Processor ?


So I have made the decision on my mains...I am purchasing some JM Labs Cobalt 816s, with the CC800 center. I don't have the surrounds picked out yet, but probably go with the JM monitors. The JMs sounded real good to me, and I can run them from a reciever just fine as they are pretty efficient. I am also going with a Velodyne SPL1000 sub, so I don't need power from the reciever to run it.

My question is this:
Right now on Audiogon, there is a Denon AVR5800 for $1550, and a B&K AVR307 for $2000. What is the better deal, or more importantly, what will be a better match for my speakers? Are there other brands I should be looking at ina reciever (maybe NAD or Rotel?)

Thanks,
Z
zstokes

Showing 1 response by zstokes

Actually I have just flopped my thinking. I have just posted on the amps preamps forum, and here is the bulk of it...

The Cobalts are super efficient, 91.5 with a max power handling of 125W. I am using a powered sub, so I can cross them over fairly high, and just worry about powering them, not the sub. How about this mix: a Bryston 2B-LP 2 channel amp, with somthing like a B&K Ref30? The 2B is only listed at 60W, but that is pure bryston power. This would allow me to add somthing like a Bryston 5B-ST (100W/ch x 3) later for the fronts and center, and move the 2B to the surrounds. I would love to grab a Bryston SP-1, but that is quite out of my range for a pre/pro...the B&K would be pushing it. I think I am quite sold on using bryston though...for the price of the 2B and the 5B, I don't think I can do better, and the 20 year warrenty makes me feel warm fuzzies about buying used.

So does this make sense? If not the B&K, who else should I look at for a good match with Bryston in the $1200-$1500 range for a pre/pro?

Thanks,
Z