Receiver as pre-pro only...so many choices

[Tod]

Sorry, I know there are other similar topics out there, but I must ask questions that tailor to my needs and options. So...

I'm about to spend about 2 month's income on a complete new audio system for the HT. Thursday's the big sale at the local audio store where I'll order my B&W 604/602/LCR60 S3 speakers, as well as a Rotel 1075/95. Leaving me with the pre-pro slot empty. So here are my thoughts.

1. Yamaha RX-V2500

2. Marantz ZR6001SP

3. Any HK options that meet my needs

Things that don't matter at all to me: >5.1 (although nothing is less than 7.1 now anyway)

iPod

HDMI

Things that do: Music reproduction without nasty sound fields

I originally planned to go with the Yamaha, but do have some options now with credit that only allow me to get the Marantz/HK ones. That leaves a bit of cash for maybe the upgrade to the Rotel 1095.

Hopefully any of these will be temporary and within the next few months I can get the nice matching Rotel 1068. However, if any of these sounds nice enough I might not have to.

So any opinions on the overall relative musicality of the above amps? Since power doesn't matter, would going with one of the smaller (thus cheaper) HKs lose anything? Do they sound good, aside from the power? I like what I know of Marantz, but that may be more than I actually need right now (in store credit though and that's all they've got). The Yamaha is the only one I'd have to pay cash for, but I do really like it.

???

 

[Nick250]

In your shoes, I would not worry too much about the "musicality" of amps or receivers. In so far as they may be different, it would be personal choice, just like speakers. A nice set of bass traps or other acoustical treatment is what I would be focusing on. That being said, until you get your new speakers home and set up to experiment with, everything else is just guessing.

Nick

 

[Seth=L]

Why not get a pre/pro? A good one for music and HT, but primarily music, would be a NAD. NAD has a pre/pro for $1500 that is very respectable.

 

[Tod]

$1500. Precisely the problem. The Rotel I was looking at that I can get locally is about the same.

What I'm after here, to put it explicitly, is a well-under $1000 (around $500 - $600 would be nice) stopgap solution for several months until I can get a proper pre-pro. Which I will do, but there's just no real way I can do that at the same time as the rest of the purchases. Since I'm temporarily without HT since I sold the old stuff, I do want to get it up and running as soon as I can. I'll just resell the temporary solution when I can scrape together another $1000+.

Cheap solution for 4-6 months. Power not an issue. Sound is an issue. Any comments on the models mentioned, or other ones in that range?

 

[mike c]

IMO:

get the 1095 amp
try to wait for the 1069 PREPRO

the HK lower end units [AVR335 in my case] are starved in features - features I feel important like video upconversion (not to be mistaken as upscaling) where you only need the component cables going to your tv, and the yamaha receivers switches all sources regardless of connection to the component output.

I recommend the Yamaha Rx-v659 (lowest yammy I think with pre-outs) or any higher model, though I don't see the point in getting an expensive receiver as prepro now

 

[Seth=L]

Outlaw has a Pre/pro for under $1000, I think it is $600 or something.

 

[Tod]

IMO:

get the 1095 amp
try to wait for the 1069 PREPRO

the HK lower end units [AVR335 in my case] are starved in features - features I feel important like video upconversion (not to be mistaken as upscaling) where you only need the component cables going to your tv, and the yamaha receivers switches all sources regardless of connection to the component output.

Hmm. I'll keep looking, although I've got about 24 hours before I've got to make at least one choice. The component thing isn't a big deal since the projector I have takes component video, and I'll only be watching DVDs from a single player on it anyway. VHS maybe once a year, if that. Don't watch cable/satellite/TV, so single in/out is all I actually need.

1095 depend on the discount they offer me at the big sale tomorrow, but it may not be enough.

I'll look into the Outlaw.

Thanks!

 

[zildjian]

I took a hard look at the Marantz receivers last year before getting my Denon 3806 which I use just as a prepro w/ 4 external power amps. Marantz makes great units, biggest downside I saw was just that they are at a slightly higher price point than the Denon's when you match up models by their features, that's the big reason I went w/ Denon. Yamaha makes good stuff too, I just prefer the Marantz & Denon's to them, that's where personal preference kicks in. HK I looked @ too, but they don't seem to deliver as much bang for the buck IMO, and I don't like their look & layout.
The people on here that have Nad & outlaw equipment seem to be very happy too.

 

[tlqualman]

You might consider what I did for a pre/pro. I am using a used Denon 5700 that I got off ebay. It was in perfect condition and they are going for abour $500/600. Just a couple of years ago they were Denons flagship model selling for $2,800.00. You can use it now and then resell it for almost what you pay for it.



Denon AVR 5700 for my pre/pro
McIntosh MC126 6ch amp running bridged to 3@ 275/ch
Parasound Halo A51 250/ch
Pioneer Elite 47a DVD
Pioneer Elite PRO730HDI 64" display
Montana SPX speakers 2 pair
Montana SPC center speaker
Velodyne sub

 

[mnnc]

Sorry, I know there are other similar topics out there, but I must ask questions that tailor to my needs and options. So...

I'm about to spend about 2 month's income on a complete new audio system for the HT. Thursday's the big sale at the local audio store where I'll order my B&W 604/602/LCR60 S3 speakers, as well as a Rotel 1075/95. Leaving me with the pre-pro slot empty. So here are my thoughts.

1. Yamaha RX-V2500

2. Marantz ZR6001SP

3. Any HK options that meet my needs

Things that don't matter at all to me: >5.1 (although nothing is less than 7.1 now anyway)

iPod

HDMI

Things that do: Music reproduction without nasty sound fields

I originally planned to go with the Yamaha, but do have some options now with credit that only allow me to get the Marantz/HK ones. That leaves a bit of cash for maybe the upgrade to the Rotel 1095.

Hopefully any of these will be temporary and within the next few months I can get the nice matching Rotel 1068. However, if any of these sounds nice enough I might not have to.

So any opinions on the overall relative musicality of the above amps? Since power doesn't matter, would going with one of the smaller (thus cheaper) HKs lose anything? Do they sound good, aside from the power? I like what I know of Marantz, but that may be more than I actually need right now (in store credit though and that's all they've got). The Yamaha is the only one I'd have to pay cash for, but I do really like it.

???

Stick w/ the B&W's. Buy the 2500 as a pre/pro and buy an Emotiva Pro series power amp. You will have a stellar setup for music and movies.

 

[Tod]

I think now at the moment I'm crossing my fingers for the Emotiva coupon contest! If I get their inexpensive pre-pro, it will at least keep me going for a few months until I can upgrade, and if I like it I could just keep it anyway.

I will still probably get the Rotel amp, in part because I can get a (small) discount on it locally and I do want to give my local store as much business as I'm able.

Just ordered my speakers from them today though. 604s, 602s, and a pair of the LCR 60s for top/bottom center channel (over/under projector screen - can't live with only 1). Probably about 4-5 weeks though until I get everything in house and plugged in. Sad.

 

[mnnc]

It will be worth the wait. Double centers will be nice. Using a 7ch amp and a y splitter out of pre amps center out to 2 of the rotels ins for 2 centers to be powered...nice. Man that is going to jam. Let's see...left, 2 centers, right, surround left, surround center/back, surround right. A complete 6.1 set-up using two centers. That's what I plan on doing since I have a medium size LR (16x20) where my "stuff" is.

 

[Tod]

Yeah, I've had double centers since I got the projector a year ago, but they've been crap and for the first bit even mismatched crap. Every bit of sound equipment in the room is being replaced. On the list for late spring is a new DVD player and an SVS 16-46 pci or pci+, although my Velodyne is doing fine for now. It'll just go into the other system when I get the SVS.

 

[mnnc]

Seems like a good plan...happy listening. Let us know how it sounds.