[Halo_master]

I currently use 5.1 b&w xt speakers (2x XT4, 2x XT2 and a XTC, with a b&w pv1 sub) with a pioneer sc-lx71 homecinema receiver.

The setup is ok, but doesn' t grab me. I want to replace the pio with seperates.

I have been looking at (second-hand) setups, which include:

-rotel 1570 processor+ rotel 1565(or perhaps 1575) power amp
-arcam av9+ arcam p7
-audiolab 8000AV(hdmi), with perhaps the rotel 1565/1575 power amp
-marantz 8003AV +Marantz 8003MM

Which will sound the best with my speaker set-up and would really be an improvement over my Pio receiver in movies and music?

For the audiolab 8000 option, which power amp will be best suited? Rotels? Arcam? The Marantz 8003MM? Or is there another low cost solution?

Any other(low/average cost) audioprocessor out there?

HD-decoding is not a must, but should have hdmi-switching.

[paulst10]

Have you considered adding just a power amp to your Pioneer receiver for the time being ? I added a Rotel 1575 to my Onkyo recently, and for me the difference hugely depends on how loud you listen, if you listen at low volumes (around -30db) on my system there wasn't a huge amount of difference, maybe a touch more refined but nothing worth taking note of. Once you start upping the volume though it really starts to shine, remaining detailed and crystal clear even at ref. level. I found my Onkyo used to start sounding strained as I went beyond -15db


IMO, there is not enough choice for quality HD processors at the moment and unless you plan to spend thousands, it may be better to wait it out a little longer using your LX71 as a processor and hope the Parasound HDP70 & Emotiva UMC1 are with us early next year (the Emo is confirmed for Jan) as both look like they are going to be reasonably priced

As to which would be better suited to your B&W's, both Arcam & Rotel seem very popular choices with B&W's, but no-one can really tell you what to pick as the end of the day it's a preference thing

The setup is ok, but doesn' t grab me

Just my opinion, but if you want a more exciting movie experience, a better subwoofer could give you that and save you a lot of money at the same time I am not dismissing your PV1 - I have owned one and it is a good subwoofer for music but pretty average with movies, and sadly it can be bettered by specific subwoofers at half the price They do however hold their money when it comes to second hand value

If you add a £430 BK Monolith or a more expensive SVS subwoofer to your system, it will be totally transformed and will give you that factor that I know you are missing out on

[lbstyling]

pauls comments +1.

the b+w's are notorious for liking there power to sound 'alive'. i would look here first and use your pioneer as a processor- its got a very low jitter measurement so could be argued as competition for most of the processors out there at the moment.

is the lx71 a icepower??

if memory serves me right it is- class d's are known to loose there 'life' into heavy loads, so again this would suggest using it as a processor

damn nice looking piece of kit too!!!

i would swipe the parasound halo a52 up on the for sale section asap myself- they dont come up often+huge current delivery!

[Halo_master]

Thanks

I' ll try a 5.1 or 7.1 power amp at first using the pio sc-lx71 as a processor.

But what power amp?

Halo Parasound as stated, or a arcam p7(77), a rotel 1575, something else?

[Medrep1]

+3 re above comments!

I have had lots of B&W's over the years, of different ranges, and they are swines to power well. To give you an example, when I upgraded to the Rotel 1570/1575, the speakers came alive for the first time in years. So much so I blew one of my rears showing offthe difference was night and day!

I now have 800 series which are notoriously difficult to power well, and the 1575 does a superb job, way above ref SPL level (with the correct xover mind you)

I have heard most of the choices you mentioned, bar the audiolab, and for my taste the rotel was the best 'for me'. Arcam has a completely different presentation, for me it sounded very smooth, detailed, but it was a little too laid back for my liking. Nothing wrong with the arcam whatsoever. Some may hate the rotel's clarity and enthusiastic presentation.

You need to audition, as it will have to suit your tastes and how well it will integrate into 'your' system and room.

Best move for you IMO is the Rotel 1575, for the money I dont think there is much to touch it. Its extremely neutral and will slot into a lot of systems easily without fuss.

There is also a RMB1512 coming out soon, 12x100 class D, and apparently that is awesome. You can biamp every speaker in a 5.1 config too.

I think you just need more power.............

[Halo_master]

But the rotel 1575 is a class D amp. Would like anything other than an icepower amp this time, don't like it in my pio. What other (5 channel) power amps are best bang for the buck and will sound good with my B&W XT' s?

[Halo_master]

Would it be wise to invest in more power amps?

Ik was thinking of using a rotel 1552(class A/B) for my left en right fronts
and a rotel 1552 for my 2 surround speakers.

Could i use a 1552 for my centre speaker, it is not a mono amp, but could i use just 1 channel or bridge it? Or should i use a rotel rb-06 bridged.



Sorry, i am quite a newbie.

[Medrep1]

Ik was thinking of using a rotel 1552(class A/B) for my left en right fronts
and a rotel 1552 for my 2 surround speakers.

Could i use a 1552 for my centre speaker, it is not a mono amp, but could i use just 1 channel or bridge it? Or should i use a rotel rb-06 bridged.

I dont think this is the way to go, and that little lot would probably add up to a fair amount? If you can specify a budget more experienced members could pitch in?

What about high end second hand multichannel amps such as lexicon/krell showcase/arcam p7's etc etc?

I dont think your pioneer amps and the rotel 1575 are a fair comparison either, even though they probably share familiar components?

[Halo_master]

Budget for the amp is about 1400 GBPs.

[saguk1234]

I too would suggest the 1575. Bloody awesome!

[lbstyling]

if youve willing to spend that much theres some great options i think-

im all for dividing the amplification over as many transformers as possible -ie get 3 stereo power amps as opposed to 1 multi channel.-theres tecnical reasons for this that i wont bore you with.

this will be a future move for me-

but you need a stereo amp that you like the sound of first!

i like parasound.. obviously.

what house sound have you heard that you realy liked?

if you can go to £1400- ive had rotel amplification-good solid relyable kit however personal opinion -but you can do better for this kinda money with heavy load speakers imo. -the class a bias is too low.

^.......ducks for cover.......^

[Halo_master]

I would like to get other/better speakers,

My girlfriend liked these, and doesn' t want to have other speakers in the living room.

Perhaps the xt4' s will be upgraded by Xt8' s , but that is about it, nothing else .

Can get an arcam p7 power amp, Is that a good amp?

I will be waiting for more HD-decoding pre-amps to come uit, and i will be using the pioneer sc71 in the meantime with a good power amp (rotel, parasound, or arcam p7). i could replace the with an audiolab 8000AP now so i can keep my pioneer lx52 BD-player, or buy a arcam av9, but i would have to update the BD-player because i would need multichannel analogue outs for HD-formats or i would be able to get a second hand anthem statement D2 or avm50 from the states (can get a used one for approx. 1500 GBP) Which also have great videoprocessing. Or just get a rotel 1570.

So which power amp for my B&W XT' s. The parasound, arcam p7, or rotel? Or 5 seperate audiolab 8000Ms?Anymore memebers recommending Parasound?

Should i wait for more processors with hdmi and HD-audio decoding? Or buy one of the processors i mentioned above, now.