upgrade question (1 Viewer)

[Jim Ed]

I have got the wives approval to spend some cash... I am currently running an older Sony STR-DE945 with NSP1 JBL's and a PB12. I am trying to decide most bang for the buck... I have looked at Seprates and nice intergate amps. How much difference are entry level seprates (ie Outlaw 750 / Amp) and a nice mid level intergrate piece (ie Marzantz 7200 Denon 3803 etc etc). I have a hard budget of 2500 american....

Thanks

 

[Jim Ed]

arrrrggggg 24 hours of research later...

here is what I am thinking of building next week....

Marantz 7300
Marantz Mono Block Amps x3 for the Front Sound Stage
SVS Sub
S36 JBL's for the front
S-Center for the center
S26 for the rear surrounds

 

[John-Tompkins]

I wouldnt want to tell you what to buy, but imo the speakers make the biggest difference first(including the sub), after that would be the processor (be it a reciever used as a processor or a pre-pro)..I would definately buy your amps on the used market to save some cash for other areas.

 

[Jim Ed]

Could someone suggest some speakers and or places to listen to them in the DFW area? I was going with the JBL's based on all of the reviews on this site.

 

[Jim Ed]

Well after all of the marantz problem post, I am now having second doubts.... I am 99.9% sure I will be going to 3803 Denon and a Parasound 1205A. Any other suggestions?

thanks

 

[JaleelK]

Well after all of the marantz problem post, I am now having second doubts.... I am 99.9% sure I will be going to 3803 Denon and a Parasound 1205A. Any other suggestions?

I don't think you should waste your money on that amp, you're not going to need it unless you have some very power hungry speakers and a big room and looking at th where it would strain the 3803 to play it at reference level, but looking at those JBLS, I think the 3803 is way more than adequate to drive those speakers. Purchasing a separate amp with a receiver in most cases is overkill as you will get very little bang for your buck, I highly doubt you will get any sonic benefit from adding a separate amp in addition to the 3803.

 

[gregD]

I second that...

A good rule of thumb to follow is to spend about 1/3 on electronics and about 2/3 on speakers... with your particular budget, I'd strongly suggest a decent receiver rather than separates.

Why don't you visit a couple audio retailers and get a feel for how some of the various speaker systems sound first.

Here are a couple reviews of HT speaker systems in the $1500-2000 range:
http://makeashorterlink.com/?V5CF25B24
http://makeashorterlink.com/?P41022C24
http://makeashorterlink.com/?R12052C24