Advice on Reciever and subwoofer (1 Viewer)

[HarrisG]

I am looking at upgrading my old Kenwood dolby prologic reciever (11 years old) with something new. I have a Hitachi 53" HDTV, bose acoustimass 5 speakers for a front channel, and bose flush mount speakers in my ceiling (14 feet up). I also plan to get a subwoofer, and new rear speakers that are more behind me and lower. I may get new front channel speakers too. I will need to upgrade the front center channel. I also have a sony dvd player that will play sacd's( is that the correct term).

I have looked at the Yamaha htr-5590(priced at $799), was shown another yamaha a month or so ago that would allow playing one thing in one room and another in a different room ( that one was $999). I also recently saw a thx certified kenwood - the 6070 - that was at a price below $400.Seemed too good for the money, but I have always had good experiences with kenwood. With all the various stuff out, it gets confusing. Any advice would be helpful. I dont mind spending a little more on the reciever if needed, I anticipated spending from 800-1200. I would like at least 6.1, but is it worth getting 7.1 now or is that useless. Also looked at some of the higher end sony and pioneer receivers. Need one that can handle directtv, dvd, cd, phono and hopefully a hdtv reciever in the near future, as well as be able to take advantage of the sacd's.

For subwoofers, looked at 12" velodyne, and jbl 12" - one was 200watts, the other was 400watts. Front speakers, there are so many to choose from, but I thought if I got the sub, reciever, rear channel and front center channel, the bose might do well for front speakers for now.

any thoughts from you up to date people out there would be helpful and appreciated

 

[ChadLB]

You need to list how much you are willing to spend on each item and people can give you more opinions then.

 

[HarrisG]

I dont mind spending a little more if needed for updated and better quality equipment. I had envisioned spending from $800 to $1200 for a reciever, from $400-600 for a subwoofer, and around $200+/- per spkr for rear left and right. I also was looking at Infinity and Polk tower speakers at $400 each, but was shown some nice speakers at Sound Advice that were $700 each. Center channel, havent given that much thought to, but open to suggestions.

I just want to make sure that the reciever will be able to handle hdtv and sacd as well as have clean power. I am not sure that the kenwood 6070 would do that, but it sure looks like a good buy for $359. Nevertheless, I am not stuck on any given brand

Help and suggestions appreciated.

Harris

 

[ChadLB]

Well for the subwoofer and trust me on this one either the SVS 25-32pci if you don't have the WAF or there new box style PB-1 it will probably make the other subs you are looking at look wimpy.

Speakers...you want to try and match those all the way around...if not for sure the mains and center. There are so many speakers out there and I read so many opinions...depends if you want to buy locally or online.

What else is important with the receiver?

 

[HarrisG]

Chad,

Thanks for the reply. where can I see those subwoofers, and what do you mean by WAF?

For the receiver, I think 6.1 at a minimum, but should I consider 7.1 as the technology is newer? I like to be able to hook up my sony dvd/sacd player, direct tv, cd and phono. Also, have a separate amp for my flush bose speakers in the rest of the house that needs to be hooked up, and a switchable a/b setting as the speakers on the patio are now on the b setting. The tv I have is a progressive scan hitachi digital hdtv, and the sony dvd is also progressive, so I need a receiver that will get the most out of it (and the sacd).

What is with these multiroom recievers? do you need separate amplifiers, if not, that may be a nice feature, but does not mean it is absolutely necessary.

Good clean power, low distortion is always nice. My old kenwood had a protection circuit, that shut it off when my old outside speakers had a short. But it also turned off the outside speakers if you had it up too high.

I dont mind getting good equipment if it will last a while, heck, my last kenwood lasted 12yrs.

Thanks,

Harris

 

[ChadLB]

Wife Acceptance Factor....some wifes don't like the look of the SVS subs www.svsubwoofers.com.
Some of the higher end recievers have the multiroom source which allows you to watch a movie/tv in one room and play music in the other. Nice option if you think you need it.
Otherwise any reciever that has a A/B speaker out will due.
You may want to go to www.crutchfield.com just to do some research on what each receiver offers. Alot of them don't have phono inputs which may lead to your decision.
You may want to also consider a receiver that has pre-outs in case you ever decide you want to add an amp in the future.
Everyone has there opinions but it seems like alot of people like Denon/Onkyo/Yamaha for the warm sound they produce.
I looked for features and a nice remote and I got both with my Pioneer 811. The remote that came with it works everything I own...finally one remote.It works my dvd player, tv, vcr.
Take a look at my svs....on my web page...

 

[HarrisG]

Chad,

Thanks for the fast reply. I will look at your sub, and already visited the site where they sell it. Which works/sounds better - box or cylinder? And what is the warranty on the subs?

I will check crutchfield, forgot they carry everything, good place to look. What about the Pioneer Elite? Worth the $? I believe preouts is a good idea for expandability. And the thought of ONE REMOTE, is like hitting lotto. We saw a remote for $1000 at sound advice, that had macros, touch screen and they even came and programmed it for you. That was on sale too, but seemed a lot to me.

Will be in touch once I do more groundwork here.

Thanks

Harris

 

[ChadLB]

Basically the PB-1 is the same as the 25-31PCi except it is a box and not a cylinder sub and is also tuned to 22hz stock which the PCi isn't but can be if asked. Same amp, subwoofer just different design. I wouldn't think the two would sound that different hooked up to the same sytem and in the same room.
More of a preference thing. I bought the cylinder because I didn't want to wait another week or two for the box to be shipped(they weren't shipping yet when I bought mine.)I actually like the look of the cylinder because it is different. My lady always refers to it as the spaceship..but she won't have to look at it after july as it will be in the basement in our new house.

Warranty on the subs is 3 years. They have the greatest customer service too..a plus. I had a problem when I first got my sub and well they helped me out. They also have a 45 return day policy no questions asked.

Pioneer elite are nice but for that money I would buy a lower end receiver that has preouts and a 2/5channel amp.

 

[Bill Mullin]

For subwoofers, looked at 12" velodyne, and jbl 12"

I've had both, the Velo puts the JBL subwoofer to shame! FWIW though, I also have JBL speakers and find them to be very nice!

Don't forget to give SVS a look when selecting your sub. They are big and ugly compared to a cube tucked away in a corner of your room, but they sound great!

- Bill

 

[HarrisG]

Thanks for the reply Bill and Chad. I plan to look at the SVS closely. Which JBL did you have, the 250 or 400 watt version, and was the Velodyne really that much better? Is the SVS that much better?


I have researched some recievers. Anyone have any input on the Sony STR-DA7ES, or the Yamaha RX-V3300? Can these allow me to watch TV in the main room and listen to music on the patio ( have infinity outdoor speakers)? Are they both able to take advantage of HDTV or SACD? How are the remotes on these? Sony has the 5 year warranty. Yamaha on paper has lower total harmonic distortion. Do they both take full advantage of subwoofers? Need help from you technically advantaged ones out there.

Is there anything in Harmon Kardon or Denon or Pioneer that has what these receivers have in the price range?

Thanks

Harris

 

[Patrick M]

FWIW, I'd check out the Denon AVR-3803. It's right at the top of your budget for a receiver (about $1200), has 7 channels, multi-zone / multi-source, 110 watts per channel and plenty of digital inputs for your sources.

Speaker-wise you might be able to get a good deal on Klipsch from Sound Advice. I know at my HiFi Buys they are discontinuing them and being that they are both owned by Tweeter, your store may be doing the same if they carry them.

 

[Bill Mullin]

was the Velodyne really that much better? Is the SVS that much better?

I have the Velo HGS-12ii and the SVS 16-46PC+. I was auditioning both of them at the same time and found that they both sounded awesome! I also discovered that when they were both on at the same time, the sound was substantially better than either one running alone. As a result, I kept both and have never regretted it. Even my wife, who has a tin ear, says that the sound is out of this world!

Note that the Velo HGS-12ii lists for about $2,200, but I lucked into getting a brand new one on eBay for $1,000. As I recall, the SVS cost me about $150 less than this, making it a very good choice for any HT.

Good luck, Bill

 

[HarrisG]

Thanks all for the responses. The Denon does look good. I want to go find where I can see it as well as the Sony and Yamaha that I listed. Is it worth the savings buying this stuff on the internet as the prices are much lower.

I also have to look at center and rear channel speakers. But, I see a lot of the center channel speakers are geared towards a certain front channel to "match" them. I was thinking of keeping the bose acoustimass 5's as a front channel, but if they didnt seem to work, then get some new towers. That would make buying a center more difficult, unless I got it somewhere where I could return it in 30 days.

When I was in college this was so much easier, a reciever and speakers. There is so much to consider now. Heck, I researched digital cameras for 3-4 months before I bought the one I have now, but am sure glad I did so.

Anyone with info on the Sony or Yamaha I listed, please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks

Harris

 

[Bill Mullin]

unless I got it somewhere where I could return it in 30 days.

Try this store:

http://www.consumer-direct.com

Good prices and a 30-day return policy. I've returned an item to them and there was absolutely no hassle at all. Note that I don't make money by endorsing this store.

Bill

 

[HarrisG]

Thanks Bill, I will check it out online. The Sony's look good, so many to choose from with them, yamaha, etc. Going to research it and put together the reciever and sub and center channel first. Guess rears too.

Harris