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This hobby sucks!

post #1 of 38
1/20/10 at 5:47pm
Thread Starter 
Well,
My plan was to replace my 15 year old system with all the new stuff. I have listened to many systems for the last couple of months and then researched them on this web site (witch I might add has been an outstanding source of information).
I settled on three a/v receivers:
1. NAD 785 - I have read it has issues to resolve....
2. Arcam 600 - I have read it has issues to resolve....
3. Rotel 1570 and 1585 - I have read it has issues to resolve.....
The speakers I am considering are B&W CM9, Paradigm 100 and PSB Synchrony one's, all with the associated speakers to complete the 5.1 system.
They all sound great to me, some a little better that the others. So selecting a speaker system is not the problem, but how the heck do I select an a/v receiver system that I don't end up having a lot of issues with? I have ordered a panasonic 65 that was supposed to be in on December 20, but it should be in any day now. I just don't know what the heck to put with it. I'm frustrated!
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post #2 of 38
1/20/10 at 6:30pm
Yamaha RX-V2065BL
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post #3 of 38
1/20/10 at 6:55pm
I have been through the same hoops with speakers. With a few exceptions, they are all "good" just some have a different style of sound. As for they all have "issues"? Well, look for trends. Peruse the threads and see what the general consensus is. Anything mechanical is going to have "issues" now and then. The three A/V reciever brands I see that are good are Denon, Onkyo and Yamaha. Pioneer and Panasonic would probably fit in there as well. Your NAD, Arcam and Rotel are a little higher up than what I search for so, I can't comment on them.

FWIW, I have some Magnavox and Pioneer equipment that are 20 years old and have never skipped a beat. My Denon AVR is 8. That one might be having some "issues" regarding one of the channels.
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post #4 of 38
1/20/10 at 7:01pm
No, this hobby does not suck. It is like anything else. It is what you make of it.
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post #5 of 38
1/20/10 at 7:12pm
Go collect stamps..

DJoel
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post #6 of 38
1/20/10 at 8:06pm
It's not our fault you didn't leave enough time to choose an AVR.

What is your Blu-ray?

What other components will you hook up to the AVR?

What is your budget?

Expect to receive suggestions other than the three on your current short list
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post #7 of 38
1/20/10 at 9:48pm
Wow some of ya'll are bein dicks. He's just frustrated like we all get with the plethora of choices in the market today. Cut him some slack.
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post #8 of 38
1/21/10 at 12:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamulian View Post

Well,
My plan was to replace my 15 year old system with all the new stuff. I have listened to many systems for the last couple of months and then researched them on this web site (witch I might add has been an outstanding source of information).
I settled on three a/v receivers:
1. NAD 785 - I have read it has issues to resolve....
2. Arcam 600 - I have read it has issues to resolve....
3. Rotel 1570 and 1585 - I have read it has issues to resolve.....
The speakers I am considering are B&W CM9, Paradigm 100 and PSB Synchrony one's, all with the associated speakers to complete the 5.1 system.
They all sound great to me, some a little better that the others. So selecting a speaker system is not the problem, but how the heck do I select an a/v receiver system that I don't end up having a lot of issues with? I have ordered a panasonic 65 that was supposed to be in on December 20, but it should be in any day now. I just don't know what the heck to put with it. I'm frustrated!

Keep it simple. Get an Onkyo or Integra Pre pro and the new 5503 Onkyp amp...or throw in an emotiva amp. Done.
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post #9 of 38
1/21/10 at 1:57am
You are looking at some pretty expensive brands in Arcam, NAD and Rotel. I doubt that you will have to pay as much for the same quality if you stick to the more widely available AVRs like Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer, etc.

The Denon 790, Onkyo 707 or Pioneer VSX-21 and up models, respectively, should be more than ample to run a decent 5.1 system like you have envisioned.

Good hunting
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post #10 of 38
1/21/10 at 2:11am
It only sucks if you consistently try to keep up with the Joneses on everything. Don't fall into that trap like so many here do.
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post #11 of 38
1/21/10 at 2:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by diamonddelts View Post

It only sucks if you consistently try to keep up with the Joneses on everything. Don't fall into that trap like so many here do.

diamonddelts has hit the nail on its head! Buy what you can afford, that is up to date feature-wise, and it should be good for 10 years at least
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post #12 of 38
1/21/10 at 5:43am
Synchrony Ones are 4 Ohm, I believe.

For the money you will spend on your stated receiver choices, I would consider separates. The more affordable brands may not have the cachet of an Arcam or Rotel but they will deliver the goods. I am using an Onkyo PR-SC885 with Chiro/Parasound amping and see no reason to upgrade for many years to come. As always, YMMV.

Good Luck.
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post #13 of 38
1/21/10 at 7:02am
If you only buy every 10-15 years it's not a hobby in my opinion. For most everybody here this is a hobby. Somebody that pops in and titles his thread the way the OP did is not going to get a warm reception from most of us.
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post #14 of 38
1/21/10 at 7:24am
I'd start with an Integra pre/pro and go from there.
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post #15 of 38
1/21/10 at 7:32am
I have the PSB Synchrony Two Towers and Center with PSB CW-260 in the wall surrounds and love them. I was powering them with a Denon 4802 125 watt AVR and they sounded very good, but the 4802 was getting very warm almost hot just added a Emovita UPA-7 amp all I can say I what a difference the 200 watts X 7 @ 4 ohms will run them great. With the UPA-7 I can bi-amp the mains and use all 7 channels. Using the 4802 ad a pre-amp until the Emovita UMC-1 comes out. Have Fun.
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post #16 of 38
1/21/10 at 7:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by eiger View Post

Wow some of ya'll are bein dicks. He's just frustrated like we all get with the plethora of choices in the market today. Cut him some slack.

We should be happy with the fact that there are a lot of choices. Perhaps if the OP approached this differently he would get a better response.

Mark.
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post #17 of 38
1/21/10 at 7:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by karlsaudio View Post

No, this hobby does not suck. It is like anything else. It is what you make of it.

+1


@ jamulian
Its doesn't need to be a hobby, just like cars or computers can just be day to day tools of life. Movies and music, cooking and eating are for enjoyment. If you can't cook you eat out more. You say your " frustrated! " which means things are not going your way easily, well thats life, do your home work and read this forum, like most of us, and with alittle luck you will find something you like.
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post #18 of 38
1/21/10 at 8:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkSmith View Post

We should be happy with the fact that there are a lot of choices. Perhaps if the OP approached this differently he would get a better response.

Mark.



Exactly...

Djoel
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post #19 of 38
1/21/10 at 8:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by StevenC56 View Post

If you only buy every 10-15 years it's not a hobby in my opinion. For most everybody here this is a hobby. Somebody that pops in and titles his thread the way the OP did is not going to get a warm reception from most of us.

What is the hobby you are talking about? Swapping equipment every 10-15 years or listening to great audio and seeing great video. I think someone putting together a system every 10 years (not me ) can still have audio as a hobby.
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post #20 of 38
1/21/10 at 10:12am
The search (and the puzzlement--I won't call it frustration) is part of the hobby. Learn to enjoy it. When you finally assemble your system, that journey will make the destination more satisfying.
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post #21 of 38
1/21/10 at 11:00am
Lot of bad attitudes here. I suggest getting a better job, and manging your money better so you can upgrade more often. Don't get married, families are too expensive. Charities are a waste. So is going out to eat, or golf, or whatever.

I suggest this budget -

Rent - 50%
Car - 10% (or maybe you could take a bus?)
Utilties - 10% (but you can lower your heat in the winter, if you have enough amps on)
Food - 10% (You can eat very cheaply if you put your mind to it)
Media - 0% (Bit Torrent, nuff said)
Audio/Video Gear - 20% (At least - I think further cuts can be made.)
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post #22 of 38
1/21/10 at 11:12am
Thread Starter 
WOW!
I am sorry if I offended anyone. Just voicing my frustration.
Your right this is not my hobby, but I know it is for most of you. That is why I value your opinions on this stuff.
As mentioned I only do this every 10 or 15 years, so I am trying to make an educated decision on my next purchase in the range of $12,000 to $15,000.
Actually, my hobby is fishing and hunting. And when I buy guns and fishing reels, which are mechanical they always work.
My problem is every time I audition one of the receivers that sounds good to me the research I do on this site and others I always find that there are some types of problems with the units. Is this BS or are there actually performance issues with them?
I appreciate your all of your input - good or bad.
Thanks.
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post #23 of 38
1/21/10 at 11:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamulian View Post

WOW!
I am sorry if I offended anyone. Just voicing my frustration.
Your right this is not my hobby, but I know it is for most of you. That is why I value your opinions on this stuff.
As mentioned I only do this every 10 or 15 years, so I am trying to make an educated decision on my next purchase in the range of $12,000 to $15,000.
Actually, my hobby is fishing and hunting. And when I buy guns and fishing reels, which are mechanical they always work.
My problem is every time I audition one of the receivers that sounds good to me the research I do on this site and others I always find that there are some types of problems with the units. Is this BS or are there actually performance issues with them?
I appreciate your all of your input - good or bad.
Thanks.

Are you opposed to the brands suggested in this thread such as the Integra 80.1 and Onkyo 5507? Mating these with an amp of your choice would be the best way to go.

BTW, the hobby aspect isn't about spending money, it is about being critical of the content you view and watch. Some are just being snobs!
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post #24 of 38
1/21/10 at 11:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamulian View Post

WOW!
I am sorry if I offended anyone. Just voicing my frustration.
Your right this is not my hobby, but I know it is for most of you. That is why I value your opinions on this stuff.
As mentioned I only do this every 10 or 15 years, so I am trying to make an educated decision on my next purchase in the range of $12,000 to $15,000.
Actually, my hobby is fishing and hunting. And when I buy guns and fishing reels, which are mechanical they always work.
My problem is every time I audition one of the receivers that sounds good to me the research I do on this site and others I always find that there are some types of problems with the units. Is this BS or are there actually performance issues with them?
I appreciate your all of your input - good or bad.
Thanks.

Thing about modern AVRs, is they are very complex. Complexity breeds problems. And a lot of AVRs have some issue or other.
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post #25 of 38
1/21/10 at 11:27am
It doesn't matter what you spend, there is always a problem somewhere... That is my input to money and this hobby.
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post #26 of 38
1/21/10 at 11:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelJHuman View Post

Thing about modern AVRs, is they are very complex. Complexity breeds problems. And a lot of AVRs have some issue or other.

Also, smaller, more specialized companies (like NAD, Arcam, and Rotel) seem to be more likely to have problems with newer technology (like HDMI and video processing) than the big mainstream companies (like Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo, and Pioneer).
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post #27 of 38
1/21/10 at 11:40am
+1 on the Integra DHC 80.1 and a good amp. I have the 40.1 and love it. There really is no "issues" with either of these units, and the ethernet firmware and pandora radio features are great. DEFINITELY GO SEPARATES.....
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post #28 of 38
1/21/10 at 11:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamulian View Post

WOW!
I am sorry if I offended anyone. Just voicing my frustration.
Your right this is not my hobby, but I know it is for most of you. That is why I value your opinions on this stuff.
As mentioned I only do this every 10 or 15 years, so I am trying to make an educated decision on my next purchase in the range of $12,000 to $15,000.
Actually, my hobby is fishing and hunting. And when I buy guns and fishing reels, which are mechanical they always work.
My problem is every time I audition one of the receivers that sounds good to me the research I do on this site and others I always find that there are some types of problems with the units. Is this BS or are there actually performance issues with them?
I appreciate your all of your input - good or bad.
Thanks.

Spend 2/3 rds of your money on your speakers of choice, you will keep them the longest. Then go out and get yourself either a good pre-pro or AVR that has all the connections,options you want, and a good EQ program. Then you go get yourself some good amps to power it all. Decide if you want 5.1/5.2/7.1/7.2 or even more. As for the brands you have chosen for an AVR what people here are trying to tell you is that these don't keep up with the major players as for connectivity,options and EQ programs. Wasted dollars IMO. Find something in your price range after the speaker purchase and all of them will sound pretty much the same. There are many very good choices out there for doing this. Just make sure it has pre-outs for adding amps if its an AVR or come back for amp suggestions if its a pre-pro. Good luck and when you decide on the setup you want you will get some help here.
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post #29 of 38
1/21/10 at 12:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamulian View Post

WOW!
My problem is every time I audition one of the receivers that sounds good to me the research I do on this site and others I always find that there are some types of problems with the units. Is this BS or are there actually performance issues with them?
I appreciate your all of your input - good or bad.
Thanks.

If you fail to purchase a product because someone on this forum has had a problem with it-you will never own anything. Do people have legitimate complaints about certain products? Yes! Are these problems sometimes overblown? Yes!
I own a Denon 4310, Oppo Blu-Ray, and a AV123 MFW-15. People complain night and day about these products. Personally, mine have all worked without one single issues since the day I purchased them. Perhaps i'm just lucky. I doubt it because I buy lotto tickets often and don't win a damn thing.

My point is to just buy something you like that fits your needs and is within your budget and don't worry about the rest.
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post #30 of 38
1/21/10 at 12:25pm
IMO, it's about what you can live with. Some issues only effect certain setups. Some issues are tolerable. Some are annoying.

For example, some receivers don't seem to work well with certain gear. If you don't have that gear, no big deal.

Some issues are livable, like usability issues.

Some are downright annoying, like a receiver with a poor tuner, when you listen to a lot of radio.
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