Recommend a good receiver to match KEF KHT3005SE?

[megalomaniac.uk]

Hi all,
I've just invested in a set of KEF KHT3005SE speakers, and I'm not sure where to start looking for a good receiver to match to them (there are sooo many to choose from).

I'll be manly using the set-up for Blu-ray, gaming (PS3 & 360) and Freeview/Freesat. I haven't actually got a TV yet either, lol. I'm looking primarily at the 40"ers in the Sony Bravia W and Z series, although suggestions are also very welcome on that front.

It will get used for music (mostly streamed from a DLNA compliant NAS), but that's not the most important factor as I have some kit elsewhere in the house specifically for music.

Budget wise I guess around £500 would be ideal but I'll consider anything up to around £1000 if it's worth the extra (although the other half may kill me! )

Any advice gratefully received, thanks in advance .

 

[citehmoose]

I also took the plunge a few weeks ago and the 3005s have been excellent. I think the centre speaker was the deciding factor over the M1s.

Anyway, I got a great deal on a marantz6004 with the KEFs from Sevenoaks, and I'm very happy. I never got to compare it to the Denon1910 or yam1065, but the price and demo were enough to show me it satisfied my needs.

I can only think of one minor complaint; the marantz doesn't dp any pass through in standby. I just means routing sky hdmi picture straight to tv, so can listen to sjy news in stereo on tv speakers if not wanting 5.1. Sky surround sound sent to amp via optical for movies etc.

not many reviews on marantz on this forum, but it ticks all the boxes sonically for me.

out of the three amps, they will all be great; just look for the best deal.

 

[megalomaniac.uk]

I hadn't really thought about Marantz, or Yamaha for that matter. I've been mainly looking at Sony and Onkyo.

Thanks

 

[2sly]

I would recommend the Denon AVR 1910. Brilliant piece of kit. Its my first av reciever and boy it packs a punch! It will be able to handle all your pieces of kit.

I remember Richer Sounds had them for about £399 after xmas but they are normally £450. I think Superfi also had them for about £430.

 

[THE-STIG-08]

if you listen to music alot i would say the denon 2310 would be the better choice. there is a huge difference in stereo performance between the 1910 and 2310

 

[megalomaniac.uk]

As this will be my first AVR I'm after something simple to set-up. I've read some of the Denon's are a little tricky to get right, what's your guys experience?

 

[2sly]

It was a bit tricky at first as I have never used or set up an amp. I just read the manual and this helpful website BATPIG'S DENON-TO-ENGLISH DICTIONARY

 

[Passingbat]

Anyway, I got a great deal on a marantz6004 with the KEFs from Sevenoaks, and I'm very happy. I never got to compare it to the Denon1910 or yam1065, but the price and demo were enough to show me it satisfied my needs.

Marantz are highly regarded for music sound, but have an issue with Blueray in that they can't decode a bitstreamed HD audio track and at the same time apply Audessy Dynamic EQ. This can be got around by getting the BR player to decode the HD audio, but some Sony BR players have issues with this when used with amps that can decode bitstramed HD audio.

 

[megalomaniac.uk]

Hmmm it would be the PS3 (Slim) playing the Blu-ray's, I assume an avr would do a much better job of decoding?

So I guess that's Marantz ruled out.

 

[Passingbat]

Hmmm it would be the PS3 (Slim) playing the Blu-ray's, I assume an avr would do a much better job of decoding?

So I guess that's Marantz ruled out.

There should be no audio quality difference between the BR player doing the decoding and the amp doing the decoding. I believe that it was initially intended that the BR player did it, then manufactureres decided to add it to the amps.

The sony model that has this issue is the S550, where it can't send one of the HD formats as LPCM if the amp can decode bitstram. Wheather this is the same on the PS3 Slim, I don't know.

 

[megalomaniac.uk]

Ok so Marantz back on the table, just when I thought I'd narrowed the options and ruled a whole range out.....

 

[philvella]

I also took the plunge a few weeks ago and the 3005s have been excellent. I think the centre speaker was the deciding factor over the M1s.

Exactly the reason I bought these speakers!


I can definitely recommend the Yamaha 1065 which is a bargain at £500 and was originally £700. It is a similar spec to the Denon 2310, which whilst generally thought to have the edge, costs a considerable amount more.

I've had a 1065 for a couple of months and I've been really impressed - everything is effortless.

One observation on the speakers - they noticeably improved over the first couple of weeks, in particular the sub that was rather restrained to start with.

 

[megalomaniac.uk]

Surprised no one's mentioned Sony, Pioneer or Onkyo, or are they no good around this price bracket?

 

[megalomaniac.uk]

Anyone think it's worth stretching up over the £1k mark or would that be overkill for these speakers?

 

[Andrew K]

Anyone think it's worth stretching up over the £1k mark or would that be overkill for these speakers?

Probably overkill. At current pricing I would be looking at Yamaha RX-V1065/V2065 and the Onkyo NR807. Given your original requirement of networking then you have to leave out the V1065.

 

[megalomaniac.uk]

My ears are currently pointing me towards the Pioneer VSX-LX52, no DLNA but I suppose there's always the PS3 for that.............hmmmmm what to do, what to do.

 

[THE-STIG-08]

i have heard both the denon 2310 and yamaha and the denon gets my vote, the yamaha sounds too clinical, the denon is very simple to set up, listening to music in pure direct mode sounds best and movies in the same mode are amazing. ask yourself why the denons have gone up in price and the yamaha's have gone down.

 

[megalomaniac.uk]

i have heard both the denon 2310 and yamaha and the denon gets my vote, the yamaha sounds too clinical, the denon is very simple to set up, listening to music in pure direct mode sounds best and movies in the same mode are amazing. ask yourself why the denons have gone up in price and the yamaha's have gone down.

Interesting, always good to get another opinion.

I've heard quite a few now and I find I actually prefer the Yamaha V2065 (although the vocals aren't the best when listening to music) over the Denon, which seems to be a decent all rounder. I think the Pioneer's by far the best for movies (to my ears) hence my current leaning in the direction. It my take another listen or two to decide it's worth missing out on some of the other stuff the Pioneer doesn't do (dlna etc.).

 

[carlitos99]

I have just bought these speakers with the Yamaha 1065 and very pleased with the set up. Sounds excellent with movies not tried music. I think the 2065 can be bought for around £660 now not sure how much of a difference it will make but I am very pleased with the 1065.