheWick]

I agree completely, don't take my sarcasm the wrong way. I know exactly what you mean.

 

[PENG]

Its more of an investment than most realize

No matter what you buy its nice to be able to get your money back out of it if you want to sell it,isnt it?

No kidding, I don't want to start adding up what I have spent on my audio equipment over the years and find that I could have invested the same on a small apartment instead and be much wealthier now. I am still not too sure about buying used speakers, but for well make electronics such as Krell, Mc, and Bryston (20 yr. warranty), it's pretty safe.

 

[dentman67]

This is a bit off topic but so far the best resale value of any amp out there that I have seen is the Behringer A-500 . I know this makes no sense at all but the facts dont lie . These amps can be bought online for $179.99 with free shipping and no sales tax . The two amps I've seen here that have sold used went for between $150.-$160. . On ebay they seem to be selling for about the same .

Why anyone would buy them used so they could save 20-30 bucks is beyound me but they are .

 

[Seth=L]

This is a bit off topic but so far the best resale value of any amp out there that I have seen is the Behringer A-500 . I know this makes no sense at all but the facts dont lie . These amps can be bought online for $179.99 with free shipping and no sales tax . The two amps I've seen here that have sold used went for between $150.-$160. . On ebay they seem to be selling for about the same .

Why anyone would buy them used so they could save 20-30 bucks is beyound me but they are .

I would do exactly this, get a Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, HK..... receiver then get three or four of the A-500 amps and then you are all set.