[Darkly]

Hi folks, quick-ish question... am going to buy a set of quad lites and looking for an amp to power them, unfortunately budget is tight – will upgrade the amp to LPCM at some later stage I think.

Don't want to spend much more than 200-250, so am currently looking at the Onkyo HT-R508, as this seems to be as good as the 505SE except it's 5.1, and I'm happy with plain 5.1. Is this going to be rather underpowered with the Quads?

Also considering the Denon 1907.... same question for that really.

The other option is to get a second hand Denon 3803, but I wonder if that might be the opposite and a bit over-the-top for the Quads! Also I read it's massive, difficult to set up, and when placed near a CRT tele the transformers etc effect the screen.... I have a plasma TV, so am wondering if this will cause any problems there? Also there's the reliability issue of buying 2nd hand, but I imagine the sound this baby will knock out would be pretty impressive

Any help or thoughts much appreciated!

hi there

how about the new denon avr1508 round about £250.00,heres the link below,hope this helps.

http://www.denon.co.uk/site/frames_m...detail&Pid=335

[davepuma]

I have the Denon 3805 and can recommend it, it's a cracking amp and the 3803 is it's baby brother. It is no bigger than most AV receivers (even budget ones have large cases but next to no electronics inside so weight nothing). As for the Denon's being difficult to setup. I don't know who told you that but it's not true. They setup themselves. As for transformers affecting TV's, again never heard of it and I have mine sitting under my CRT and I've had no problems. The Quads are nice speakers, my mate has the L's coupled to a Harmon Kardon amp and they sound good and look even better.

[Darkly]

Many thanks for the feedback chaps

[elvetost]

Hello. few points that I thought might help you!
I used to run a set of quad 11Ls with a nad amp and have to say the sound was very very good indeed. Have a look on used NAD 5.1 amps too on fleabay, there are bound to be some bargains that would suit your budget.
As far as underpowering or overpowering your speakers, I'll just say that it is much easier to cause damage to the speakers by a low output amplifier working at large loads, rather than a potent unit, that drives the speakers easily with plenty of headroom. Your music will sound richer with a high powered amp, especially the midrange and bass. The difference is huge in my experience, so if you can afford the 380x series amps go for it! Having said that you do not mention a lot about your connectivity needs, so bear in mind the connectivity to power trade off...
As far as reliability of second hand units is concerned, if you go for a well looked after unit, from a decent manufacturer (NAD, Denon, Yamaha, etc) you should have no probs at all! Of course it makes sense to carefully listen to the amp in various modes when you get it, to make sure that its 100%, but I have bought mostly used items and never had any horror stories to tell. Remember to look after it when you have it yourself too, makes sense for a possible future sale/upgrade!
Finally almost 100% of these AV amps have got NO probs running close to plasma televisions! I have never had any probs with my plasmas and would think that you should have no probs too!
Hope this all helps, good luck in your AV adventure!
Regards, Chris

[durk]

Get the quads! You might as well get the best speakers you can afford! you can upgrade your amp later