Expensive! HELP! (1 Viewer)

[HT4ME]

Hello one and all!I am purchasing the following components for my home theater (questions to follow):LF & RF: Martin Logan EthosCenter:Martin Logan Stage XSubwoofer: Martin Logan Descent iSL, SR, RL, RR: Martin Logan VanquishNow for the questions...1. One of the authorized dealerships indicated a high end receiver is a must for high end speakers. His recommendation is the Arcam FMJ AVR450. This puppy runs around $5000!!!! Is this really necessary? I would think a mid range receiver like the Marantz SR7008 would do the job nicely. Thoughts?2. Same dealer, same line (expensive): The same dealer indicated I needed high end wire for a noticeable difference in sound. His recommendation: Audioquest Rocket 44. This stuff costs around $700 for a 20 foot run. Now I have been on this forum for awhile and it seems to be a mantra that wire is wire. Please confirm.
I know the speakers being purchased are not inexpensive; this is where I chose to invest the majority of my money. Thanks to everyone foryour responses.

Thanks for your time and consideration,Matthew

 

[schan1269]

1. No you don't need that much AVR.

2. Absolute crap.

Would I run all that off an AVR asking it to provide juice to all that? No. What I would suggest is an Onkyo NR828/Denon X4000 AVR at minimum. Why?

They have pre-outs. You should have no problem running the center, 4/5 and 6/7 with the available AVR "juice". The mains I would suggest an exterior amp(mainly because of the 4ohm load).

For speaker wire you could just run to your local Lowe's/Home Depot/Menards and pick up however much you need of 12awg(CL2 rated for the Vanquish) "bulk wire". Wire is wire.

Edit:
Now if you want to talk silver speaker wire(as opposed to copper), sure. But...you'd have to decide if you can tell the difference between either.

 

[schan1269]

Slight edit...creating a new post anyway so you actually see it...

Didn't realize the Stealth series from ML was also 4ohm(typical architecturals are 8)

Again, no you don't need to spend $5000. But...you will be somewhere along $2000-$3000.

Denon is out because they will NOT run 4 ohm, unless you buy the 4520.

Marantz will work with the 7007/8(built "like" the 4520)

Pioneer/Elite is out because of the 4ohm as well(class D will not work).

Anthem MRX 500/700(don't think the 300 would have enough oomph)

Anything in the Yamaha Aventage line or Onkyo(still the 828 or above)/Integra.

Your options are wide open. I still would not run more than the center, 4/5 and 6/7 off any AVR(not even the Integra DTR 80.3, which pulls 12.8* amps off the wall).

Would you be able to use a pre-pro as basic as the $600-ish Outlaw and Emotiva?
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/975.html
http://shop.emotiva.com/products/umc200

Or would you need more features...
http://integrahometheater.com/model.cfm?class=Preamplifier&m=DHC-60.5&p=i

Or would you want "ridiculous"?
http://integrahometheater.com/model.cfm?class=Preamplifier&m=DHC-80.3&p=i
http://www.anthemav.com/products/anthem/a-v-processor/avm-50v-3d

*As an aside. The DTR 80.3 is THE MOST POWERFUL AVR on the market. To give you an idea. The Anthem MRX700 only pulls 5.1 amp off the wall. The Arcam 450/750 are right behind the DTR 80.3 as 12.5)

 

[Type A]

For me that dealer would have sealed his fate with number 2. Im all for profit but rape is never acceptable and I wouldnt buy anything from them, ever. You have picked some excellent speakers that do love good power but then it also depends on your listening habits as to whether you need external amps. Personally I love my music and movies loud and its hard not to recommend Emotiva for your power needs if you like the same. You can find better amps (more transparent and detailed) for a whole lot more money but in their price range I doubt anything even comes close, I love ID companies for just that fact.