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Re: Good Recommendation for HT Receiver

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In Reply to: Good Recommendation for HT Receiver posted by AVExplorer on May 13, 2005 at 15:39:26:

The best one I've heard by far is the Arcam AVR300 at 2k. It's fairly new so I doubt a used one will be turning up on Agon any time soon. It is a wonderful receiver however, and well worth the $$, and there may be some discounted ones available from dealers. Considerably better than my previous Denon 3805, which was a very decent receiver.
AVR200s show up from time to time and are a good buy.

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Re: Good Recommendation for HT Receiver - AVExplorer 05:32:52 05/14/05 (2)
Harmonia,
Is it best to buy them here, if you don't live closeby the person selling the receiver and cannot see or demo it before buying?
- Erm... - Harmonia 10:07:20 05/18/05 (1)
  "Here" meaning AA?
  Where are you located, I can recommend a dealer.
  - Re: Erm...-- List of Audio retailers, list of potential receivers & DVD players - AVExplorer 15:28:58 05/18/05 (0)
    Yes, I meant Audiogon. I live in North NJ. I've looked up some of the nearby dealers, but wasn't sure who to see. Some of the close ones are:
    - Audio Connection (Verona, NJ)
    - Audio Nexus (Summit)
    - CSA Audio (Montclair)
    - Professional Audio Consultants (Millburn)
    - Symphonic Audio LLC (Basking Ridge)
    - The Sound Exchange (Somerville)
    - Stevens Audio (Bernardsville)
    I want a very good receiver or preAmp/Amp to reproduce music really well as well as movies. Right now I listen to more music than movies (70/30). In the future I want to build a separate system for just music.
    Some receivers/Amps I have considered are:
    - Outlaw 99 PrePro with Outlaw 7100 Amp
    - Denon 3805 (as a PreAmp) with an Outlaw 7100
    - Integra DTR-10.5
    - Arcam AVR300
    - Marantz SR8500
    I also considered one of the Panasonic Digital Amps (SA-XR70).
    Which of these should I choose?
    Feel free to recommend other Amps, PreAmps, and/or receivers.
    I was also looking at Some DVD players (which can play DVD-A, SACD, and have DVI or HDMI outputs), but it's difficult to find one that does it all. I was also interested in a carousel changer, but that is the first option I will give in finding the right player.
    Some DVD players I have looked into are either the OPPO OPDV971H, Denon 3910, Integra DPS-10.5, or Integra DPC-8.5
    Any suggestions on my DVD player choices is appreciated too.
    Thanks
Re: Good Recommendation for HT Receiver - AVExplorer 00:17:01 05/14/05 (2)
I read some good reviews on the ARCAM AVR300. Also, as SAM M pointed out, the Denon is better if used as a preamp along with a pure amplifier (esp for music). The Arcam is a little pricier though. Do you recommend the Arcam over a Denon 3805/Rotel or similar Amp setup?
- Yes. - Harmonia 10:06:20 05/18/05 (1)
  Guys always seem to recommend Denon and it's logical and easy to do if one haven't heard the AVR300. (And I'm betting most posters hear haven't heard it.
  Unless your speakers are especially power hunger, the Arcam sounds much more powerful than its rated 100 watts.
  The AVR300 is the best one box HT solution I've heard so far - I think it's a steal at its price, since it is one of the best linestage/pre-pros I've heard PLUS it has clean, articulate amps.
  I've had 2 Denon receivers which were very good receivers, especially for the money, but the AVR300 is in a whole other league to my ears. The Denons aren't as good (to me) on HT as the AVR300 and they're nowhere NEAR as good on music. My main two channel system is very resolving and dynamic (about 19k retail including Herron preamp, Herron mono amps, Cary CD player, Alon V MkII full range speakers, Nordost wire and TG Audio power cords, 'course I didn't PAY retail, lol), so I'm pretty darned picky about sound for both movies and music. This is the first HT receiver I've been excited about for movies AND music, where I don't want to go back to the main system for music as soon as the movie's over.
  The AVR200 is also a nice receiver, but more comparable to the Denons on HT. It's is better on music than the Denons, but I'd go for the AVR300 - it's got all the latest processing, plus it's much more spacious sounding, dynamic and throws a bigger stage for music listening. Better resolution too. I always felt like there was a veil over the music with the Denons. The AVR300 is plenty dynamic and powerful for movies - my room is nearly 20x40 and I don't feel the need for more amp.
  I don't love the pre/pro in the Denon enough, goos as it is, to use it as such with outboard amp(s). That would be a good solution if the AVR300 didn't exist. But since it does, to me it's better to get the Arcam, and if you need more juice, use the AVR300 eventually as the pre-pro. In fact, if I were only looking for a processor, I would seriously consider the AVR300. That's how much I like it.
  - Re: Yes. - AVExplorer 15:34:44 05/18/05 (0)
    How would you compare the Arcam AVR300 with the Marantz SR8500 and/or the Outlaw PRePRo 990/Outlaw 7100 Amp (or similar)? I know the new Outlaw PrePro just came out, but how does ARcam compare in general. THose were some of my options for receivers.
    Can you also recommend some DVD players (which play DVD-A/V, DVD+-R/RW, SACD, and can decode HDCD, and have DVI or HDMI out)?
    Thanks.
    I like your 2 channel setup!! Did you purchase it through AudioGon? That's another point for me. I was swinging towards retail, but this equipment setup get expensive so quickly!

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