Beginner's System - opinions?

[Psychobiker]

Hi,

Saving for a set of B&W 602s, Either a Rotel, Denon, Arcam or Yamaha amp (5.1 or 2ch, I have a Cambridge Soundworks sub which has 5.1 inputs, and I'll only use he other 3 channels for movies, with an external decoder).
Also undecided on a CD player and record deck, I have €400 for both combined. That's if I don't find a Garrard on eBay .

Anything to change here?

L

[Psychobiker]

tttt

[grit]

I'll push for the Rotel or Arcam well over a Denon or Yamaha. That'll be a good start.

[Psychobiker]

I'd love 5.1 flexibility though

[Psychobiker]

ACtually, the Rotel RSDX-02 is a great thing - it has a DVD player, CD player and 5.1 all in one package! Excellent. Saves the need for buying a CD and DVD player

[Psychobiker]

But the Rotel is ridiculously expensive, AFAIK, will check with Cloney in Dublin tomorrow.
Anything to recommend (5.1 receiver) for about $800?

[grit]

There's really a substantial jump in quality from denon/yamaha to rotel. Denon/yamaha represent the best of mainstream equipment. After that, you get into what I'd call "audiophile" equipment, with Rotel being at the entry level there.

[Psychobiker]

So best to go with external processor and let the sub handle the components, letting the Rotel do the work of 2ch, but extremely well?

[Kobus]

But the Rotel is ridiculously expensive?

So then, what can you afford, buy Denon, Pioneer or Yamaha. All more or less the same. Let connections and looks guide you.

I'm serious - just DO IT.

Enjoy


Kobus

[Psychobiker]

The guy in Dublin is taking his time with price lists, so all I'm going on is the list price online. ATM it's looking like the Rotel RB06 or Arcam DiVA A65.
The best possible below $1k

[ThomasW]

Don't buy anything that has a built-in player. One of the main things that fail are the servo motors. No fun losing your entire system just because the player dies.

[Psychobiker]

I'm not going to. External decoder for the (occasional) use of movies.

[DifferentLee]

I would look at the Cambridge Audio line as well. Very reasonably priced amps, receivers and CD or DVD players.

[Psychobiker]

But of what quality. Apparently the Rotels are lovely and warm

[Psychobiker]

Oh those cambridges are becoming mighty tempting. I'll have to demo me one, but 'musical' quality out of an AV that isn't a Rotel?! whoa