Outboard Amp in Stereo/HT Set-up

[buddhabreath]

Hello all,

This might be a bit jumbled : but here goes: I have acquired a pair of B&W 802 series III (250w) and I'm wondering how best to drive them along with a HT set-up (all B&W, matrix center, smaller bookshelf B&Ws surround). I'm on a rather tight budget of course.

My thought is to use a Carver TFM-35 I already have which is rated at 250w per channel and buy a Denon 3805 or Marantz SR 7500 (based on listening room auditions) and use the pre-out to go to the Carver and drive the large B&Ws - the Denon would drive the rest. Alternatively I could look for a relatively inexpensive AV pre-amp and stack up a few lower-power carvers (purchased used through ebay or somewhere) to drive all the speakers. The Tweeter guys says I should get the 4x series of Denon at well over $3,000 and forget about the carvers/out board amps. I don't think so and this would totally blow the budget anyway. If money weren't an issue, I'd go get something like Sunfire or Rotel gear to drive the lot.

Any opinions? Also any thoughts on the necessity of a sub-woofer or bass alignment filter? Should I just wait for a B&W matching Matrix sub or go buy a new sub (around $500 budget-wise)? I'd lilke to take advantage of the 802's response down to 45k (or more with a B&W bass alignment filter from what I understand).

Thanks!

 

[jaxvon]

I think the first option would work very well (pre outs to carvers for the fronts, receiver for the rest). As for a subwoofer, perhaps a Hsu...

 

[j_garcia]

I'd say go with a used preamp and the amps. Definitely going to give you the best fidelity, but maybe not as many of the latest features as the 3805 or 7500. Second choice, and possibly your lower cost option, would be to go with the 7500 and run the 802s with the TFM_35.

There's no reason, and no such thing as, a "matching" sub, for all intents and purposes. How big is your room?

 

[AVRat]

As you can see by these first two replies, opinions are varied not making your decision any easier. Each option, as any, is a compromise. Too bad we can't have it all. If you want features on a budget then go with your first option(my choice). You might sacrifice a little in fidelity, but I don't think you'll be disappointed.

You'll definitely need a sub for HT!

 

[buddhabreath]

Thanks for the thoughtful responses. I'll keep looking and thinking, but I might have to go with the SR7500 or Denon solution for now and maybe trade up to separates - otherwise I'll be cooling my heels too long...

I agree that a sub is going to be desireable for HT's. The room is about 13' x 15'. I'm looking at the smaller HSU's, Velodyne's and the Outlaws, all under $600.00... I'll figure that out after everything else is in place.