[Mopar_Mudder]

We are on the down hill slide to getting our theater room done, it is gettting close now. I want to replace my Yamaha V2400 with seperates for what will pretty much be dedicated to movies.


My original plan was to go with the new Emotiva XMC-1 when it comes out. Well with all the growing pains that they are seeming to have with the UMC, and who knows when we will see the XMC. I think I need to start looking for other options.


Most important things that I am looking for

1) HDMI

2) HD Audio Support

3) 7.1 with dual sub outs

4) Seperate EQ's for all speakers

5) Seperate EQ's for both subs


As far as video goes I really don't care if it has any video support other then an HDMI switcher. All of my video will come from a HTPC, HD Sat Box, or X Box 360, so I really don't see any need for fancy upconverting and such. Would be nice to have and OSD for set-up is about it.


So can anyone give me some good products to look at, will also need to by AMP's when I make the switch.

 

[phantom52]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Mopar_Mudder /forum/post/18234903


We are on the down hill slide to getting our theater room done, it is gettting close now. I want to replace my Yamaha V2400 with seperates for what will pretty much be dedicated to movies.


My original plan was to go with the new Emotiva XMC-1 when it comes out. Well with all the growing pains that they are seeming to have with the UMC, and who knows when we will see the XMC. I think I need to start looking for other options.


Most important things that I am looking for

1) HDMI

2) HD Audio Support

3) 7.1 with dual sub outs

4) Seperate EQ's for all speakers

5) Seperate EQ's for both subs


As far as video goes I really don't care if it has any video support other then an HDMI switcher. All of my video will come from a HTPC, HD Sat Box, or X Box 360, so I really don't see any need for fancy upconverting and such. Would be nice to have and OSD for set-up is about it.


So can anyone give me some good products to look at, will also need to by AMP's when I make the switch.

Onkyo 5507, Emotiva amps. What's the budget for this project? You could also look at the Onkyo 886 and use a splitter for the subs. Still look at the Emotiva amps. There's a member here that has some Emotiva amps for sale in the Audio For Sale section. You may want to look there and give him a call. I belive he has a MPS7 and a UPA7 for sale. You may want to also consider the Yamaha Z11, a powerful 11.2 AVR, it should also do what you want. There's one of those for sale there also. Good luck.

 

[boblinds]

The issue is your budget. If you're looking at the Emotiva I'm guessing that, like me, you're looking in the sub-$2000 range (or less). About the only other choices there are the Integra 40.1 or the Onkyo Pro 5507/Integra 80.1 (which are essentially the same unit with different branding.)


At one time we heard rumblings about a Denon pre/pro in this range, but I'm not up-to-date on the progress there. And Outlaw Audio is scheduled to release a pre/pro based on the new Sherwood/Newcastle receiver, but it's WELL behind schedule and anyone's guess when it will be released (we hope sometime this year.)


To save money, you could also look at last year's Onkyo/Integra pre/pros, such as the Onkyo 886 that phantom mentions.


You will have to check any of these choices carefully for your separate sub EQ requirement for BOTH subs. That isn't a common feature. (If I remember correctly, I think the 5507 has this. Perhaps an owner can give an accurate answer.)


I think that's about the extent of the pre/pro field in the lower-cost range. If money is no object, you have lots of choices.

 

[dbphd]

For movies, doesn't something like the Integra 80.1 do it all? If OP's interest were stereo music, the 80.1 may be a bit lacking in audio quality, but that's not where OP said his interest is. As I understand it, higher-end processors tend to provide higher quality sound.


db

 

[ccotenj]

actually, he probably just needs an avr with pre-outs and some type of eq... and some kind of cheap amp (like the emotiva's)...


and then a svs as-eq1 for the subs...


of course, he hasn't told us what he has for speakers and how big his room is yet... it's entirely possible that he'd be fine without bothering to go to separates...

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

I could problably due with just a reciever as a Pre/Pro but would rather not get something with an internal amp.


Room is 14x22x8.5


Speakers are Rocket 760's fronts, Big foot 200 center, not sure what the surrounds are going to be yet. I do have a SVS PC-Ultra also (12 not the 13)


Budget it is a little up in the air but under $2000 would be nice. For amps I am thinking the XPA-2 and XPA-5 most likely


Thanks for the input

 

[Brian McKay]

Don't count out either a reciever or something that has a decent upscaler. The reciever you can use as a pre/pro and run a zone 2 using the built in amps and you can always use the upconversion for 720p to 1080p.


I ended up with a Onkyo 876 for these very reasons and am quite happy with it. I also ended up using the built in amps for the 2 rear channels in a 7.1 setup with the rest being powered by my seperate amps.

 

[Gertjan]

You could go with a good all-in-one receiver for now (the amp sections on the ones in your budget ranges ain't no slouches i believe), and then later add separate amps and use the line-outs from the AVR to feed those. You'd spread out the cost, and probably end up with a superior system. Remember that one of the joys of going the separates route is that you can incrementally upgrade pieces as desired and as budget allows

 

[ccotenj]

^^^


yup. for 2 large, there's any number of avr's that would probably fit the bill...


however, if he wants separates, i'm not going to try to talk him out of it... i've been there (the separates "desire/want"), and went ahead and did it and got it out of my system...

you couldn't get me to go back to separates now unless i absolutely HAD to...


but if it's what he wants, it's what he wants...

 

[RoboRay]

A good receiver with a separate 3-channel amp for the front speakers offers a very nice price/performance ratio. The surround speakers don't generally need nearly as much power as the fronts, so a receiver should do a fine job driving only them.

 

[D_Strasse]



Quote:
Originally Posted by dbphd /forum/post/18236493


For movies, doesn't something like the Integra 80.1 do it all? If OP's interest were stereo music, the 80.1 may be a bit lacking in audio quality, but that's not where OP said his interest is. As I understand it, higher-end processors tend to provide higher quality sound.


db

I think the only nitpick the 80.1/5507 have had reagrding SQ was for analog only. Supposedly they punch above their weight class for digital input SQ.


Anyway, I'm not sure any pre-pro offers the per speaker/sub tuning that the OP is looking for, besides maybe the UMC-1. Please correct me if I'm wrong on this one.

 

[krab]

If you can live without HDMI outputs from a pre-pro there are many really good high end processors sitting unsold because they don't have HDMI.


If you can send all your video sources directly to your TV or projector you can get a real steal.


Any sub out jacks can accept a Y connector to power 2 subs.


HD Audio Support should be no problem.


I'm not sure about 7.1 or equalization for all channels plus subs.


If you really want all the bells and whistles you listed, don't compromise but your going to pay big bucks for separates compared to a loaded 7.1 AV receiver.


read this, many great processors
http://www.avrev.com/equipment-revie...0/start/0.html

 

[krab]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ccotenj /forum/post/18237253


^^^


yup. for 2 large, there's any number of avr's that would probably fit the bill...


however, if he wants separates, i'm not going to try to talk him out of it... i've been there (the separates "desire/want"), and went ahead and did it and got it out of my system...

you couldn't get me to go back to separates now unless i absolutely HAD to...


but if it's what he wants, it's what he wants...

Just curious, why the aversion toward separates?

 

[ccotenj]

^^^


- cost/benefit ratio...


- space... more room in my rack for other stuff...


- paucity of pre-pro's at a reasonable price (ties back to cost/benefit, i suppose)... for example, i paid approximately the same price for my sc-09 that i paid for my anthem avm-30... to be fair, i did get an exceptional deal on the sc-09...


i understand the appeal of separates, and i have bought many things simply because i "wanted" them...


i also understand the necessity of separates for some...


however, imo, for most, it's "appeal" rather than "necessity" driving the decision...


ymmv...

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

Just wanted to clarify that I wanted the dual sub out with dual EQ so that I could use tow different subs and EQ them to match, rather then getting a seperate sub EQ. The UMC does have a single sub out with EQ for it (doesn't seems to be working correct right now) I am not 100% sure but I think the XMC is suppose to have dual sub EQ's. Really the Emotiva stuff has every thing I want, might just have to wait it out and see if they get their stuff together. My V2400 would run stuff for now, I just don't get any HD audio.

 

[phantom52]

Get a Yamaha Z11 on sale at newegg on the weekends(Saturday) and don't worry about going separates. They are just not worth it IMHO. If you decide that the separates is what you have to have, buy wisely. Spend your money on a lower tier AVR with pre-outs and get some Emotiva amps. You'll be upgrading too soon anyway going the dedicated pre-pro route. JMHO.

 

[krab]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ccotenj /forum/post/18240122


^^^


- cost/benefit ratio...


- space... more room in my rack for other stuff...


- paucity of pre-pro's at a reasonable price (ties back to cost/benefit, i suppose)... for example, i paid approximately the same price for my sc-09 that i paid for my anthem avm-30... to be fair, i did get an exceptional deal on the sc-09...


i understand the appeal of separates, and i have bought many things simply because i "wanted" them...


i also understand the necessity of separates for some...


however, imo, for most, it's "appeal" rather than "necessity" driving the decision...


ymmv...

This is why AVS forum is great! Individual experience dealing with necessity vs appeal can help many beginners put together a system that is easier to set up, easier to use, and definitely far more cost effective.


At this point, I know I would be overwhelmed if I didn't have years of experience under my belt. That said, sometimes I still must control my urges. As my sig says, climbing the equipment ladder basically leads nowhere.

 

[ccotenj]



Quote:
Originally Posted by krab /forum/post/18241144


At this point, I know I would be overwhelmed if I didn't have years of experience under my belt. That said, sometimes I still must control my urges. As my sig says, climbing the equipment ladder basically leads nowhere.

yea, me too. and still sometimes i'm overwhelmed...

urges. oh yea. like that projector i want, but don't have room for...

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

While the price on the Z11 is good I think that maybe it is a little "OLD" in terms of technology, came on it 2007 I think? Everything is changing fast right now it seems. I am guessing the Yamaha is going out with a Z11 replacement and that is why the price drops?


Would be nice to know what the 3D market is going to do and if it will require HDMI 1.4 or not. What ever I get it will be wrong, that much is a fact...