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Silver Member Username: TpizzlePost Number: 520 Registered: Apr-05 | I have had a panny xr-55/ athena surround setup for over a year now. Recently a friend offered to buy my panny for near full price so this is my chance to upgrade. Just looking for some specific model suggestions (under $300), I have been looking at Marantz, HK, and some others. I only hook up my speakers, dvd player, and tv to the receiver so I wouldnt need any special characteristics, just something quality that could power my AS-F2s and sourrounds. Thanks everyone |
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Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, TX Post Number: 11806 Registered: May-04 | . So you're going from a $150 receiver to a $300 receiver? Just what sort of "upgrade" are you expecting? No joke, no insult; what do you perceive to the be improvement you will hear at the higher price that wasn't there at the slightly lower price? |
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Gold Member Username: ExerciseguyFort Hamilton, NY United States Post Number: 1573 Registered: Oct-04 | Jan, do you think there would be a difference going from a $150 XR-55 receiver to a $30 Sonic Impact T-Amp? |
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Silver Member Username: Nickelbut10Post Number: 821 Registered: Jun-07 | For 300 dollars, I dont think there is too many receivers in that price range that will top a H/K. MO. My honest opinion, save your pennies, then U p G r A d E. |
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Silver Member Username: Nickelbut10Post Number: 822 Registered: Jun-07 | Chris makes a good point. Is the Sonic T-Amp only 30 dollars? Why dont I have one again? Can somebody point me to a site where I can order on..like NOW!!! |
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Silver Member Username: TpizzlePost Number: 521 Registered: Apr-05 | at what price point do you think i would have to look at to notice an improvement. I thought it had to do more with the brand and how well the receiver blends with the speakers than actual price. I guess I am just looking for something that is known for complimenting Athenas well. |
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Gold Member Username: ExerciseguyFort Hamilton, NY United States Post Number: 1574 Registered: Oct-04 | Alright, $60 http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-958 ...but this might be better http://www.audiomagus.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypa ge_modern&product_id=1&category_id=2&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Ite mid=27 http://www.stereomojo.com/KingrexTrendsShootoutXX.htm |
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Gold Member Username: ExerciseguyFort Hamilton, NY United States Post Number: 1575 Registered: Oct-04 | db, I've not heard the Panny, but the NAD C740BEE for $429 (refurb) http://www.spearitsound.com/nad/C720Bee.asp is the first legitimate demarcation point, IMHO. But it does beg the question: Is it worth spending that much to pair with a $150 pair of speakers? Welcome to the world of audiophilia. |
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Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, TX Post Number: 11807 Registered: May-04 | . "Jan, do you think there would be a difference going from a $150 XR-55 receiver to a $30 Sonic Impact T-Amp?" "I only hook up my speakers, dvd player, and tv to the receiver so I wouldnt need any special characteristics, just something quality that could power my AS-F2s and sourrounds." Well, the first difference should be obvious. How do you connect more than one source to the T amp? Then how do you get surround out of the two channels of the T amp? Plus no remote and no tuner. The T amp is a pretty big step to make from any surround receiver. Next, I am once again going on memory, but someone can supply the information if they like. I believe the speakers are an impedance load the T amp doesn't much care for. So, I don't know if the T amp is the solution here. It's a great little amp for the right situation but this doesn't appear to be the right situation. The NAD is a stereo amp; correct? Is that the answer to this thread? It wouldn't appear so but I guess that could change. Sorry, db, I don't have the answer since I don't bother with HT and don't keep up with the models. I can tell you that I wouldn't expect much of an improvement going from the Panasonic to a low priced HK but I could be wrong. The 55 is a class D amp and will react similarly to the impedance load of the speakers as the T amp would. You might find some better sound simply because the HK isn't following the impedance curve with its frequency response. I think I'd get a loaner HK for the weekend and listen for improvements. Give the shop your credit card with the idea you can bring this back if it doesn't do what you want. Of course, if you do that to a shop, you are under a bit of an obligation to not go out and screw them by then buying off the internet. So do your research and find the best price and negotiate with the dealer and be upfront. They're doing you a favor to give you a loaner and you'll give them cash if it works out. Otherwise, I would say you are probably looking to spend about double your original budget to really make an improvement. Stick around for better suggestions or post this in the HT section of the forum. Maybe the guys who populate that area can give better advise. . |
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Gold Member Username: ExerciseguyFort Hamilton, NY United States Post Number: 1576 Registered: Oct-04 | The T-Amp wasn't a real alternative to the Panny Jan. And yeah, the NAD C720BEE is stereo, I overlooked that small detail, my apologies, but I wanted to make the point that at $429, db would need to exceed the $300 budget to push into a higher category of equipment. |
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Gold Member Username: NuckPost Number: 9342 Registered: Dec-04 | The 720 is a good option. |
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Gold Member Username: ExerciseguyFort Hamilton, NY United States Post Number: 1577 Registered: Oct-04 | ...not if the dude is looking for surround. |
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Gold Member Username: ExerciseguyFort Hamilton, NY United States Post Number: 1578 Registered: Oct-04 | http://www.ubid.com/Marantz_SR5001_630W_7.1_Ch._A%2fV_Home_Theater_Receiver/a112 09256-rsearchone.html |
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Silver Member Username: Nickelbut10Post Number: 824 Registered: Jun-07 | Most NAD dealers are clearing out the T743 for 500CDN right now. My friend just bought one to replace his H/K, and called me last night to tell me he likes way better than his H/K 645. Perhaps you can find one of these DB. The Marantz Chris mentioned would work out as well. |
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Gold Member Username: ExerciseguyFort Hamilton, NY United States Post Number: 1579 Registered: Oct-04 | ...and for $299, it comes in on budget too. Plus it has that XM option. db, Marantz should be easy enough to audition, seek one out & give it a listen. |
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Gold Member Username: ExerciseguyFort Hamilton, NY United States Post Number: 1580 Registered: Oct-04 | Or http://www.ubid.com/Marantz_SR4001_560W_A%2fV_7.1_Ch._Home_Theater_Receiver/a112 09250-rsearchone.html |
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Silver Member Username: JawPost Number: 149 Registered: Mar-06 | If you are willing to look beyond the redundant HK and NAD, would suggest a budget-stretch: http://spearitsound.com/Cambridge_Audio/cambridge_audio_540rv2.asp You could be set for years to come; at this price, the resale value would recoup alot of your investment. This is a drop dead steal. To my ears, the HK and Marantz SQ don't come close to the NAD; the CA is superior to the NAD. |
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Gold Member Username: NuckPost Number: 9344 Registered: Dec-04 | Ya gotta love a drop dead steal. |
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Silver Member Username: JawPost Number: 150 Registered: Mar-06 | Yup, i've spent more on cales. Still contend the silver sound better. |
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Silver Member Username: JawPost Number: 151 Registered: Mar-06 | Whatever cales are. |
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Silver Member Username: JawPost Number: 152 Registered: Mar-06 | If not already posted, some interesting notes on Harmon International: http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&new sId=20070426005659&newsLang=en http://www.newser.com/story/7975.html http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/071022/20071022005633.html?.v=1 Nice Soap Opera. When the sharks circle, swim fast. Revel and Lexicon won't be in Best Buy anytime soon. |
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Gold Member Username: ExerciseguyFort Hamilton, NY United States Post Number: 1582 Registered: Oct-04 | Which steal are you referring to Nuck? |
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Silver Member Username: JawPost Number: 153 Registered: Mar-06 | The AS-F2s, posted too many times: http://www.stereophile.com/budgetcomponents/645/index.html >At a minimum, I recommend something along the lines of a Creek 5350SE integrated amp ($1500). In fact, I found the AS-F2's performance improved further when mated with my combo of Audible Illusions Modulus L1 line stage? and Audio Research VT100 Mk.II power amp. Retract my CA suggestion, do Levinson. Ol' Sidney's due to cash out before he checks out. The door will probably be open to the KKR vampires. |