1st ever New Receiver & Speaker Setup around £1250, Onkyo 606 or Pioneer VSX-1018

[ruban731]

In need of my first ever receiver and speaker system . I have read this forum from time to time but its now time for me to buy a system for 2009.

As of yesterday I thought I had my system set in my mind as the Onkyo 606 and Kef 3005SE, however reading a few more posts today made me doubt my decision .

Im now thinking of the Pioneer VSX-1018, but the speakers i dont know? I have been put off by eggs as some people say the sound is not as great for the price you can get with possibly larger speakers.

I have an upscaling DVD player (HDMI output), PS3, old 50" Pioneer Plasma PDP-506XDE, Sky HD

I would say my usage is 60% TV (HD and Divx etc via PS3), 20% PS3, 20% Music.

I need my speakers to look the part and sound the part, I would like gloss black finish on receiver and speakers. They need to look stylish even if that means sound is compromised a little bit . Any recommendations please.

Now sure if I also want a 5.1, my floor is tiled and cant run wires under them and its a through lounge. Would just two front and sub be better. Would I lose a lot by now having the surround speakers? Thanks in advance, I will be looking out for any suggestions.

[davepuma]

Any reason why you've discounted the others e.g. Yamaha 763, Denon 1909, Marantz SR5003 or Sony 2400ES?

I'm not a fan of the eggs at all, you can get a lot better. If gloss black is your thing, MJ do a set, Kefs, Quad L-ite (if you can still find them or look at the larger L package, MA Radius and check the power buy in the speakers forum for the XTZs that have been well received). Hifix currently has a MK K1 package on offer for £550. I think they're gloss black.

You will miss out a lot if you don't have rears, they make a massive difference. You can get discrete cable or conduit such as d-line to run the cabling around the room. If your room is sparsley furnished, I would look at a rug to avoid acoustic issues (echoes).

Edit - if style is an issue (how/why Onkyo?!!), check the galleries forum for ideas

[ruban731]

Originally Posted by davepuma

Any reason why you've discounted the others e.g. Yamaha 763, Denon 1909, Marantz SR5003 or Sony 2400ES?

I'm not a fan of the eggs at all, you can get a lot better. If gloss black is your thing, MJ do a set, Kefs, Quad L-ite (if you can still find them or look at the larger L package, MA Radius and check the power buy in the speakers forum for the XTZs that have been well received). Hifix currently has a MK K1 package on offer for £550. I think they're gloss black.

You will miss out a lot if you don't have rears, they make a massive difference. You can get discrete cable or conduit such as d-line to run the cabling around the room. If your room is sparsley furnished, I would look at a rug to avoid acoustic issues (echoes).

Edit - if style is an issue, check the galleries forum for ideas

I havnt dismissed any other receivers, its just that there are so many and i m no expert so just going with popular opinion but I will check out the ones you mention, but my budgest is around £400.

So the list:
Yamaha 763 @ £300
Denon 1909 @ £300
Marantz SR5003 @ £490 - maybe a bit too much for my range..
Sony 2400ES @ £380
Onkyo SR606 @ £330
Pioneer VSX1017 @350

Amongst these which is the newest model and look the best in black.

I m not sure, I have no experience so would be interested in your choice amonst these and I m prepared to spend an additional £1000 for the speaker package inc stands, cables, etc.

I m still looking at your speaker recommendations...thanks for your help

[NBUK]

Hey Ruban731,

Did you take the plunge in the end?
I'm looking at getting a 5.1 system setup at home too (would be my first system) but have been baffled by which amp and speaker package to go for.

At first I thought it was easy as everybody has been on about the Onkyo 606.
Then the 806 came down in price but I learnt it was very buggy with the blue dots problem.
Now, i've heard that the 606 isn't the most musical amp and that maybe the denon 1909, Sony 2400ES or Pioneer 1018 would be better suited.

I'd expect usage to be approx 50% tv/bluray, 25% music & 25% gaming.

My aim is to try to audition each of these amps with a set of B&W's - I have some 601 S2s lying around that i'd like to incorporate into my setup somehow, maybe as make-do fronts for now while I save for something better, with M1 rears, the B&W HTM62 as centre and a sub to be decided (something meaty, I like my bass!)

Have you heard the amps? Whats your opinion of them?

Do you think that the above amps would be powerful enough to drive the B&Ws and get the best out of them?

Any help from anybody would be greatly appreciated!

nb