NAD T773 vs. B&K AVR507 ???

Johnny Mac

My 5.1 HT setup will consist of four LS80i front and rear speakers, LSiC center, and PSW505 sub. I plan to purchase either the T773 or AVR507 to augment my system. I will be routing the 6th and 7th channels outside to Atrium 55's. I know that many of you would advise seperates, but space is at a premium and I may have to save that for the rec room system. Thanks to information I've gleaned from this forum, I realize that I need an amp and/or receiver comfortable with 4 ohm loads.

Cutting to the chase, is the AVR507 worth the extra $$$? If so, am I nuts to be looking at either of these receivers given my speaker selection? Unfortunately, I am unable to A-B both receivers as noone in my area stocks both product lines.

I am also looking at DVD players, and the Denon 2900 really stands out...but I guess that deserves a whole 'nother thread!


Thanks,

John

kingtut

From another forum, members indicated that they are having a lot of problems with the last and current NAD T-series receivers. They mentioned the receivers ending in -2 and-3's. They reported humming noises, some channels cutting out or not working at all and "freezing up" of the receiver. Make sure you purchase the NAD from an authorized dealer.

Johnny Mac

kingtut,

Thanks for the info...I'm leaning towards the 507, but was unsure about the extra coin. Whatever I wind up with will be purchased from an authorized dealer, without a doubt!

Isn't it amazing that each time you raise your spending limit a few hundred bucks to get brand X, you realize that if you just go a little higher you could get brand Y...

The joys of window shopping!

Thanks again,

John

pjdami

Johnny Mac,

Welcome to the forum. If you can afford it the AVR507 is a great piece. B&K recently dropped the prices on these receivers a grand. I own the 307 and B&K seperates as well. I started off with some NAD gear, went to Rotel, and finally found B&K. All are great for LSi. The B&K gear I found most to my liking in overall tonal quality. Relaxed midrange and smooth highs. The NAD is a good choice too; kingtut makes a good point about warranty here. Seems to be hit and miss with NAD among owners with some lemons out there. I never had any problems with NAD gear.

As for the 2900, well that depends if you want to get into SACD audio really. I'm still a two channel dinosaur so I opted to get the 2200 instead. Outstanding video section (could not tell the difference between it and the 2900) but the audio section isn't quite as sweet as the 2900. Both are great choices here.

As for the PSW 505, I would love to recommend Polk here and you should listen to it if you can but do some research on Adire Rava, Hsu, or SVS subs in that price range or a little more. Money well spent on bass. I have owned the PSW 350 and moved on to the Hsu STF-2 and now also own a SVS PB1+.

Good luck on your search,
Paul

Johnny Mac

Paul,

Appreciate your insight re: the sub, but the 505 is already purchased, it's rather doubtful that the Mrs. will authorize another speaker purchase anytime soon! I've heard nothing but rave reviews about the SVS and I will be sure to check them out for my rec room system. Your comparisons of the 2200 and 2900 are duly noted, and I will be sure to audition both when the time comes.

I am really psyched about the AVR507, just wanted to know if anyone felt that it was overkill for the system I plan to utilize. I suspect that I will love it, and will not hesitate to put a second one downstairs when that day rolls around. FYI, I am seriously jazzed about getting either LSi15's or 25's downstairs for my mains. Better start saving some serious coin...

Thanks for the warm welcome,

John

pjdami

Johnny,

You are welcome. The 507 may be overkill right now but will last you a long time, has a five year warranty, and B&K offers updates. With the 507 you will be ready for the future. LSi 15 and LSi 9s I have both and mate well with B&K.

Some things to consider about B&K. The 507 is kind of tall vertically and needs room to ventilate. The right side of the top of the receiver runs pretty warm. Make sure that you allow for at least 4 - 6 inches on the top of the receiver.

As far as features, the 507 is full of them. Easy to understand menus, notch filter, built in bass sweep test tones, room mode equalization, etc. etc. At the listening levels that I listen to my 307 has just as much headroom as my ST125.2 two channel amp which says a lot about the receiver amps. I normally listen to two channel music at about -20 to -25 off of reference levels and watch movies at -15 db off of reference. Not super loud but loud enough for me in a 3,000 ft3 room.

mantis

pjdami,
The avr307 has it's own amps but are almost exactly the same as the St series.B&K doesn't cheap out on the amp section,they actually build a receiver out of seperates.the Preamp can come out and put into it's own ref30 frame and be exactly the same.

B&K is awesome stuff.Rotel still has a nice softspot in my heart.

Dan