Noob trying to narrow down receiver choices at $700
Anonymous
Posted on
After browsing this forum for 2+ weeks I have decided to post regarding a new receiver purchase. I'm looking for an A/V reciever in the $700 price range. I listen to about 60/40% HT/music. Here are the ones I'm thinking about:
Marantz 6400 - I was actually about to buy this unit until I heard about all the problems with audio dropouts and heat.
Integra DTR 5.4 - I haven't read too much praise on the Integra units, some people even calling them very flat and unexciting. I can pick up this unit for $529 at a local shop. (It looks great though)
Yamaha RX-v1400 - Heard about the tendency for Yamaha to be great for HT but just average for music. As a long time Sony owner, I'm really looking for a warm sounding unit, and I've been told that Yamaha might not be it.
Denon AVR 2803 - Same as above.
NAD T743 - This is the only unit I haven't physically heard in person. I have no NAD dealers in my area. I've read the praises about NAD, but I've also read about the problems. I dunno.
H/K - I know they get high praise, but I'm not crazy about the way they look. I really need black.
My setup is a little unorthodox, due to the wife and the limitations of my room. I am currently using:
Sony STR-DE835 Reciever Klipsch SC-1 Center Klipsch KG2 fronts (I absolutely love these for 2 channel audio) Klipsch KSW-12 Sub
I run the Sony in enhanced mode to make up for the lack of rears (my room and wife will not allow them).
I know about the Klipsch/Yamaha/Denon deal in regards to brightness, and I am in no way married to these speakers. I was actually thinking of purchasing the Klipsch Refrence line for HT. I really need a neutral receiver, good for music and HT, that I can use my current setup and any future upgrades I mught do.
Totally confused....
Anonymous
Posted on
Oh yea, one more thing. Klipsch website says the KG2's are 4 ohm speakers. 4 ohm Klipsch? Is this a misprint?
If you want Black h/k, buy last year's model at a reduced price. That's whant I did. There are still some refurb AVR-525 to be had cheaply (I got a 325, but that's below your budget!).
Do you know the right size and weight for T743? NAD homepage says it's 17 1/8 x 5 3/16 x 13 13/16, 435x132x350mm and 36lbs, 16.35kg. The manual says it's bigger and lighter: 17 1/8 X 5 15/16 x 15 3/8, 435x150x390 and 29.3lbs, 13.3kg. Which is correct?
Also i cant find information about T743's and T753's DAC's? Are they 96/24 or 192/24? Does any NAD support DTS 96/24 decoding?
Then some peculiarities with Marantz's specs. SR4400 is 17 5/16 x 6 7/16 x 14 3/8 and 27.6lbs, while it's bigger brothers SR5400 and SR6400 are 17 5/16 x 6 7/16 x 16 7/16 (18 1/4 incl.spk term & vol knob) and 26.5lbs. They are a lot deeper and lighter. Why is that?
I'am also a long time Sony owner (DE635) and from my new receiver I would like more punch, detail and warmer tone. My speakers are datailed and quite neutral, but with a little emphasized highs/treble and mid-highs. They're all 8ohm. I listen 60/40 music/HT.
I can get T743, SR5400 (from online shop), AVR325 (online) and AVR330 for about same price. Wich way to go?
Anon: Denon AVR2803 is very low power and quite cold tone. It has very smooth frequency response, but I wouldn't go that way anyway.
To match your Klipsch I would look at the Marantz you mentioned, the H/K 430 and the Elite 53. These are the best sonically with Klipsch and will help tame the brightness and smooth them out very nicely. You need a warm receiver with Klipsch and these are the warmest brands available.
The dimensions for the T743 on the NAD website is correct. The compact size of the unit, especially the 13 13/16" depth was one of the reasons I bought it. The dimensions are for the case and doesn't include all the appendages, knobs and such.
I also have Klipsch KG3.5 for my stereo system. The Klipsch speakers are best mated with warm-sounding receivers. Tubes or tube-like amps are the best I've heard with Klipsch horns. In my set-up, I've got an Audio Analogue amp powering the Klipsch, which sounds wonderful to my ears. I haven't actually tried the NAD receiver with the Klipsch speakers (I'm using KEF sat/sub speakers with the NAD for my HT). My guess is Marantz, H/K and possibly NAD AV receivers would sound good with Klipsch speakers. The Klipsch speakers are also very sensitive so you won't need a powerful receiver to drive them.
Anonymous
Posted on
Me again. I just found an H/K AVR 7200 on line for $830 shipped. A little more than I wanted to spend, but it sounds like a killer deal (and it's black).
I'm assuming H/K will match well with Klipsch. If you have the 7200, please let me know of any shortcomings.
The only shortcomings of the 7200 is that its very heavy, 60lbs and it runs a little hot. If you have it in open space and a sturdy shelf, you'll be fine.
It should sound great with the Klipsch, its warm sound balancing out the brightness of the speakers.
I'll throw my 2 cents in and go along with the realelitefan on the Elite 53, especially if you're thinking of upgrading someday to the Klipsch Reference line. I have the Elite 55, which is essentially the same as the 53, driving the RF-7's and it's an awesome combination. Also have the matching surround counterparts. I've found the Elite components to be VERY user-friendly (remote, menus), which is a big plus in my book.