2. misc-audio
  3. 1398019342

Need Advice - new system

I am ready to upgrade my system. I plan on using the system for both home theater (TV/movies) and music - probably a 50/50 mix. My listening room is a standard living room ~ 30'x20' with a tile floor and several Persian rugs, curtains, etc... After considerable research, I had decided on an Anthem MRX510 and a MCA-20 for additional power to the mains. My speaker system choice would be Focal 826W for the mains and Focal cc, surrounds and sub. I then looked further into Emotiva, which is receiving stellar reviews and, like the Anthem, has room correction software. I can get an Emotiva XSP-1 Gen 2 Pre Amp and an XPA-2 Gen 2 300W x2 or an XPA-5 Gen 2 200W x5 for nearly $1500.00 less than the Anthem system! I could then purchase a great separate tuner (FM, AM, HD, XM) and an Oppo BDP-103 with change to spare! I was also considering Paradigm Studio 60 speakers (& related ancillary speakers) or the Bower & Wilkins CM series... I have listened to all the speakers, and frankly I am stumped on which to choose as I love them all... I am also not certain if I should get a 5 channel amp or just a 2 channel amp for the mains. Please help me make sense of all this as I am stumped to how to proceed. My local dealer does not carry Emotiva, so I have not had the chance to audition Emotiva. Any other equipment suggestions would also be appreciated.
1911

Showing 1 response by mceljo

mceljo
1,348 posts
 
I am a Focal guy and love my 836v speakers and almost got the 816v. I also do home theater and stereo in the same room. I personally would get a stereo integrated with a home theater bypass to power the mains so you can hook you stereo sources directly to the integrated. The Krell S300i would be my dream toy for this scenario and would be a fantastic match with the Focals. I was recently blown away by the 807v speakers using this amplifier.

The rest depends on your budget. You could do a surround receiver with pre-outs to process and handle the other channels. I think anything beyond 5.1 is overkill unless you have a dedicated theater room.
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