Any guidance and advice will be very much appreciated. Within the last 12 months I have purchased my very first home entertainment system and personal computer. Unfortunately I brought my home entertainment system first and did not have the luxury of the internet to research MY ultimate sound system. Nevertheless, I have taken a very big leap in to the realm of audio / video in a very short time and I am eager to learn more!
First and foremost, I am looking to replace my receiver (currently PIONEER – VSX-D712). With my budget and new found demand for quality, I have short listed my A/V receiver choices to the following:
1) Marantz 7400
2) Denon 3805
3) Onkyo TX NR801
4) YAMAHA RX-V2400
This purchase should last me several years. My next upgrade will be quality loud speakers. Leaving nothing to waste, I will replace current towers speakers to surround, slowly phasing out the junk. Even though my short list is full of 7.1 systems, I am more than willing to consider 6.1 or 5.1 systems with the same features and quality sound as the makes and models listed.
Listening Space / Environmental Breakdown: 1300 sq ft loft with 800 - 900 sq ft of open area with the audio unit placed at one end with 20 ft cathedral ceiling overhead.
Please consider my music preferences are electronica (house & techno), alternative rock, and jazz. My movie collection is gathering steam; however please curb your opinions towards a receiver detailed for musical quality, clarity and richness. I am also very busy streaming radio and MP3 stuff from the internet as an alternate to my CD collection.
Current Problems: 2-speaker stereo sound empty and strained when pushed at higher levels. The surround sound speakers sound weak and feel choked during movies. I suspect the problems could be improved with a better quality a/v receiver rather than upgrading speakers. Here are the specs on the receiver & speakers.
Current A/V Receiver: Pioneer - VSX-712 –
Power output (stereo): 100 w per channel (20-20000Hz, THD 0.2% ohms)
Power output (surround): 100 w per channel (1 kHz, THD 1.0% ohms)
Current Tower Speakers: Sinclair Audio (Canadian Made) 2-way tower speakers
Impedance: 8 Ohms
Sensitivity: 88 dB
Frequency Response: 42Hz – 22 KHz
Max Power: 150 Watts
Drivers: 6.5” aluminum clad cone woofer
Tweeter: 1” Polymer Integrated Soft Dome
Dimensions: 37.5 x 8 x 13.5
Weight: 43 lbs each
Current Surround Speakers: Sinclair Audio (Canadian Made)
Impedance: 8 Ohms
Sensitivity: 86 dB
Frequency Response: 60Hz – 22 KHz
Max Power: 100 Watts
Drivers: 5” aluminum clad cone woofer
Tweeter: 1” Polymer Integrated Soft Dome
Dimensions: 13.5 x 7 x 10
Weight: 15.5 lbs each
Subwoofer:
Amplifier Power: 125 watts
Driver: 8”
Frequency Response 35 – 150 Hz
Dimensions: 14 x 12.5 x 13
Weight: 30 lbs
X-over Freq: 50-150 Hz
Accessories: 14 gauge speaker cables / Monster Power HT800 (clean power filter) / Digital feed from CD/DVD – receiver / CD/DVD Player Pioneer DV-363
Hopefully someone would be so kind to assist me in achieving the ultimate sound considering my space with emphasis on loud music listening (within the list manufacturers provided or same price range).
If you really have the time, I will be looking for matching speakers in the future ($500 - $800 USD). Or I should START with the speakers?
Many thanks,
Youngbuck
