Video Asylum

Posted by Harmonia (A) on January 02, 2006 at 19:44:50

In Reply to: cambridge audio azur 540r...long posted by dude on January 2, 2006 at 17:19:42:

...with mismatched speakers AND mismatched amps you are going about this the hard way.

I dunno much about your Technics pre-pro but suspect it's not a star at its price point. Your Toshiba is probably doing you no favors either. However, a quality outboard DAC might work wonders for you in 2 channel.

Maybe consider a long term HT/music project - if you like the Quad 11s plan on eventually acquiring a full set along with a fast sub (I'm using a Nola Thunderbolt which is killer but other subs, including the older Alon Centris would likely do well along with REL et al.) Matched speakers, with natural timbres, simply sound better to and more balanced for surround sound, both HT & music. Mismatched speakers sound - well, mismatched. And I hate unnatural sounding voices.

If HT is important you could be on the watch for a good HT receiver like a used AVR300, Anthem, Rotel or late model Denon. Or check out the Yamaha Townsend mentions. Upgrade your wires and PCs. Don't be in a hurry or something will suffer along the way. Go for quality over quantity. Look for receivers with a very good pre/pro sections.

If you don't care as much about good musical playback as HT then your task is much easier. The AVR300 is proably overkill in that case.

I'm not familiar with the Cambridge in person.