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In Reply to: A stereo guy needs help with HT! posted by Kurt Morgan on June 27, 2001 at 13:32:31:
Kurt:If I were you, I'd take a look at the Arcam AVR-100. It is a nice piece man, and they just announced a $200 price break on them!!! Down to $999, and you WILL not find a better receiver with better sound on HT, and 2 channel. I am using mine for my main system, and I listen to a lot of music on it. Many will say that it is really sweet for music, but not that good for theater. Those are the people who haven't sat down and watched a movie on it. Even my friend with a AVR-5800 said it does well on movies, and better than he expected.
So, I have done a bit of tweaking to mine, and I love it!
That said, if I had it to do again, and could afford it. . . I'd look HARD at the new Bryston SP-1. I believe they spent 3 YEARS developing it, and the circuit path in bypass mode is the SAME as their best selling stereo pre-amp! I'd love to have one in my system if I could swing it.
Also, for speakers, depending on what you like, I'd take a look at Martin-Logans. I think they are great for HT b/c they give such a convincing dimensionality, and are capable of throwing sound in places that other speakers just are not! Good for when gunshots ring out in a place your other speaks can't accurately reproduce! heh. . .
Also, I have heard the Dunlavy's (SM-1), and I like those fairly well. You may want to be careful and test the Arcam with ML's IF you decide to get those. The Arcam only has 70x5 and 90x2 to 8 ohms. So, it may or may not push ML's. I have not tested that.
Cabling is simple. Get some 4TC, and then run like some 4PR for the rears.
I hope maybe I helped you find something to go listen to before you buy. Let us know what you decide!
Brandon
Follow Ups:
Hantra you have picked out some great gear but I think you will blow the budget. The reciever and a pair of "cheap" Martin-Logans will be in the mid $2K ballbark, without buying the surrounds, center or sub. The ML center is great but it is very pricey and it is very important to match the center with the mains.The Arcam reciever is one of the best recievers I have heard, it does have very limited bass management though. Another reciever to look at is the NAD T761; it doesn't sound as good as the Arcam (by a little) but is a bit more flexible. Another reciever is the Marantz SR-8000, good sound and a few more bells and whistles. I think Marantz is going to end the SR-8000 soon so you may get a deal on it. Marantz is preparing a new reciever for Dolby Pro Logic II.
I would love to put together a full Martin Logan HT system but budget does not permit it. I have always been fond of electro-statics ever since I owned a pair of Acoustat Model 2. I would probably look at KEF Q series for your budget. Very smooth sound and musical they can be had on the internet for fairly inexpense (I think the Q55.2 is about $500/pair, lists $800/pair). Definitive Technology makes some good home theater speakers but I don't like the way they sound with music. If your system will pull double duty as a 2 channel system i would stay away from DefTech. Paradigm makes some very good speakers in their price range; however, I find them a little to bright for my tastes. I also like Linn very much but it may also break your budget.
For cable I would pick main stream quality cables from either: Kimber, Tara, AudioQuest or Van den Hul. Don't get to carried away with cables they can make a difference but concentrate on quality electronics and speakers.
Another note I would like to make about HT recordings. Most DVD recordings are very bright. This is done so that theaters which are very damped with seats and people can still sound good. Also electronics and speakers in most theaters are of poor quality. If you were ever to put a theater amp and speakers in your home your would be horrified at the sound. If your HT system is smooth it will sound that much better by taming the overly bright recording.
Good Luck and have fun
I have a friend that sold his SR-7000 and bought the Arcam. It is THAT much better than the Marantz. . .Also, I owned the KEF Q-15, and I found it to be a good speaker, but I was able to beat it like a drum with my Aliante Stiles. I also have a friend that has a few pair of Stiles new for a REALLY good discount!!
B
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