Marantz NR1501 vs Pioneer VSX-21TXH

jay27

I am very new to the home audio side of things. Coming from car audio, I realize how different things are.

I just purchased my first big screen tv and now need to add some speakers (my new tv has no speakers!).

Can anyone lend some advice to which direction I should go. The noted receivers are in the same general price range and I imagine both would work admirably.

Is there a compelling reason to pick one over the other?

By the way, are the rated watts on home receivers accurate?

And does the technology for receivers change quickly like tvs and computers to the point where I would need to buy a new one every couple of years?

KASR

I own the NR1501 "slimline" as an upgrade from an Harman Kardon AVR154 (which I loved) and once I was able to detach myself from all the things that I loved about the H/K, I realized that it was a wise choice in moving on and up. The Marantz has a similar "warm" sound as the H/K (however, it is noteworthy, that me the H/K sounded more digital or tinny than the Marantz) ... the power rating for the Marantz (and H/K) are somewhat under-rated...I don't know about how Pioneer rates their power, but it should be noted that 50Wx7 on the Marantz has been MORE than enough to drive my Monitor 50's (20-200W) at 1/4 volume before you start to bother the neighbors.

Looking over the Pioneer, I did notice that it doesn't offer pre-amp outs as well...unless this is a concern, the NR1501 should be more than capable - it has all the latest codecs for HD audio and handles HDMI switching quite competently. I was even impressed with it's up-scaling. It's been good to me in the short time I've had it. You can read my initial thoughts here:
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91459

Hope this helps!

ken brydson

KASR wrote: »

I
Looking over the Pioneer, I did notice that it doesn't offer pre-amp outs as well...unless this is a concern, the NR1501 should be more than capable - it has all the latest codecs for HD audio and handles HDMI switching quite competently. I was even impressed with it's up-scaling. It's been good to me in the short time I've had it. You can read my initial thoughts here:
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91459

Hope this helps!

The VSX-21 DOES have pre-outs...

KASR

ken brydson wrote: »

The VSX-21 DOES have pre-outs...

Sure enough they do! I missed them becuz they were the same color as the regular composite audio inputs/outputs and were grouped together the same!

AsSiMiLaTeD

The first thing we need to know is what kind of speakers you have or are planning to buy. Each receiver is a fine choice, but one or the other may work better depending on what you have for speakers.

jay27

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

The first thing we need to know is what kind of speakers you have or are planning to buy. Each receiver is a fine choice, but one or the other may work better depending on what you have for speakers.

I actually don't have the speakers yet either! I am trying to make a decision on those as well.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Well it's important to make those decision in conjunction, you wouldn't want a receivers that's on the bright side with speakers that are also the same. You also need to make sure thhe receiver you choose will drive the speakers you want well.

What's your total budget, for speakers and receiver?

If I were you, I'd pick your speakers first, then find a receiver to match.

KASR

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

If I were you, I'd pick your speakers first, then find a receiver to match.

Well spoken, sir!

jay27

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

Well it's important to make those decision in conjunction, you wouldn't want a receivers that's on the bright side with speakers that are also the same. You also need to make sure thhe receiver you choose will drive the speakers you want well.

What's your total budget, for speakers and receiver?

If I were you, I'd pick your speakers first, then find a receiver to match.

I was hoping to spend less than $500 on a receiver and in the $300 range for speakers. If I could get by with less, all the better!

I should say that I am by no means an "audiophile". What kind of prompted me into buying a home theater system was that the tv I purchased does not have internal speakers and thought that if I need to buy some, then I may as well purchase something worthwhile.

KASR

jay27 wrote: »

I was hoping to spend less than $500 on a receiver and in the $300 range for speakers. If I could get by with less, all the better!

I should say that I am by no means an "audiophile". What kind of prompted me into buying a home theater system was that the tv I purchased does not have internal speakers and thought that if I need to buy some, then I may as well purchase something worthwhile.

Might start with a nice 2.1 system then and then build off of that. If you plan on doing alot of movie watching, then even a 3.1 with good speakers will sound great!

dorokusai

There's nothing wrong with building your new system in pieces. If you compromise what you really want, just to get it all done at once....you'll be doing that for a very long time.

I think the suggestion of a 2.1 system to start is a great idea. I'd pick up a Onkyo TX-SR707 w/ a nice pair of Polk TSi500 loudspeakers and a DSWPro 600 subwoofer. That would be a head banging start to a fantastic HT.

cnh

+1 on Doro's suggestions above....a good way to start with plenty of power for the Tsi-500s and the ability to expand to a 5.1 or 7.1 later with CS20 and TSI bookshelf surrounds.

Start strong and take your time to add to your system.

cnh

AsSiMiLaTeD

Great ideas above mine, but I'll offer a slightly different approach. If you're looking to get a full surround setup now and don't see yoursef upgrading in the near future you do still have options.

In that scenario I'd recommend something like the Energy take 5 surround speaker package, newegg.com usually has this for around 130 - 150 online. That's a decent surround package, you will need to find a subwoofer to add to the mix though.

If you're in this scenario, I'd also suggest maybe a little 'less' reciever, any of the receivers mentioned here would likely be overkill for that setup. I'd take a look at something like the pioneer vsx-819, which is about 300 bucks at best buy, it would be plenty to drive a speaker package like the Energy.

I'd take the extra coin you'd save on the receiver and put it into a subwoofer.

If you see yourself really getting into home audio or wanting to upgrade down the road then take the advice above my post, but if you're just a casual listener and don't necessarily want this to become a hobby, I submit that my approach would work well - that setup is exactly what I ended up just giving to my brother and they love it