Stereo Receiver For 2-Channel Setup

Laura Palmer

Sorry, I asked this question in another forum, but realized it'd probably be better in this section.

I'm basically looking at putting together a small 2-channel system for my living room (nothing overboard, I'll save that for my HT) but I want to use the RTi6s on either the Harman Kardon 3380 or the 3480... the only differences as I can see, is that the 3480 is 40wpc higher (120watts versus 80watts for the 3380).

Will there be any noticeable difference since the RTi6s don't require much power anyway? They won't be played at loud volumes, and if I can save $100 then why not I guess?

That said, I don't want to ruin the setup because I didn't want to invest an extra 100 dollars to make a drastic difference.

steveinaz

Less than a 2dB increase in volume. If you're not going to run the Rti6's hard, go for the 80 watter.

gshisme

Originally posted by Laura Palmer
Will there be any noticeable difference

About 1.5 decibles. A bit more headroom. I say save yourself the money and go with the 3380.

Greg

Early B.

Always buy more than you think you'll need, if you have the money to do so. Get the 3480. Think headroom, not volume.

Danny Tse

Go with the 3380 if you're not going to crank it up to concert levels.

I believe J&R have this model for $230.00 shipped.

Toxis

Originally posted by Early B.
Always buy more than you think you'll need, if you have the money to do so. Get the 3480. Think headroom, not volume.

+1

marly421

Go with the 3480; better value, better feature set, more power and more important; headroom.

In fact the 3480 will drive the polks at 150 watts not 120...its in the book.

Go to ebay and get one straight from Harman Kardon. I got my 3480 for $223 + $20 shipping (full factory warranty). Great unit, it really can sings your stereo songs!

Marly

BobMcG

...you can't really go wrong.

However, you don't seem to be quite as interested in the 2ch system as you do in building your HT.

I'm basically looking at putting together a small 2-channel system for my living room (nothing overboard, I'll save that for my HT)

They won't be played at loud volumes, and if I can save $100 then why not I guess?

You're obviously not interested in blasting your 2ch or trying to nearly replicate a live concert.

These statements would suggest directing your $$$ to where it will probably be more appreciated by you.

That said, I don't want to ruin the setup because I didn't want to invest an extra 100 dollars to make a drastic difference.

IMO: RUIN? the system going with the 80watter instead of the 120watter. Not hardly.

You either have the extra hundred to put into the stereo and it won't bother you to do so or put it into the higher priority HT system.

bikezappa

I would look at this reciever question differently and forget about watts for a moment. I have a 2 channel system that I use more than my HT. My advice is to get a reciever that has an excellent tuner section. This is very difficult to do today because the new tuners are cheaply made and all SUCK. You will probably need to go in the used market. The problem is worse if, like me, you want a remote. All the great tuner/recievers were made in the 70's and early 80's. A good FM tuner will widen your musical experience a great deal. It's all about the music, right

"Music is the best", Zappa.

Look for used Revox, Nad, Carver ,Yamaha, recievers with remotes.

If you don't require a remote you will have many more options and can get outstanding recievers with a quality build you won't believe. The sound from a good tuner tuned to a uncompressed NRP station can rival a CD.

Just my opinion.

Forget the watts as the only criteria.

BobMcG

You raise a valid and new point but we were answering the question as posed by Laura as it pertained to the two specific recvrs being considered and compared. There might be a reason these two models were selected.

bigsexy1

+1 on what BZ said.

dorokusai

Actually when did this turn into "I need a tuner?" I don't recall him/her making this inquiry.

Screw the tuner section....some of you have lost your way. Unless it is a priority, WTF would you care about the tuner section? And if your tuner section IS a priority, then the rest obviously takes a back seat IMO. You will find most current tuners suck, it's low priority, regardless of manufacturer.

The biggest problem with mediocre tuners? Is that they don't have a good antenna. I'm making a general statement, but unless you get some good "ears"(i.e. a REAL antenna), you're wasting your time. There are some folks that get the piece they need from the easy and the gizmo, but it's so much more simple and I pray you have not walked into the Terk Cathedral.

A mediocre tuner can work well given it doesn't have alot of adjacent channel interference...that is simply area dependent. Saturation. If you think a T or some goofball aftermarket is going to solve your problems...you need to get into the back into the basics of FM reception.

Get high. You need to get up to get out to get in.

Don't need a remote? That's just silly. I'm a nutcase and their isn't a piece of gear on this planet that I would KEEP without a remote. Sorry, but I have special needs

I'm pretty sure "Laura" can get enough information from Cfrizz to make a bonecrushing rig. Cathy knows how to make things happen, look at her gear.

dkg999

I was running RTi6's on a Yamaha HTR-5660 receiver, which is advertised at 85w per channel, but realistically is about 45w per channel. It drove them fine for stereo use. There are a lot of good used recently built receivers for sale, especially if you look for a 3 to 5 year old 5.1 receiver. Any of the used NAD receivers would be a good choice, as well the HK's you mentioned. There are also some really good receivers from the 70's that are fun to listen to and are very good sounding, that can be had pretty reasonably. I have a Marantz 2270 that has a very smooth sweet sound, and the blue lights are really neat. I also have a Marantz SR5100 from the early 80's that was built right before the company went into the dumps, and it has a really nice sound and lots of power, total investment with replacing a couple of capacitors - $60. Sometimes the hunt for something that catches your interest is half the fun of this addiction, I mean hobby. Yeah, that's it, it's a hobby!

F1nut

To follow up on this tuner idea that you pulled out of thin air. One of the best, if not the best tuner made, the Magnum Dynalab MD-108 ($5850.00) can only manage a s/n ratio of 80 dB on FM with stereo separation of 50 dB. An average POS cdp can do a s/n ratio of 100 dB give or take with better cdp's doing 110 db or more and stereo separation of greater than 110 dB. To suggest a tuner as source for high fidelity is ridiculous.

dorokusai

AMEN.

dkg999

Amen from the choir on the high fidelity tuner idea!

BobMcG

I should have perhaps pointed out in my post that I was agreeing to Bike as to the reference of "watts" not always being the total sum to be considered when choosing a recvr. I personally don't have a tuner nor have a need for one and wouldn't want to be remoteless. Come to think of it, it's been twenty years sense I've owned a recvr. I don't try to keep up with the dope on them.

cfrizz

I am truly honored & flattered that you think my modest system is worth mentioning.

Laura, to be honest you are giving me whiplash you are trying to do so much so fast.

I honestly think that it is possible to have one system that will do both 2 channel & HT extremely well if you get a good receiver/amp, & speakers. I think right now you should concentrate on HT.

You already have good speakers, now just focus on getting the best receiver that you can afford. Make sure it has preouts so that later down the line you can add a separate amplifier/s to get the most out of your speakers.

It sounds as if just like the rest of us, you have to balance the best sound with a lack of funds. So just take your time & put it together a few pieces at a time as you get the money to upgrade.

Cathy

Originally posted by dorokusai

I'm pretty sure "Laura" can get enough information from Cfrizz to make a bonecrushing rig. Cathy knows how to make things happen, look at her gear.

Laura Palmer

Okay Cathy! I just bought the best receiver I could afford, which is the HK635.

I think I'm pretty happy with my decision, but if it doesn't sound as good as I'd like it to I will be purchasing either the HK PA 2000, 2 Outlaw M-200 Monoblocks, or (shrug) maybe still a 2-Ch Monster Amp.

But that will have to be down the road... maybe a month or two.

I can't wait to have my RTi12s hooked up to my HK635. I'm hoping it'll sound great...since I've never experienced any better frankly

Oh I also decided to go ahead with that 2 Channel system though, just a small one for the living room. I figured for my needs in there, that I could just go with the HK 3380 and that would be sufficient for a pair of RTi6s.

Thank you for all your help, everyone!!

Laura Palmer

I think I'm already ready to bite the bullet on the Outlaw M-200 Monoblocks (even though it's going to cost over $800 to ship them to Canada)...but now I'm thinking I should've gotten the AVR435 since the only difference is an extra 10 wpc. Can I rest easy knowing that my rear RTi6s and CSi5 will benefit from the extra 10wpc, or did I just throw away the extra 150 dollars I spent to get the AVR635? Frankly I didn't think I'd be buying a seperate amp so quickly, but now I think I should just do it and get it over with.

Does everyone here beat themselves over their decisions as much as I do? Cause it gets so stressful for me sometimes!!

jmierzur

These Rotel amps are very nice. Had one since 94. Price looks a little high. Make him an offer for one, or both.

Edit - not sure why not displaying properly.

jdhdiggs

Laura:

Is your system setup yet? If so, what is it missing? Something must be wrong for you to be beating yourself up like this...

I do believe that you are second guessing yourself way too much. Take some time off from this and enjoy the music and movies and then start thinking about whether or not something is truly "missing" from your percieved ideal system and then start working to fix that.

You have a great setup-Don't start tearing it down and buying more and more electronics until you truly know what it is that you are trying to do/fix.

audiobliss

Yeah, I beat myself over the head everytime I log onto this forum. To think I spent $800 on a stupid Yamaha receiver, when I could have bought a right nice pre/amp combo for that and have much better sound!! I guess we just have to live with our mistakes...and hopefully learn from them.

Laura Palmer

jdh: I think that is very valueble advice ---considering I have not set it up yet!! So I haven't even heard it.

I guess I just got lost in the shuffle of the forums with so many people saying that the RTi12s will not sound good unless I drive them with a proper amp.

I think your advice is so good though, that I am in fact going to stop buying things until I have setup all my RTi speakers with the AVR635 when it arrives.

Thank you!!!

jdhdiggs

If you haven't even heard the setup, it is definately wise to wait and see what you have before upgrading further. Good decision on that.

Do you have any oppurtunity to run someone else's amp just as a test so that you would know what you are "missing" from the 12's before purchasing anything else?

cfrizz

Laura you now have an outstanding system! sit back, relax & enjoy it. You got top notch equipment the first time out so there is NO need for all of this second guessing!

Ya did GOOD girlfriend! Alot better probably than most of us did when we were first starting out.

Now is the time to enjoy.

Cathy

Spawndn72

Laura you now have an outstanding system! sit back, relax & enjoy it. You got top notch equipment the first time out so there is NO need for all of this second guessing!

That is the worst advice I have ever heard. If you don't get an ulcer worrying over your system, you are not hardcore enough to even deserve a system. Now start doing some critical listening and find something wrong with your system. You should be able to find at least three things wrong in the first ten minutes of listening. Then you should upgrade to the point of poverty. After you get things just right and enough wattage running through your system to replace your central heat, you should abandon it all for simplicities sake and take the minimalistic approach. I am thinking a hillbilly with a washtub, a string, and a broomstick.

Laura Palmer

haha... I love you guys

I could not have done it without you all... and I thank you for dealing with me since I'm sure I've been pretty neurotic at times :P

Can't wait to hook it all up and take pictures!!

cfrizz

Just where are the men in the little white coats when you need them???:eek:

Originally posted by Spawndn72
That is the worst advice I have ever heard. If you don't get an ulcer worrying over your system, you are not hardcore enough to even deserve a system. Now start doing some critical listening and find something wrong with your system. You should be able to find at least three things wrong in the first ten minutes of listening. Then you should upgrade to the point of poverty. After you get things just right and enough wattage running through your system to replace your central heat, you should abandon it all for simplicities sake and take the minimalistic approach. I am thinking a hillbilly with a washtub, a string, and a broomstick.