n/w capable receiver + speakers (on budget)

[bmninada]

Hello - I am hunting for a n/w capable receiver having surround sound capabilities and wish not to spend more than $600.00. If there any recommendations would like to know with that price range what is it I'll be missing.
Basically, I want to buy my 1st. home theater sys and shop representative did a strong sell of Bose but somehow I didn't like their sound. Then, in the same store I accidentally bumped into a speaker set called Cinema-90 by a manufacturer called Paradigm which I really liked. I would like to pair up the receiver with this speaker set if feasible. If not recommended - any alternatives are also welcome. I normally listen to soft rock, some classical and slow music or blues. I'm not into heavy metal or hard rock.
I apologize beforehand for being such a novice. The shop assistant was telling me if I don't buy Bose but opt for any other manufacturer I'll need a "pre-amp" as by themselves these A/V receivers won't work/badly sound.

 

[agarwalro]

Welcome to the forum .

Wow. That store rep was definitely playing on your lack of knowledge to get a good pay day. Good thing you held back. To drive the Paradigm speakers (indeed any speaker) a receiver is all you need since it does the pre-pro function in addition to providing the amplification needed. You would only need a seperate pre-pro if you got a dedicated amplifier (they have no controls on them).

This site did 2 reviews with about 8-10 recivers in the $500-750 price range. They are http://www.audioholics.com/buying-guides/how-to-shop/2009-500-receiver-comparison-guide and http://www.audioholics.com/buying-guides/how-to-shop/2009-750-receiver-comparison-guide. Just select the receiver you like for features and then price shop.

Generally speakeing, Denon and Marantz receivers will have good sound for the types of music you mostly listen to and will pair with the Paradigm speakers really well.

 

[Phil Indeblanc]

Welcome to the forum .

Wow. That store rep was definitely playing on your lack of knowledge to get a good pay day. Good thing you held back. To drive the Paradigm speakers (indeed any speaker) a receiver is all you need since it does the pre-pro function in addition to providing the amplification needed. You would only need a seperate pre-pro if you got a dedicated amplifier (they have no controls on them).

This site did 2 reviews with about 8-10 recivers in the $500-750 price range. They are http://www.audioholics.com/buying-guides/how-to-shop/2009-500-receiver-comparison-guide and http://www.audioholics.com/buying-guides/how-to-shop/2009-750-receiver-comparison-guide. Just select the receiver you like for features and then price shop.

Generally speakeing, Denon and Marantz receivers will have good sound for the types of music you mostly listen to and will pair with the Paradigm speakers really well.

When you say Denon and Marantz will have good sound, do you mean they sound different? would this be the case in direct stereo mode also, if you check around I have been doing some tests and will see for myself, but I wanted to get your take on it, as I see you have more experience than I do

 

[bmninada]

Thx!

I checked the URLs and find Denon (AVR-1910) might be good for me.
How then will this setup compare with Bose Lifestyle V20 primarily on quality of sound/music?
In same price range ($850.00) should I consider alternative speaker systems or this set is quite "fantastic" for the price range?
I also have an option (a friend of mine offered) NAD T755 or T754 or T737 within the same price range. Any feedback on these models and NAD will be helpful as I've never heard of this company.

 

[lsiberian]

I checked the URLs and find Denon (AVR-1910) might be good for me.
How then will this setup compare with Bose Lifestyle V20 primarily on quality of sound/music?
In same price range ($850.00) should I consider alternative speaker systems or this set is quite "fantastic" for the price range?
I also have an option (a friend of mine offered) NAD T755 or T754 or T737 within the same price range. Any feedback on these models and NAD will be helpful as I've never heard of this company.

BOSE is badnews bears. They are undersized overpiced poorly constructed speakers sold solely on marketing. Paradigm speakers blow them out of the water around the corner and into outer space.

NAD makes good amps/pre-pros but I consider them vastly overpriced.

Still a friendly offer might make them more reasonable.

 

[chris357]

the NAD T755 sells for 799 new.. so if your friend is offering one alot cheaper I'd take that although the marantz and denon stuff is good to.

you could spend 200 on a non bose system and get better than any bose at any cost..

 

[chris357]

oh yeah what is n/w ?

 

[agarwalro]

When you say Denon and Marantz will have good sound, do you mean they sound different?

Good catch. I probably should have stated that it was a subjective impression based statement.

I believe that the Denon and Marantz AVRs are considered on par or depending on who you ask, one is slightly better than the other. Further, I had a Yamaha before my current Denon AVR. Immediately after making the switch, I recall the Denon sounded better with the Axiom's. My music tastes overlap with yous and so my reasoning was based on my subjective impression from listening to similar music on my system.

I know this comment will get flak because an amp is an amp is an amp and so, all else being equal, the sounds should not be dependent on brand. I attribute my impression from the Denon having better room response correcting power (Audessy MultiEQ XT in Denon vs YPAO in Yamaha) and more headroom than the Yamaha before it. This thought might be corroborated by the observation that when I added a dedicated amp (the Parasound) it did not change the sound of my system one bit.

would this be the case in direct stereo mode

When comparing the Pure Direct mode on the Yamaha and the Denon, I feel it makes a marked change (for the better) in sound on both AVRs. I think with the Denon or Marantz it might be better since it would be complimentary to an already good sound.

 

[bmninada]

oh yeah what is n/w ?

Network enabled.

 

[bmninada]

hi - you've sold me out on Paradigm Cinema 90 along with the Denon receiver. Just returned from the store and the sales representative was a bit *pissed* at my decision. But he said something new now which made me think and thus come back and ask you good folks 1 last thing. His statement: Your receiver for these speakers are under-powered and thus will blow the speakers quickly. If you buy instead a system like Bose, then the receiver+speakers are calibrated by factory and they match. We can do the calibration for you and will cost you $350.00 and will take 1 day to complete.
He mentioned something about resistance of these speakers, etc. Additionally, he also said I need correct DVD or a Blue-ray player. He offered me something (DVD) which is like $400.00 and said that's the cheapest and most affordable option for this setup: Paradigm+Denon. Good folks - kindly, kindly advice. BTW: Kudos to all of you!

 

[bmninada]

BTW - I see against my name a term "Audiophyte" added. I don't think I deserve anything resembling "Audio*" ... based on my extreme lack of knowledge. I am currently "gobbling" up the guide materials in this website. They are awesome.....

 

[agarwalro]

hi - you've sold me out on Paradigm Cinema 90 along with the Denon receiver. Just returned from the store and the sales representative was a bit *pissed* at my decision. But he said something new now which made me think and thus come back and ask you good folks 1 last thing. His statement: Your receiver for these speakers are under-powered and thus will blow the speakers quickly. If you buy instead a system like Bose, then the receiver+speakers are calibrated by factory and they match. We can do the calibration for you and will cost you $350.00 and will take 1 day to complete.
He mentioned something about resistance of these speakers, etc. Additionally, he also said I need correct DVD or a Blue-ray player. He offered me something (DVD) which is like $400.00 and said that's the cheapest and most affordable option for this setup: Paradigm+Denon. Good folks - kindly, kindly advice. BTW: Kudos to all of you!

In case you were curious, here is a review of the Paradigm Cinema 90 5.1 setup, http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_9_3/paradigm-cinema-speakers-9-2002.html

The speakers are all 8ohms impedance and rated for 50-100Watts power, meaning, the Denon 1910 AVR is going to power them just fine. If anything, being that they are small speakers, most likely, they will be over powered.

You will need to adjust the settings on the AVR to get best possible sound, but there are plenty or articles and this forum to guide you thorough the process. It is easy and no need to spend the additional $350.

As far as Blue Ray Players go, Oppo Digital makes a kick a$$ product. Oppo BDP-83 It can play virtulally any disc based media you throw at it and can do it with exemplary quality.

 

[lsiberian]

hi - you've sold me out on Paradigm Cinema 90 along with the Denon receiver. Just returned from the store and the sales representative was a bit *pissed* at my decision. But he said something new now which made me think and thus come back and ask you good folks 1 last thing. His statement: Your receiver for these speakers are under-powered and thus will blow the speakers quickly. If you buy instead a system like Bose, then the receiver+speakers are calibrated by factory and they match. We can do the calibration for you and will cost you $350.00 and will take 1 day to complete.
He mentioned something about resistance of these speakers, etc. Additionally, he also said I need correct DVD or a Blue-ray player. He offered me something (DVD) which is like $400.00 and said that's the cheapest and most affordable option for this setup: Paradigm+Denon. Good folks - kindly, kindly advice. BTW: Kudos to all of you!

He doesn't know jack I suggest you buy your stuff somewhere else. Your ears and science are on your side. This guy wouldn't know his head from his butt. You can buy the paradigm cinema 90 set from amazon for 800 bucks. They have amazingly good customer service so you'd be wise to go that route. You might even toss in the receiver from them. I'd suggest an Onkyo 606 for your speakers though. No reason to spend more than that for those speakers.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00291225O

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR606/Onkyo/TX-SR606-90w-x-7ch-HDMI-Theater-Receiver-BLACK/1.html

I suggest you get those two places.

List the components you have so I can list the cables you'll need. Get them from monoprice.com.

I suggest you avoid this salesman and encourage others to do so as well.

 

[chris357]

this dude isnt really a salesman, he is a parot repeating what the bose sales rep told him to say.. he gives true salepeople a bad name.

listen to isiberian

 

[ohio]

he is a parot repeating what the bose sales rep told him to say..

He's worse, because it's not just the Bose products he's pushing, but ridiculous overpriced non-services and claims of needing a "matched" $400 DVD/BD player. He's trying every sleazy trick he can think of to dupe a beginner and squeeze out some extra margin... the salesman is real scum and I suggest that you shop elsewhere. If you can't find a local shop that sells the same equipment, you're better off buying online than from these tricksters.