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Ascend Speaker Owners - What Receiver Are You Driving Them With?

post #1 of 18
9/10/06 at 1:56pm
Thread Starter 
I made the following post in the Amps/Receivers/Processors section wanting to get some opinions.

"It's one of those silly questions but here's my situation...

After about 11 years, I'm ready to build an entire HT system. I've already decided after many months of lurking that the new Mitsubishi WD65831 DLP RPTV will anchor the system.

I've read many great things about the Ascend Acoustic speakers and will be auditioning them along with another brand or two once everything is lined up.

Assuming I go with the Ascend CMT-340SE for the main and center, what brand/model AVR would you consider a good match? I've owned an HK AVR25 (shows you how old my system is) all these years that are matched with Cambridge Soundworks HT speakers.

This new system will be used 33.3% for music and about 66.6% for movies. My goal is to keep the price of the new AVR at or below $1k.

I'm sure there's additional information that may be needed but hopefully this'll be a good starting point."

What would you recommend?
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post #2 of 18
9/10/06 at 2:29pm
I'm using a Denon 2807. I think you can spend less money for the same performance.
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post #3 of 18
9/10/06 at 2:41pm
Any competently designed receiver will have a flat 20-20KHz frequency response and there's no way that one can mysteriously add some sonic characteristic of its own which would require a substantial deviation from flat response over a wide band. So basically, what I'm saying is just purchase an AVR that has the bells & whistles your looking for, not one you think will sound good with particular speaker, which is not an issue.
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post #4 of 18
9/10/06 at 3:34pm
I was very happy with a HK 525....worked well and sounded good. I gave to my Parents when they bought an Ascend setup.
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post #5 of 18
9/10/06 at 4:02pm
Pio 74txvi. Generally happy with the combo w/ Ascends.
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post #6 of 18
9/10/06 at 6:14pm
I have Denon's 1999 flagship model, the AVR-5700 and I love it. This receiver drives CMT-340SEs across the front (L/C/R) and CBM-170SEs for surround duty (SL/SR). DVD Audio is incredible.

Bill
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post #7 of 18
9/10/06 at 6:52pm
I've had great results with a Panasonic sa-xr55 but my 340s are the older Classic version. I know of 2 people who had poor results with the Panny and the 340SEs however, so I would recommend HK or Marantz to be on the safe side. On the other hand return shipping on these Pannys is only $15-20 so it's a very small risk.

The HK 635 can be had for about $590 shipped from 6ave.com which is a steal considering that it listed at around $1300.
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post #8 of 18
9/10/06 at 8:15pm
I think I'm one of those with poor results with the SA-XR57 with the 340SE's , but I think it actually had more to do with my cruddy room acoustics, with huge windows and bad placement of speakers close to multiple walls.

I am happier with the HK 635 since its EQ tamed down the top end quite noticeably. Its very flexible since it takes both a nearfield and farfield measurement to ensure flat (or as close to flat) FR as possible.
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post #9 of 18
9/10/06 at 10:10pm
I use a panny xr-57 with 340se's with pretty good results. I had to turn down the treble though. I agree with the previous poster about it having to do with room acoustics. My room is horrible for speaker placement.
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post #10 of 18
9/11/06 at 6:52am
I have classic 170's and use a Denon AVR-885(2105 clone) with great results. I heard a 340SE setup that used a Rotel 1056 receiver that sounded great too!
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post #11 of 18
9/11/06 at 9:23am
HK AVR330 here, runnign 3x 340SE, 2x 170SE and a HSU VTF-3 Mk2.
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post #12 of 18
9/11/06 at 10:03am
Pio 1014 with classic 170s LR and classic 340 Centre channel + 200s surrounds

I can't complain
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post #13 of 18
9/11/06 at 12:16pm
I use a yamaha rx-v1300 with my setup consisting of 340SE's across the front with classic 170's for surrounds. I have always liked the yamahas for their sound.

Brandon
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post #14 of 18
9/11/06 at 4:42pm
Pioneer 1014 with 170SE's on mains, 340SE-C for a center and 200 surrounds.

Very happy!
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post #15 of 18
9/25/06 at 9:17am
NAD 743.

I am very happy with it.
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post #16 of 18
5/8/07 at 3:02pm
I have a Denon 3805 that I use with my Ascend 5.1 system. I could not be happier with the pairing.
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post #17 of 18
5/8/07 at 3:51pm
HK AVR340. Sometimes you can get good deals from HK on their ebay store on refurbished units. I got good prices bidding on auctions ending on a Friday or Saturday night.
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post #18 of 18
5/8/07 at 4:01pm
I have a refurb 330 as well. Paid about $250 + shipping from Harmanaudio on ebay a few years ago, as David mentioned. It was originally $800 in stores.
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