Marantz/Denon/other Receiver Upgrade?

[alphamajor]

Hello all. New member here that has been lurking for a few days.

I'm looking at upgrading my receiver in the near future and wanted to get some input and opinions. Currently I'm using a basic HK AVR-130 that I got a few years back. It works well but is lacking the connectivity for upcoming upgrades to the system. Also, sometimes I question if it has the appropriate amount of power to drive my speakers:

Center: Focal.JMLab Chorus S 700CC
Mains: Focal.JMLab Chorus S 726
Surround: Focal.JMLab Chorus S 705

Not sure if anyone is familiar with those or not.

I will be looking to spend around $500-1000 for a new receiver. I would also like something that has 1080p switching to allow for future upgrades. I have also toyed with the thought of going with seperate amps, but I'm not sure if it would really be worth it. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

 

[moverton]

I don't think you are going to find a solution with 1080p upscaling/switching that is viable long term for under $1000. I just posted a similar question at the end of thread "Please Help Pick!!!!" that you migh look at. Seems to me we have about 1 or 2 years until the digital audio/video input specs settle down and the receivers get it all the bugs worked out. Every candidate that I've looked at either has some sort of video compatibility or quality issue. Also, the HDMI spec is still moving and none of the receivers in your range implement the 1.3 spec fully (for sacd/dvd-audio, etc). Just my opinion.

 

[Warpdrv]

Perfect oppertunity for you guys to go the route I chose, and get yourleves a nice AMP & a temp. pre pro until they sort out all the HYPE !!!!
Might be a bit of time until both the HD wars, and the HDMI issues are sorted out...

I ended up getting a Pioneer Elite VSX-81 paired with a Rotel RMB-1095.
Im really happy with this choice until things change... and I won't feel the pain as much when I upgrade the receiver to a pre/pro... which will come with HDMI 5.0
$750 for Pioneer, and $1200 used for Rotel
Good luck
Warp

 

[zumbo]

Perfect oppertunity for you guys to go the route I chose, and get yourleves a nice AMP & a temp. pre pro until they sort out all the HYPE !!!!
Might be a bit of time until both the HD wars, and the HDMI issues are sorted out...

I ended up getting a Pioneer Elite VSX-81 paired with a Rotel RMB-1095.
Im really happy with this choice until things change... and I won't feel the pain as much when I upgrade the receiver to a pre/pro... which will come with HDMI 5.0
$750 for Pioneer, and $1200 used for Rotel
Good luck
Warp

Show off!

 

[zumbo]

Hello all. New member here that has been lurking for a few days.

I'm looking at upgrading my receiver in the near future and wanted to get some input and opinions. Currently I'm using a basic HK AVR-130 that I got a few years back. It works well but is lacking the connectivity for upcoming upgrades to the system. Also, sometimes I question if it has the appropriate amount of power to drive my speakers:

Center: Focal.JMLab Chorus S 700CC
Mains: Focal.JMLab Chorus S 726
Surround: Focal.JMLab Chorus S 705

Not sure if anyone is familiar with those or not.

I will be looking to spend around $500-1000 for a new receiver. I would also like something that has 1080p switching to allow for future upgrades. I have also toyed with the thought of going with seperate amps, but I'm not sure if it would really be worth it. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Awesome speaker system. They deserve a healthy amp. I second Warpdrv.

 

[PENG]

For 1K you may be able to get the Sony STR-5200ES.
S&V reviewed it recently:

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/receivers/1939/sony-str-da5200es-av-receiver-page3.html

Very nice connectivity (upconverts to 1080p), 1/2 ch 8/4 ohm power is good (142/191W, 2 Ch, 169/244W 1 Ch., 8/4 ohms). 5/6/7 ch power, at 66W, was not great but that should not affect its real life performance that much. Down the road you can add an external amp. For ext. amp I don't see the need to go beyond 3 channel as most mid level receiver should be able to handle the surround channel speakers with ease.

 

[Warpdrv]

For 1K you may be able to get the Sony STR-5200ES.
S&V reviewed it recently:

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/receivers/1939/sony-str-da5200es-av-receiver-page3.html

Very nice connectivity (upconverts to 1080p), 1/2 ch 8/4 ohm power is good (142/191W, 2 Ch, 169/244W 1 Ch., 8/4 ohms). 5/6/7 ch power, at 66W, was not great but that should not affect its real life performance that much. Down the road you can add an external amp. For ext. amp I don't see the need to go beyond 3 channel as most mid level receiver should be able to handle the surround channel speakers with ease.

Make sure you do your homework before getting one of those...

Over on avsforum.com there have been plenty of buggy reports about those..
in relation to video performance.. just do your homeowork..

Warp

 

[Warpdrv]

those are some seriously beautiful speakers, and will be complemented by a large power source... I myself would suggest a Rotel Amp, seeing as Im a proud owener, but I can forward a great deal New on a Earthquake 300 x 5 amp.
Also by looking at that system, and the mains will only go down to 49hz, your system might be greatly improved by a fine performing sub... unless you already have one..

SVS is the sub of my choice for looks and build quality as well as performance..
I bought sight unseen and am truly blown away by my PB12-Plus/2
but there are others out there, like HSU... and AV123, axiom makes great subs...
If I would have had the chance to try those Chorus's out, I would have.. they are beautifull looking speakers as well as the reviews are un-relenting..

Im seeing that your receiver doesn't have RCA outputs,maybe its time for an upgrade... Denon or Pioneer were the highest on my list for receivers as pre/pros to connect to my amp. Either would be a great choice..

Not trying to spend your $$ but Those speakers are begging for some large power...

 

[alphamajor]

Well I'll be... you're right, the AVR-130 doesn't have preouts. I would have sworn it did, but I was probably just thinking of the inputs. Then I guess a seperate amp is out of the question for the time being.

From the sounds of things, due to all the issues with HDMI video on the current lines of receivers and processors, perhaps I should just wait a while and come back to this whole thing once the technology has worked itself out and there aren't as many issues.

 

[PENG]

Make sure you do your homework before getting one of those...

Over on avsforum.com there have been plenty of buggy reports about those..
in relation to video performance.. just do your homeowork..

Warp

The HDMI 1.3 is supposed to be it, but you're right, it may not have been sorted out entirely. I cited the Sony mainly because S&V gave them their Editor's Choice Award, and I have had good experience with the DA4ES a few years back. I do believe those Focal speakers can benefit from any mid level receivers that have more power output than the AVR130.

 

[Paul30]

Hello all. New member here that has been lurking for a few days.

I'm looking at upgrading my receiver in the near future and wanted to get some input and opinions. Currently I'm using a basic HK AVR-130 that I got a few years back. It works well but is lacking the connectivity for upcoming upgrades to the system. Also, sometimes I question if it has the appropriate amount of power to drive my speakers:

Center: Focal.JMLab Chorus S 700CC
Mains: Focal.JMLab Chorus S 726
Surround: Focal.JMLab Chorus S 705

Not sure if anyone is familiar with those or not.

I will be looking to spend around $500-1000 for a new receiver. I would also like something that has 1080p switching to allow for future upgrades. I have also toyed with the thought of going with seperate amps, but I'm not sure if it would really be worth it. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Hi Alpha,

I have the exact same speakers as you have, but with the matching SW700S Sub - although an upgrade to an SVS PB12 is on the cards when I move house....

I'm using a Marantz SR7500 (superceded by the SR7001) and have found it has provided plenty of power and is superb for both movies and music.

However, these speakers demand both a good source and amplification, so I would strongly advise either a pre-pre or, as something I'm looking at, a decent AVR with power amp. Rotel seem hard to beat and is/will be my first choice - when funds permit...

Good luck and enjoy - will be interesting to hear how you go.

Cheers
Paul