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Speaker & Receiver Help

post #1 of 9
8/25/09 at 8:22pm
Thread Starter 
This is my first post, and although I'm a music/movie lover, I really don't know a whole lot about HT systems/components that well so please bare with me

I currently own a Marantz SR6400 Receiver and a pair of B&W DM602's for my fronts. I'm looking @ upgrading my fronts to Paradigm Studio 60 v.2's.  I've done quite a bit of research and I've heard these speakers and have been blown away with them. 

What I'm trying to figure out is the following:

1. Is my Marantz SR6400 out of class with the Studio 60's (will I need a higher end receiver)?
2. I know my Marantz SR6400 probably isn't going to be powerful enough for the Studio 60's.... am I correct in thinking this, and would purchasing a pre-amp help (that's if the answer to question #1 isn't no)?

Basically what I'm trying to ask is I would really like to run the Studio 60's as my front speakers, and I have no idea where to start in regards of setting up a system that works well together.

Let me know if I need to provide more information in order to have this question answered and I'll be happy to supply it.

Thanks for helping out a complete n00b
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post #2 of 9
8/26/09 at 4:13am
Your Marantz should work fine with your new speakers.  Those Paradigms have a similar sensitivity rating to your current B&W's.  So if it had adequate power to drive the B&Ws it should be fine with the Paradigms.  If you feel that you need additional power, you really have two choices: 1) Upgrade to a new receiver, or 2) Purchase a power amp and use your Marantz as a pre/pro.
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post #3 of 9
8/26/09 at 1:26pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks SethH,

I checked my Marantz receiver and it does have pre outs for all channels.  As for power, I've found that the Marantz receiver has struggled even with my current set-up, so I will definitely need more power with the Paradigms since they're a bigger more powerful speaker.

Anyone have any recommendations on a power amp that would work well with the Paradigms?  I've heard great things about the Anthem MCA 50, but it's worth more than my speakers and twice my receiver.  Further down the road (who knows when), I'll eventually upgrade the other components of my system..... But for now the Studio 60's will be the highest quality component of my system.  I want to get a quality amp that will compliment the Studio 60's, and my future upgrades.

Thanks again.
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post #4 of 9
8/26/09 at 3:51pm
What's your budget for an amp?  Depending on that budget, you might look at both amps and new receivers.  There are certainly benefits to having a "separates" setup, but if you could get enough power out of a receiver in your price range, then you would also benefit from the new high def audio codecs and HDMI switching . . . of course, if you don't have BluRay and don't plan to get into it anytime soon, those features may not be as appealing.
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post #5 of 9
8/26/09 at 8:42pm
Thread Starter 
I have a BluRay player (PS3 ). 

Great suggestion on just replacing the receiver, but I think buying a quality amp now, and upgrading the receiver in the future is a better option; for the benefits of keeping the 2 components separate & b/c it will allow me to build up a bigger budget for a higher end receiver in the future.

As for a budget I really don't have one set.  I was hoping to spend $1000.00 or less, but I have no idea what that would get me.  Basically I'm looking for something that will work well with the Studio 60's (and equivalent surrounds bought in the future). 

If the Studio 60's require a $2000.00 amp for me to be happy now, and in the future, I don't mind holding off for a little while and buying something that I will be happy with & will last for years to come. 

I've heard the following in regards to amps & the Studio 60's I'm getting:
1. Studio 60's are a bit bright and that a warm amp (or receiver) would help.
2. More power as apposed to less power is the better option.
3. Lower the distortion the better.

Beyond that I'm pretty much a noob when it comes to higher end (higher than say futureshop...etc) components. 



Edited by BryGuy - 8/27/09 at 6:17am
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post #6 of 9
8/27/09 at 6:43pm
Your logic is solid.  Buy the amp now and then save up to buy a receiver or a pre/pro.  (If you have a good amp, you can save some money by purchasing a pre/pro rather than a receiver since a pre/pro doesn't have the power amp section).

A good "budget" brand for separates is Outlaw Audio.  They have a model 7125 which is a 7 channel power amp that pushes 125 watts per channel.  Another option would be the Adcom GFA7605 which pushes 5 channels.  Both can be had for under $1000.  If you want more power or "audiophile" quality, then you might check the used market
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post #7 of 9
8/28/09 at 7:04am
It's just my opinion, but I would invest much more of your budget in the speakers before I started spending thousands on electronics to drive them.  It just doesn't make much sense to drive $2k worth of speakers with $4-6k worth of electronics.  The speakers should be the foundation of the setup, not the electronics.  Actually, it's not just my opinion, do a search and you'll find many others, with much more experience than me that give the same advice.

If you really want to go the other route, then I would say you do need to wait until you can at least double your budget for the amp.  The amps mentioned won't give you much additional power over your current receiver and it won't be long before you want to upgrade the amp also.  Besides that, you can get a nice Denon or Onkyo receiver that delivers more power than those amps for about the same price as the amps themselves and would ba a very nice upgrade to all of you processing besides. 
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post #8 of 9
8/28/09 at 8:37am
Thread Starter 
ShanonS - Thanks for the input.  The Paradigm Studio 60's v.2 are probably the closest to "audiophile" quality that I will ever get.  I've read nothing but great reviews about them on forums, other websites and in magazine reviews.  I was originally looking at the 100's, but I really don't need the extra bass since I own a CT-150 Velodyne sub already..... plus I've read they need at least 200W to drive them.

With the 60's in mind as my "foundation of the setup", what would you recommend?

I just want the 60's to be able to live up to their full potiential.

Thanks again to both you and SethH for the advice.
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post #9 of 9
8/28/09 at 2:58pm
Don't get me wrong, there's nothing at all wrong with those speakers, I would be very happy to own them.  I just don't think you will see very noticeable differences in your setup between a high-end receiver and going with much more expensive separates.  With that setup, I would look at upgrading the receiver and then save money to upgrade the speakers before looking at going the separates route.  I would look at something like the Denon 3808, or the Onkyo 876, or even one of the higher models from those manufacturers.  Even a newer more powerful Marantz would be good, I just prefer the Audyssey processing the Denon and Onkyo have.  Again, that's just my opinion. 
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