Joe Auwen Posted January 3, 2005 Share Posted January 3, 2005 If you were driving a system with RF-7s, RC-7, KS-525-THXs, RB-75s and RSW-15, and had about $7-8,000.00 to spend on an HT Processor and Amplifiers (separates), what would you get (and why)..? Room is approx 16' x 20' and is open on one end into the dining room & entry. Sitting position is 12' from speaker fronts. System is now about 70% music & 30% movies. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skonopa Posted January 3, 2005 Share Posted January 3, 2005 ---------------- On 1/3/2005 4:46:25 PM aauwen wrote: If you were driving a system with RF-7s, RC-7, KS-525-THXs, RB-75s and RSW-15, and had about $7-8,000.00 to spend on an HT Processor and Amplifiers (separates), what would you get (and why)..? ---------------- $7-8K for seperates? Wow, that should give you plenty of good options. Personally, I am using B&K gear myself (at least the Ref 200.7 amp), with nearly the same setup (except the surrounds and sub). I really like the very clean, detailed, and dynamic sound I get with the B&K. Of course, Aragon, which is a Klipsch brand, sounds awesome with the RF-7s as well. There is also Rotel, Parasound, Sunfire, and a few others that people on here have used with much success with thier Klipsch speakers. Yeah, tough choice, but I am pretty sure if you go with any of the above mentioned brands, you will not go wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prodj101 Posted January 3, 2005 Share Posted January 3, 2005 Just out of curiousity, why are you mixing the THX Ultra 2 line with the Reference series? If you're going to be using this system for primarily movies (which it seems like you are) you'd get better performance from an all THX Ultra system. I realize that the 525's are only surrounds, but it is typically desireable to have a system that is 100% timber matched, which is what you would yield from either an all reference system or all THX system, not to mention it won't look goofy . As for seperates, I too would reccomend B&K because I have a preamplifier made by them and I have been satisfied with it. However, with the amount of money your spending things like Krell and Sunfire are also highly acclaimed possibilities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelerFan Posted January 3, 2005 Share Posted January 3, 2005 A nice B&K setup, amp and preamp would run around $6000 retail and you would have a fine system. But if you really want to spend 8 large, then you are in Aragon (Stage One, 3005) or Parasound (Halo C2, A51) territory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuNat Posted January 3, 2005 Share Posted January 3, 2005 id go with a rotel rsp-1098 processor and an aragon 2005 amp. that would keep you to around $4000 i belive. the parasound C2 is supposed to be fantastic also, but its more than twice as expensive as the rotel somewhere around $4000 for the C2 alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audio Flynn Posted January 3, 2005 Share Posted January 3, 2005 Just read a good reveiw of the new generation of Sherwood Newcastle separates (less than $ 4000 retail I think). I have the origonal 5 year old DTS version with only 2 digital inputs and the DACs are sweet. i am listening to Sirius via DIsh Network optical input and it is really fine. Then spend the rest of the money on really good DAC or Digital player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fletcherkane Posted January 3, 2005 Share Posted January 3, 2005 Oh to have that kinda cash.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Auwen Posted January 3, 2005 Author Share Posted January 3, 2005 ---------------- On 1/3/2005 5:50:10 PM prodj101 wrote: Just out of curiousity, why are you mixing the THX Ultra 2 line with the Reference series? If you're going to be using this system for primarily movies (which it seems like you are) you'd get better performance from an all THX Ultra system. I realize that the 525's are only surrounds, but it is typically desireable to have a system that is 100% timber matched, which is what you would yield from either an all reference system or all THX system, not to mention it won't look goofy . ---------------- I had actually ordered the RS-7s and was told by the dealer that they would not be shipping for 30 days. The dealer said that a Klipsch rep had recommended the 525s as an alternate and a good match for the ref 7s. The upgrade price seemed fair so I thought I would try them. They actually fit pretty well, but the RBs will actually be my side surrounds and the 525s the rears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMcGoo Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 The processors that I would look at are: 1. Anthem AVM-30 2. B&K Ref. 50s2, not earlier models. 3. Pioneer VSX-55 or 56TXi receivers with outboard amps to get access to i.link for SACD and DVD-A. 4. Used Lexicons, but I'm not the one to specify models as the better Lexicons can get spendy very quickly. Amps that I would look at are: 1. Sunfire Cinema Grand, they run cool and drive low impedances. 2. B&K Reference amps. 3. Any other amp that can drive 2 ohm loads that has a warm sound such as the Gemstone Blue Diamond or Carver ZR Pro. The Carver is a digital design available only in a 2 channel design. Bill PS: The RF-7s dip to around 3 ohms in the bass frequencies. You will hear the differences in amplifiers even if the RF-7s are set as small. B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Auwen Posted January 4, 2005 Author Share Posted January 4, 2005 Thanks everyone for the input. How would the Parasound Halo's compare to the B&Ks? I do want to warm up the refs a tad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 mmm, let me think, 5 -7 channel tubed reciver or pre-amp...nope, none that I know of! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffinator Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 From the right dealer , $7000 would get you the best HT preamp on the market (Bel Canto PrePro) and leave you enough dosh to pick out whatever flavor of amplifier you preferred from the list above... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMcGoo Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 The Parasound amps are very good, but are not the best with low impedances. Given the high price of parasound, there are better options IMO. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfogg Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 "4. Used Lexicons, but I'm not the one to specify models as the better Lexicons can get spendy very quickly." Can get new Lexicon's inside that budget easily. Shop around as some dealers sell *well* below MSRP. Shawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Auwen Posted January 5, 2005 Author Share Posted January 5, 2005 Thanks for all of the input and thoughts on this. It really will be a tough decision. I will be going to CES this weekend and will look for each of the suggestions you guys made. My budget may be reduced some as I am going to look at a pair of used Khorns tomorrow... :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prodj101 Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 ---------------- On 1/4/2005 11:09:45 AM aauwen wrote: Thanks everyone for the input. How would the Parasound Halo's compare to the B&Ks? I do want to warm up the refs a tad. ---------------- Considerded McIntosh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anarchist Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 Anthem AVM-20 and Bryston amps (used) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfogg Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 "mmm, let me think, 5 -7 channel tubed reciver or pre-amp...nope, none that I know of!" But it can only do DPLII decoding, not any discrete decoding. And it lacks time alignment as it is an all analog design. Shawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Auwen Posted January 6, 2005 Author Share Posted January 6, 2005 Well, my budget has been reduced by $1500.00 as I just picked up a set of '88 Khorns in VERY good condition...:-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckears Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 Anthem AVM30 and McCormack DNA-HT5. The Anthem is wonderfully configurable, and McCormack amps love Klipsch speakers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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