New Home Theater (1 Viewer)

[Jeff Baldwin]

I'm a new member and have been enjoying reading everyones information. It seems impossible to get an impartial review from the HT expert mags. I'm building a new HT and want to up grade my processor and amp. My present processor which I have already moved upstairs is a parasound AVC-1800 with a HCA 855 parasound amp. I am finishing my basement and wanted to upgrade. I think I've narrowed it down to either the Lexicon DC-2 with the Parasound 2205A, The new Rotel 1066 with matching Amp or the Anthem AVM-20 and their 7-channel (125 Watts). With that being said I have not made any decisions or ruled any others out. I'm a wreck trying to decide. Any suggestion that you may have would be greatly welcomed. The Fronts and center for this set up are Performa series revels, parasound sub, and I think M&K rears, I haven't bought the rears yet. I'm more of a movie buff than music fan, if that helps.
I know being new I'm asking alot but I need help. My wife says I'm driving her crazy.
Thanks

 

[Sihan Goi]

Well, if you're a movie buff, then Lexicon seems to be good, except the DC-2 is pretty dated AFAIK, and might not have all the processing modes that the newer Rotel RSP-1066 and Anthem AVM20 might have. What exactly is your budget for the entire prepro/power amp setup?

Amp wise, the Parasound 2205A and Rotel RMB1095 would be very comparable, and would both outperform the Anthem PVA-7, except the PVA-7 has 7 channels rather than 5.

 

[Mike Burke]

Sihan,

Before the "masses" attack re: Lexicons's Logic 7 being the best 7.1 setup and clog up this thread. I will agree with you about the Rotel 1095 being a good mate with the Revels. I heard the M20/C30's using the Rotel and was a good match.

Jeff,

Deciding what surround field you plan on using SHOULD be the contributing factor in deciding your list. MY personal take on 7.1 systems is: What is the software availablity of all the new formats?? DD-EX & DTS-ES have been out for 1+ year now and the DVD option is still too small for me to even give them a thought! The other option is look into surround decoding that uses existing technology (ie: Logic 7 or THX Ultra 2), there are processors offering either technology for

 

[Jeff Baldwin]

Thanks Mike and Sihan for the response. I agree with you Mike that I'm not totally sold on how important 7.1 Modes are at this point. If I only end up with an awesome 5.1 set up I think I would OK with that. Has for my budget, I'm already over, But I'd like to keep the pre/pro and Amp under 5K.
Thanks again for your help.

Jeff

 

[Marc_E]

RMB-1095 totally rocks. It can be had used in the 1300-$1500 range. I got mine new for $1700 but I think that is on the lower end of the price range. I am an Anthem fan having been shopping for a processor for the last 6 months. 1095/AVM-20 will run you $4200-4500 or so. Also check out Sherbourn 5/1500A which is also a 5x200 monoblock design that can be had new around $1500. It is on par with the 1095. I got the 1095 over the sherbourn because I got a great package deal of the RB-1090+RMB-1095. I favored the AVM-20 over the 1066 because of the overpowering features of the anthem (especially zone 2 AND zone 3) and the dedication to upgradability of the anthem (even though the upgrade has been delayed, there have been plenty of software upgrades).

Good luck
Marc

 

[Sihan Goi]

Yup, AFAIK, the Rotel RMB-1096, Parasound HCA-2205AT and Sherbourn 5/1500A offer similar price/performance, since they have similar prices and similar performances. It comes down to matter of preference and how much of a deal you can get. Other choices in that price range are the B&K 7250 and ATI 1505/2505.

If you need an extra 2 channels, the Rotel RB-1090 will do just great for the front 2 speakers. It has even more power and better sound quality than the 1095, being a stereo amp.

 

[John A. Casler]

Hi Jeff,
If you want the max "bang for the buck" with Logic-7 and the quality to do those Revels justice, I would suggest you look at picking up a Harman Kardon AVR8000 to use as a pre/pro then a CineNova 5 channel for an amp.
This should cost you about $4400 -$4600 street and will give you plenty of clean power, plus a couple (5) 100+ watt channels with which to drive a couple extra surrounds "if" you go 7.1. (you could even direct the remaining channels to other rooms for multi-room applications)
Very few options will give you Musicality,THX, Logic-7, and 300wpc x 5 with .003% distortion from 20-20, for less than $10,000.
John Casler
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[Jeff Baldwin]

Anyone have experience with Parasound 2500u. I've heard good and bad. How would that compare to the Rotel, Lexicon, Anthem pieces.
Thanks for your input.
Jeff

 

[Sihan Goi]

Well, I haven't heard a lot of good things about the 2500u. Anyway, its pretty dated and doesn't have the new processing modes. Perhaps there'll be a new prepro in Parasound's HALO series.