Question about new setup

[jheikkla]

Hello Ladies and Gents,

I have POS boxed Walmart Samsung surround sound system hooked up to my HTPC (only cause I was broke.) I just received a nice bonus and am able to drop no more than $1100. After doing a few days of research and forum searching I have came up with the following and looking for advice on a few things. This is what I was thinking:

Receiver: Yamaha RX-A720 or Denon 2113CI (I can get the Denon for $349 and the Yamaha for $399)
Speakers: Cambridge Audio S-Series 5.1 speaker package (Bundled at $699)
When money permits I will add 2 more S30's for 7.1 and replace the sub with a PB-1000

My questions are:

1. Which receiver do people think is better?
From what I can see the only feature each has on one another is Yamaha offers a better warranty and can utilize two subs whereas Denon has better room calibration. (price is not factor, would rather the better of the two)

2. Are the speakers I am choosing a good choice, especially considering they're bundled at $699?
Remember that I plan on upgrading the sub and adding two more speakers. If anyone can offer better starting speakers for that price or less, I am all ears. I know that people on the forums suggest buying a good 2.1 or 3.1 setup and than adding speakers as money permits, however I also see many suggesting these speakers. My grandfather also has a Cambridge setup (not sure what model but they costed him a pretty penny about 8 years ago) and I enjoy the sound of them.

3. I am leaving this question to those who feel that this setup, as a whole could be better for the price range, what would be better? Keep in mind that by the time I am all done with adding a sub, maybe two, and moving up to 7.1/2 I do not want to have more than $2500 invested.

 

[Pyrrho]

The Yamaha has more inputs and outputs, and also has the option of front "Presence" channels.

I personally would go with the Yamaha, largely because I have had excellent experience with them in the past, and, judging from online complaints that people make about various brands, Yamaha seems to be as reliable as you can get. That said, I don't think that Denon is a bad choice.

The room calibration issue with Yamaha is that they don't automatically equalize the deep bass. They set the levels and delays just fine, but only automatically equalize above about 60 Hz, so that the deep bass below that is what it is in your room, and the Yamaha will not correct the frequency response. Although that is not ideal, it is not much of a problem. Again, it does set the overall level right and the delay right.

I have not heard the speakers, so I have nothing to say about them. But I did look at the specifications and upgrading the subwoofer to an SVS is a good idea.

Basically, you seem to be picking decent gear for the money.

 

[zieglj01]

Receiver: Yamaha RX-A720 or Denon 2113CI (I can get the Denon for $349 and the Yamaha for $399)
Speakers: Cambridge Audio S-Series 5.1 speaker package (Bundled at $699)
When money permits I will add 2 more S30's for 7.1 and replace the sub with a PB-1000

My questions are:

1. Which receiver do people think is better?
From what I can see the only feature each has on one another is Yamaha offers a better warranty and can utilize two subs whereas Denon has better room calibration. (price is not factor, would rather the better of the two)

2. Are the speakers I am choosing a good choice, especially considering they're bundled at $699?
Remember that I plan on upgrading the sub and adding two more speakers. If anyone can offer better starting speakers for that price or less, I am all ears. I know that people on the forums suggest buying a good 2.1 or 3.1 setup and than adding speakers as money permits, however I also see many suggesting these speakers. My grandfather also has a Cambridge setup (not sure what model but they costed him a pretty penny about 8 years ago) and I enjoy the sound of them.

As far as Denon or Yamaha - your call, I fired the audio calibration thing a while back - however,
it can be a nice tool. Either receiver will be nice - Audyssey tends to be more popular.

Cambridge Audio is a good option - and the little S30 will go down to 60 hz

This can be a nice system for you - add a bigger sub later.

 

[ImcLoud]

I like what you picked {that doesn't happen often on here, actually may be the first time}, you can always buy another pb1000 or two later if you need more shake.... good job, now go pull the trigger...