Looking for a New Receiver!

critical_gp

You guys are great! You have helped me so much that its not even funny! Thank you!

Now, I'm on the market for a new Receiver but so far I can tell whats a good receiver and whats not by looking at the price and how heavy it is. (thats what a salesman in CC explained to me haha).

Anyway, what do I need to look at when selecting a good receiver...tell me about the numbers. I have Monitor 60s(T90e) with Monitor 30s(T20e) and PSW303 Sub. I do not have a center because there is no place to put it.I played the Speakers without the sub....and, wow i dont even want to talk about it!

One of the tech guys at ABT electronics summarised it in one sentance...."You need power to move the drivers"...ok, I'm using Yamaha HTR-5730 that I bought about 1.5 years ago. I know I can do better than that and I want to!

So pleace tell me the secret of how to read the numbers!
Thank you!

pearsall001

critical_gp wrote:

You guys are great! You have helped me so much that its not even funny! Thank you!

Now, I'm on the market for a new Receiver but so far I can tell whats a good receiver and whats not by looking at the price and how heavy it is. (thats what a salesman in CC explained to me haha).

Anyway, what do I need to look at when selecting a good receiver...tell me about the numbers. I have Monitor 60s(T90e) with Monitor 30s(T20e) and PSW303 Sub. I do not have a center because there is no place to put it.I played the Speakers without the sub....and, wow i dont even want to talk about it!

One of the tech guys at ABT electronics summarised it in one sentance...."You need power to move the drivers"...ok, I'm using Yamaha HTR-5730 that I bought about 1.5 years ago. I know I can do better than that and I want to!

So pleace tell me the secret of how to read the numbers!
Thank you!

You want numbers, start by giving us one. Budget!!!!!! Without that number it's tough to steer you in the right direction.

critical_gp

$600-700!!!

Home Theatre

critical_gp wrote:

$600-700!!!

Pioneer Elite then buy a two channel amp for the Monitor 60's

Midnite Mick

Everybody is so quick to throw out the amp suggestion...but do we really need seperate amplification for monitor 60's?

You have a decent budget and would suggest that the best Harmon Kardon receiver you could get would do very well for you as long as it has all the home theatre features that you are looking for. Oh, and don't worry about the lower power numbers of the HK as those are closer to being real.

Good luck,
Mike

cfrizz

Why not suggest an amp Mike? Are you saying the the monitor series is not worthy of separate amplification or it will not improve with it?

Is there anyone out there that does have separate amplification for their monitor speakers? If so speak up & let us know if it made a difference.

Shizelbs

Buy used, and make sure it has amplifier pre-outs. Beyond that, get whatever you want. I like my Pioneer Elite very much.

cstpeter

You could get a refurbished Denon 3806 for $700. When I upgraded from an entry-level Harman/Kardon AVR130 to the Denon 3806, I was amazed at the improvement. Great receiver with all the home theater bells and whistles.

http://www.dakmart.com/items/173/20/next/2/


This could also be a good call: a used NAD T762.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?miscrcvr&1167087048

Whatever you choose, I would't worry about an amp for now. Just get the best used receiver you can (with preouts).

EDIT: Sorry, $700 gets you a 3805; the 3806 is $829.

Midnite Mick

Yeah, I guess I just wonder if the monitor 60 are really worth seperate amplification. Maybe money is better spent on just a better receiver. I know of people that have very nice sounding home theatres with very good speakers that have them integrated with their 2 channel. The amp runs the 2channel stereo with a preamp that has HT bypass and a receiver takes care of everything else. I think if I was to do it over again that would be the route I would take.

Don't get me wrong I don't think an amp is ever a bad thing I just feel that we are so into our better than average systems that maybe we just throw that suggestion out there as if it were commonplace. I mean what percentage of people that have stereos even have seperates? Hey, if he can swing it great, I just question whether it is money well spent is all. If I personally were to purchase seperate amplification I would be looking for better speakers.

Just my .02 and maybe less:)

Good luck,
Mike

critical_gp

The Monitor T90e are a great improvement from my R50s even though I loved them. However, as much as I love electronics I really cant spend $10000 to have the perfect system (or maybe even $10000 is not enough). I'm in college and I'm not an audiophile so the T90e with a nice receiver will do the job. I will be going to europe in the summer and it happens that I have a friend that happens to build amps....I'll ask him to build one for me...it will be done the way I want it...LOL

Home Theatre

I am actually pretty happy with the Tb90's(monitor 60's). Are they perfect? No. I do agree that the RTI line destrorys the monitor line. For 349 you can't go wrong with these speakers.

My plan for my system is:

X Box 360
New DLP TV(hmdi,1080p)
HD-DVD Drive
Better Receiver with pre-outs
Amp
HD-DVD player
Better speakers(RTI 10's or 12's) or whatever Polk has out at the time that I like.

Home Theatre

critical_gp wrote:

The Monitor T90e are a great improvement from my R50s even though I loved them. However, as much as I love electronics I really cant spend $10000 to have the perfect system (or maybe even $10000 is not enough). I'm in college and I'm not an audiophile so the T90e with a nice receiver will do the job. I will be going to europe in the summer and it happens that I have a friend that happens to build amps....I'll ask him to build one for me...it will be done the way I want it...LOL

What is the company called?

Home Theatre

Check out this deal, I am not sure if has been sold yet. This would be perfect for you.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45867


1,500 dollar receiver for 749.

critical_gp

....where else do you get a decent system such as a pair of Monitor 60's + a pair of Monitor 30s and sub for $500? I love it!

The company name?
Well, it isnt really a company......he just builds them for people that want one build specificaly for them.

Home Theatre

How much for a 250X7 in 8 ohms?

critical_gp

Its hard to say....but my guess is about $200 - 500 but thats only if its custom built. But if you have to buy something that is Sony, Denon, Pioneer...its like double the prices here.

I might actually give him a call and ask him what he can do.....

univera

Nad 763. It is likely in your price range in gently used condition. I have the 773 and it sounds sweet in stereo and HT. I am amazed how quiet it is during movies or t.v. matrix surround. I previously owned the 770, so I am sold on these AVR's. Nad emphasizes the musicality of 2 channel just as much as surround. The main two channels are even isolated in some way from the rest of the setup so you get the best possible sound for stereo listening. The listing right below is brand, new, in an opened box. You can probably get one cheaper or drop down to the 753.

The last link to a 753 is a great deal. You won't do better for $600.00obo. Plus, shipping is included and comes with the original box, etc. Even has best offer...Pearsall also has a 773 and he likes his. Read the reviews on all these units. They are all the same build, just with different powered amps. The pre-pro section has been compared favorably to units costings several thousand. Bang for the buck!

Don't be scared of seemingly low power ratings. NAD is real deal in terms of ratings and will play much larger than seemingly equal units.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NAD-T-763-Surround-sound-Receiver_W0QQitemZ270057124479QQihZ017QQcategoryZ14981QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1168983144

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homeproc&1168122529
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homeproc&1169163233

tommyboy

cfrizz wrote:

Is there anyone out there that does have separate amplification for their monitor speakers? If so speak up & let us know if it made a difference.

Yes, it made a big difference, especially with mid-range and bass. But I would NOT have bought this amp if I wasn't upgrading my speakers in a year or two...

tommyboy

cfrizz

That's fine Tommyboy. I did the same thing as you. I bought an amp with the idea to upgrade my speakers, but found the improvement to my old ones so dramatic that I've put the speaker upgrade on indefinate hold.

critical_gp

OK, I will get a separate amp but I dont think my current receiver is going to work with it. It is Yamaha HTR-5730. So i hava decided to go with either one of these two:

Pioneer Elite VSX-52TX (This seems decent and could get in on sale for about $500)

Denon AVR-2307 (I talked to the sales guy at ABTelectronics, which is 2 mins away and he said he could give me a really good deal on this one in a couple of weeks)

What do you guys think?

dane_peterson

In a couple weeks? Are they going to be replacing the 07s already?

That's a solid choice, IMO. I have the 2807, but would have gotten the 2307 if I didn't want analog -> HDMI upconversion.

critical_gp

Comision! I might get a returned one which will save me some extra money.

But yeah, I might go with the Denon. I was thinking about getting the 2106 a couple of month ago but then I bought a new car and...I got the other bug...modifying the car. WOW....its hard when there are two bugs.

cstpeter

critical_gp wrote:

Comision! I might get a returned one which will save me some extra money.

But yeah, I might go with the Denon. I was thinking about getting the 2106 a couple of month ago but then I bought a new car and...I got the other bug...modifying the car. WOW....its hard when there are two bugs.

I do not envy you sir! One bug is bad enough.

Good choice with the Denon 2307. Good DAC's, nice power, plenty o' features.

Enjoy!

polktiger

I bought a Yamaha RX-V2500 from tweeter the day after Thanksgiving for $499. They had a lot, and they are trying to clearance them since it has been replaced by the RX-V2600 (i think) normally a $900 - $1000 receiver. Looking in their web site recently, I think they took them back to $799, but if a local tweeter has some still in stock you may be able to talk them into their "Black Friday" sale price.

critical_gp

wow only $500? That sound like a good deal....I'm gonna go ask. I'll talk to the same guy that sold me the speakers. Its funny because i was there on black friday and thats when i got the speakers but i was so happy i was getting the speakers that i didnt pay attention to other things.

Anyway...I just came back from ABT electronics and they have the Pioneer VSX-80TXV (open item for $450). I didnt talk to anyone but I'm pretty sure i can knock off another $30-50. What do you think...should i go back tonight and snatch that if the Tweeter guy doesnt want to get that deal for me?

Or, should I just wait for the Denon?
(DaMn Bug!)

Later