Smurfin
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Over the last week or so I've been thinking about the different routes to take to maximise sound quality and performance vs cost.
What I've come up with is the following options:
2nd hand, high-powered integrated amp/receiver (i.e Denon AVC-A10se), passive speakers, probably brand new (auditioning Quads this weekend, trouble is they don't have any amp comparable to what I'm likely to buy).
2nd hand, lesser powered amp but with more features etc (i.e Denon 3803 or Pioneer VSX-D2011), actives across the front 3, cheap speakers like some mission bipoles for sides and 2 cheap monopoles for rears.
In the next couple of days I'll be auditioning some active monitors, with some passives at the weekend, but without hearing them I'm erring towards the actives (though the proof is - of course - in the pudding).
Why am I looking at actives?
Well I want an amp/receiver with all the latest functions, but unless I start looking in the flagship territory then the power amps will likely be found wanting when driven loud (simultaneous channels I mean)...and I have to look at easy to drive speakers.
Adding 3 actives for the front will give me oodles of power, and coupled with latest processing features etc this sounds like a no-brainer?
Obviously the processing won't be a patch on my old Lexicon Mc-1, but I'm guessing it won't be a slouch in this department either?
So onto the subject of the thread....
I can (likely) get the following receivers for 2nd hand prices:
Pioneer VSX-D2011 - £450
Denon 3803 - £520
With actives which will likely be very neutral (thinking possibly Mackie 624s or Dyn BM6A's amongst others), I'm just a little wary of the reported sound of the Pioneers - people describe them as quite harsh (though of course this varies with opinion), is this likely down to the processing or just the internal amps? (which will be bypassed if I'm using actives for the front 3).
The Denon as I understand, I reputed to have more of a warmer sound (again I'm sure this varies with opinion), which may make a slightly better match with very "neutral" speakers?
The other pro's and cons of the amps as I see it are:
Denon 3803
Has all latest sound formats inc dts-discrete, Dolby-ex, PLII, component switching, and video upconversion.
Pioneer VSX-D2011
All the latest sound formats, plus THX processing (which I like for reference level playback), auto-setup inc equaliser, component switching.
On paper I like the sound of the Pioneer, especially the "idea" of the auto-setup feature and the 5 band equaliser...just how good is this though? (does it work like a BFD?). Although missing the video upconversion, this doesn't bother me too much as I will only be running 2 sources via the amp....my dvd player and x-box.
I'm probably rambling now, so I'll finish with one last question: is my logic above misplaced? I'll be saving a fortune on my prevous setup, and maintaining a strong, powerful front soundstage; just sacrificing a little processing finesse and front/rear tonality. Otherwise, is my thinking sound? opinions are - as always - welcome.
cheers
Matt
What I've come up with is the following options:
2nd hand, high-powered integrated amp/receiver (i.e Denon AVC-A10se), passive speakers, probably brand new (auditioning Quads this weekend, trouble is they don't have any amp comparable to what I'm likely to buy).
2nd hand, lesser powered amp but with more features etc (i.e Denon 3803 or Pioneer VSX-D2011), actives across the front 3, cheap speakers like some mission bipoles for sides and 2 cheap monopoles for rears.
In the next couple of days I'll be auditioning some active monitors, with some passives at the weekend, but without hearing them I'm erring towards the actives (though the proof is - of course - in the pudding).
Why am I looking at actives?
Well I want an amp/receiver with all the latest functions, but unless I start looking in the flagship territory then the power amps will likely be found wanting when driven loud (simultaneous channels I mean)...and I have to look at easy to drive speakers.
Adding 3 actives for the front will give me oodles of power, and coupled with latest processing features etc this sounds like a no-brainer?
Obviously the processing won't be a patch on my old Lexicon Mc-1, but I'm guessing it won't be a slouch in this department either?
So onto the subject of the thread....
I can (likely) get the following receivers for 2nd hand prices:
Pioneer VSX-D2011 - £450
Denon 3803 - £520
With actives which will likely be very neutral (thinking possibly Mackie 624s or Dyn BM6A's amongst others), I'm just a little wary of the reported sound of the Pioneers - people describe them as quite harsh (though of course this varies with opinion), is this likely down to the processing or just the internal amps? (which will be bypassed if I'm using actives for the front 3).
The Denon as I understand, I reputed to have more of a warmer sound (again I'm sure this varies with opinion), which may make a slightly better match with very "neutral" speakers?
The other pro's and cons of the amps as I see it are:
Denon 3803
Has all latest sound formats inc dts-discrete, Dolby-ex, PLII, component switching, and video upconversion.
Pioneer VSX-D2011
All the latest sound formats, plus THX processing (which I like for reference level playback), auto-setup inc equaliser, component switching.
On paper I like the sound of the Pioneer, especially the "idea" of the auto-setup feature and the 5 band equaliser...just how good is this though? (does it work like a BFD?). Although missing the video upconversion, this doesn't bother me too much as I will only be running 2 sources via the amp....my dvd player and x-box.
I'm probably rambling now, so I'll finish with one last question: is my logic above misplaced? I'll be saving a fortune on my prevous setup, and maintaining a strong, powerful front soundstage; just sacrificing a little processing finesse and front/rear tonality. Otherwise, is my thinking sound? opinions are - as always - welcome.
cheers
Matt