Perfect Electronics for an 805S 5.1 system?

[EastCoaster]

Hi Everyone,

I'm starting to see the first symptoms of Upgradtitis (mild rash, scratching, insane desire to upgrade system, etc.) and so I thought I would ask for peoples' suggestions on upgrading the weakest links in my system - the electronics.

I'm currently 50/50 on HT and music, and am running four 805S, HTM4 and ASW 825. My listening area isn't huge, and my triangle is about 7 feet... My electronics (the only part I want to upgrade) are a Yamaha RX-2600, and Yamaha CD/DVD player the DVD-950.

Both Yammies are only six months old, so I can probably get a pretty penny back on them, and although I don't have a set budget for the new components, I don't want to go absolutely crazy here. Let's say I can spend between $3,000 to $5,000 or so on new electronics?

What do you think would work really well with my B&W speaker set up? I'm leaning toward trying to get separates, but have absolutely no experience with owning separates...

If you have any particular models in place, that would be really helpful, as I could audition those particular models.

The features I'd like to have on my new electronics are HDMI switching (it's just the future...) and some sound fields (I think they're fun to mess around with...).

Any suggestions gratefully accepted!

[Briz vegas]

Starker, this is KAOS we don't do sound fields here !!!! :P

I'll start the bidding with a Rotel 1077 and a suitable Rotel Pre/Pro. Don't know the American pricing but is would have to come close to your budget. That would give you a couple of extra channels to play or bi-amp with.

[audioqueso]

If you listen mostly to lighter music (jass, classical, soft rock, etc), then I would agree and say Rotel for the pre-amp and amp. If you listen to any heavier music (rock, rap, techno, etc), then I would suggest Parasound for the combo.

[EastCoaster]

Starker, this is KAOS we don't do sound fields here !!!! :P

I'll start the bidding with a Rotel 1077 and a suitable Rotel Pre/Pro. Don't know the American pricing but is would have to come close to your budget. That would give you a couple of extra channels to play or bi-amp with.

Hi Briz vegas, thanks for the recommendation! I thought plenty of people would recommend Rotel, and I'm certainly planning on giving Rotel components a close listen, but I'm a bit concerned about their reliability - I've read so many owner complaints about Rotel that it's scary...

And as for sound fields - hey - they are fun!

[EastCoaster]

If you listen mostly to lighter music (jass, classical, soft rock, etc), then I would agree and say Rotel for the pre-amp and amp. If you listen to any heavier music (rock, rap, techno, etc), then I would suggest Parasound for the combo.

Thanks audioquesto - yep, I listn mostly to what you define above as "lighter music". I haven't heard about Parasound - I'll have to check them out!

[bvk_houtx]

Eastcoaster,
You may want to look at the Mcintosh MHT100 receiver. It does not have the HDMI switching but the sound produced by this equipment will really show-off your speakers. You should be able to get one, used, for $2.5k - $3k. Another option is to keep your Yamaha 2600 and add an amplifier, using the Yamaha 2600 as the pre/pro. Once again I would look at a used McIntosh amp, like a MC206. In a few years the video standards will have settled down and you can then replace the Yamaha with a current pre-amp/video processor. Just a few thoughts.....

[akhter]

Hi Everyone,

I'm starting to see the first symptoms of Upgradtitis (mild rash, scratching, insane desire to upgrade system, etc.) and so I thought I would ask for peoples' suggestions on upgrading the weakest links in my system - the electronics.

I'm currently 50/50 on HT and music, and am running four 805S, HTM4 and ASW 825. My listening area isn't huge, and my triangle is about 7 feet... My electronics (the only part I want to upgrade) are a Yamaha RX-2600, and Yamaha CD/DVD player the DVD-950.

Both Yammies are only six months old, so I can probably get a pretty penny back on them, and although I don't have a set budget for the new components, I don't want to go absolutely crazy here. Let's say I can spend between $3,000 to $5,000 or so on new electronics?

What do you think would work really well with my B&W speaker set up? I'm leaning toward trying to get separates, but have absolutely no experience with owning separates...

If you have any particular models in place, that would be really helpful, as I could audition those particular models.

The features I'd like to have on my new electronics are HDMI switching (it's just the future...) and some sound fields (I think they're fun to mess around with...).

Any suggestions gratefully accepted!

With that budget, I'd go for Aram AVR 350 (AVR300 is hdmi is not required) + Arcam DV29 DVD player combo. You'll get great audio + dvd performance. the AVR runs about 2500 and 3000 for the DVD player but I am sure you could get them for about 5000 or less if you buy them together from a reasonable dealer.

[EastCoaster]

With that budget, I'd go for Aram AVR 350 (AVR300 is hdmi is not required) + Arcam DV29 DVD player combo. You'll get great audio + dvd performance. the AVR runs about 2500 and 3000 for the DVD player but I am sure you could get them for about 5000 or less if you buy them together from a reasonable dealer.

Hi Akhter - thanks for the suggestion - I did a bit of reading on it - it looks lovely... But where are the US authorized dealers at? The Arcam website only showed one authorized dealer in Indiana... Where did you buy yours?

[EastCoaster]

Eastcoaster,
You may want to look at the Mcintosh MHT100 receiver. It does not have the HDMI switching but the sound produced by this equipment will really show-off your speakers. You should be able to get one, used, for $2.5k - $3k. Another option is to keep your Yamaha 2600 and add an amplifier, using the Yamaha 2600 as the pre/pro. Once again I would look at a used McIntosh amp, like a MC206. In a few years the video standards will have settled down and you can then replace the Yamaha with a current pre-amp/video processor. Just a few thoughts.....

Thanks for the advice.. I read up on the Mcintosh a bit - it seems like the reception for it was lukewarm (that it was a bit behind the times)... Am I reading wrong?

[akhter]

Hi Akhter - thanks for the suggestion - I did a bit of reading on it - it looks lovely... But where are the US authorized dealers at? The Arcam website only showed one authorized dealer in Indiana... Where did you buy yours?

New York has two dealers. The one in Indiana is the distributer, and they have many dealers everywhere. They also sell direct if there is not dealer near you.
Try here

[bvk_houtx]

Thanks for the advice.. I read up on the Mcintosh a bit - it seems like the reception for it was lukewarm (that it was a bit behind the times)... Am I reading wrong?

Eastcoaster,
The McIntosh's products have been accused of being behind the times. You probably won't see HDMI switching in their product line for awhile. I for one don't need this feature. I connect the video source directly to the TV/Monitor and the audio to my receiver. What the McIntosh will provide is superior sound, outstanding build quality, great support staff, and a sound investment (no, I don't work for McIntosh) . The equipment holds its value. In the future if/when you decide to upgrade it's nice to know you can recoup your investment.

[miner]

$2500 for a new Rotel RB-1077 plus a RSP-1068 will put you around $4500. You should be able to get a 10 - 15% discount on top of that. Rotel & B&W mate well together.

[EastCoaster]

New York has two dealers. The one in Indiana is the distributer, and they have many dealers everywhere. They also sell direct if there is not dealer near you.
Try here

Excellent! Thanks for that!

[EastCoaster]

Eastcoaster,
The McIntosh's products have been accused of being behind the times. You probably won't see HDMI switching in their product line for awhile. I for one don't need this feature. I connect the video source directly to the TV/Monitor and the audio to my receiver. What the McIntosh will provide is superior sound, outstanding build quality, great support staff, and a sound investment (no, I don't work for McIntosh) . The equipment holds its value. In the future if/when you decide to upgrade it's nice to know you can recoup your investment.

Hi BVK - I don't doubt that McIntosh products are top shelf - I know they are. I was referring to this particular receiver, for which the limited reviews I read offered only lukewarm applause...

[WI Rotel]

My expirience with recievers has been less than stellar I had a yamaha 110 Watt per channel x7 that was a boner the sound was less than stellar but acceptable for movies. When I moved up I went with a rotel reciever 1067 and found it to be "weakneed" for my XT set (they are very inefficient). I went to separates 1095/1068 and I'm thoroughly satisfied. The price is not cheap but its a fraction of the other audiophile brands.

[EastCoaster]

My expirience with recievers has been less than stellar I had a yamaha 110 Watt per channel x7 that was a boner the sound was less than stellar but acceptable for movies. When I moved up I went with a rotel reciever 1067 and found it to be "weakneed" for my XT set (they are very inefficient). I went to separates 1095/1068 and I'm thoroughly satisfied. The price is not cheap but its a fraction of the other audiophile brands.

Howdy - I spent entirely too much time at work today reading up on these Rotel components.. :B The only issue I have with the 1068 is that I don't believe it has HDMI switching. Honestly, I think HDMI is the future, and don't want to be left behind. My Yamaha.... Well... I can do better....

My only concern with Rotel equipment is their rate of failure and/or problems... If you spend any appreciable time in the Rotel forum you just hear so many horror stories... But I've heard they really SING with B&W speakers, so I have to go audition them...

[EastCoaster]

$2500 for a new Rotel RB-1077 plus a RSP-1068 will put you around $4500. You should be able to get a 10 - 15% discount on top of that. Rotel & B&W mate well together.

1068 = no HDMI switching though....

[WI Rotel]

1068 = no HDMI switching though....

HDMI switching is a none issue, the only component you will have with an HDMI connection is your DVD player. Consumer reports recent article (with which I agree) basicly recommends avoiding high definition DVD altogether. The main reason being that high definition downloadable movies are not far in the horizon. Thus in a year or 2 you will simply be able to download the same material to TV recorders, thus avoiding the disc altogether.

[alpina]

HDMI switching is a none issue, the only component you will have with an HDMI connection is your DVD player.

And your plasma/lcd

Big advantage of hdmi is connectivity, especially when tv is a fair way away from av gear. I love running the 1 cable to my plasma and knowing that everytime i upgrade my av gear, I wont need to worry about how to get the video signal to the tv

Even Pioneer have deleted their media box from their new plasma range, I suspect because hdmi connectivity will make it redundant and save them costs along the way

hdmi is the way of the future (actually its already here) and version 1.3 with new audio formats will seal the fate of rca's forever - that's my 2 cents worth

Cheers,

Julie

[kurtholz]

Krell, (used) Showcase 7.1, and an Arcamdv29, you get hdmi, upscale to 720p and a whole different league than Rotel, short of that McIntosh is the way to go, one of many opinions

:-)

good luck

Kurt

[Aussie Geoff]

Howdy - I spent entirely too much time at work today reading up on these Rotel components.. The only issue I have with the 1068 is that I don't believe it has HDMI switching. Honestly, I think HDMI is the future, and don't want to be left behind. My Yamaha.... Well... I can do better....

My only concern with Rotel equipment is their rate of failure and/or problems... If you spend any appreciable time in the Rotel forum you just hear so many horror stories... But I've heard they really SING with B&W speakers, so I have to go audition them...

Consider the RSX-1057 receiver with the RMB-1077. That has HDMI switching. Or if you can wait a couple of months the RSX-1079 with HDMI upscaling to 1080...

Re reliability - well they have had some "off batches" and Club Rotel attracts people with faults - but generally 98-99 of of delivered units work fine for many years. When they don't Rotels service is normally excellent.

Geoff

[EastCoaster]

And your plasma/lcd

hdmi is the way of the future (actually its already here) and version 1.3 with new audio formats will seal the fate of rca's forever - that's my 2 cents worth

Cheers,

Julie

Totally agree - thanks Julie. I absolutely love having just one cable running to the TV, and not having to bother with my remote(s) when changing from sound to vision!

[EastCoaster]

Krell, (used) Showcase 7.1, and an Arcamdv29, you get hdmi, upscale to 720p and a whole different league than Rotel, short of that McIntosh is the way to go, one of many opinions

:-)

good luck

Kurt

Thanks Jurt! Mixing Krell and Arcam like this works, huh? Hmmm, I'll have to dig into this a bit more!

[EastCoaster]

Consider the RSX-1057 receiver with the RMB-1077. That has HDMI switching. Or if you can wait a couple of months the RSX-1079 with HDMI upscaling to 1080...

Re reliability - well they have had some "off batches" and Club Rotel attracts people with faults - but generally 98-99 of of delivered units work fine for many years. When they don't Rotels service is normally excellent.

Geoff

Thanks Geoff - I have heard that Rotel service is great! I haven't been able to find anything on the "net" about the RSX-1079 - is that the correct product number?