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whats good

831 Views 22 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Artisn, Oct 25, 2004

tikrapt

Discussion Starter · Oct 23, 2004

I'm basically new to the ht thing. I'm looking for a new system and want to know what brands of receivers are good. I've found some nice sony receivers but are they a good brand. which are good? thanks

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1 - 20 of 23 Posts

Artisn

· #2 · Oct 23, 2004

For mostly HT check out Denon 3805 or Marantz SR5400. Get Denon if you are mostly HT; consider Marantz if you are listening to music too. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

Landroval

· #3 · Oct 23, 2004

Most brands are good. Arcam, Denon, NAD, Pioneer, Panasonic, Onkyo, Marantz, H/K, Sony, Yamaha, Sherwood, Rotel, Cambridge Audio... They're all good. Some might be considered 'better' than others, but finally it comes down to personal preference and your needs and of course the price you're willing to pay.

tikrapt

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 24, 2004

so a sony reciever would be okey then? thanks. another thing I want to know is why receivers pump the same amount of watts to the rear speakers and sorround speakers as your front and center speakers.. should there be more to your front and center. another thing is why most speakers are around 150W when most receivers only do around 100W per channel.. can you change how much each speakers gets on your receiver... thanks

DMF

· #5 · Oct 24, 2004

"can you change how much each speakers gets on your receiver"

Yes. There is a calibration menu. You should also get a Radioshack SPL meter to set them up properly.

tikrapt

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 24, 2004

so then if I get a 500W receiver I can make like 125W to my front speakers and 150W to my center speakers and 50W to my rear? is that how it works?

Artisn

· #7 · Oct 24, 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by tikrapt
so then if I get a 500W receiver I can make like 125W to my front speakers and 150W to my center speakers and 50W to my rear? is that how it works?

Not exactly. Receivers dedicate a certain amount of watts per channel. You can adjust the SPL of each channel, but the available watts remain the same.

Most of those receivers are somewhat equivalent, but the Sony would be closer to the bottom of the list, with the Denon and Marantz closer to the top. I would re-think the Sony.

graphicguy

· #8 · Oct 24, 2004

Depending on your budget, go for the higher ends of the electonics makers.

For example, if you're looking at Pioneer, look at their higher end AVRs, or even their Elite lines. For Sherwood, look at their Newcastle line. While I'm not a big Sony fan, if you want their gear, stick with the ES line. All of Denon seems to be good as does anything from Marantz.

Look at the power ratings as only a guide. I'd look more closely at what they are using internally (like toroidal transformers, for example) than I would at their power ratings as those measurements are too easily (and more often) "fudged".

Since you're new to the hobby, I'd definitely look for an AVR that has some sort of automatic speaker set-up (MCACC for Pioneer, or YPAO for Yamaha). It'll make desired multi-channel results much easier on you.

Just a few guidelines......

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milaz001

· #9 · Oct 24, 2004

Most of the brands of AVRs are quite good, and there are more similarities than differences, generally. My particular favorites are harman/kardon, Marantz, NAD and Rotel.

tikrapt

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 25, 2004

first of all what is SPL? and secondly what exactly are watts in an audio system and what do they measure? so a 500W receiver isn't twice as loud at its highest than a 250W receiver? is that is? what do watts measure? what does measure sound or loudness or whatever I should be looking at when choosing a receiver?

Artisn

· #11 · Oct 25, 2004

Quote:

first of all what is SPL? and secondly what exactly are watts in an audio system and what do they measure? so a 500W receiver isn't twice as loud at its highest than a 250W receiver? is that is? what do watts measure? what does measure sound or loudness or whatever I should be looking at when choosing a receiver?

Except for what is SLP, I think Graphicguy already answered you. SPL = Singal Pressure Level (Volume). Just go out and listen to some of the models mentioned and see which you prefer. What YOU like is the most important factor. If you don't have the time or desire to do that, you can't possibly go wrong with the Denon 3805 or the Marantz 5400.

tikrapt

Discussion Starter · #12 · Oct 25, 2004

so if I get a 6.1 600W sony receiver and 2 front 150W sony speakers, 120W center speaker sony, 2 rear 100W speakers sonyand a 250W sony sub I'll be okey? that's what its looking like... sound good? any changes?

stein1010

· #13 · Oct 25, 2004

i would be careful about sony recievers, just because it says that it's 600 watts does not mean that it has a lot of power. i have a 490 watt hk reciever and would say that it's easily more powerful than any sony reciever even those rated at 700 watts. you seem to be caught up in the idea the lots of watts equals lots of sound. form postings in this forum i have seen number that claim that sony recivers sometimes only put out about 1/4 they rated watage when driven hard through all channels. if you want recondmendations you should post what features you desire and what your price range is.

CCarncross

· #14 · Oct 25, 2004

dont look at 600 watts, 700 watts, look at 100 wpc(watts per channel) to the fronts, 100 wpc to center, etc..., and make sure that none of the receivers you are looking at have more watts going to the speaker you will have at that location.

Think of this in terms of lightbulbs and light fixtures. You dont put 100 watt light bulbs in fixtures only rated for 40 or 60 watt bulbs. You dont connect a 200 wpc amp/receiver to speakers that can only handle 100 watts. Always make sure your speakers can handle more than your amp can deliver.

SPL=sound pressure level, its a way to measure how loud something is, usually measured in decibals(a-weighted)dBa

dazbug

· #15 · Oct 25, 2004

a few words : Sherwood Newcastle R-965

do a search. Awsome receiver

tubeguy44

· #16 · Oct 25, 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by CCarncross
dont look at 600 watts, 700 watts, look at 100 wpc(watts per channel) to the fronts, 100 wpc to center, etc..., and make sure that none of the receivers you are looking at have more watts going to the speaker you will have at that location.

Think of this in terms of lightbulbs and light fixtures. You dont put 100 watt light bulbs in fixtures only rated for 40 or 60 watt bulbs. You dont connect a 200 wpc amp/receiver to speakers that can only handle 100 watts. Always make sure your speakers can handle more than your amp can deliver.

SPL=sound pressure level, its a way to measure how loud something is, usually measured in decibals(a-weighted)dBa

actually.... more speakers are damaged by being underpowered than by being hooked up to more powerful receivers/amplifiers.....

the damage will usually occur when an amplifier is driven beyond its power capabilities - (clipping)......

the high power ratings of the amp are only employed when it comes to fast transients in the signal..... usually most people listen at levels under 10 to 15 watts per channel...... but when a sudden transient comes along it can ask the amplifier to put out 10 to 15 times the average power level.... that's where that 200 watt per channel rating comes in handy.....

cheers!

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tubeguy44

· #17 · Oct 25, 2004

another issue to consider when thinking about receivers is the "real" power that they put out.....

most receivers' ratings are not very accurate at all...... the following is a compilation of many receivers' actual power to published power done by sound and vision magazine over the years......

http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Holl...1/ratevsac.htm

not all receivers are listed, but at least you can get a good idea of how companies tend to rate their receivers......

cheers!

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Artisn

· #18 · Oct 25, 2004

A lot of very good information here, but the original poster seems to keep overlooking it. Let me simplify it:

1. Sony is NOT the best choice for your receiver. Consider some of the other brands that have been mentioned.

2. Wattage is not EVERYTHING. 200wpc is fine, as Tubeguy stated.

3. Go out and listen to several models with some decent speakers and see what you like. Bring your own reference material and audition them all at the same volume. Don't consider ANY speakers that NEED a sub to sound good.

tikrapt

Discussion Starter · #19 · Oct 25, 2004

well thanks so far guys but everyone is telling me to make sure I have 150W going to 150W speakers or more... I havn't seen a receiver yet that gives out more than 130W/channel... where do I find one or what do I do?? thanks

tubeguy44

· #20 · Oct 25, 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by tikrapt
well thanks so far guys but everyone is telling me to make sure I have 150W going to 150W speakers or more... I havn't seen a receiver yet that gives out more than 130W/channel... where do I find one or what do I do?? thanks

your most cost effective solution to having great power and excellent processing power is to get a mid level receiver with preouts ( ~ $1000 or so) and then outboard amplifier(s) as finances allow.....

you could start with a two channel pro amp from crown or qsc for under $300 to power your mains and then add more amps for the rest of your channels as your money flow allows.....

check out the pro amp threads on this forum for more details.....

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hreadid=459527

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hreadid=418666

or you could just add a 5 channel outboard amp and be all set..... you can get some great used 5 channel amps in the 200 watt per channel range for about $1000 on audiogon or ebay.....

cheers!

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