[jayhawkfan614]

15x25 room

80 % HT / Direct TV / HDTV . 20 percent music ( music is acoustic and classical for the most part).


Current speakers

Mirage OM 5 Mains (bi wire capable - in wall wiring is there for that option)

Mirage OM-C2 Center

Mirage OM-R2 Side Surrounds

Mirage OM9 Rear Surrounds

Mirage BPS-400 Sub

Front Effects = OM-R2( have the room wired and ability for 9.1 front presence speakers with another set of OM-R2's - was going down the Yamaha path but they never produced a 9.1 receiver outside of the Z9 - which at the price they want for that unit I cant justify it and I dont need the video processing ( hey Yamaha you missed the boat on a mid level unit here , havent seen any information about a 3500 ( even after my 10 emails to them stating that they need an in-betweener).


So with that said , and staying in the 1000-1400 dollar range which direction to go.... I have information overload and need to get specific on my scenario.

Needs to have DPLIIx , 7.1, with some level of THX processing.

Video switching is not an issue as I am running CRT ( analog) and dont wish to transcode at the component level, all video sources are RGBHV out.


So with those requirements in mind I have decided to clear my mind of going specifically with Yamaha and am opening it up again for manufactures. I am replacing a RX-V992 ( still currently in service).


Open to:


Yamaha ( old or new releases)

Harman Kardon

Marantz

Pioneer

Sony

NAD


any others I should consider ( note: saw a Denon 3805 and hated the remote , so it is out).


Help me spend my money ..LOL I know I have helped others spend theirs , now it is your turn to return the favor

 

[Artisn]

Great speakers! From your list of receivers, I would pick Marantz or Nad.

 

[tubeguy44]

pioneer elite 56txi....


3rd generation of the MCACC auto calibration/eq system..... no one else has a system this advanced in the price range that you are looking.....


cheers!

 

[jayhawkfan614]

Quote:

Originally posted by Artisn Great speakers! From your list of receivers, I would pick Marantz or Nad.

OK , what model ? I am very familar with the Yamaha line , but just generally researched and read everything I can find on the others.

 

[jayhawkfan614]

Quote:

Originally posted by tubeguy44 pioneer elite 56txi.... 3rd generation of the MCACC auto calibration/eq system..... no one else has a system this advanced in the price range that you are looking..... cheers!

Is this a new model, or has it been out for a while, is there a new replacement coming ?

 

[jayhawkfan614]

Let me make this statement also , before this gets going.


I could possibly stretch the budget a bit , if there is something close that might have a better amping or processing.


Like I said concerning the Yamaha RX-V3500 , or lack there of , there is a big hole it seems in this price range across a lot of the manufactures.


Ok , Ill get off my soap box now..

 

[ranster]

In your price range, I would suggest the H/K AVR7300. I have yet to hear it, but it should be "more is better" when compared to my AVR630 (which sounds great to me). Your speakers will appreciate the clean 7x110 power. You may not need the video processing now, but who knows what you'll need a few years down the road...

 

[Johnny Bax]

Jayhawkfan, I'm also a classical music fan, and for my ears, the Marantz, NAD and HK were far and away much more musical than the Denon/Yamaha/Pioneer group.


I ended up picking the Marantz SR7400, for $995.


That being said, the SR7400 doesn't have THX certification, but it's replacement, coming in November, the SR7500, has "THX Select" certification. This is the unit I would recommend to you.


If you can live without the THX cert, however, I wouldn't hesitate to grab the SR7400 now. It has 7.1 and DPLIIx.


If you wanted to stretch your budget up to about $2000, everyone is saying that the Sherwoood Newcastle R965 is awesome for classical. But I have not personally auditioned this receiver, so I can't verify.

 

[jayhawkfan614]

Are the models you mention there , the Marantz and HK capable of 4-6 ohm loads ? ( I saw where the HK looks like it is , but cant find much on the Marantz ( their web site needs help ! LOL ).

 

[Johnny Bax]

Quote:

Originally posted by jayhawkfan614 Are the models you mention there , the Marantz and HK capable of 4-6 ohm loads ? ( I saw where the HK looks like it is , but cant find much on the Marantz ( their web site needs help ! LOL ).

According to the owners manual, the SR7400 provides 105w continuous into 8 ohms for all 7 channels, and 130w continuous into 6ohms.


Whether that would be enough for your speakers, I couldn't say.


BTW, you can download a .pdf of the owners manual from the Marantz website.

 

[Artisn]

That SR7400 could handle all those speakers and more. It is a virtual powerhouse! Get it man, you won't be disappointed.

 

[Edvard_Grieg]

Given your budget, you might want to even step up to the new Marantz 8500 which will enhance sound yet again, but also provide room correction and DVI switching. Since you are doing HDTV etc, DVI switching could be a huge benefit for you.

 

[jayhawkfan614]

Quote:

Originally posted by Edvard_Grieg Given your budget, you might want to even step up to the new Marantz 8500 which will enhance sound yet again, but also provide room correction and DVI switching. Since you are doing HDTV etc, DVI switching could be a huge benefit for you.

Do you happen to know when it is to be released. The DVI and video switching doesnt matter much to me , since I am running CRT.

 

[tubeguy44]

Quote:

Originally posted by jayhawkfan614 Is this a new model, or has it been out for a while, is there a new replacement coming ?

the 56txi has just been released....



cheers!

 

[7Below]

With a little negotiation, you can consider the new Arcam AVR250. Try to demo equipment before you buy (if you can). GL

 

[MrPorterhouse]

I whole-heartedly agree that by far the best recever here is the Pioneer Elite VSX-56TXi. What an amazing recevier. I have always been a hardcore Onkyo guy and even loved Marantz, but when I got my Pioneer Elite 43TX last year, its like I was born again into a whole new world. And the 56TXi really kicks it up a notch over the 43TX that I've got. This puppy can do it all and not just get the job done, but will literally destroy anything that makes direct eye contact with it. Do not taunt 56TXi. Do not make fun of 56TXi. It will dispell you into the bowels of hell for all eternity if you even so much as think about saying that another receiver can outclass it.



LOL, Just kidding, but it really is an awesome receiver and one that should be on anyones list of potential A/V receivers.


Marantz 7400/7500, Onkyo 901, HK7300 are some other candidates to consider.

 

[Edvard_Grieg]

Quote:

Originally posted by jayhawkfan614 Do you happen to know when it is to be released. The DVI and video switching doesnt matter much to me , since I am running CRT.

I want to say in the next couple months, but I am really not sure, there have been some other threads here about the new marantz models and when they are supposed to come out. I don't have time to search, but they should be on the first couple pages here.

 

[rocky1]

Besides the Marantz,look into the rotel rsx1056.

 

[Falp]

The Marantz 7400 is a great Audio and AV amp and is on top of my buying list!


I heard it with difficult loads and what a sound!


Also take a close look at the NAD models.

 

[Honu]

I updated myself from my elite to a NAD and so happy I did


was looking at HK Marantz another elite and Denon and ended up going with the T773

the 7.1 is killer I have PSB speakers

after researching etc. and listening also talking to a few people that own stores etc.. everyone seemed to think the NAD is a step above the rest

the punch it has in movies was never there with my elite

when the bullets start flying the adrenalin rushes as they sound like gunshots

I truly love the way it sounds in band of brothers in Bastogne you can hear the snow crunching and them talking in a low voice and it sounds just like it should the first time I have really felt like they are talking in a snow filled forest where everything is absorbed very realistic, but yet when the incoming artillery is exploding it shocks you into reality and truly makes you part of the scene

again the elite I had before was a few years older but once again out of all the receivers I listened to none of them had the punch of the NAD

also I am finding I enjoy listening to music again


that said I also feel Marantz and Denon etc.. are all fine gear and sure you would be happy with anything but to me the NAD is like having a BMW 330 over a 325 both are really the same car but when ya punch it you are so glad you have the extra power