Best reciever for 600 sereis under $800?

[ric888]

Hi guys,

I was hoping somebody could have any comments on recivers under $800 that would be so called the "best" for the 600 series?

Thanks.

[scanido]

Hi guys,

I was hoping somebody could have any comments on recivers under $800 that would be so called the "best" for the 600 series?

Thanks.

Arcam Diva AVR250 used on Audiogon!

[Clepto]

For HT, MC-Audio, Stereo, or All of the above?

[Kobus]

For the 600 series I would not spend more than the Denon's and Pioneer's. You get all the features, decent build quality and can get decent amplification.

Before spending more than that I would up the speakers.

Kobus

[dharris]

I have the NAD T753 and love it with my 600 series. I'm sure the NAD T743 would sound just as nice. You get better amplification than Denon and Pioneer. NAD is a great choice for your price range :T .

http://www.nadelectronics.com/av_receivers/T743_framset.htm

[dharris]

For the 600 series I would not spend more than the Denon's and Pioneer's. You get all the features, decent build quality and can get decent amplification.

Before spending more than that I would up the speakers.

Kobus

Have you heard the 600 series with a good amp? Even if he bought the next line of B&W, he would need to get another amp anyway.

[wgriel]

Have you heard the 600 series with a good amp? Even if he bought the next line of B&W, he would need to get another amp anyway.

That's kind of my thought - I will say that I have a pretty affordable Denon stereo receiver (DRA 395) that works just fine with my 603s. However, since I'm thinking of moving up to the 700 series, I think I'll upgrade the amplification prior to doing so.

I don't know if that will provide any benefit to my current set up or not, but it seems to be logical way to go.

Bill

[stantheman2]

Good speakers like the B&W 600 series DO benefit from upgrades in receiver/amp. I have 603s as fronts, 601s as rears, and LCR6 S2 as the center. I started with a $750 Denon receiver that sounded good, I thought. I replaced the denon with a Rotel 1056 and was rewarded with as ignificant sonic improvement, movies and music. I recently added a Rptel 1075 amp, using the 1056 as a preamp/processor. Another significant sonic upgrade.

This made me rethink my upgrade path. Going to B&W 700 series would be over $5K, whereas upgrading electronics set me back "only" $$2200.

[Kobus]

Have you heard the 600 series with a good amp?

Yes, I have heard it with decent seperates and a midpriced denon, that is why I say the extra money is better spent on speakers.

Even if he bought the next line of B&W, he would need to get another amp anyway.

Most people come here for once-off advise, set up there systems and live with it. They have not got our illness yet.

[ric888]

Thanks guys for all your replies...

-so any body got comments on dharris' NAD?
-stick with the denon pioneer?
-try onkyo or something else?

[dharris]

If you are going with the 700 series and must run an AVR, then I would recommend saving your money and buy a flagship model from Rotel, Outlaw, and NAD. The T743 I recommended is not enough power for the 700 series.
Have a look at these,
NAD T763 http://www.nadelectronics.com/av_rec...3_frameset.htm
NAD T773 http://www.nadelectronics.com/av_rec...3_frameset.htm
Rotel RS-1067 http://rotel.com/products/specs/rsx1067.htm
Or the B&K AVR 507 http://www.bkcomp.com/avr507.asp

[ric888]

dharris,

actually looking at it, i was supposed to get the 763. but i would have to loose the velodyne DLS-R 4000 for that. should i go for better amplification and just get a cheap sub for that fact? is it worth loosing the velo?

[dharris]

dharris,

actually looking at it, i was supposed to get the 763. but i would have to loose the velodyne DLS-R 4000 for that. should i go for better amplification and just get a cheap sub for that fact? is it worth loosing the velo?

Eventually you will have both, trust me....
I would go for the 763 now and then save for the sub, but that's just me.

[ric888]

Hmmmm.....

ok, then i guess i just have to evaluate the diff side of things. pros and cons.

thank you so much for this dharris.

i just dont know if a cheap sub would work for now?

[ric888]

Hi guys,

Its been already a while, and just want to continue this thread before...

As of right now im enjoing my set, , as in really enjoying!!!
Though im still using my old trusty Pioneer DD/DTS THX Ultra reciever, i still do get good results! Problem is, i tried to audition the the NAD T763 we were discussing here and really there was some improvements on the sound! Offcourse there was the sonic diff. in it, diff. brands, diff. sound, right? The thing is, i like the "SMOOTHNESS" the NAD gave to the speakers, they are really good on stereo, but there is something on my OLD Pioneer AVR that gives my 602's some edge over the NAD AVR. Just dont know how to explaine it but its more on the dynamics, i think? As if you hear sounds better on diff. parts of the room, even on the side walls, not just the fronts, though again not as smooth as the NAD. And on movies, i seem to like it better than the NAD. They are both good, really spacious and enveloping on multi mix, but the Pioneer seem to really give some the NAD dosent.

Is ther a way for me to have the sonic qualities of both? That would not cause a fortune?

Thanks guys in advance for any suggestions!

[Clepto]

You could try an amp, especially a stereo amp to see if it's the difference in amplification that's really affecting your sound...

The benefit to getting an amp, is that a good one will last you through several processor/receiver upgrades...

[Pio]

In my office I use a NAD 720BEE along with 602's, combo sounds great!!

[ric888]

You could try an amp, especially a stereo amp to see if it's the difference in amplification that's really affecting your sound...

The benefit to getting an amp, is that a good one will last you through several processor/receiver upgrades...

So should i get a stereo amp from NAD? Is it possible to get the sound of the 2 brands combined?

What brand do you recommend Clepto?
From your very experienced side of this hobbie, what have you used that really was a "WOW" thing for the 600's?

I have BTW 4 x 602s3 and the LCR 600.

[audioqueso]

I haven't heard a NAD in years, so I can't comment on the new AVRs. But I hear they're pretty awesome. For the 600 I would recommend to go with a Rotel or Marantz receiver. I had an Onkyo with my 600, but moving to the Marantz made is so much smoother and warming. I choose the Marantz over the Rotel because the Rotel was only slightly more natural than the Marantz, but the Marantz had great features as well with a much lower price. One additional note, if you have good headphones, you will appreciate the Marantz. The headphone amp is VERY nice for an AV receiver.

[Clepto]

Well, I just picked up a Rotel 1077 amp for my 600 series speakers... but that's probably overkill.

I'm of the opinion that the amp itself has very little to do with the sound, and it's the speakers and the pre/pro/receiver that really have a discernable effect. You'll likely get contrary opinions to that, but for something like the 600 series, as long as you're getting good, clean amplification, I think 100wpc is plenty.

Keep in mind, that receivers that advertise 150x7 from yamaha, denon, etc are probably inferior to a dedicated amp at 75x7 from someone like Rotel, etc.

[ric888]

I haven't heard a NAD in years, so I can't comment on the new AVRs. But I hear they're pretty awesome. For the 600 I would recommend to go with a Rotel or Marantz receiver. I had an Onkyo with my 600, but moving to the Marantz made is so much smoother and warming. I choose the Marantz over the Rotel because the Rotel was only slightly more natural than the Marantz, but the Marantz had great features as well with a much lower price. One additional note, if you have good headphones, you will appreciate the Marantz. The headphone amp is VERY nice for an AV receiver.

hi audioqueso, is the Marantz-Parasound combo a good deal? there is an old Parasound amp here where i live that sells for abt $600. Its the 855, its an old model but its brand new. Would this with 85Wx5 be good if partnered with a marantz 4xxx or 5xxx series? would this be good for my current speakers? or would i still lack the power?

[audioqueso]

Unfortunately, I obtained the Parasound after I sold my 601s. My experienced with the 600 series was only with an Onkyo and then a Marantz AVR. I purchased the Parasound after I received my Nautilus 805s. I really like the Marantz/Parasound combo that I have now. The Parasound has a slight forward sound, but combined the warm sound of the Marantz, you get a very nice balance. I think the Parasound could really bring out the 600 series, but for $600 used, you can get a much stronger amp than the 855. Something like a Parasound 1205 or 1206.

[ric888]

BTW: Should i simply sell my old THX Ultra Pioneer and get a NAD or Marantz?
then add a external amp?

[ric888]

BTW: Should i simply sell my old THX Ultra Pioneer and get a NAD or Marantz?
then add a external amp?

Anybody here who wants to comment on this so that i may maximize the potentials of my 602's?

1) add an external amp on my Reciever
2) sell my old reciever and get a better sounding one then add an amp

[Clepto]

I think your best bet is to see if you can borrow/demo an amplifier, to see if you will benefit from an amp or not.

Ideally you could get both a reciver and an amp to demo/try, and then return 1 in a few days.

[JudyLou]

Hi guys,

I was hoping somebody could have any comments on recivers under $800 that would be so called the "best" for the 600 series?

Thanks.

I have an Marantz 7600 on my B&W603SIII and it has the power and musicality. I must also add that I select them as small on the receiver and the bass management freq at 110. (high for that size speaker) but the soundstage is big on sound open without getting brittle. There a Marantz out now the 7001 with little more power and more features and some video upscaling - would do the 600 series proud!
Lourens

[ric888]

Ok! i guess its a battle between Rotel and Marantz...
Hmmm! as for my buget, i have 2 options in mind.

1) ROTEL RSX 1057 or
2) MARANTZ SR7001 - their new model, just replaced the Sr7500 i think.

So from this two, which do you think would be my better bet?

[marano]

Ok! i guess its a battle between Rotel and Marantz...
Hmmm! as for my buget, i have 2 options in mind.

1) ROTEL RSX 1057 or
2) MARANTZ SR7001 - their new model, just replaced the Sr7500 i think.

So from this two, which do you think would be my better bet?

I have a Rotel RSX-1057 hooked up to DM602 S3's (fronts), LCR60 S3 (center), DM601 S3's (rears), and ASW600 (sub) and it makes a great combo.

[ric888]

Actually this ("Rotel 1057") is what i was really considering.

BUT:

1) Rotel is 75W/ch (x5 only) as to 110W of the Marantz w/c is (x7)
-though i have not plans of going yet to a 7.1 system,
space does not low it yet.

2) Most of the people say that they almost sound the same? Is this a fact?
-i dont have the luxury of testing them both for a home demo here in my
country that is why im really having a hard time because i cant do an A/B
comparison.
-no store here also carries both brands...

3) More features on the Marantz, though im no sure if ill be using them all...


Q: - Is the 75 W of the rotel better over the 110 W of Marantz?
- Rotel is know for their rock solid, stable power due to it being tested at
all channels driven. Is the Marantz Rating also the same?
- What's the diff. of 75W all channels driven against
110W x7-Ch Discrete Amp.

So guys pls help. really need your expert advises here. ;x(

BTW: I have tested them both and both really sound good to me, problem is since they are diff. stores, though same speakers, still not the same room and acoustics, diff. CDP, and cables even... :huh:

[audioqueso]

1) Rotel is 75W/ch (x5 only) as to 110W of the Marantz w/c is (x7)
-though i have not plans of going yet to a 7.1 system,
space does not low it yet.
With the 7.1 you can us the A/B channels to bi-amp your front, and just use a 5.1 setup.

2) Most of the people say that they almost sound the same? Is this a fact? They sound very close. I did test both of them together. The Rotel does sound a little more natural, but it is slight, not that noticeable.

3) More features on the Marantz, though im no sure if ill be using them all...
I have a Marantz. I don't use most features either.

Q: - Is the 75 W of the rotel better over the 110 W of Marantz?
- Rotel is know for their rock solid, stable power due to it being tested at
all channels driven. Is the Marantz Rating also the same?
- What's the diff. of 75W all channels driven against
110W x7-Ch Discrete Amp.
Rotel is known for having true ratings. I wouldn't say Marantz has a reputation for false ratings or true ratings, but a review I read on the 7500, they stated that the ratings were actually as stated. So I guess both seem to be true to their ratings. I don't know if 75 vs 110 will be much difference, but the only thing I find beneficial is that, like I mentioned, you can use the A/B channel to bi-amp the fronts and use a 5.1 configuration.

One big plus on the Rotel, your crossover frequency is not as limited as the Marantz. With the Marantz, if you set the speakers as small and add a sub, you can only use 80Hz, 100Hz, and 120Hz. However, you can also set the Marantz as mixed large speakers and sub which sounds very nice.