Receiver for DCM speakers?

[ffjj]

I have DCM Cinema 2 speakers, nothing speacial, and a $120 sherwood reciever. I use a pair of Paradigm Titan Bookshelf Speakers for my front speakers. I want to upgrade to a better reciever, and could use some help. I would like to stay around $300-350. I'm considering denon 1508 (or 588, not sure of the difference), marantz sr3001, H/K 146, and Onkyo TX-SR505. I use it 90% for movies. I know it's not much of a system, but I think it would sound alot better with a better reciever. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I have DCM Cinema 2 speakers, nothing speacial, and a $120 sherwood reciever. I use a pair of Paradigm Titan Bookshelf Speakers for my front speakers. I want to upgrade to a better reciever, and could use some help. I would like to stay around $300-350. I'm considering denon 1508 (or 588, not sure of the difference), marantz sr3001, H/K 146, and Onkyo TX-SR505. I use it 90% for movies. I know it's not much of a system, but I think it would sound alot better with a better reciever. Thanks for any suggestions.

What issues do you have now?
Amps don't necessarily make the sound, speakers and the room does.

Perhaps you want to save your $$$ and upgrade to better all around speakers and then some receiver if need be?

 

[ffjj]

I used to have a 2 channel stereo that I used with the paradigm speakers. At that time they were all I could afford and sounded good to me. When I bought the shrewood 5.1 reciever, I noticed the speakers did not sound as good, listening to FM, CD and DVD. It was all I could spend, I regret it know. When I bought the DCM speakers, the store had them running off a higher end denon, and they sounded nice for what I wanted, a bargain system. The room is 16 by 20, rather open concept. Thanks.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I used to have a 2 channel stereo that I used with the paradigm speakers. At that time they were all I could afford and sounded good to me. When I bought the shrewood 5.1 reciever, I noticed the speakers did not sound as good, listening to FM, CD and DVD. It was all I could spend, I regret it know. When I bought the DCM speakers, the store had them running off a higher end denon, and they sounded nice for what I wanted, a bargain system. The room is 16 by 20, rather open concept. Thanks.

Does that Sherwood have pre-amp outputs? If so, why not connect the right two channels to the amp if you still have it and you should be set?

Otherwise, I think that maybe it is a false perception that the Sherwood has sound issues?

 

[Seth=L]

I don't think that you will benefit from upgrading your receiver. Those speakers, while decent budget speakers, are dictating your sound.

I assume that the receiver you have is similar to this one

I had a similar receiver and I can honestly say it is a pretty good receiver considering the price, and that not performance advantage will come from purchasing any of the receivers you mentioned in the opening post.

Set a budget for front left, right, center speakers, and a subwoofer if you can fit it in. Then you could move the Paradigms to surround duty.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

He said the sound changed when he changed AVRs.

Have you calibrated the AVR? Has anything else changed...different room? New hardwood floors? Remodeled to an open kitchen design? Wife lost 500lbs?

The Yamaha RX659 is a beast and fits into your budget.

 

[Seth=L]

He said the sound changed when he changed AVRs.

Have you calibrated the AVR? Has anything else changed...different room? New hardwood floors? Remodeled to an open kitchen design? Wife lost 500lbs?

The Yamaha RX659 is a beast and fits into your budget.

Could have been because of Bias or different setup, remember the first one was just a stereo rig.

 

[annunaki]

All the speakers need to be set to small. I would go for the Onkyo TX-SR505. The 605 would be better as it offers HDMI upconversion for simplicity of use. Depending upon the power output of the stereo receiver and the new Sherwood, there could be a significant difference in sound due to dynamic headroom, i.e. substantially less/more continuous power.

 

[ffjj]

Thanks for the input. I have tuned and played around with different settings, including setting all speakers set to small, and every other possible way to make it sound better. Nothing in the room has changed. The best I can describe it is the system sounds flat, when music is played,like a hand held am radio. (not really that bad, but no pizaz, sparkle, great seperation and clarity). Watching movies is pretty nice, but the center speaker lacks clarity during dialog, that's why I thougt a better reciever would help, my thought was the speakers were ok. I'm considering buying new speakers. I thought a reciever would help, I'm know considering buying a nicer reciever, $500-$600 range, and unsure of speaker budget. I think maybe I should start all over with my sytem. Thanks.

 

[annunaki]

Here is a great system for under $1500 that will rock your socks off and sound great for music:

Onkyo TX-SR605 retail $499.99

SVS SB-01 package $999.99

 

[mtrycrafts]

...Wife lost 500lbs?
.

Now that is extreme, you meanie Perceptions can be unreliable in many areas.

 

[mtrycrafts]

...Watching movies is pretty nice, but the center speaker lacks clarity during dialog, that's why I thougt a better reciever would help, .

No, better amps will not help this. You have room and speaker issues, plain and simple, unless some of the speakers are out of phase?

 

[ffjj]

I'm glad I posted, I'll shop for new speakers, and keep my reciever. Thanks every one. As far as the system goes, I have checked and tried everything (including phase). I don't have alot of experience with home audio, but I grew up installing many car systems, I understand good wiring, no mess, paying attention to detail, reading and reading owner manuals, and tinkering until I understand everything a system could do, adjusting crossovers etc..I just thought maybe the sherwood was overated (weak power, distortion, etc..) Thanks again, know I need to listen to some speakers and do more research.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I'm glad I posted, I'll shop for new speakers, and keep my reciever. Thanks every one. As far as the system goes, I have checked and tried everything (including phase). I don't have alot of experience with home audio, but I grew up installing many car systems, I understand good wiring, no mess, paying attention to detail, reading and reading owner manuals, and tinkering until I understand everything a system could do, adjusting crossovers etc..I just thought maybe the sherwood was overated (weak power, distortion, etc..) Thanks again, know I need to listen to some speakers and do more research.

Good to hear about your background. That certainly helps
Speakers and the room is what you hear with modern, well designed components. Not saying that your final speakers may not need a different receiver or amp, but that is placing the cart before the horses.