Good HT, bad 2 channel. On Budget, Any advise?


Hello folks!

Im new on this place, and relativly new to the world of high-end audio(ive got mid-grade licked!;), which im attempting to break into.

To break it down, here is my current setup.

-------Speakers---------
FL/FR -Difinitive Technologies BP2004TL Loudspeakers
Center -Difinitive Technologies ProCenter 200
SL/SR -Difinitive Technologies BP6 Loudspeakers
Sub -Difinitive Technologies ProSub 200

All cables are monster level 3 (I like good solid cables, but don't see any need to spend more on these than I have)

------Components------
Panasonic DVD-A7 DVD-Audio player
Pioneer 3 disk CD Changer/Recorder (forgot model number)
Monster Stage 2 Power Supply
Technics SA-TX50 THX certified Surround reciever.

Now, I guess I have some explaining to do about the reciever. Technics is not exactly known for high-end recievers (cough), however, this is a flagship model they produced around 1996-1997. I picked this up in Japan while I was in the military. The look of this thing is incredible, big analog meters showing the amplifier's power output, totally retro. That's the reason I bought it. 6 years ago I knew nothing about sound, so it was all about the look and power which this thing does have, 125W/chan @8ohms

Anyways, this thing really does rock with home theater, it does not quite do my Deftechs justice with music however, but im fond of it, and most people would be surprised with its sound. So, don't bother saying BURN IT, or BLOW IT UP, cause im probably going to hold onto this and use it as a base for a system in another room.

I do want to upgrade though!!!! The problem is, if im going to upgrade, I want real good products. I cannot afford a $10,000 setup, I cannot even afford a $5,000 setup. But I can afford $500-$600 here and there, and save up for something near $2000.00

------MY PLAN----
Ever since visiting Soundings in Denver, I've been hooked on the idea of a real nice 2 channel setup. They showed me a Primare A30.1 amplifier that I'm really aiming to get when tax-refund time is near. In the meantime, I'm trying to get things ready for it.

I want an AMP/PRE-AMP setup. I have no AMPS now. Ive been looking in the classifieds here and I see a lot of Marantz Monoblock 500 & 700 series for a pretty good price. I am thinking of purchasing 4 of these to power my Deftech tower speakers.
I can immediately start using these thanks to the designers at Technics adding a set of Pre-Outs on the reciever. I assume at that point that I will immediately see an increase in sonic preformance.

Next on the step I was looking into getting a Marantz Reciever, Possibly the AR7300. (I would get a Pre-Amp only, however, untill I get the Primare A30.1 I would only be able to power 4 channels, not enough for 5.1, unless I kept that technics in, which I really don't want to do.

Next comes the Premare A30.1 Which would then be used to drive my main 2 channels which are the DefTech BP2004TLs.

Further down the road still, would possibly be a pair of REL monitors or a set of Vandersteens for the B speakers

This would leave me with a Home Theater system with all Deftech speaks, which im sure everyone can agree are about as good as anyone could possible need for HT.
All my DSP (if used) and switching would be done with Marantz, The Surrounds, center, and rear would be powered by Marantz amplifiers.
For 2 channel listening I would have the A30.1 with a set of good monitors.

QUESTIONS??

Does Anybody know any problems with the Primare Amplifiers?

If opting to go with the reciever with pre-outs, instead of a pre-amp, and eventually using the reciever itself as a pre-amp, would this be causing any problems? The reciever should remain cold because the internal amplifiers should not be turned on if im using all external separate amplifiers right? Would it be better just to get a pre-amp instead and keep the technics untill I have enough amplifiers to drive all channels?

Anybody know upsides and downsides for the Marantz Monoblock amps? They would be used for effect channels, not the maint l/r speaks, so even if they are sub-par I should be ok.

Would having 2 types of amplifiers be a huge mistake?

Am I completely mad? Lacking the even most basic understanding of Audio? Sitting like a little child in the trenches of a world war? Like an insect drowning in the madness and insanity of the money dropping cesspool that people like us call a hobby???????? WHERE DOES IT END???

Or does this sound like a respectable Audio system? It does to me, and all my friends, but none of them are audiophiles. To them, Cerwin Vega's are the best speaks ever built. (I must say, they CAN handle punishment)

Wow. That was a book.
My respect to anyone who reads all of this and answers.
audiophanatik

Showing 1 response by stehno

Audiophanatik, you may have heard the phrase 'less is more'. You may have a classic case in point.

Have you considered selling all of your HT equipment (except for the receiver) and starting over with a excellent 2-channel music system that also plays excellent 2-channel HT?

For example, suppose you purchased:
Odyssey Stratos 2-channel amp. $1k odysseyaudio.com
Primare P30 pre/pro. used $1800
Von SCHWEIKERT VR-4 Gen III full range speakers used $2k.
And I believe the VR-4's go down to 16Hz, therefore, you would not need a sub.
Sony DVP s9000es DVD/SACD/CD player. $600 used.

... and sold what you currently have (we all do that at some point) you would probably break even dollar-wise.

However, your sonics would probably improve substantially. Not to mention less cabling, clutter.

And you would be in a prime position for a much improved HT if you decided you still need to expand the 2-channel. And you may not feel that need.

Just thought I'd throw another log onto the fire.

-IMO