Input on Receivers

ruckus1027

Hi guys, so a little background info, here is my current set up:

Onkyo TX-NR509
RTA-8T Main
Monitor 4 Surrounds
CSi20 Center

I am pretty happy with my set up for the most part, but after talking to some people on the forum I've gotten a tiny itch for having a receiver with preouts and running a separate power amp. I wasn't planning to dive into the idea for a while as I am pretty content with my set up. However, I came across a couple receivers, although older, that have preouts and are pretty decently priced. Here are the two:

HK AVR7000 $100
Denon AVR 3803 $140

Basically, I only use stereo mode on my system when I am listening to music, which is mostly during day when I am home (full surround sound is only for movies, usually during night time and again my current set up is more than enough). So, I am thinking this receiver will be dedicated to two channel music and will be paired up with an amp.

I did a bit of research, the HK was a flagship in it's time and many recommend it. However, these threads were more than a few years old. I've read that the Denon is regarded as well. Basically I was wondering if these are still a decent buy for a 2 ch system today. Any input?

lanchile

is your budget $150 max for a two channel amp?
do you want an amp, integrated amp or a receiver?
in your case I would look for an integrated amp just for music, right now there is an Acurus DIA100 on ebay. they are very good integrated amps with some mods it will be a killer!!!

ruckus1027

lanchile,

Thanks for the input. As far as what I want, well, after I made the purchase of my Onkyo, many made the suggestion that I should have gotten a receiver with preouts. This is so I could use a separate power amp and ultimately get much more detail and performance from my speakers. I guess this is why I am searching for a receiver with preouts and get a 2 ch power amp for now and run that.

I guess if I really like the outcome of this set up, which according to most people on here I will, then I can do a full 5.1 with a separate power amp.

ruckus1027

Just a tidbit, I am leaning more towards the HK. From reading people's comments, HK's tend to be more warm sounding than Denon and I probably will like that more. And, it's cheaper, more budget for an external power amp!

Another thing, the HK is rated it seems only for 8 ohm speakers. I wouldn't have to worry about that right since I'm doing an external amp?

jbooker82

What about HD Audio via BluRay. You have to have an HDMI reciever or 5/7 channle analog inputs. Just because it was a flag ship in its day doesnt mean it is better. That way you have current technolgy / surround sound mode processing. I would wait until you can get something with HDMI.

ruckus1027

Jbooker,

My current receiver has HDMI. As for audio, I mainly use Pandora via stereo/rca jacks. Anyway, if I need to use HDMI, I can use my Onkyo.

jbooker82

ruckus1027 wrote: »

Jbooker,

My current receiver has HDMI. As for audio, I mainly use Pandora via stereo/rca jacks. Anyway, if I need to use HDMI, I can use my Onkyo.

I though you were looking to replace the Onkyo. Are you looking to build another system? I know guys have recomended a HK Stereo reciever for building a 2 channel system. They say you really dont need an amp because the reciever has a pretty hefty one already in it. I cant remember wich Stereo Reciver they recomended though.

hertz9753

It's an H/K 3490.

deronb1

I would go with the HK as well. Although I llike Denon, I think the HK will be better suited to drive the 8Ts and their 6 ohm load.

deronb1

Oh yeah, have you replaced the SL2000 tweets with the RD0-194s yet? Inexpensive easy upgrade to take the edge off the silver dome tweeters.

ruckus1027

Okay guys thank you so much for all the responses and inputs. I came across another deal on a Denon AVR 3805 for 100 bones, I am going to try and get that instead. Contacted the seller and waiting for a response.

I would go with the HK as well. Although I llike Denon, I think the HK will be better suited to drive the 8Ts and their 6 ohm load.

Oh yeah, have you replaced the SL2000 tweets with the RD0-194s yet? Inexpensive easy upgrade to take the edge off the silver dome tweeters.

Cats, as for the speakers being 6ohms, correct me if I'm wrong but that would not really matter too much right? Since, I am planning to run an external power amp, it should be fine right? Also, I have not replaced the tweets yet, in fact I actually just got the 8T's about a week ago. I do notice the highs but have not bothered me yet and I have been listening to them quite a bit, and I say that in a low whisper (I don't want F1nut to hear :cheesygrin:). I am probably in the same boat as Cfrizz, she has the 8T's too and she has no problem with the SL2000.

deronb1

ruckus1027 wrote: »

Okay guys thank you so much for all the responses and inputs. I came across another deal on a Denon AVR 3805 for 100 bones, I am going to try and get that instead. Contacted the seller and waiting for a response.



Cats, as for the speakers being 6ohms, correct me if I'm wrong but that would not really matter too much right? Since, I am planning to run an external power amp, it should be fine right? Also, I have not replaced the tweets yet, in fact I actually just got the 8T's about a week ago. I do notice the highs but have not bothered me yet and I have been listening to them quite a bit, and I say that in a low whisper (I don't want F1nut to hear :cheesygrin:). I am probably in the same boat as Cfrizz, she has the 8T's too and she has no problem with the SL2000.

Sorry, did not read the post carefully enough. Yes with an amp its a moot point. You might start to notice the SL2000 more with more juice running through them. I didn't hate them either, just sometimes with certain music they could be a tad shrill.

NewHTguy

jbooker82 wrote: »

I though you were looking to replace the Onkyo. Are you looking to build another system? I know guys have recomended a HK Stereo reciever for building a 2 channel system. They say you really dont need an amp because the reciever has a pretty hefty one already in it. I cant remember wich Stereo Reciver they recomended though.

The HK 3490 has a lot of power and can do 4 ohm should the need arise. It did a nice job with my Lsi7s. I paid $320 but I've seen it as low as $280.

ruckus1027

catsfan1 wrote: »

You might start to notice the SL2000 more with more juice running through them. I didn't hate them either, just sometimes with certain music they could be a tad shrill.

Hmm good point, I didn't even think about that. We'll see how it sounds I guess.

NewHTguy wrote: »

The HK 3490 has a lot of power and can do 4 ohm should the need arise. It did a nice job with my Lsi7s. I paid $320 but I've seen it as low as $280.

Thanks for the input, I have decided to go with the Denon receiver because I may want to use it as a full surround set up with an external power amp in the future. I guess I'll cover that possibility now.


Just another question I guess, I feel like I already know the answer but I thought I'd ask anyway. After looking into some power amps and reading specs, it seems that they give rating info for 8ohm and 4ohm speakers. Without being explicit, these amps run 6ohm speakers too right? I feel like the answer is yes but just want to make sure.

hertz9753

ruckus1027 wrote: »

Hmm good point, I didn't even think about that. We'll see how it sounds I guess.



Thanks for the input, I have decided to go with the Denon receiver because I may want to use it as a full surround set up with an external power amp in the future. I guess I'll cover that possibility now.


Just another question I guess, I feel like I already know the answer but I thought I'd ask anyway. After looking into some power amps and reading specs, it seems that they give rating info for 8ohm and 4ohm speakers. Without being explicit, these amps run 6ohm speakers too right? I feel like the answer is yes but just want to make sure.

Yes.

ruckus1027

Alrighty! Thanks to all the people that gave input.

jayman_1975

You will like that denon for ht for sure. I had one back in the day and it was very good.

inson71

100 bucks for the 3805 is a steal. I have a 3806 and love it. Although it doesn't decode the latest surround formats, it has 7.1 channel input for blu ray to decode them. It also has a full set of pre-outs for later amplifier upgrades:biggrin:

ruckus1027

So an update, I got the 3805 for 100 bones, tried to haggle softly as it is already one helluva deal, but the guy didn't budge. Yup it is a hefty receiver, quite a bit heavier than my Onk. I listened to it in two channel for a tad, but I am awaiting to come across a good deal on some some beefy external amp. It sounded pretty darn good, but I really want to wait for an amp to listen to it. It's tucked away for now; it's like waiting for Christmas day. Pretty excited.

hertz9753

ruckus1027 wrote: »

So an update, I got the 3805 for 100 bones, tried to haggle softly as it is already one helluva deal, but the guy didn't budge. Yup it is a hefty receiver, quite a bit heavier than my Onk. I listened to it in two channel for a tad, but I am awaiting to come across a good deal on some some beefy external amp. It sounded pretty darn good, but I really want to wait for an amp to listen to it. It's tucked away for now; it's like waiting for Christmas day. Pretty excited.

I would be running that receiver NOW!

Bernardon

I could not get what's the problem arising actually. Speakers you are giving description about are working or not.

ruckus1027

hertz9753 wrote: »

I would be running that receiver NOW!

Ah! I really want to wait until I see it's full potential. But I guess it's full potential is running it by itself, without an external amp lol. Hmm I will run it, I'll take some time tomorrow to set it up. Hopefully my ear acclimates to the 3805 then surprise it again once I get an amp.

Bernardon wrote: »

I could not get what's the problem arising actually. Speakers you are giving description about are working or not.

Not quite sure what you mean

ruckus1027

So, just to update everyone, after using the denon 3805 I was very impressed! I don't know why I waited, it was night and day difference from the onkyo. The sound from the denon was....more laid back? It was like the onkyo was an unrefined "teenager" while the denon sounded like a finesse gentleman. I never really understood sound stage until the denon, the sound seemed huge and didn't seem like it was coming from the speakers.

Now, I picked up an Adcom GFA555 200wpc amp ($250 in pristine condition; I think I did well with that) and mated it with the Denon. Oh my, the sound seems to "linger" a tad and not abruptly stop. The Adcom turned the finesse gentleman into that Dos Equis man; most interesting man in the world. The sound stage seemed to have gotten way bigger. I haven't had time to really listen, but it seems that clarity is improved.

hertz9753

Congrats on your upgrades.

cfrizz

It's nice hearing every last detail in the music isn't it? Congrats & enjoy, you have put together a terrific system!

ruckus1027

hertz9753 wrote: »

Congrats on your upgrades.

Thank you!

cfrizz wrote: »

It's nice hearing every last detail in the music isn't it? Congrats & enjoy, you have put together a terrific system!

It's very interesting to hear everything! Also, I forgot to mention, that I got a pair of Monitor 4.6 for free locally and took the SL2500s from that and replaced my RTA8's SL2000 (one of them wasn't working properly), a bit smoother on the top end and less "harshish"