Newbie needs advise

[MS80]

Hi

New to both this forum and to the world of AV rec- would really appreciate all help.
i am planning to buy a rec.. the choices with prices in my part of the world are

Yam 2500 at abt -600 USD
Deno 3805 at abt - 750 USD
Yam 4600 at abt 900 USD

Willing to go upto the 900$ only if there is a big diff , else the fight is between the top 2.

i have no speakers yet / am looking at the B&W 602 / 603 or the Q Series of KEF..

what should i go with / any other options i should look at?
thanks

 

[Resident Loser]

The general rule of thumb...

...for the last forty years or so is: choose your loudspeakers first...they are what you "hear", they will dictate your power requirements and you really have to like them first...next your amplification, or in your case the receiver, base your choice on power and then whatever bells-and-whistles you may require...then your sources. Others may disagree...I say Pfffttt!!!

Most HT recs from Denon, HK, Marantz, Pioneer Elite, Yamaha, et al will do what you need them to do, otherwise it's pretty much personal preference. Some of the mfr's have limited distributorship and this affects pricing...others sell at mass-market outlets BB, CC and the like...

jimHJJ(...Read reviews, go to various places and listen, bring source material you are familiar with, take notes...It sounds like work, but it will pay off in the long run...)

 

[The13thGryphon]

...for the last forty years or so is: choose your loudspeakers first...they are what you "hear", they will dictate your power requirements and you really have to like them first...next your amplification, or in your case the receiver, base your choice on power and then whatever bells-and-whistles you may require...then your sources. Others may disagree...I say Pfffttt!!!

That's sound advice. The speakers will be the single largest determining factor in what you hear... with the source being second (in my opinion). Therefore, pick the speakers that you really like and then match the electronics to them.

Most HT recs from Denon, HK, Marantz, Pioneer Elite, Yamaha, et al will do what you need them to do, otherwise it's pretty much personal preference.

Again, I have to agree. None of those brands are clunkers. I do have my personal favorites (Denon and Marantz), but that will be dependent on the speakers you select, the music you listen to, your room (size, reflective vs. absorptive), and your personal taste.

This is just my personal opinion... but I think you'll find the KEF Q series to be smoother and more neutral; and the B&W 600 series to be more "grab your attention" exciting. Both are great speakers, so it comes down to what music you listen to, and your personal taste.

In my case I thought the B&W 600 series a little too bright for long-term listening enjoyment, so I went with the KEF's. (At the time I purchased them I also got a Marantz receiver because it had a warm and "plumy" or "big bodied" sound.) Your choice might be different, and that doesn't make it bad or wrong. You might decide you like the more immediate and exciting sound of the B&W's, or you might want to try pairing a Denon receiver with the KEF's for a more neutral and accurate sound.

Remember, you're the one who will have to live with your decision, not all the rest of us. Do yourself a favor, and listen, listen, LISTEN!

 

[fergusonv]

Be aware that Yamaha (and Denon I believe) products sold by non authorized dealers do not have the factory warranty.

 

[agarwalro]

The Yamaha 4600 has 2 advantages over the other 2,

1) HDMI switching
2) Rated to drive 4 Ohm speakers

If these two are important, the 4600 might be the one to get.

 

[MS80]

Thanks for the all the help , my problem is - i am not in a position to listen to all 4 combinations (i.e Yam / Dan is to B&W / Kef)

I listened to Kef - really liked them but they were on Onkyo's ... for some inexplainable reason not too fond of Onkyos.

On the basis of "warm sound , neutral " etc.. how does

Yam 4600 + Kef Qs match ?

Once again thanks for the inputs

This site rocks

 

[jcPanny]

Receiver sound.

Audioholics reviews and measurements of the Yamaha receivers have found them to be very neutral. Read the reviews if you are interested in more details. Also note, your room will also play a factor in how the speakers (and receiver) sound.