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O.K.I'm a dedicated 2-channel high-end tube man.....
Lately, the kids and wife have been asking me to convert my system over to a hi-fi Home Theatre. I am TOTALLY ignorant of this arena. I have heard story after story of friends who were big-time music lovers converting thier system over and NEVER being happy with the musicality issue that comes from a well respected HT receiver....Can anyone tell me a decent HT receiver that does music o.k. too?
I've considered Marantz AV-9000, SR-18, Denon AVR-3300 etc. yet have never heard and of these. I realize this transition is more of a "preparedness of mind"... I am not expecting it to sound anything like my 2-channel tube gear, but am looking for something that can do DVD and HDTV GREAT and music..well...acceptable
your experienced thoughts are most welcome, e-mail me direct if you wish, thanks, Audioman soon to be Videoman :>)
Follow Ups:
Well if your a tube man, I doubt you'd be happy with any HT receiver. Tube sound is completely opposite of solid state. While I consider myself more of a solid state person, I feel tubes have their place in producing live music.Since I don't feel you'll be satisfied with a solid state amp, you have 2 solutions.
1) feed the HT receiver's front main channel pre-amp outs to your pre-amp inputs on your tube amp.
2)Maintain each system individually.
While I'm not a real fan of tubes, many prefer the solid state technology of the the Yamaha RX-V1 and Denon AVR-5800. Some also like the Onkyo 989. The Denon is the most expense at $3800, the Onkyo at $3200, and then the Yamaha at $2800. These are all MSRP. Yamaha has lowed their price considering it can't match the features of the Denon. IMHO, I would have to say that the only difference is price between the Denon and Yamaha. Denon comes with a $600 remote, more formats:dts-ES discrete, and dts:NEO, and a very powerful amp section. I have a preference for Yamaha on their lower end receivers, but at the 4800 and above it's a real toss up as the quality is very similar between the brands. I don't know a whole lot about the Onkyo 989 except that it's capable of future firmware upgrades. I have heard complaints on it new fan design. Owners have stated that the fan can be heard on silent passages, but I can't confirm that. Supposedly, it's more of an effect of the newly designed THX fan assembly. So technically, the Denon should have the same, but never heard any complaints on the Denon.
As I said, I feel you'll be the happiest using your tube amp since the difference between tube and solid state is night and day. If you also use a tube preamp, using the tube amp in the HT system still may not sound close to what your use to.
Good luck and happy auditioning.
I had the same issue, and I ultimately decided on the Onkyo TSX989 and the M&K S125 System with an upgraded sub (MX 350). My intention was to set up a separate listening room for real hi-fi, and after initially setting up this new system I was getting contractor estimates on building out the new room. However, after playing around extensively with setup and cables I've actually become quite pleased with this system. Once properly set up it's a superb HT system and quite a decent music system as well. The 989 sounds quite good for a A/V receiver and the built in upsampling noticably improves the sound of CD's.
Your 2ch stereo can co-exist with HT. I have an Onkyo 787 recv which is used for HT and Anthem Int-2 (a hybrid with tubed input and SS power amp) for my stereo. I have connected the preout (L&R) from my Onkyo to the Amp-in of my Anthem using the Surround Sound Processor bypass loop. The output from my CAL Sigma D/A is connected to one of the regular inputs of the Anthem.
This way the family can enjoy HT and I can enjoy good 2-ch music. You can get the best of both. I am sure there might be many more configuration which you can try. In short dont get rid of your 2 ch. No matter which A/V reciver you get, you cannot compare the sound and musicality of a dedicated 2-ch system especially a tubed based system.
I recently went through what you are attempting. I couldn't find any receivers less than $3000 I could be happy with. I ended up with the Denon AVR-5800. It has every HT feature under the sun and does a respectable job with music. It also has a true analog bypass, i.e. no digitization, for your analog sources. You could put your pre-amp on one of its external direct analog inputs and use you current power amp via its pre-outs to drive your mains. The sound should be pretty similar to what you're used to that way. Use the internal amps for the surround speakers. The next model down in the Denon line, the AVR-4800, just didn't cut it for me. The 5800 throws a nice soundstage, the 4800 is rather two dimensional. The street price for the 5800 is $2500 to $3000.
You should have a listen to the NAD T761 or T751. I have the T751, and it sounds amazing for the money. I'm not about to give up my stereo however.Here's what I recommend: Connect the AV receiver upstream of your stereo system (ie run NAD front channel outputs into your stereo preamp). Set your stereo preamp at a repeatable setting (e.g. 12:00) to set your HT speaker levels.
You need a subwoofer for HT. Connect it to the NAD sub outputs so it doesn't degrade your stereo sound.
Best of both worlds. Scary good HT and your stereo system intact.
If you don't have a good stereo system, you'll enjoy music a lot less, and then you'll end up listening less. But then maybe that's what you want?
Dan Bonhomme
The Denon AVR-3300 is a good receiver, though as others have observed, your two channel system will likely outperform it in stereo. My 3300 certainly doesn't have the imaging or low end oomph of my separate stereo. If you really are an audio guy, you may find giving up your stereo for HT pretty unsatisfying.The 3300 does a fine job on HT and a decent if unexceptional job on music. The main advantage of a 3300 at this time would appear to be price. Since the Denon 4800 and 3801 came out, I've seen this receiver as low as $500 on the net. But be warned: this receiver has a reputation for having problems. I've never had a day of trouble with mine, but you might want to spend some time at www.audioreview.com to see what others have experienced. Because of the bad press, I bought mine locally, I paid more, but I wanted the ability to get after-the-sale support, something often lacking with net sales.
Good luck!
Thanks for the advice. If I could afford to make 2 systems I would. I've also heard the Denon AVR-3300 has had some troubles, mostly overheating. The Marantz SR-7000, or if I really wanna go all out, the SR-18 in champagne colour seems nice too, Audioman
I don't know the specific Marantz equipment you mentioned, though a lot of people on this board seem to like it. I've owned other Marantz equipment, and it seemed to be of pretty high quality.I read the overheating stuff, too. My 3300 is driving 5 speakers with a sensitivity of about 90, so the receiver isn't taxed much for lots of sound. After a long session the unit does get warm, so proper ventilation is a necessary. In the year that I've had the receiver, it has never overheated, shut down, etc. It's been a solid citizen and sounded very good right out of the box. Color me "a satisfied customer".
Depending on your preamp, you could add to your current system. Some pres have output for a processor. However putting a tv between speakers does affect the sound.
Don't give in. If you want to set up a HT system, set it up in another room. If your HT room is not too large, you should consider the Outlaw 1050 receiver. A real buy for the money.
Consider purchasing respectable bookshelf speakers and one or two good sub woofers.If you choose to stay with your choices, I would vote for the Denon.
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