Q's about system needs...

[Clownfish]

I'm still in the shopping and research phase, but I have a few questions about wants vs. neeeds.

I've been out listening to and test driving speakers, and so far, I think I like the B&W 683 so far... ($1500.00 per pair) BUT I still have quite a few I haven't heard yet, so this could change at any time. I like to listen turn up the volume Da lot!) and many of the speakers I like I notice need quite a bit more power to properly drive them to good volumes, and still sound good.

I've been talking to the spouse, and we really can't place a 7:1 system in our house. There justisn't anywhere to place all of those speakers, due to the room. Even a 5:1 prolly won't happen. Most likely, a 3:1. We don't watch that many movies, and it just isn't a big deal for us.

With a pair of floor standing speakers, and one decent center channel, a sub down the road is what we are talking about, and a BlueRay player later on.

I've been keeping an eye out on what will be neeed to power such a system, and when thinking about receivers, I've been thinking about a cheaper A/V reciever, but placeing an amp with the set-up...

Something like this:

Yamaha Rx v-463 ($349.00) It has a 5:1 but it's powered at 105 wpc, it has bluetooth, compression enhancer, yapo, iPod dock avail.

Then Buy.....

Emotiva XPA-3 amp ($499.00 sale price) It's a 3 channel amp @ 200 wpc.

Does this make any sense? Why spend $$$$.$$ on a receiver that's 7:1 when we would only use 3 channels, and 5 at the very most?

Later, down the road, we would like a Blueray player, but I'd spend *500.00 or a little more, on a nice one with upscaling, or upconverting, SACD, HD, etc. Not the cheepie type at Best Buy $150.00 special.


I'd like to budget as follows:

Speakers.........................$1000 to 1500 ok, up to $2000. but they better really blow my socks off, not just a little, but a lot! (I'm not including a center channel is this part of the budget, just 2 mains)

Reciever or Amp or PreAmp..$500 to 1500.00 I may have to go slow, and buy 1 piece at a time, as funds allow to get to $1500.00

Much Later:

A sub, a BlueRay player, and Bluetooth for computer to receiver, and an iPod dock.


Thanks in advance for any help provided!



I meant to post this in The Beginner section, but I don't know how to move it.

 

[AVRat]

Well for starters, in order to use a separate amp the receiver needs to have pre-outs which the 463 doesn't have. Also, if you're primarily going to be using 3.1 then I'm not sure I really see the need for the latest model receiver unless you feel the need for the HD audio. You could use HDMI direct from BD player to TV for PQ and use digital audio (optical/coax) to the receiver. Receiver/amp combo is the cost efficent way to go.

Just checked Amazon, Yamaha HTR-6160 for $450. http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-HTR-6160BL-7-1-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0013ZCHO8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1234894562&sr=1-1

 

[blued888]

Go for a receiver that has pre-outs because you want to use an external amplifier. Most basic that Yamaha has for that is the RX-V663 or the HTR-6160.

 

[fredk]

What will you be using the system for, music, tv, gaming?

I would allocate the lions share to speakers and go with a beafy AVR instead of separates (unless you have a really big room).

I didn't watch many movies before getting an HT system, but I really like what a good sound system does for movie watching.

 

[sawzalot]

Also just a reminder the XPA-3 is now back up to 599.99 of course you could always catch another sale if you check the classified on this site there is a three channel amp @200W per channel listed right now asking price 400.00 I think it was a parasound Its listed under the title firesale it is also on E bay so it probably wont last long it seems as if the three channel amps sell quickly.

 

[Clownfish]

What will you be using the system for, music, tv, gaming?

I would allocate the lions share to speakers and go with a beafy AVR instead of separates (unless you have a really big room).

I didn't watch many movies before getting an HT system, but I really like what a good sound system does for movie watching.

Mostly music, room size 25 x 30 feet.

 

[Clownfish]

If a mod reads this, can you pleeeze move this thread? Thanks.

 

[Clownfish]

Go for a receiver that has pre-outs because you want to use an external amplifier. Most basic that Yamaha has for that is the RX-V663 or the HTR-6160.

Hmmmm. Good point. thanks.

 

[lsiberian]

You don't need a 7 channel AVR. You don't even need 3 speakers. You only need a 2.0 setup.

You've found speakers you like. Now get a very nice 2.0 receiver/amp and be done with it. Don't waste your money on a center channel. 2.0 is all you need or really want for most music. a 3 channel amp would be stupid IMO. Unless you are powering fronts for a home theater setup.

You can probably pick up decent stereo receiver on ebay for cheap. Then get those B&Ws and be done with it.

 

[Clownfish]

You've found speakers you like. Now get a very nice 2.0 receiver/amp and be done with it. Don't waste your money on a center channel. 2.0 is all you need or really want for most music. a 3 channel amp would be stupid IMO. Unless you are powering fronts for a home theater setup.

You can probably pick up decent stereo receiver on ebay for cheap. Then get those B&Ws and be done with it.

I wanted to use the 2 B&W on each side of my fireplace, the 50" TV is above, with a center channel on the hearth, in the middle. There just isn't any way or place to hang, hold or modify any rear channels. We would use a center and 2 fronts for movies. I would use just the 2 B&W's for music. The room size is approx 25' x 30', with hard wood floors, windows, and several reef tanks.

I didn't realize that Yammy didn't have any pre-outs. Guess that's why I'm on this site, usually in the beginner forums... No wonder people buy plug-and-play stuff, and get ripped off at some stores.

Puttin together a system isn't cheap or easy, that's for sure!

And thanks...