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Mhmm.. beautiful aren't they? :)

post #1 of 23
9/13/10 at 8:04pm
Thread Starter 
Here are the first pieces of gear for my 2.1 setup, I can't wait to get them up and running





The tricky part, which shouldn't be so tricky but I like to make things that way, is to find a nice receiver to compliment them. I don't mean to make this into a "Which receiver to buy" thread, but I seem to contemplate way too much. They are 15-100 watts capable and 80 watts typical program, unsure of that meaning though and unsure of the db rating, I hear Paradigm's are in the 90's but not positive.

My setup will most likely be limited at 2.1, maybe a center only if I feel the need after these get setup. I have been looking at most of the receivers in the $300-$400 range. I don't need too many features, mainly just a well built 5.1+ HDMI receiver that has nice build quality, reliability and will power these nicely. It seems that EVERY receiver that I have been looking at has it's downfalls, and it makes it super hard to settle :-/

You're welcome to throw your ideas out at me
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post #2 of 23
9/13/10 at 8:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Digital_Chris View Post

Here are the first pieces of gear for my 2.1 setup, I can't wait to get them up and running





The tricky part, which shouldn't be so tricky but I like to make things that way, is to find a nice receiver to compliment them. I don't mean to make this into a "Which receiver to buy" thread, but I seem to contemplate way too much. They are 15-100 watts capable and 80 watts typical program, unsure of that meaning though and unsure of the db rating, I hear Paradigm's are in the 90's but not positive.

My setup will most likely be limited at 2.1, maybe a center only if I feel the need after these get setup. I have been looking at most of the receivers in the $300-$400 range. I don't need too many features, mainly just a well built 5.1+ HDMI receiver that has nice build quality, reliability and will power these nicely. It seems that EVERY receiver that I have been looking at has it's downfalls, and it makes it super hard to settle :-/

You're welcome to throw your ideas out at me

Go to www.ac4l.com and look at Marantz refurbish receivers.
I have bought from them before - they are a good company.
Marantz is good.
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post #3 of 23
9/13/10 at 9:24pm
Holy cow! Are those version 1?

Here's my vote for receiver, and at a good price too.
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...oneer-vsx1020k
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post #4 of 23
9/13/10 at 10:55pm
Very nice! If you don't need 3D I suggest last years Onkyo TX-SR707 ($429), also available refurbished for $399. I bought a refurbished 707 for my master bedroom and it's a great receiver. If you want 3D capability then consider a factory refurbished TX-SR608 ($349).
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post #5 of 23
9/14/10 at 5:24am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01 View Post

Go to www.ac4l.com and look at Marantz refurbish receivers.
I have bought from them before - they are a good company.
Marantz is good.

Marantz was one of my top choices, one because I love the look of them and they are different, and two because they have most of the features I am looking for. But, I also don't know about their long term reliability. It's also "made in china". For some reason, that always give me the "cheaply made" feeling.... :-/ I also hear that their support isn't the smoothest? Correct me if I'm wrong.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Maximum7 View Post

Holy cow! Are those version 1?

Here's my vote for receiver, and at a good price too.
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...oneer-vsx1020k

Yes, I believe they are Version 1, gorgeous huh?

I saw that receiver and was thinking about if for my up coming HT, but I don't need any where near all of those features for my upstairs setup. I know it also sounds silly, but I kind of want to match receiver brands between upstairs and downstairs. Mainly so when I get used to one, the other will be nice and familiar.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sholling View Post

Very nice! If you don't need 3D I suggest last years Onkyo TX-SR707 ($429), also available refurbished for $399. I bought a refurbished 707 for my master bedroom and it's a great receiver. If you want 3D capability then consider a factory refurbished TX-SR608 ($349).

Yes, I was originally looking up Onkyo's for a while and the 608 was on top. I was also looking at the refurbished NR receivers, they have more power I see but I don't know the real difference between Onkyo's Surround receivers and their Network receivers. Any idea?

Also, I'm not in any hurry for 3D, I don't really see the point on a smaller TV, plus I don't really care for the glasses. Most likely the downstairs receiver will have HDMI 1.4 because most of the new receivers have it, but for upstairs, 3D is most likely never going to happen (in the next 4-5 years anyway).

Last is budget. I'd like to stay around $300-$400, I'm not trying to be cheap, I just don't want to spend money on features that I don't need or will never use. What I do want is a solid reliable receiver that will deliver the power I need for my setup. I would love to consider an older model with a solid reputation, and as long as it has HDMI, I should be set

I just came across this... SR5002

Is this reasonable even though it's an older model? I really love the pre-2000 look to it
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post #6 of 23
9/14/10 at 5:47am
I think you'll have to get over the idea of a cheap receiver if you don't trust Chinese manufacturing. Frankly, I'm perplexed. Have you seen the iPhone 4? Apple laptops? Chinese manufacturing is world class.
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post #7 of 23
9/14/10 at 5:53am
ALL of Apple's products are made in China. Nuff said.

I love my Marantz SR5003. It was an $800 receiver two years ago and now you can pick one up for $250. Three HDMI out, pre-outs, and elegant looking as hell. You can bi-amp your fronts with it as well. It oozes more quality at $250 than you can shake a stick at. My Polks are rated the same as your Paras and the Marantz drives my three fronts easily in a 17x17 room.
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post #8 of 23
9/14/10 at 6:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmichaelf View Post

I think you'll have to get over the idea of a cheap receiver if you don't trust Chinese manufacturing. Frankly, I'm perplexed. Have you seen the iPhone 4? Apple laptops? Chinese manufacturing is world class.

Yeah, their drywall is fantastic. Pet food and infant formula are right up there too.
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post #9 of 23
9/14/10 at 7:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Digital_Chris View Post

Yes, I was originally looking up Onkyo's for a while and the 608 was on top. I was also looking at the refurbished NR receivers, they have more power I see but I don't know the real difference between Onkyo's Surround receivers and their Network receivers. Any idea?

Neither of the Onkyos I suggested (the TX-SR608 and TX-SR707) are network receivers. Network features didn't reach the 700 series until this years TX-NR708. Since you have no interest in 3D I'd go for the 707. The 707 adds a more advanced version of Audyssey, pre-outs in case you decide to add an amp later, and more/better features than the 600 series. So far I've had good luck with factory refurbished Onkyos. I have a refurbished TX-SR606 in my home-office and a refurbished TX-SR707 ($399) in my master bedroom.

As far as network features I prefer to use an add on device. They simply do more and the technology is evolving fast. In my case I have a Western Digital TV Live in both the family room and my master bedroom and use them to playback my flac collection. I'll be upgrading to the new "Plus" version for netflix access.
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post #10 of 23
9/14/10 at 4:07pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmichaelf View Post

I think you'll have to get over the idea of a cheap receiver if you don't trust Chinese manufacturing. Frankly, I'm perplexed. Have you seen the iPhone 4? Apple laptops? Chinese manufacturing is world class.

I take it back, I should know better. I know that whatever "we" plan up and have china make, it's still "our" design, all china does is make it to our specs. Fair enough argument.


Quote:
Originally Posted by sholling View Post

Neither of the Onkyos I suggested (the TX-SR608 and TX-SR707) are network receivers.

I know neither of those are network receivers, I was just asking a general question about them since we were on the Onkyo track. Sorry for the confusion. I'll give the 707 another look
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post #11 of 23
9/14/10 at 4:48pm
A lot of manufacturing is done in China now. Marantz is good quality.
I am on my second Marantz because of upgrading and no problems.
I don't know of any major support issues. They give you more power
in surround sound than a lot of receivers - And they sound clean and
do not get real hot. I enjoy my speakers better with Marantz. I have
nothing against Onkyo and I have owned them before.
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post #12 of 23
9/14/10 at 5:44pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah, I realize a lot of manufacturing is done over there. Marantz is still on the top of my list though
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post #13 of 23
9/14/10 at 6:42pm
The difference between an Onkyo network receiver and their other surround receivers is that their network receivers have ethernet cards.
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post #14 of 23
9/14/10 at 7:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maximum7 View Post

Holy cow! Are those version 1?

Here's my vote for receiver, and at a good price too.
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...oneer-vsx1020k

I think these are version 2. I still have my version 1 Monitor 9's, and they only have a single pair of binding posts on the back. The dual posts on these monitor 5's lead me to believe that they are version 2. Also, I think I remember the version 1 Monitor 5's being more of a bookshelf speaker. Still, they are beautiful speakers, and probably sound awesome.
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post #15 of 23
9/14/10 at 7:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironlight View Post

ALL of Apple's products are made in China. Nuff said.

I love my Marantz SR5003. It was an $800 receiver two years ago and now you can pick one up for $250. Three HDMI out, pre-outs, and elegant looking as hell. You can bi-amp your fronts with it as well. It oozes more quality at $250 than you can shake a stick at. My Polks are rated the same as your Paras and the Marantz drives my three fronts easily in a 17x17 room.

I really didnt need to read that lol. Now i'm cringing in my little space boots that my beloved sr5003 can be had for a mere $250 ;-(
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post #16 of 23
9/14/10 at 8:13pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironlight View Post

ALL of Apple's products are made in China. Nuff said.

I love my Marantz SR5003. It was an $800 receiver two years ago and now you can pick one up for $250. Three HDMI out, pre-outs, and elegant looking as hell. You can bi-amp your fronts with it as well. It oozes more quality at $250 than you can shake a stick at. My Polks are rated the same as your Paras and the Marantz drives my three fronts easily in a 17x17 room.

Where did you see the SR5003 for $250? The cheapest I could find it for was on ac4l.com for $379, which don't get me wrong, I'm sure is a great price but just curious about your quote.
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post #17 of 23
9/14/10 at 8:14pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by WhiteSoxFan View Post

I think these are version 2. I still have my version 1 Monitor 9's, and they only have a single pair of binding posts on the back. The dual posts on these monitor 5's lead me to believe that they are version 2. Also, I think I remember the version 1 Monitor 5's being more of a bookshelf speaker. Still, they are beautiful speakers, and probably sound awesome.

I was told that if they are other than version 1, they would list it on the back name plate. If it says Monitor 5 only, then they are version 1. That's all I'm going by
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post #18 of 23
9/14/10 at 9:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Digital_Chris View Post

I was told that if they are other than version 1, they would list it on the back name plate. If it says Monitor 5 only, then they are version 1. That's all I'm going by

You could probably contact Paradigm and give them your serial numbers to be sure. But then again, who cares? They look awesome and I'm sure they'll sound wonderful!

I would expect that these would be very easy to drive, so I wouldn't sweat too much over which receiver to use.
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post #19 of 23
9/20/10 at 2:15am
Thread Starter 
Ok, so I finally settled on an AVR to match up with these Paradigm's along with a Table Tuba. The Marantz SR5003. It met most of my requirements except the front panel. I really wanted the SR6003 with the front access cover making the receiver VERY clean looking, but when I was going to place the order, I saw the price was about $80 higher than the previous day which makes it a good $150 higher than the 5003 :-(

The SR5003 is still beautiful and I'll leave the 6003 or similiar for the dedicated HT ;-)

Can't wait!!!

Ugh, after writing all of this, I almost with I just spent the extra $$ for the 6003... I always do this, lol.
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post #20 of 23
9/20/10 at 9:00am
Nice choice. If they sound anything like my nephew's Paradigms you should really like them.


Tom
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post #21 of 23
9/20/10 at 2:36pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks Tom, I'll keep you guys posted with my thoughts
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post #22 of 23
9/20/10 at 5:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Digital_Chris View Post

Ok, so I finally settled on an AVR to match up with these Paradigm's along with a Table Tuba. The Marantz SR5003. It met most of my requirements except the front panel. I really wanted the SR6003 with the front access cover making the receiver VERY clean looking, but when I was going to place the order, I saw the price was about $80 higher than the previous day which makes it a good $150 higher than the 5003 :-(

The SR5003 is still beautiful and I'll leave the 6003 or similiar for the dedicated HT ;-)

Can't wait!!!

Ugh, after writing all of this, I almost with I just spent the extra $$ for the 6003... I always do this, lol.

I have the SR6003 and it is nice. You will be ok with the 5003.
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post #23 of 23
9/22/10 at 7:34pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks! I will keep this post updated with my thoughts
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