Advise on new pre/pro and amp combos...

[scottnkat]

Okay - I've finally decided to take the plunge away from receivers and go to separates. I'd like to keep the total bill below $7k. I was looking at the Anthem AVM-30 and the matching 7 channel amp, but I'm not too sure - I would be open to other suggestions. There's no dealers close so I can't just go listen to one, so I'd like other people's advise. I have NHT speakers which are not too warm sounding, so ideally, the combo should show a little warmth. Any suggestions???

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by scottnkat

Okay - I've finally decided to take the plunge away from receivers and go to separates. I'd like to keep the total bill below $7k. I was looking at the Anthem AVM-30 and the matching 7 channel amp, but I'm not too sure - I would be open to other suggestions. There's no dealers close so I can't just go listen to one, so I'd like other people's advise. I have NHT speakers which are not too warm sounding, so ideally, the combo should show a little warmth. Any suggestions???

Below 7K!?!?! Damn man....

What about Parasound...Halo to be exact? Is that on your list? You must have a nice room to accomodate this kinda upgrade (I hate you ). Mine is 12'x12'....and while I may add an amp, I've come to the conclusion I probably won't hear a major difference going from an a/v receiver to seperates....but that me, I mean my acoustically challenged room.

[chlngr1970]

I am looking at the Rotel RSP-1068 Pre with the RB-1095 5 channel, and RB-1080 Two Channel amp. you are looking at 200 WPC for the amps, and a best bang for the buck pre amp.

( Not sure of the cost, but it should be well under your 7K ceiling )

j

[scottnkat]

Those are both good suggestions, but how do they sound? I can't get out to go "test drive" what I buy, so I really need to go with the suggestions of others. Are these setups warm sounding? Are they refined? If playing from a bad source, will it sound bad or will it cover up the sound and make it nicer? These are the questions I am most concerned about. Well, it would be nice if it would accept 10 different audio inputs so I could get rid of my switching box, but that would be like cake. Thanks.

[Iguana Man]

Opinions are one thing, but listening for yourself is another. I'm sorry, but you need to demo these units.

I read a review of speakers for example. It was in a major audio rag and I was convinced those speakers were for me. I listened with a friend who has similar tastes, and we looked at each other with our jaws lying on the floor. They sucked in our opinion. On top of that I drove 1.5 hours to listen to them. Thankfully, they had other speakers which I did like, and ended up buying.

You're looking at a lot of money man...take it slow and take the time to listen. J

Just how far is too far for you to travel when 7K is on the line?

[chlngr1970]

what do you have now powering your speakers?

I had a Denon AVR 3200 running Boston Accoustics CR Series speakers. Now I have a Pioneer VSX 1014TX and LOVE it...

It could be that your speakers sound bright becaue of your current amp.

I agree with Iguana Man. When making a purchase of this magnatude, you should realy make a concerted effort to "try before you buy," or at least have the option of returning or exchanging the gear.

j

[fivetom]

I've got a B&K Ref 50 pre and a Ref 2220 2ch amp(220 x 2). They sound great and i'm gonna get either the AV1255 (125x5) or the Ref2005 (200x5) for the rest of my spks later (currently, i'm using a cheap yamaha recv in multi ch in mode for those ). They' re in your price range so give them a try. I just popped onto there web site to add a link to this and found that they just put out a new series . But thats cool because there stuffs upgradeable. www.bkcomp.com

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by chlngr1970

It could be that your speakers sound bright becaue of your current amp.

That is something I've always wondered about...matching an amp or a/v receiver to you speakers.