n00b + first home system

[mraman]

Hi all

I want to put together my first home A/V system. I have my heart set on Athena AS-F2.2's ($399 from audioadvisor).

What receiver goes well with these? I've read in other posts about:

Onkyo SR502 (SR504 is the current version - $250-300)
NAD C370 (too expensive for me at $599)
NAD C352 (still expensive, $500 quoted)
Harman Kardon HK3480 ($250 or so)


Any other components I should invest in? Should I splurge on a dedicated CD player or will a DVD player output suffice (I have a really cheap DVD player, and I don't want one component to bring down the quality of my setup.

By the way, my musical tastes tend towards rock and heavy metal.

Thanks for any input

Regards,
Madhu

 

[tubesaregood]

Any of those will be fine in my opinion. You can just go with the DVD player, too. I would probably look for at least a better one of those, then, if yours is REALLY cheap. In my opinion, the main quality issues are with the speakers and the amp/preamp. If you connect the cheapest DVD player to a good setup, it will sound good. There IS a point of diminishing returns if you get my drift.

 

[jcPanny]

Receiver options

First, are you building an HT or do you want a 2 channel system?
The HK you list is a stereo (2 channel) receiver. For a start to your HT, check out the Yamaha HTR-5960 or 5860 for about $300. I have the HTR-5860 and recommend it.

The digital audio output even from a cheap DVD player should be fine. The receiver will do the processing and D/A conversion.

If you have an HDTV, save for an upscaling DVD player like the Oppo DV970HD. I have this one and recommend it.

Also in your price range, check out the Onix X-LS speaker. They have a floorstander version comming out next month for $330/pair.

If you go with Athena, I have an AS-C1.1 center channel I need to get rid of. Let me know if you are interested.

 

[Nick250]

I would go for the Onkyo because I have read about NAD reliability issues, though the HK may be fine too, I am not familiar with it. There is no real advantage to spend more that what you pay for the Onkyo. As far as I know there is no advantage to dedicated CD player, so you are fine there. If anything, add to your speaker budget. They are the heart of your system. As I always say, cheap out anywhere in your system but the speakers. I would suggest pushing your budget on speakers, but not on any of the other components you have selected.

 

[mraman]

Thanks for the input.

I'm not sure if I want to go with a 2-channel or Home theatre system. I'm not into the whole HT surround experience, it's not a priority for me. That said, all things being equal, I'd probably want to keep my options open in the future.

From your posts, I conclude:

- Stick with existing DVD player, use digital outs to connect to receiver
- NAD is a no no for reliability and price
- HK is a 2-channel, so that's out (since I haven't heard that it's any better than the Onkyo)

So, now it's between the Onkyo SR 504 and the Yamaha HTR5860

 

[Nick250]

It's a coin toss IMO.

Nick

 

[jlyttle]

Take a look at the Onkyo SR604, I love mine.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-FSKNAwyATmc/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=10420&I=580TXS604S&search=sr604

It is $499 now, but I bought mine from them 3 weeks ago for $399 and free shipping. Shop around, but it is a fantastic unit.

http://reviews.cnet.com/Onkyo_TX_SR604_black/4505-6466_7-32008415.html

Contrary to what the review says, if you have an HDMI cable box and DVD player like me, only 1 cable needs to go to the TV from the receiver. BTW, I also own the Oppo player and can't think of a better one in the price range. Highly recommended.

 

[AmpItUP]

The Harman Kardon HK3480 is okay since it works well and is priced cheaply too.

__________________
McIntosh MCD201 - MCD201 SACD/CD Player Catalog by McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. for download

 

[mraman]

How about an Onkyo TX SR 573? It's on clearance for $220 at the local Circuit City


I've decided that I would like future expandability, so I'm ruling out any 2-channel receivers for now....


UNLESS, someone tells me that the sound quality from a dedicated 2-channel is much better than that from a 5.1/7.1 of similar price

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

From your posts, I conclude:

- Stick with existing DVD player, use digital outs to connect to receiver
- NAD is a no no for reliability and price
- HK is a 2-channel, so that's out (since I haven't heard that it's any better than the Onkyo)

So, now it's between the Onkyo SR 504 and the Yamaha HTR5860

I've had a NAD c370 since 2000 and its behaved flawlessly. But it is a 2-channel integrated amp.

 

[Nickthegrip]

Maybe this?

I bought the Yamaha RX-V1600 on Ubid for $439, thanks to recommendations from others on this forum... It is really nice, and within your range I think...

Linky -


http://www.ubid.com/Yamaha_RX-V1600_840_Watts_7.1_Ch._A/V_Home_Theater/a10943902-rsearchone.html

 

[mraman]

Thanks. I checked it out, and it's only a 30 day warranty.

I bought the Yamaha RX-V1600 on Ubid for $439, thanks to recommendations from others on this forum... It is really nice, and within your range I think...

Linky -


http://www.ubid.com/Yamaha_RX-V1600_840_Watts_7.1_Ch._A/V_Home_Theater/a10943902-rsearchone.html

 

[mraman]

Update

Hi all

Thanks for the input. I took the plunge and got a new HK3480 for $230 shipped from Amazon. Yes yes, I said I wanted surround, but I didn't want to go with Onkyo (IMHO, HK is a bit more upmarket, and I have heard that HK "sound quality" is better than Onkyo's). The closest surround receiver I would have settled for would have been the AVR247, which is $500 or so. In any case, I don't _have_ surround speakers, so I thought I should save up for later (1-2 years), when I can get a mature HDMI receiver with surround at a decent price.

In any case, I set up my Athena AS-F2.2's ($400 shipped from audioadvisor.com) with the HK, and I'm deliriously happy


Madhu