Which AVR model?

[GoFastr]

1st post from a newb here. Sorry to put you through all this, yet again, but.... I need help deciding how to spend my cash.

I want to buy a current model AVR with all the nice network ready and digital streaming stuff to do the switching between my Wii, xBox 360, Blue Ray DVD player and Mitsubishi 73" DLP TV. I also want to be able to at other times listen to music on my 2 front speakers, Klipsch RF-7's. I haven't purchased my center, surrounds or sub yet but I don't think that will be too hard of a choice. What I'm trying to find is an AVR with pre-outs so that I can connect a power amp to drive the front Klipsch's for music listening.

From the research I've done it seems like not too many AVR's are coming with pre-outs until you get into the higher cost models in whichever brand you choose. I was hoping to spend under a $1k for the AVR and then later on spend a lot more on a power amp just for playing louder music.

Also, I want the AVR to have at least 3 zones.

Is there such an AVR out there that will meet these needs or am I dreaming?....and need a bigger bank account! Thanks for any help.

 

[AVRat]

$799 and free shipping: http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-3311.../dp/B003LVZYNI

 

[GoFastr]

Many thanks. This looks like a very nice unit that has everything I wanted. However, as usual, research led me on to the newer model in the Denon AVR-3312CI and it can do airplay too...but for $300 more at $1099! The Audyessy looks like a killer feature too! Some of the reviews I read say that the AVR-3311CI needs some flash updates. If I buy this older model are the upgrades field doable or do you have to send it in to the Denon shop for them to do?

Now for part II:
My music listening space is about 25x35 which includes the kitchen and family room area and has hard tiled floors and cement block walls rendered to a smooth finish with sheetrock mud. The ceiling is fairly high at around 14 feet. There is not much softness in the room except for the couches and some limited window blinds.

What power amplifier will compliment my Klipsch RF-7's in this type of room? With the horn tweeter I'm thinking it will be very harsh and I'm going to have to hang a tapestry on the wall or add some more softness to the room somehow like maybe a large area rug too. I love the bass in reggae music along with the smooth mid ranges.

 

[timoteo]

Yamaha rx-a2000=$950
3 zones
Pre-outs
135wpc (2 driven) benchtests show more like 180watts though
Killer BurrBrown DACs
Networking
Best GUI IMO!

 

[AVRat]

You can do updates via the web. An amp, is an amp, is an amp and shouldn't color the sound and won't help tone down the brightness of a room. The Audyssey room correction will help.

 

[LAB3]

With those Klipsch speakers either the Denon or the Yamaha will make those RF7 sing to you. I have had Great service life with Yamaha AVR not to say a Denon is not a good unit too as I looked at both of these units but I did not need one to go online. Got a smokin deal on a last year model Yamaha RX-V1900 HD AVR. My Brother loves his Denon and has not had any issues with his.
Look at the Klipsch Reference Series(as you have the RF7) for a center and rears so they are all matched for movies. I found some great "A" stock on my last years models RC62II and RS3-II rears on that auction site and saved big dollars doing this. As for just playing the RF7 I was suprised how good my Yamaha amps sound on "Pure Direct" mode 2 amp (no Eq.) This is my second Yamaha AVR old 2003 RX-V2400 still works great but no HD or HDMI or it would still be in my HT room.

 

[GoFastr]

Yeah, at this point I don't have a preference on the brand of amp. I'm wondering if it makes sense though to keep the AVR and the PA in the same family because of ease of use with the remotes or with the learning features nowadays it doesn't matter anymore?

I wouldn't mind getting either the Yamaha or Denon for the bells & whistles of an up-to-date AVR to do all the switching and then later on getting a higher end PA to listen to music. I know when listening to music the system will be played a lot louder than when watching a movie or playing games and I want a good clean source for the music side of things.

Any suggestions on a good PA for my scenario?

 

[DenPureSound]

1st post from a newb here. Sorry to put you through all this, yet again, but.... I need help deciding how to spend my cash.

I want to buy a current model AVR with all the nice network ready and digital streaming stuff to do the switching between my Wii, xBox 360, Blue Ray DVD player and Mitsubishi 73" DLP TV. I also want to be able to at other times listen to music on my 2 front speakers, Klipsch RF-7's. I haven't purchased my center, surrounds or sub yet but I don't think that will be too hard of a choice. What I'm trying to find is an AVR with pre-outs so that I can connect a power amp to drive the front Klipsch's for music listening.

From the research I've done it seems like not too many AVR's are coming with pre-outs until you get into the higher cost models in whichever brand you choose. I was hoping to spend under a $1k for the AVR and then later on spend a lot more on a power amp just for playing louder music.

Also, I want the AVR to have at least 3 zones.

Is there such an AVR out there that will meet these needs or am I dreaming?....and need a bigger bank account! Thanks for any help.

Go with the Denon AVR-3312CI, and later you can add an external amp (EMO XPA-5 or -2 or ?) to make those 7's rock out with quality.

Call Mario at Electronics-Expo dot com, and have him give you his best price delivered -- should be < $879 NEW w/Warranty and Delivered to your front door.

Otherwise your next step up is the 4311CI which will set you back about $1.5K or so.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Email Mark Herman: docflywheel@earthlink.net and ask if he can get you a dealer-authorized Denon 4311 for $1069 + $59 S/H.

http://www.independentaudiovideo.com/store/item_view.asp?estore_itemid=1010637

 

[GoFastr]

Thanks everyone. Looking into some of these deals now.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thanks everyone. Looking into some of these deals now.

Congrats on the $530 Denon AVR-3311 from Amazon!

Make sure you take some spictures and tell us your experience when you get it all hooked up.

 

[GoFastr]

Thanks for the direction! I really hope this goes through. On Amazon it still says "Shipping Soon". I've had secenarios before where certain items weren't actually in stock and later on they post up their apologies.

I figured I'd go with this route to get started and then spend more money on a good Power Amp later on. Gotta look for surrounds, center and a sub now. Also for the other zones, outdoor speakers and something for the garage. Damn...and I thought racing was an expensive hobby!

 

[GoFastr]

looks like it is a go! I finally got a shipping date.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

looks like it is a go! I finally got a shipping date.

Amazon is the real deal. Once you place an order and get an "estimate delivery date", it is as good as done, even before they ship it.

 

[GoFastr]

It has arrived! Woo Hooo!

 

[lsiberian]

It has arrived! Woo Hooo!

Pictures or it didn't happen.

Normally Power Amps are not needed unless you have a some high power rated speakers like JTRs. Anything 100watts or less is going to get all you need out of a solid receiver. Quad, Yamaha P Series, Rotel, and McIntosh are all good options, but honestly don't get an external amp unless you really need it.

Pre-amps normally come on receivers with good power already. Amp manufacturing is all about scale these days so you can normally get a better deal for the average system with a combo package. Of course if you have really challenging speakers to drive or high wattage drivers it's a different story.

 

[GoFastr]

Well, it's arrived at my freight forwarders. I live in the Cayman Islands so I have to wait until Tuesday for it to get here.....unless someone volunteers to fly it down earlier in their carry on for me? LOL!

I'll try and get pics up next week but got a big event with a lot of house guests all during the week. Tying the knot on the weekend!

Yeah, I'm not sure what power amp to get yet for just music. I'll have to hear this Denon with my Klipsch RF-7's first and see how it is. I'm hoping the speaker and AVR combo will be ok for movies and games. The speakers are rated at 250 rms, 1000 peak and the AVR is only 125 wpc. For music I thought the rule of thumb was to get an amp that produced twice the power of what your speakers could handle at rms so that it didn't under drive them?

I'm knew to all of this and just been reading up on advice and taking everything in without hearing it for myself first.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Tying the knot on the weekend!

Wait, your getting MARRIED????:

And you have the time and calmness to be on Audioholics and buying AVRs?

Well, double congrats on the wedding and Denon.

 

[GoFastr]

Thanks! Yeah, the AVR was supposed to have happened last xmas but I got scrooed in an eBay deal for a Denon AVR-4311CI. (arrived DOA and no refunds) Thought I would just send it in and have it repaired but UPS has lost it. Needless to say PayPal and I are no longer friends as at first they said they would take care of me since I was a long standing customer with 100% positive feedback and had spent almost $30k over the years. (I like Harley stuff too!)

Tying the knot is no biggie. Been living together for 4 years already, so just making it official! Trouble is, it's a family reunion as well so I'll be doing a million things to get the place ready while doing all the site-seeing tours too!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thanks! Yeah, the AVR was supposed to have happened last xmas but I got scrooed in an eBay deal for a Denon AVR-4311CI. (arrived DOA and no refunds) Thought I would just send it in and have it repaired but UPS has lost it. Needless to say PayPal and I are no longer friends as at first they said they would take care of me since I was a long standing customer with 100% positive feedback and had spent almost $30k over the years. (I like Harley stuff too!)

Tying the knot is no biggie. Been living together for 4 years already, so just making it official! Trouble is, it's a family reunion as well so I'll be doing a million things to get the place ready while doing all the site-seeing tours too!

For some reasons, tying that knot seems very biggie AFTER you've done it.

Anyway, I'm sure you are swamped right now. Gotten that Denon yet?