Marantz NR1601 : Harman Kardon HKTS 16 or KEF Audio KHT 2005.1/2?

[atamgp]

Hi All,

I'm looking for a 3D ready (hdmi 1.4a), hdmi switching receiver minimal 5.1.
Because of my budget and because of the size of nr601, that is my current top of the list.

I was also considering the Onkyo TX-SR578, but that seems to have problems:
- hd passthru still does some video processing, which is beter left for televisions
- some hdmi handshaking problems
- overheating problems
- somewhat bigger
But these are just from what i read on the internet, and am not 100% sure. So owners may react upon my statements.

The Marantz NR1601 is just 50 watt. Currently i have the following speaker sets as options:
- Harman Kardon HKTS 16
- KEF Audio KHT 2005.1/2

I hear the HKTS set on a HK receiver in the store and was impressed. But the KEF's seem to be better. I can get the KEF's for an extra Euro 150.
Given the 50 watt of the receiver, is this worth it?
Please advise?
This is my first set.

Usage:
I will buy a panasonic vt20 plasma and use a htpc.
htpc -hdmi-> receiver -hdmi-> plasma
tv receiver -s-video-> receiver -hdmi-> plasma

Thanks!
I can't wait for the reactions
Am almost dead from reading so many posts....

 

[atamgp]

no one?

 

[atamgp]

don't make me beg ...

where are all the sound geniuses of this forum.....

 

[edboogie]

I have the NR1601 and love it. It matches perfectly with my KEF 35.2

 

[atamgp]

nice, thanks.
That helps.

I would also like some reactions of owners of the 2005.x sets and the hkts sets and how they would be different.