What receiver or brand to match with set?

[d9999]

I am putting together a system right now. Let me know what you think of some of these components and if they would fit together. Suggestions are always welcomed!

CM9s front
CM Centre 2 center
CM1s rear

Project Phonobox II (I will be getting a record player too, playing vinyls)
Rocket 33 speaker cables 10ft
ReQuest center channel spe
Max 4300 PM full sized line conditioner
Sidewinder 2m

What receiver would make a good combination with this setup? My top priorities are great sound for music and movies. My room is 200 sq feet. I won't be playing at super high volumes, what are some suggestions on brands or specific models you would recommend?

 

[d9999]

Its hard to find some stuff as I hear some receivers run more warm and some run more bright. I heard Marantz runs more warm and Yamaha more bright. So there is just so many options and routes when picking a receiver.

 

[jonnythan]

What's your budget like?

 

[d9999]

Just for the receiver I wouldn't like to stay under $1,200. I would like to get more for what I need than get a bunch of fancy stuff and power that I wouldn't use. My most important thing again is sound quality for music and movies.

 

[jonnythan]

Amazon.com: Yamaha RX-A800 7.1-Channel Audio/Video Receiver (Black): Electronics

Plus

http://emotiva.com/xpa3.shtmtm

Or an Onkyo 809.

 

[zhimbo]

Its hard to find some stuff as I hear some receivers run more warm and some run more bright. I heard Marantz runs more warm and Yamaha more bright. So there is just so many options and routes when picking a receiver.

Forget what you hear. Modern solid state recievers all sound the same within the limits of the best human hearing. Their choice of setup software (e.g., Audyssey vs. YPAO) may make a difference in the end, but the receivers themselves don't run warm or bright (again, if we're talking modern solid state); you don't have to find the right brand combination to go with your speakers, just get the features you need and sufficient power (to me, "sufficient power" means having pre-outs so you have the option of adding an external amp if you decide you need it.)

Jonnythan's suggestions are great.

 

[sholling]

Or an Onkyo 809.

Newegg has them on sale today for $680 shipped..

 

[jonnythan]

Newegg has them on sale today for $680 shipped..

Pretty good deal.

 

[d9999]

Wow, seems like some good advice thanks everyone! Do you think I should still buy the phono preamp??? Or do you think the 809 can handle the job???

 

[sholling]

Wow, seems like some good advice thanks everyone! Do you think I should still buy the phono preamp??? Or do you think the 809 can handle the job???

My vinyl days are long over but it looks like the 809 still has a phono input.

 

[jonnythan]

Yup, the 809 will do fine with your turntable.

 

[timoteo]

On a side note. You may want to steer clear of Onkyo. They have had a pretty bad track record with their AVRs in the last few years. A lot of faulty equipment & returns for repairs. They run pretty hot also which cuts their life down a bit. I personally wouldnt buy them. Just a friendly FYI. When they are working however i do have to say they are a great product. Its their dependability in question here!

I own B&Ws as well (not CMs but 600s) & like Yamaha's sound with them. Yes it may be YPAO thats making them sound the way i like but either way i love Yamaha paired with B&Ws. I also have an Emotiva amp & cant recommend them enough. For the $ they cant be beat!

I have had a HarmanKardon, a Denon & heard Pioneer Elites ClassD hooked up to B&Ws & still prefer Yamaha. This is just my humble opinion so take it for what it is.

I agree that modern AVRs sound the same but its their calibration systems hat make an audible difference. So you'll be well served with pretty much anything from the major manufacturers. Just make sure you have pre-outs so you can ad an amp later if desired.

What sub are you going with!?
I wouldnt get a B&W sub. Not worth the $. If you dont have one yet look into an I.D brand like HSU, Rythmik, Outlaw or Epik. SVS is great too but a little more pricey, still great subs though!

Keep us updated & post some pics when you can!!

 

[jonnythan]

The newer Onkyos have silent fans built in, and that seems to have basically solved the heat issues. According to the measurements at HT Labs, they put out a good bit more power than similarly-priced receivers, which is a good thing. The 809 has MultiEQ XT, which is the best you're going to find at that price point.

 

[3db]

Check into Yamaha's new Adventage series receiver, specifically the A1000 in your price range. Yamaha is envied by the audio industry for their bullet proof reliabilty and build quality. It also comes equipped with a phono stage. I have an older Yamaha RX-V1800 and I run a ProJect Xpression II turntable using the the Yamaha's phono stage and it really sounds good.

 

[d9999]

I will also be getting a Panasonic plasma 60" So far the Onkyo seems like a good call as long as it comes in working and not damaged. Do you guys think the 135 wpc is legit or inflated? Because a lot of other receievers are $1300+ that are in the same wpc range.

 

[sholling]

I will also be getting a Panasonic plasma 60" So far the Onkyo seems like a good call as long as it comes in working and not damaged. Do you guys think the 135 wpc is legit or inflated? Because a lot of other receievers are $1300+ that are in the same wpc range.

Onlyos have very robust amps which is why they run warm. 135wpc should be right on when driving 2 channels which is how they rate their power (135wps 20-20khz into 2 channels). No receiver that I know of will pump out their full rated power into all channels at the time and it's usually not necessary. There is little movie content that requires that much power to be sent to all of the speakers at the same instant. Most of the time surround channels are loafing.

 

[3db]

I will also be getting a Panasonic plasma 60" So far the Onkyo seems like a good call as long as it comes in working and not damaged. Do you guys think the 135 wpc is legit or inflated? Because a lot of other receievers are $1300+ that are in the same wpc range.

I'd forgo on the Onkyo and choose Yamaha. Onkyo may have rectified their thermal issues but its too early to tell if this has fixed their reliability issues. It should but time will tell.

 

[d9999]

That sounds definitely like an issue to be considered. How important is audyssey for room setup? I heard its the best way to go? Would the Pioneer Elite setup or Yamaha's setup do the job as well as Audyssey? Or am I making too much of Audyssey?

 

[d9999]

I also went to look at some of the receivers and must say that in the looks department Pioneer Elite came first, Yamaha's, Marantz, Denons, and then Onkyos. That has come in to play a little bit lol.