reciever rec?

neomagus00
neomagus00 Posts: 3,899
edited September 2004 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
Hey... I'm in the market for something to power a 2.1 channel setup. I'm not sure what my budget is - budget is the key word here - and i'm not sure whether i need an amp/reciever combo or just a reciever. I don't think I'm ever going to go to full theatre, so all i need are the two mains and the sub output. all speakers involved right now are fairly low-power, but i'm looking to upgrade later, so a reasonably powerful combination is in order. any suggestions on where i should look?

oh, btw, the sub right now is not amplified, it'd need to have an amp channel, but if i go to a powered sub later it'd be nice to have that flexibility (not required, cause i'm probably going to be building all these speakers, but it's good to have just in case)
It's not good, very fundamentally simply not good. - geolemon

"Its not good enough until we have real-time fearmongering. I want my fear mongered as it happens." - Shizelbs
Post edited by neomagus00 on
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  • neomagus00
    neomagus00 Posts: 3,899
    edited September 2004
    ooh... in addition to the reciever i'm looking to purchase, does anyone have a company or model i should look at for a compressor?
    It's not good, very fundamentally simply not good. - geolemon

    "Its not good enough until we have real-time fearmongering. I want my fear mongered as it happens." - Shizelbs
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  • gidrah
    gidrah Posts: 3,049
    edited September 2004
    I would say you need a good stereo receiver or better yet, a stereo amp an preamp combo (or atleast a good integrated).

    What speakers are you using? Don't be shy. Does your sub have a crossover? I would definately consider speaker level into your sub and out to your speakers. This to me is always the preferred method.
    Make it Funky! :)
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  • neomagus00
    neomagus00 Posts: 3,899
    edited September 2004
    thanks for the idea... I'm doing the crossover network myself, so running the high-level through the sub shouldn't be a problem; i assume i'm going to lose stereo but as they're always right next to each other :( it's no big deal. I'm running a pair of PSB bookshelf speakers from ages ago (inherited)... they're more a keep-me-going till my meager college budget can get good towers.

    on the receiver - what does the preamp do (i'm all on car audio, so i'm not familiar with this product). do you have a reccomendation for a brand or model of reciever or amp/preamp or integrated? thanks again for the help...
    It's not good, very fundamentally simply not good. - geolemon

    "Its not good enough until we have real-time fearmongering. I want my fear mongered as it happens." - Shizelbs
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited September 2004
    Think of a pre amp as a passive head unit, without a tuner, and it does not have an amp section. It controls the sources and offers tonal adjustment. If you listen to radio, you'll need a tuner. An integrated would have an amp section in it.

    If your going for a room system, you'r e not going to need all that much power. Plus you can go with speaker level input on the sub. You have alot of choices. I'd go vintage...

    Here's an 80 WPC Carver

    Here's a Sansui

    Here's a Harmon Kardon 120 WPC
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  • neomagus00
    neomagus00 Posts: 3,899
    edited September 2004
    i'm likin' the HK amp for two reasons - separate sub output AND lots of A/V I/O connections. that'll be my goal for now... any other companies I should look at for decent products in case the sale on this one should fall through (middle-of-the-road products are fine, this is a stepping-stone purchase)?

    any ideas on compressors? again, just companies are fine, this is intended to be a learning experience (which, i suppose, is provided here as well) as much as a purchase :).
    It's not good, very fundamentally simply not good. - geolemon

    "Its not good enough until we have real-time fearmongering. I want my fear mongered as it happens." - Shizelbs
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited September 2004
    I've got a Husky 60 gallon upright, single stage. I got it at HD for a little less than $500. It does the job just fine, for a backyard mechanic like me.
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  • neomagus00
    neomagus00 Posts: 3,899
    edited September 2004
    huh??
    It's not good, very fundamentally simply not good. - geolemon

    "Its not good enough until we have real-time fearmongering. I want my fear mongered as it happens." - Shizelbs
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited September 2004
    any ideas on compressors? again, just companies are fine, this is intended to be a learning experience (which, i suppose, is provided here as well) as much as a purchase .

    What kind of compressor are you asking about?
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  • gidrah
    gidrah Posts: 3,049
    edited September 2004
    That Sansui is a beaut. Good call Amulford.

    Receiver = integrated amp + tuner = amp + preamp + tuner.

    I know DBX makes some good compressors. Why are you wanting one? I would think that the only time you would want to use it is to transfer from CD to cassette. Even then I wouldn't worry about it.
    Make it Funky! :)
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  • neomagus00
    neomagus00 Posts: 3,899
    edited September 2004
    I'm referring to a device that squishes the volume, so the loud and soft sections aren't as different. This is so I don't have to constantly change the volume when I watch movies to hear the dialogue and then attentuate the explosions - I live in a dorm, and movie night ends badly when your neighbor decides the booms are too much...
    It's not good, very fundamentally simply not good. - geolemon

    "Its not good enough until we have real-time fearmongering. I want my fear mongered as it happens." - Shizelbs
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited September 2004
    Then you need a Dynamic range limiter. Alot of HT receivers have this feature built in.

    I thought you were talkin' friggin AIR Compressor!!!:o
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  • neomagus00
    neomagus00 Posts: 3,899
    edited September 2004
    lol... no, i just didn't know what the proper term was, so i took a guess :D. okay then, assume for the moment that the reciever I've got (am going to get) doesn't have this function... who do i turn to for medium-price help?
    It's not good, very fundamentally simply not good. - geolemon

    "Its not good enough until we have real-time fearmongering. I want my fear mongered as it happens." - Shizelbs
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  • gatemplin
    gatemplin Posts: 1,595
    edited September 2004
    Originally posted by neomagus00
    who do i turn to for medium-price help?

    In addition to most receivers having dynamic range compression, most DVD players have built in dynamic range compression feature or night mode it is sometimes called. You have to enable it in the player menu.
    Graham
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  • neomagus00
    neomagus00 Posts: 3,899
    edited September 2004
    mine is CD-only, way old-school... plus i like being in control, so i'd like to choose level of compression and such...
    It's not good, very fundamentally simply not good. - geolemon

    "Its not good enough until we have real-time fearmongering. I want my fear mongered as it happens." - Shizelbs
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited September 2004
    The only thing I can think of there would be called a VOLUME KNOB;)

    No, really, I haven't heard of any such animal, but if you plan on getting a HTR and just using it for 2.1 (which you CAN do), make sure it has that feature. Or if you get a DVD player, DITTO.
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