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New member Username: MarkuspToronto, ON Canada Post Number: 5 Registered: Apr-04 | Hello everyone. As I have posted in a few other threads, I own a Marantz sr-7300 paired with B&W 602 speakers. I have a square room with 20' ceilings and have done all I can to tame room reflections. My problem is that I feel that this system lacks punch. I think that the 7300 is a nice receiver and all, but I had the opportunity to try out the Yamaha rx-v1400 for a week and for movies (clarity, dynamics and punch), the Yamaha packs about 20% more punch. I played with the YPAO function and it approved things abit but wouldn't really pay more for this function as it does not adjust any frequencies below 63. The one thing that did surprise me was the VIDEO QUALITY. Given my setup, I need to run my component cables through my receiver (given number of conections) and the Yamaha was substantially sharper and richer than the Marantz! My wife noticed this right away, without me saying a word (amazing since she never notices anything re: home theater). Its because of this that I now want to dump my Marantz - the sound improvement of the Yamaha was OK but I could have lived with the difference in sound but the video quality really shakes me up as I keep spending more and more on quality cables and components (DVD players etc.) and feel the Marantz now comes up short. Keeping the Yamaha isn't really an option either because I feel it is really lacking in the HiFi department - the Marantz sounds much better for 2 channel music. So to make a long story short - I would like some suggestions for a new receiver. I have read a number of french forums that have praised the new Cambridge Audio Azur 540R and am thinking of trying it out. My only doubt is that it weighs so little and costs far less than my 7300 did. I don't want to take a step backwards in this process. Anyone have this receiver and have an opinion? Also, I heard that the Marantz SR5400OSE blows the 7300 out of the water - any opinions? Thanks. |
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Bronze Member Username: LandrovalPost Number: 65 Registered: Feb-04 | Yes, I've too been reading great stuff about 5400OSE and 540R from homecinema-fr. Most of the people who had listened both of them side by side said that 5400OSE was clearly better. One guy bought NAD T743 over 540R, because it sounded so much better. The 540R is nice if you need a small unit with decent sound quality, but I think it's a bit limited on features, and it is too hard to use. 1-line display, no OSD and no direct source selection buttons (only 'up' and 'down') on the remote makes it a bit too extreme... For good sound quality you could check the 5400OSE and 7400OSE, but because the 7300 hadn't enough punch I think they wont fill the hole on your shelf. NAD will give you probably at least equal sound quality and definitively more punch, so I recommend you to try the T743/753/763 series. Also Pioneer Elites (VSX 53,55) will be worth a try. If 5.1 is enough you can bi-amp the front channels to get more punch and better separation between treble- and bass-drivers. |
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Silver Member Username: GmanMt. Pleasant, SC Post Number: 428 Registered: Dec-03 | As you use video switching you need a unit with wide bandwidth (at least 30 mHz) in the video circuitry and the older Marantz didn't have that--as didn't a lot of other receivers. I think the new Marantz 7400, which I have seen available at under $800, has the new HDTV component switching and upconverting capability along with component OSD--plus a fine amp section. You might have to pay more than $800 to guarantee warranty--depends on the place you purchase. But as long as you are using 8 ohm speakers (as the B&W's you currently have) this should be a fine receiver. And it has the new Dolby Prologic IIx, just in case you ever go 7.1. I think you have to get more expensive in the NAD line to get good component HDTV switching circuitry. Of course, many people just plug their dvd player directly into their HDTV, making the switching unimportant. But if you have a lot of video sources and want the receiver switching and control, you need to buy a receiver with wide video bandwidth to get optimal performance. You may have to poke around at other receivers and maybe ask the manufacturers websites, as many receivers don't seem to publish the video bandwidth in their store specs. For your wants make sure the bandwidth is at least 25 mhz and preferably 35-50 mhz. |
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Bronze Member Username: LandrovalPost Number: 66 Registered: Feb-04 | All T7x3 NADs have 50MHz bandwidth (?). I dont know about the quality, but the speed is sufficent. Marantz SR5400 is also 50MHz so probably the better ones are as well. H/K AVR230/330 are 30MHz and AVR430 is 50MHz. About CA 540R I dont know. |
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Silver Member Username: Two_centsPost Number: 136 Registered: Feb-04 | The NAD T743 has component video inputs and outputs. I have not noticed an appreciable fall-off in picture quality on my Toshiba 30-inch widescreen HDTV using my receiver to switch video sources. I recently calibrated my television using the Avia home theater disc. I may try doing another comparison between a direct component connection and one via the receiver. But I'm in no rush since I'm pretty happy with the current pq. |
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Silver Member Username: GmanMt. Pleasant, SC Post Number: 429 Registered: Dec-03 | Then I guess most of the current receivers of decent quality are now using 30 Mhz on up. I know the older models often did not have wide bandwidth, even when they had video switching. No doubt the result of so many people buying HDTV's in the last 2 years, which require good video bandwidth if you have it run through your AV receiver. |
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AdamVerducci Unregistered guest | Is this true? I was on the verge of buying the Marantz 5300. Are the 300 series Marantzes so inferior to the Yamaha in video quality that a lay person could notice with ease? Ack. |
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Silver Member Username: Two_centsPost Number: 138 Registered: Feb-04 | There is some useful information on a previous discussion of the subject, in particular check out Hawk's post here https://www.ecoustics.com/electronics/forum/home-theater/5703.html |
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New member Username: MarkuspToronto, ON Canada Post Number: 6 Registered: Apr-04 | Thanks for all the replies. By checking that last post, it appears that my Marantz Sr7300 is 88 Mhz. That's troubling as it suggests that the Marantz is changing or altering the signal somehow. It really did soften the image quite a bit as well as wash out the colors - it was the first thing my wife noticed. I checked and changed the connections several times and the results were always the same. Funny thing is - I would never have known the difference had I not tested out the Yamaha for a week. |
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AdamVerducci Unregistered guest | Hmmm...I wonder if its a problem with your receiver or all Marantzes. Worth investigating. |
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Silver Member Username: GmanMt. Pleasant, SC Post Number: 430 Registered: Dec-03 | Markus-- If it has a video bandwidth of 88 MHz, that is quite good. It seems odd though, as most manufacturerws state their bandwidths in rounded numbers to 5's or 0's. Like 50 MHz, 100 mHz, 35 mHz, etc. Are you sure you are looking at the proper category? If it is 88 MHz it will be fine for up ro 720p and 1080i interlaced, which is as good as most sets currenty accomplish. Now you will need at least 100mHz for doubled 1080i or when the new LCoS screens come out with significantly higher pixel counts. Currently, outside of very few HDTV broadcasts (most HDTV are lower resolution), there is no one making discs of 720p or higher. We will mostly have to wait until Blue Ray or other blue laser technology. |
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New member Username: MarkuspToronto, ON Canada Post Number: 7 Registered: Apr-04 | According to one of Hawk's older posts, the Marantz has a video bandwidth of 88 MHz (email directly from Marantz). I don't know if the problem is with all Marantz 7300 units or just with my particular unit but I definately suffer from a softer, washed out picture- I will have to call Marantz to see where I should go from here. Thanks for your suggestions. |
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Silver Member Username: MyrantzPost Number: 196 Registered: Feb-04 | The colour and sharpness on our TV picture is absolutely no different through s-video into our 7300 and s-video out compared to a direct connection to the DVD player. TV is 40" RP Pioneer (50HZ). |
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New member Username: MarkuspToronto, ON Canada Post Number: 8 Registered: Apr-04 | Ok everyone - I picked up the Cambridge Audio Azur 540R receiver last night to try out for a week - the price was just too good to overlook. Here are my inital impressions: This is a very simple unit. It has no additional zones, no option to hook up another set of speakers (no A or B option), no onscreen display, a fixed crossover point for bass, limited speaker settings and very few DSP modes. That said - I am very impressed with this unit despite its small size and weight. This thing has a large toroidal transformer that outputs big power, despite the specs stating that its only 80 watts per channel. Its only my opinion and I am by no means an expert, but this thing feels way more powerful than my Marantz SR7300 or the Yamaha rx-v1400 I tried out last week. Perhaps Cambridge Audio report their numbers similar to NAD and HK. As for sound quality - this thing really is a revelation to my limited ear. It creates a sense of airyness and space that both the Yamaha and Marantz failed to deliver - I could barely tell which speakers were playing and which weren't - the sound just seems to be all around, thanks to my rear surrounds finally getting a true workout. I guess I would attribute that to the better power supply. Again, as reference, my wife thought that something must be wrong because with the Marantz and Yamaha, she could easily identify sounds from specific speakers (pan across three front speakers, the odd sound effect from the rears etc.) - with the CA, she had trouble identifying what was coming from where - there was just more of it! The upper range has really opened up with CA in comparission to the Marantz but sounds are not quite as sharp as the Yamaha. Thats not to say that things sound muddled or muted with the CA (infact, dialog sound better with the CA), its just that the Yamaha sounds more of the breaking glass variety - you can hear every shard with the Yamaha but with the CA, you may only hear 90% of the shards but you also hear everything else in the background (ambient music etc.) while the Yamaha only focuses on the breaking glass. Are there any problems with the CA? Of course there are. Here are a few that I have discovered so far after 6 hours of playing. Setup is a little tough since the manual is just plain bad. Who ever heard of a 15 page manual for HT gear? Hooking up components is a breeze but adjusting settings is a bit of a chore since there is no OSD end everything is controlled via remote buttons for setup. Speaking of which, the remote is beautiful and solid but will only control the CA receiver so into the drawer it goes. My cheif complaint so far is that I can't seem to store settings into the receiver memory. Everytime I switch inputs, my front speakers revert back to the large setting! I need to call CA about whether the unit lacks the ability to remember settings or if I am just doing something wrong (the manual is no help). That's about all for now. I will update this brief review once I play around with the unit more. I should note that I had the store break in the unit for about 12 hours before I picked it up so its not fully broken in yet but it isn't completely cold either. Last question - does anyone have any experience or comments regarding the Arcam AVR100 or AVR200. It seems to be a very similar unit but for a much higher price. Thanks, Markus |
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Bronze Member Username: LandrovalPost Number: 67 Registered: Feb-04 | I think you should still give a try for the NAD and 5400OSE. For what I'm reading about these receivers the 5400OSE should be a lot better than the 540R. |
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New member Username: MarkuspToronto, ON Canada Post Number: 9 Registered: Apr-04 | Thanks landroval - I intend to try the Nad T743 but I am having difficulty finding the Marantz SR5400OSE - everyone seems to just have the regular 5400 unit. |
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Bronze Member Username: LandrovalPost Number: 69 Registered: Feb-04 | Nice reviews and opinions on those receivers: 5400OSE/7300/AVR330: http://www.homecinema-fr.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29737614 5400OSE/540R + others: http://www.homecinema-fr.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29737948&postdays=0&postorder =asc&start=60) |
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bill Unregistered guest | thanks for the review markus.i am doing the same thing you are.i have the 540r on trial and my results are pretty much the same.what a nice basic reciever that just happens to have outstanding sound quality,especially in stereo.i got the same memory problems as you did but cambridge is aware of the problem and a fix is in the pipeline.i will buy the unit,i also have the ca 540d dvd player and it is truly outstanding.i think you will like it should you pick it thanks bill |
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New member Username: MarkuspToronto, ON Canada Post Number: 10 Registered: Apr-04 | Hi Bill. I'm not totally sold on the 540r yet. I think it has a great sound but somehow last night it seemed to lack some low end while I was watching Spiderman (just to test the sound). I think it may have been a question of the receiver "forgetting" the calibration settings I set up the night before with a sound meter. If this is the case, I may not keep the unit, despite the great sound it has once fully setup - I don't want to have to play with a sound meter everytime I watch a new movie. I emailed customer support at my local (Canadian) distributer re: the memory settings problem and here was their respone: "I'm glad to see that you like the 540R ! It sounds very good and it's an impressive receiver. However, and you are right, we just found out recently about the memory problem. Cambridge Audio is aware of it and are currently working on a fix. I would suggest you keep in touch with me every 2-3 weeks so I could tell you if we have a solution for that." I'm a little nervous with the phrase "...if we have a solution for that". Do you have any information regarding the fix? Thanks, Markus |
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Anonymous | Oui? Non? Care to post a summarized translation of those reviews? :P |
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Bronze Member Username: LandrovalPost Number: 70 Registered: Feb-04 | You can use the babelfish translator. I can do a summary later, tomorrow maybe. |
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bill Unregistered guest | markus my dealer has told me that cambridge will fix the unit but it may take 4-6 weeks to engineer and test the fix.i think your bass drop out is because the speakers flipped to large and not as much bass was fed to your sub.i agree these problems annoy but the sound is much better than anything else i heard in this price range.i still have the reciever at home and have not bought it yet,but am going to.i have bought much gear from this dealer and their promise to make it right is all i need.after 3 weeks of use i like it better each time i turn it on.you should not have to redo your trim settings,just large or small. thanks bill |
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Bronze Member Username: LandrovalPost Number: 71 Registered: Feb-04 | bill, to what have you compared it? T743, Elite 53? |
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New member Username: TrailerparkkingGrand Rapids, MI Post Number: 7 Registered: Apr-04 | Well I just got off the line with a guy from Audioadvisor.com and he said that they have had no problem with their test units, for what it's worth. I wanted to go in and see one live since they are located in my town but they don't have a showroom so I an still without a dealer locally. I AM interested in this unit, in lieu of a Marantz 5400 or the 753... looking forward to hearing what happens with this issue. |
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bill Unregistered guest | landroval marantz,denon,yamaha.various models of each. alas i have no nad dealer in my area,but i have a friend with i believe a 762.it is quite good,but the cambridge is just as good,to my ears,at far less cash. |
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Bronze Member Username: MarkuspToronto, ON Canada Post Number: 11 Registered: Apr-04 | Hi Bill - sorry I didn't get back to you earlier, been on vacation. Spoke with my local Cambridge Audio distributor and I am definatley impressed with their commitment to customer service. They guarantee the fix for my unit or they will buy back the unit personally, despite the expiry of my 7 day return policy. You can't ask for more than that! And yes - I have that in writing. I think I will p[ick up their new DVD player based upon the performance of the 540R and the wonderful treatment from CA! Did you end up keeping your unit? |
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Bronze Member Username: LandrovalPost Number: 84 Registered: Feb-04 | Here's a customer made short review of 540R vs. 5400OSE vs. T743: http://www.homecinema-fr.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29737152&start=30 -------------------------- Matériel en présence : - Enceintes Triangle Antal 202 / Cometes 202 - Denon DVD 2900 - Cambridge 540r / Marantz SR 5400 OSE / NAD T743 - Pas de caisson Test en 5.1 sur DVD DTS n°8 (extrait Chicago) Je connais assez bien cet extrait déja utilisé sur d'autres ensembles 1 - 540r Bonne spacialisation, dynamique, Medium un peu brouillon et légerement en retrait. Dommage car ca donne une impression de son légerement renfermé (manque d'ouverture du Médium). 2 - 5400OSE Spacialisation identique au 540r, le Medium est bien meilleur (haut Médium un peu en avant), plus d'ouverture, une impression de puissance a volume élevé que ne donne pas le 540r. Un son plus neutre qui facilite le mariage avec pas mal d'enceintes. 3 - 743 Premiere impression, ca respire bcp plus. L'aigu est un peu plus en avant (trop ?) que les 2 autres amplis. Plus de détails, plus de précision. La dynamique est exceptionnelle, avec un son tres ouvert. C'est le seul ampli qui a fait ressortir convenablement le bruit des pas des danseuses sur le sol. En conclusion, grosse préférence pour le NAD avec les Triangle. Par contre je pense que le 5400OSE est l'ampli le plus facile a marier puisque plus neutre, contrairement au 540r ou au 743 qui peut devenir agressif si on l'associe mal. Au niveau prix le cambridge est effectivement moins cher (650,00e), suivi du 743 (790,00e) puis le 5400OSE (850,00e) Voila, Seb -------------------------- Basically he says that the CA is dynamic but has very laid-back and undetailed mids. Maratz is better with more detailed mids and stronger and fuller sound especially at high volumes. The NAD clearly gets the trophy here. It's open sounding, more detailed, very precise and has great dynamics. He says it has maybe too forward sounding highs, but I think that's mainly because of the Triangle speakers which are cold and bright, similar to JMLabs. As conclusion the 540R is cheapest and quite good, but can't compete with the others. Marantz is easiest to match with different speakers, detailed and easy to listen but also the most expensive. NAD has the best sound quality, but needs speakers that are not too forward, and it's also a bit short on features (5.1, no digital out). The 540R has a linear power supply unit with a toroidial transformer, the NAD a linear with el-transformer and I think the Marantz could have a switching power supply (same as PC power supplys). Interesting to see different choices here. |
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bill Unregistered guest | markus yes i did,based on the same promise you got.i also have the dvd player and it is very good as well,very good picture and great sound. enjoy bill |
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Bronze Member Username: MarkuspToronto, ON Canada Post Number: 12 Registered: Apr-04 | Bill - what other receivers did you test drive and what did you own previously? Also, are you detecting a slight buzz from your speakers? |
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bill Unregistered guest | markus i owned marantz sr4200,test drove denon,yamaha,marantz.the usual suspects.no hum from speakers.is it there all the time?select a digital source with no input signal,you should be able to go to max volumn and your speakers should be dead quiet.just tried it with my jm labs,buried the needle,dead quiet from all speakers.analog sources will go all most all the way up.this reciever does seem to need good quality speaker wire and interconnects.also clean power is a must. hope this helps bill |
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Bronze Member Username: MarkuspToronto, ON Canada Post Number: 13 Registered: Apr-04 | Bill - I tried your suggestions and the hiss seems to be the result of my dvd player. When it is turned off, everything is silent. No hiss whatsoever. I am using good quality speaker wire and interconnects (monster etc.). I am also using an Audio Research power conditioner / bar. What do you use to "clean" your power? Last questions. Are you running any hidef or dvd video through your component inputs on your 540R? If so, have you noticed any decay in image quality? Also, how would you describe the sound with you jm labs? My B&W's seem to be over-emphasisng the top end and mids seem to be a little lacking. May just be my room acoustics though. Thanks. |
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bill Unregistered guest | markus no i have not run any video though it yet,so i cannot comment.what you describe about your b&w is the reason i went with the labs,midrange is great.i have just moved my gear to a new room,and have just discovered my power has a problem,so i am still working on that problem i am running power from another room by a heavy gauge extension.what is this audio research conditioner you mention,sounds like what i need. thanks bill |
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bill Unregistered guest | markus no i have not run any video though it yet,so i cannot comment.what you describe about your b&w is the reason i went with the labs,midrange is great.i have just moved my gear to a new room,and have just discovered my power has a problem,so i am still working on that problem i am running power from another room by a heavy gauge extension.what is this audio research conditioner you mention,sounds like what i need. thanks bill |
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Bronze Member Username: NewfiePost Number: 13 Registered: Mar-04 | Markus...Have you heard anything on the fix for the speaker size selection yet? I am also considering the 540R. And did you figure out the buzz? |
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Bronze Member Username: MarkuspToronto, ON Canada Post Number: 14 Registered: Apr-04 | Bill - AR went out of business last year so their products are no longer available but you can get the same type of device from Monster. Its basically a giant power bar that is designed to filter the electricity that enters your system. I'm not sure if it does all its hyped to do but I got a great deal on one so I figured it couldn't hurt. Check out Monster's website for details. Viper - no fix for the speaker selection yet but its in the works with a couple of other upgrades aparently. I don't know what they are but I received this message from Cambridge Audio -- " I assure you that we are doing our best to sort this issue out as quickly as possible. The intetention is to sort all of the problems out in one go which takes a little longer but avoids the problem of constant upgrades that occurs if we rush individual solutions out one at a time." As for the "buzz", my DVD player was the culprit. The 540R is dead quite as Bill had mentioned. I am going to try out the NAD T752 this weekend and see how the 2 units compare. I will also try out new speakers as well since I am not happy with the missing midrange from my B&W speakers. I'll let everyone know how I make out next week. |
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Bronze Member Username: LandrovalPost Number: 92 Registered: Feb-04 | "Seb" from HCFR also said that 540R was lacking an open and detailed midrange, maybe it's the receiver, not your speakers? |
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Bronze Member Username: MarkuspToronto, ON Canada Post Number: 15 Registered: Apr-04 | landroval - I tried swapping out my B&W speakers with some Dahlquists I have in another room and there was definately a large improvement. Unfortunatly, my Dahlquists are too small for this room and rather ineffecient so I would not like to use them full time as I really need to crank the volume to get them runnning properly. This would indicate to me that the receiver is fine, its that my B&Ws don't match up well with the receiver. I am still going to try out the NAD T752 and see which I like better. Thanks. |
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Bronze Member Username: NewfiePost Number: 14 Registered: Mar-04 | Markus...Who is your contact for the CA products? I may wait to purchase. Also, be cautious when you make a descision on NAD. Although the sound is great,I've personally gone through 3 T752s and 2 T753s. As well as 2 T513s DVD players with the R channel interrmittent on analogue out. I was able to find every problem I encountered with the recievers in other threads. Look for firmware V1.22A in the T752. |
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Bronze Member Username: MarkuspToronto, ON Canada Post Number: 16 Registered: Apr-04 | Thanks for the word of advice re: NAD. I have read plenty of negative threads concerning their reliability and your situation sounds totally horrendous. That said, I would be purchasing from my local dealer for a great price and I know he will do all he can to make me satisfied so its worth atleast an audition to see how it compares against the CA. Good customer service is pretty rare around Toronto (don't mean to slam any company in particular). My contact is the North American distributor for Cambridge Audio - Simon Cote. His email address is listed on the CA website (look under distributors and then go to their website). Thanks again for the warning. Its too bad that their quality control is so lackkluster as I love the sound from my old but trusty 3020B integrated amp. |
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Silver Member Username: LandrovalPost Number: 115 Registered: Feb-04 | Markus: Did you get the T752 for comparaison? |
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Bronze Member Username: MarkuspToronto, ON Canada Post Number: 27 Registered: Apr-04 | Landroval - I just picked up the T752 last night to try out this weekend (its a dealer demo so I know it works properly and is already broken in). I'll post what I think in a few days. |
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Bronze Member Username: MarkuspToronto, ON Canada Post Number: 28 Registered: Apr-04 | OK - so I had a chance to play with a Nad T752 over the weekend and here are some of my thoughts with regards on how its matches up to the CA 540R. First thing that's noticible is the weight! The T752 is a heavy beast. If you equate weight to power - this thing is a beast. That said, when I hooked it up, it didn't seem to play any louder or clearer than my CA 540R. Some really nice features of the T752 include a nice and simple OSD, two subwoofer connections (nice touch!), adjustable bass crossovers (40, 60, 80 etc.), assignable inputs and a solid user interface. My unit did have a problem right from the getgo though - it did not play test tones through any of my speakers no matter what input I selected or setting I used. I was able to adjust piecemeal by popping in Avia and running through the test, taking a SPL reading, switching to the OSD to change the speaker setting and then switching back to Avia to recheck readings. Pain in the a** but it worked. Sound wise, I am amazed how much the T752 sounds like the CA 540R through my speakers. They both sound very spacious and on the warm side. Both units are especially detailed but do not end up in your face like other receivers I have tested. The level of clarity is amazing. The T752 sounds very nice, but in my opinion, no more than the CA 540R. Power wise, the T752 is a great performer. This thing does crank (atleast in my room) and never really loses composure. The CA 540R cranks as well, but probably not a high as the T752. Again, that said, both receivers delivered tons of power without giving up detail and clarity. Both played much louder than I would ever drive them (or my wife would ever condone). The one thing I did notice is a slight hiss from the T752 through my speakers. This hiss increased with the volume being turned up. This is where the CA 540R is better in my opinion. It is virtually hiss free by comparison. Overall - the T752 is a very nice unit. Its solid, looks attractive and offers gobs of sound quality and performance. It is highly configurable and rather easy to use. The CA 540R in comparison is more basic in setup and features but I feel offers very similar performance and sound quality. The CA 540R has a fixed crossover, lacks an OSD, has no second sub output and cannot assign inputs but in my opinion, offers great sound quality and performance. It has a couple of bugs that Cambridge Audio is addressing at the moment but no real flaws to speak of for my day to day use. I like both units very much but for now, I am keeping my CA 540R and returning the T752. Since they sound so similar in my room through my speakers, I just can't justify keeping the T752 (reliability issues aside). The CA 540R meets my current needs nicely. Of note, the good news for me is that since the NAD and the CA sound quite similar, I may purchase a 2 channel NAD amp to power my fronts to give me more headroom without worrying about changing the sound quality (sound characteristics) of my CA 540R! Hope this helps answer some of your questions. Remember that this test pertains to my ears, my room acoustics and my speakers fed by my CD player and DVD player and wired with my interconnects. If anyone else performs this kind of test, they may have different results and prefer the NAD over the CA. Best advice I can give is do what I do, keep testing different equipment until you find what you like and can be happy with. |
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Silver Member Username: LandrovalPost Number: 121 Registered: Feb-04 | Great! thanks for your opinion. I'll compare 540R and T743 in 3 weeks when I'll have more time to do it. |
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Maxxy54 Unregistered guest | Markus, Can you please post what speakers, interconnects, etc. you used to do the comparison? thanks! |
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Bronze Member Username: MarkuspToronto, ON Canada Post Number: 31 Registered: Apr-04 | I am using Definitive Tech BP2006TL speakers (L & R) as well as a Definitive Tech C/L/R 2300 center speaker and Paradigm ADP370 surround speakers. All my interconnects are Acoustic Research and Monster Cable. My speaker wire is 12 guage monster cable (16 guage AR to the surrounds). My dvd player is a Toshiba SD-4700 and I am using my Cambridge Audio DVD300 for cd use. My CD is hooked up via Monster analog and my DVD is hooked up via Acoustic Research digital coax. |
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bill Unregistered guest | markus good to hear you are keeping the cambridge,i am as well.sound quality per dollar is hard to beat.i just got a arcam cd73 and they make a very nice combo enjoy bill |
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Unregistered guest | Any new news about the problems in the CA 540R. Have already CA solved the problem??? Nuno Amaro |
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Bronze Member Username: MarkuspToronto, ON Canada Post Number: 38 Registered: Apr-04 | Nuno - I heard late last week that new "fixed" units were starting to ship and so were the new update chips. Timeframe until they get here is unknown. That said, I discovered a new problem with the unit that may be a deal breaker for me. I have hooked up a 2 channel NAD amp to power my front 2 speakers (planned on adding another amp just for the center channel) and discovered that I no longer have the ability to "mute" my system. Some would say that this isn't a big deal but for my family's use, it is. My distributor is checking on the problem but given that people are on holidays etc. I probably won't hear anything back until a week or two. |
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Unregistered guest | Help out a video novice here please guys? Why on earth would anyone plug a video input OR output into a reciever? I go directly to my tv. Why sacrifice picture quality by adding one additional "loop"? |
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Bronze Member Username: NewfiePost Number: 31 Registered: Mar-04 | For someone with limited inputs on their TV this is a way to switch between multiple sources. |
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Silver Member Username: LandrovalPost Number: 232 Registered: Feb-04 | And it's easier when you can select the video and audio source by only one button. |