Video Asylum

Posted by bondmanp (A) on January 08, 2004 at 16:50:22

In Reply to: Musical Stereo to Musical HT Receiver Help posted by JC11 on January 07, 2004 at 11:11:46:

No $500 receiver I know of will equal or exceed the quality of your present rig for 2-channel. However, if you like your Denon, consider current Denon models. In your price range, you're talking about the AVR-2803. Email me if you can't find it from an authorized dealer for $500; it is possible. The new Yamahas are being well received, but Yamaha has a brighter treble range than you're probably used to. Personally, I don't care for the Marantz sound - I find it grainy and veiled. Other brands to explore: Pioneer Elite, Sherwood-Newcastle and Harman Kardon (HK is known for slightly warmer sounding receivers, which should compliment your system, IMO).

I am not very familiar with the PRA-1000, but many combo systems run the L/R channels of the A/V receiver through one of the preamp inputs and then from the preamp to the 2-channel amp. You just have to determine a standard volume level on the PRA-1000 so that your channel balances are consistent in surround modes. Some newer preamps have a surround pass-through feature which disables the preamp's volume control for just this purpose.

Good luck - and LISTEN before you buy (or make sure you can return anything you're unhappy with).