Upgrade me to separates!

[lsiberian]

While Chris(Wmax) is correct in his analysis. I see no reason to amp the rear channels.

I suggest using the receiver for those. And the amps and DCX2496 for the fronts.

I sold my reciever and got an HK AVR247 it's a solid amp with pre-outs and all the features I need.

 

[gqmagic]

Can't get sound from the OPPO analog out to my B&K which is why i bought it. Thats when I decided it was time upgrade to the new stuff.

When I connected my bluray 51fd to the analogs on my Marantz 7300 OSE when I selected aux on the remote it didn't sound quite right.

Then I luckily hit the 7.1 in button on the remote and BINGO, the magic could be heard.

I don't knpw if this is whats happening to you or not, but 7.1 needs to be activated.

 

[3db]

Check my sig and build me a better system w/ pre/pro and amp to bring me current with HDMI. 2,000.00 to spend.

You can also try one of the latest receiver models from NAD. NAD offers one of the most robust amplifier sections out for receviers and they offer the latest audio codecs and have a modified version (NAD worked with Paul Barton, founder of PSB on this) of Audessy room correction s/w. Its worth a trip ou to an audio store to look at.

 

[kordon]

You can also try one of the latest receiver models from NAD. NAD offers one of the most robust amplifier sections out for receviers and they offer the latest audio codecs and have a modified version (NAD worked with Paul Barton, founder of PSB on this) of Audessy room correction s/w. Its worth a trip ou to an audio store to look at.

Is their a specific model you like? Also, why are most here recommending receivers along with amps? I thought amps went along with pre/pros?

 

[3db]

Is their a specific model you like? Also, why are most here recommending receivers along with amps? I thought amps went along with pre/pros?

http://nadelectronics.com/products/av-receivers/T775-A/V-Surround-Sound-Receiver


This receiver's amps are more than strong enough to handle th eimpedance drops of your speakers. Thats why I'm not recommending a seperate amp with this. That anf teh fact that it contioans all the latest bells and whistles mean you don;t have buy a dedicated pre/rp

 

[kordon]

http://nadelectronics.com/products/av-receivers/T775-A/V-Surround-Sound-Receiver


This receiver's amps are more than strong enough to handle th eimpedance drops of your speakers. Thats why I'm not recommending a seperate amp with this. That anf teh fact that it contioans all the latest bells and whistles mean you don;t have buy a dedicated pre/rp

How much better is this than my B&K?

 

[Swerd]

How much better is this than my B&K?

That is, of course, a tough question to answer.

It will be difficult to improve on the sound quality of your B&K receiver that you now have. The NAD receiver (which I have not heard), may be about as good in build quality, and roughly as powerful as what you now own. I doubt if it will be noticeably better sounding. It will however give you the HDMI connections you want.

For $2,000 or less, I'm hard pressed to give you a better suggestion. If it were my choice, I'd keep what you now have.

For what it may be worth, Outlaw has a new pre/pro in the works, the Model 997, and they say it will sell for $1400. You will then have to find a 5 channel amp, but you can find good used amps at Audiogon. I have seen B&K 5 channel amps similar in power to your 305 receiver (125 wpc at 8 ohms) selling for roughly $500. If you want more power, I'd go for at least 200 wpc at 8 ohms. You might also be able to sell your 305 receiver for $400-500 on Audiogon.

Is your first priority the HDMI connections, or is it improved sound quality?

 

[kordon]

That is, of course, a tough question to answer.

It will be difficult to improve on the sound quality of your B&K receiver that you now have. The NAD receiver (which I have not heard), may be about as good in build quality, and roughly as powerful as what you now own. I doubt if it will be noticeably better sounding. It will however give you the HDMI connections you want.

For $2,000 or less, I'm hard pressed to give you a better suggestion. If it were my choice, I'd keep what you now have.

For what it may be worth, Outlaw has a new pre/pro in the works, the Model 997, and they say it will sell for $1400. You will then have to find a 5 channel amp, but you can find good used amps at Audiogon. I have seen B&K 5 channel amps similar in power to your 305 receiver (125 wpc at 8 ohms) selling for roughly $500. If you want more power, I'd go for at least 200 wpc at 8 ohms. You might also be able to sell your 305 receiver for $400-500 on Audiogon.

Is your first priority the HDMI connections, or is it improved sound quality?

I wanted to update to HDMI and in doing so was hoping for improved SQ in getting the new sound formats and have the separates bug.

 

[Swerd]

I wanted to update to HDMI and in doing so was hoping for improved SQ in getting the new sound formats and have the separates bug.

Oh I see, you want it all .

You are probably well aware that your B&K 305 receiver is among the best receivers made. It's preamp section is identical, I am told, to B&K's separate pre/pro sold at the same time, the Ref 30. So getting separates may not bring much more SQ than what you now have. I'm not sure any receiver or pre/pro will be a significant improvement over what you have.

I don't know what the power requirements are for your PSB speakers (are they 4 ohm MTMs?), but your receiver probably drives them easily. To get better SQ, you may have to get amps with at least double the power of your receiver.

Good luck and if you find all that for under $2k, please let me know .

 

[kordon]

Oh I see, you want it all .

You are probably well aware that your B&K 305 receiver is among the best receivers made. It's preamp section is identical, I am told, to B&K's separate pre/pro sold at the same time, the Ref 30. So getting separates may not bring much more SQ than what you now have. I'm not sure any receiver or pre/pro will be a significant improvement over what you have.

I don't know what the power requirements are for your PSB speakers (are they 4 ohm MTMs?), but your receiver probably drives them easily. To get better SQ, you may have to get amps with at least double the power of your receiver.

Good luck and if you find all that for under $2k, please let me know .

They are 4 ohm. That being said how do I get my HDMI and all these new fancy sound codecs then? Buy a new B&K?

 

[gqmagic]

How many hdmi devices are you trying to connect?

 

[kordon]

How many hdmi devices are you trying to connect?

Just my Oppo 83 BDP and maybe my Dish Network

 

[gqmagic]

It sounds like you aren't going to markedly improve your sound quality over what you have without spending a lot.

You can get tru hd and dts hd from your oppo through the analogs.

I have a pioneer 151 with a bluray 51fd, and a dish 622 connected to it with hdmi.

the 51fd is connected to my marantz through analog and optical, and the dish 622 is connected to the marantz through optical.

I'm not in a hurry to connect my receiver with hdmi though I am thinking of adding an amp to it. Though when i listen to cd's on my 51fd I don't think it will improve much