Suggestions for a beginner

[jsa307]

Hi, tried this on another forum without much response. Was hoping for some advice!

I'm a novice who enjoys the electronics and audiophile genre, but isn't particularly knowledgeable about the specifics. I'm currently moving from an apartment to a house, and need to reconfigure my setup -- I was hoping to get some suggestions from the experts here.

Current setup, which was gifted to me circa 2008: Yamaha RX-V861 receiver and a pair of B&W 683's. Used for stereo audio, as well as TV audio. No sub or surround.

In the new house, the B&W speakers are too big to be placed in the room with the TV -- so I am going to use them in a separate, dedicated music room. My parents have a pair of ADS SAT-700 speakers sitting around (circa 1995), that I was hoping to use with the TV. A couple of mix/match options I was thinking of ...

Option 1: Use the existing RX-V861 receiver with the TV, and hook it up to the ADS speakers. Would this pairing work? The receiver doesn't have the most modern connections for A/V -- but this is a "daily viewing" location, not a "ultimate media room" sort of thing. Then buy a new music only amp (price ~$750-1000) to pair with the 683's in the music room. Suggestions for a good Amp/B&W pairing?

Option 2: Buy a cheapish receiver ($300-500 range) to pair with the TV and ADS speakers. Again, I'm not aiming for media room perfection here. A receiver that has adequate AV capabilities and would sound decent with the those speakers. Then use the Yamaha receiver with the 683's in the music room. Or buy a power amp to go with the receiver. Or a new amp altogether to power the 683's, as in option 1.

Bottom line I'm looking for something for the TV room that has enough AV options, works decently with the ADS speakers, but doesn't have to be perfect and is not that expensive. And something to make the B&W speakers sound great in the music room. Thanks!

 

[JoeESP9]

Although I use a Yamaha AV receiver (RX-V377) in my bedroom system, for straight two channel music it IMO leaves something to be desired. You may come to the same conclusion when using your current receiver in a dedicated two channel system.

For the "TV" room I'd get a modest HT receiver with HDMI switching.

For the dedicated listening room two channel gear will usually result in better sound. If you don't need AM/FM the Yamaha A-Sxxx series is IMO quite nice. In addition they're available in Silver.

 

[jsa307]

Thanks Joe.

For the 2 channel music room: after some googling, I see people suggesting to pair the B&W 683's with the Emotiva XPA-2. Is that a reasonable idea (and upgrade from my current receiver) for audio? Could I plug a DAC directly into the back of that Emotiva amp if all I want is 2 ch music, or do I still need to keep the Yahama receiver as a pre-amp?

For the TV: any suggestions for a "modest HT receiver with HDMI switching"? It probably doesn't make much of a difference which speakers I connect (I'll be using the spare set of ADS SAT-700 that were sitting around)?

Thanks!

 

[crazy-in-az]

You will need a pre-amp if you go with the Emotiva, since power amps don't have volume control or source switching.

As for an HT receiver- check out the Pioneer's at parts-express.com.

 

[4Play]

For your two channel room, I would forgo the tuner, get an integrated amplifier and for music, get a network audio player. Over 20,000 channels to choose from with all genre of music, this is the best investment you will ever make for your audio system.

 

[JoeESP9]

Thanks Joe.

For the 2 channel music room: after some googling, I see people suggesting to pair the B&W 683's with the Emotiva XPA-2. Is that a reasonable idea (and upgrade from my current receiver) for audio? Could I plug a DAC directly into the back of that Emotiva amp if all I want is 2 ch music, or do I still need to keep the Yahama receiver as a pre-amp?

For the TV: any suggestions for a "modest HT receiver with HDMI switching"? It probably doesn't make much of a difference which speakers I connect (I'll be using the spare set of ADS SAT-700 that were sitting around)?

Thanks!

With the Emotiva you'll need a preamp or the preamp section of your current receiver.

IMO you can't go wrong with a Yamaha RX-Vxxx series receiver. I bought a Yamaha over its competitors because it has more inputs. They all have four HDMI inputs. However, if you want to use an analog input all but the Yamaha re-assign one of the HDMI inputs to analog use. I discovered this when setting up a friends Marantz receiver. We ran out of inputs!

The Yamaha's have the usual four HDMI inputs plus five analog inputs. This may or may not be important to you. For me it was a deal maker.

 

[jsa307]

Thanks for all the advice, keep it coming!

OK between the 2 music room options, what would people suggest for $1000 or less: buying an integrated amp, or buying a power amp (and using the current receiver as a pre-amp)? Any specific suggestions either way, to pair with the B&W 683 speakers I already have?

For the TV room, any specific suggestions for the HT receiver in the $300-400 range. For the Yamaha, that would put me with the rx-v379 or rx-v479? Other suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[jheu02]

I'd keep the Yamaha for the TV room and pair it with the ADS since you stated that you don't expect it to be "THE" home theater. It's flexible enough for your needs and this situation. Then get a dedicated stereo amp for the 683s. You can go all separates, or an integrated, vintage or modern, etc. If you become a subscriber here, you gain access to Barter Town and there will be lots of different options for you equipment-wise, especially if you're looking for vintage.

 

[Binkman]

I have the 861 myself. You need to get the manual and do some reading. I'd start with a factory reset and start over. It's a very capable system that you can also set up for stereo 'direct' with/without 7ch on a two pair or single pair setup and get some effects in the canned menu's not usually reserved for more expensive a/v amps. You can also set the db of any speaker used. It uses no dolby and follows the 'NATURAL SOUND' Yamaha adheres to and includes the tweaking speakers not readily available on a lot of stuff canned. It has Phono input and optical data ports.

Only recently messed with my first optical connection from cable box through my denon on good speakers.. the clarity was pretty good... the phono stage on the denon was equally good with my empire TT with a gold cart. Very close comparison in sound and the feature settings... the denon leaning a little more like a good sony av and uses similar design and parts.

It's the digital tuning of the speakers using the menu's versus knobs It'll run a bit hot loaded. It's a big box and the guts could use a fan in tight space. A pair of studio's about 80w would be excellent. 2 pairs of 40w is easy.. total wattage with a spike is pretty high. thing is the amp will sense the ohms of the speakers and you can set that also I believe. Like power on demand but you have to watch mixing and matching ohms. these are low w speakers.. it'll take more dedicated to less speakers for output.

I also have a Yammie 7.1 surround speakers.. not top of line by any means but SW is pretty decent and not a banger job either. Just lends more of the deeper cable audio out and not a true bass speaker for heavy music.

Your amp sounds like a great deal because it has not been moved around or perhaps abused... likely everything works, trick is learning the menu's and get the sound right. Excellent FM receiver. Try a vertical 75ohm dipole, too. I would definitely put this amp on a UPS for safety if you're subject to power glitches. Hard to replace if working even on 2 channel mode needing repair. I believe there is audio out for another amp.. not sure but enough rca's and outputs to get a signal.

 

[jsa307]

I'd keep the Yamaha for the TV room and pair it with the ADS since you stated that you don't expect it to be "THE" home theater. It's flexible enough for your needs and this situation. Then get a dedicated stereo amp for the 683s. You can go all separates, or an integrated, vintage or modern, etc. If you become a subscriber here, you gain access to Barter Town and there will be lots of different options for you equipment-wise, especially if you're looking for vintage.

Thanks John. That's really the only combination I didn't want to consider. The receiver is a bit older (2008-ish), and only has 2 HDMI slots ...

 

[Drumolator]

As others have said, I would use the existing AVR for the TV and buy an amplifier for the music system. That is what I did. I really like the Onkyo in my signature. Peace and goodwill.