Yamaha RX-V2700 or Newcastle R-972 + KEF

[Pit36]

Hi everyone, I'm looking to purchase my 1t home theater (finally), and will appreciate some input to help me decide before I make the final purchase. Here are my entry level choices (the ones I can afford for now ):

JVC D-ILA HD61FN97 TV (purchased from BestBuy for $2,150 w/stand )
Yamaha RX-V2700 or wait for Newcastle R-972
KEF: front iq9s, center iq6c, rear iq3s, and surround iq8ds
DCM: powered sub for now (already have)

I have been reading your post about the "network receiver" feature and I'm having second thoughts on buying it now. For what I read, it sounds like is in the "beta" stages and I don't see in Yamaha's website where there is a section for firmware updates (not good). I don't want to drop $1,600 to be a "beta tester" for Yamaha. It looks like the way to go would be the Yamaha MusicCast mcx-1000 or mcx-2000 but I can't put out the cash right now . Besides it is not THX certified (not sure if that matters a lot), and the GUI interface seems to flicker for what I've read.
So, those of you that own or have tried the unit, do you recommend the purchase (is it worth the money)? Or should I wait for the Newcastle R-972 to come out this 1st quarter instead? My experience with Sherwood has been good, I still have my Sherwood 4 ch. car amps that I purchased back in 1987 and they still work fine .

Now for the speakers KEF is what I'm looking at. B&W 800 series are my best choice, or KEF reference series but I can not afford either one right now . I travel often for work and manage audition some speakers trough the USA and since I have not audition Wharfedale, Monitor Audio yet and others, I'll appreciate some feedback on what you guys think based on what you own or auditioned.

 

[RainMan]

Yamaha 2700

You know I have no flicker at all on the GUI?
For the most part I am fairly happy with the Amp,although I do think the guide for accessing your wave files off your computer could be a little better.
I am kind of use to it now ,doesn't bother me all that much . Just seem's like I have my TV on sometimes to see what the heck it's doing .
All in all I would get it now ,there may be future firmware updates that correct any other issues . I am glad I bought mine ,next year it will be some other issue.
It is an improvement from my old RX-V1000 ,better sound and features

 

[Pit36]

You know I have no flicker at all on the GUI?
For the most part I am fairly happy with the Amp,although I do think the guide for accessing your wave files off your computer could be a little better.
I am kind of use to it now ,doesn't bother me all that much . Just seem's like I have my TV on sometimes to see what the heck it's doing .
All in all I would get it now ,there may be future firmware updates that correct any other issues . I am glad I bought mine ,next year it will be some other issue.
It is an improvement from my old RX-V1000 ,better sound and features

Thank you for the reply RianMan, how does the guide need to be improved? Does it remember where you are currently at, or where you were last, etc.? I was reading some at AVS forums, on the "Receiver manager" the you use for modifying some settings thru the RS-232 port, and also connecting it to the LAN thru a Serial to ethernet adapter, but I'm unclear as of weather you can modify the way the guide for the "network receiver" behaves. Thanks again!

 

[no. 5]

Now for the speakers KEF is what I'm looking at. B&W 800 series are my best choice, or KEF reference series but I can not afford either one right now .

don't to said about going with the iQ's!
but, I'm with you about not haveing the money for what you realy want.

 

[Pit36]

81 views, 2 reply ! I think some of you own or have audition Kef iQ series, and own or have checked out the Yamaha RX-V2700.

Please, any feedback will be appreciated !

 

[PENG]

81 views, 2 reply ! I think some of you own or have audition Kef iQ series, and own or have checked out the Yamaha RX-V2700.

Please, any feedback will be appreciated !

I was also considering the B&W800 and KEF Ref series a couple of years ago but could not afford either. I eventually settled on the Energy Veritas 2.3i but I am planning on getting the 802D within the next two years. I did audition the Q series at the time and almost bought the Q7s. They sounded nice with a RX-V2400, despite their relatively low 6 ohm nominal impedance. I don't know anything about the iQ series but if they are the new and improved versions of the Q series then I don't think you can go wrong with them.

 

[no. 5]

I think some of you own or have audition Kef iQ series...
Please, any feedback will be appreciated !

I have a pair of iQ1's, what would you like to know?

 

[Pit36]

I was also considering the B&W800 and KEF Ref series a couple of years ago but could not afford either. I eventually settled on the Energy Veritas 2.3i but I am planning on getting the 802D within the next two years. I did audition the Q series at the time and almost bought the Q7s. They sounded nice with a RX-V2400, despite their relatively low 6 ohm nominal impedance. I don't know anything about the iQ series but if they are the new and improved versions of the Q series then I don't think you can go wrong with them.

Thanks for the feedback, sounds ike we are in the same boats when it comes to the Nautilus, and the Kef Ref. . The iQ are the latest generation of the Q and are 8 Ohms. I've never listen to The Energy Veritas, they seem to be a little above my budget I looking to spend no more than 3K for a 7.1 system (with out the sub). Thanks again!

 

[Pit36]

I have a pair of iQ1's, what would you like to know?

When listening to music, can you hear the instruments individually or do they sound all together? Also, are they clear or bright when watching movies? Thanks !

 

[Nick250]

FWIW. I have no familiarity with Kef, but this was posted in a different thread.

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi

Nick

 

[no. 5]

When listening to music, can you hear the instruments individually or do they sound all together?

instruments are heard individually, and if thay are properly positioned you can also hear the instruments sounds coming from points in space, rather than the sounds being locked where the speakers are. in other words, KEF makes some of the better imaging speakers on the market.
thay are also fairly detailed, not that thay are the only speakers that are, but, it is cool that sometimes you can hear the singer moveing around on the recording mic. of corse, how good the recording that you are listening to has a large affect on how the KEF's will sound and image.

Also, are they clear or bright when watching movies? Thanks !

well, mine are in a music only set-up, but just for fun I had them in my HT for a few hours. it's not much time to get a feeling for how thay would do long term, but I would say that thay sound clear when used for HT.

 

[PENG]

Pit, the Q7 I auditioned was powered by a RX-V2400. I brought my own CD's so I knew what to expect. It had no trouble hearing the individual instruments. I always found the KEF speakers, even the older Ref 10X series, excel in mid and high frequencies. They are simply "transparent". The main reason I went with the Veritas in the end was that I found the Q7 lacking in bass. I was also able to A/B the Q7 with the Paradigm Studio 100 V3 at the time, and I preferred the KEF's mids and highs, but the Paradigm did much better in bass. How did you find the iQ9's bass? It is an important factor to consider if you prefer to use pure direct mode without the sub for two channel music listening.

By the way, the RX-V2700 receiver has very impressed bench test figures. It should be able to do a good job with the 8 ohm (nominal) iQ9s.

 

[Pit36]

instruments are heard individually, and if thay are properly positioned you can also hear the instruments sounds coming from points in space, rather than the sounds being locked where the speakers are. in other words, KEF makes some of the better imaging speakers on the market.
thay are also fairly detailed, not that thay are the only speakers that are, but, it is cool that sometimes you can hear the singer moveing around on the recording mic. of corse, how good the recording that you are listening to has a large affect on how the KEF's will sound and image.

well, mine are in a music only set-up, but just for fun I had them in my HT for a few hours. it's not much time to get a feeling for how thay would do long term, but I would say that thay sound clear when used for HT.

Thank you for taking your time on this one . It's a big help !

 

[Pit36]

Pit, the Q7 I auditioned was powered by a RX-V2400. I brought my own CD's so I knew what to expect. It had no trouble hearing the individual instruments. I always found the KEF speakers, even the older Ref 10X series, excel in mid and high frequencies. They are simply "transparent". The main reason I went with the Veritas in the end was that I found the Q7 lacking in bass. I was also able to A/B the Q7 with the Paradigm Studio 100 V3 at the time, and I preferred the KEF's mids and highs, but the Paradigm did much better in bass. How did you find the iQ9's bass? It is an important factor to consider if you prefer to use pure direct mode without the sub for two channel music listening.

By the way, the RX-V2700 receiver has very impressed bench test figures. It should be able to do a good job with the 8 ohm (nominal) iQ9s.

I have not auditioned the iQs, I audition the previous Q series at Ultimate Electronics in Salt Lake City a while ago. I was impressed with the sound as a home theater setup. I did not get the chance to audition music. That is the main reason why I posted this thread, because for what I've read in Sound and Vision last November issue, the review was pretty much on par with what I remember of the Q series, since the iQ are the next generation Q. And as far as the bass, I'm not too concern, they will be used mostly for movies rather than music, I can always use the sub to help out a little .

I have no local KEF dealer other than the custom installing places how don't stock merchandise, and do not have audition rooms . So I'm trying to make as best of an educated decision as I can with what I got . Thank you much for your input. You and no.5 have been of great help .

 

[no. 5]

always happy to help.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I auditioned the IQ5 AND IQ7 last night. They both sounded really good with great high's and mid's. You could really close your eyes and see where the instruments were coming from. Not much bass but we added a small sub when we watched a movie and I was impressed. I am still thinking of going with the MA's but not until I hear the IQ9.

 

[Pit36]

I auditioned the IQ5 AND IQ7 last night. They both sounded really good with great high's and mid's. You could really close your eyes and see where the instruments were coming from. Not much bass but we added a small sub when we watched a movie and I was impressed. I am still thinking of going with the MA's but not until I hear the IQ9.

Thanks for the feedback, that is just what I was hopping to hear .how about the iQ6C, iQ8ds (surranound) or the iQ3?id you get to audition those as well?

 

[Pit36]

Silly me, I just noticed, that I should have posted the speaker part of this post in the Speaker section