2. home-theater
  3. 139056-119892

MidFi multi channel solution needed for HT.

Due to financial position currently, I can't purchase what I want, so to fill the short term need ... I need a multi channel solution below a $4000 threshold. My speakers demand plenty of high quality power to perform at their best, so I am looking to fill that void that was once filled with high end 2 ch separates. If anyone could comment on their own experiences with any of the below solutions I would appreciate it.

Looking for anyone to comment or suggest on their experience they addressed themselves or have helped others reach a well thought out conclusion on same topic. I am looking for a best quality AVR or separate solution. Not necessarily one with the most features. Budget is $2k-4k

Looking for suggestions from those that have had experience with high quality AVRs or midfi AV separates. Entertaining the following products / companies, not in any particular order.

Considering the following AVRs

NAD t777v3 - great sound has Dirac, but unclear if replacement is coming shortly
Arcam -- buggy and unreliable track record but great sound
Cambridge cx200 - no RC to speak of other than REW 3rd party
Lexicon RV9 - unproven track record since Harman acquired them.
Rotel RMB1580 - expensive
Anthem MRX720 - rumor has it that ARC is 2nd to Dirac.

Not considering any other AVRs as a powered solution. But, I am considering a possible use of denon or marantz avr as a preamp as a midfi separates setup, but not sure how the sound quality would compare to the above AVRs.

1. Outlaw 976 with 5-7ch amp ( ati, monoprice, outlaw, rotel or other midfi amp)
2. Midfi AVR such as ( denon 6x00 or Marantz701x ) with separate amplifiers

My biggest stumbling block in the decision process is whether or not the Outlaw 976 will be 'better' than any of the listed solutions on the preamp and processing end of things. And I am hesitant to jump on board with the Outlaw 976, due to major omissions ( no upgrade path, no network or usb connections ). And the tech support is questionable. But if it sounds hands above the rest, I would gladly consider it.

Looking forward to hearing what others can suggest.

current components:

b&w cdm9nt with matching center ch
Kimber Kable 8tc
Kimber Kable ICs



Thx in advance.
lightfighter2018
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
Bryston is a very good device.  I tested the latest 7b3 monoblocks in my system.  They were just about the highest resolution amplifier I have heard, but they were not a good match. The Bryston amp is extremely fast and high resolution.  The problem is that it's too fast for my Krell preamp and rhodium plated cabling.  The sound was just too lean in the midbass and too thin in the midrange.  The Bryston would likely pair very well with a warm preamp and gold-plated terminations on cables.  That's why I put a positive slant on the Bryston with your Marantz 7704.   If you did go with Bryston, I would try it out "stock" first, without any fuse upgrades in either the Bryston or Marantz.  If the sound is good, then you're fine.  A Furutech fuse in this scenario would increase the midbass and midrange body and give you better depth.  A silver fuse with Bryston/Marantz could be too fast and too bright/thin.
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Based on googling, the Lexicon branded Bryston amps were the older second generation.  The following shows the entire list of versions for the Bryston 4B amp:

4B ==> 4B ST ==>  4B SST ==> 4B SST2 ==> 4B3 (cubed).

I don't know anything about Lexicon today.
lightfighter2018 OP
86 posts
 
Good to know. I am going to find out this weekend if I can get a Rotel 5ch for a decent price at Magnolia for a demo model.  If that falls through, keeping my eyes open.

Again thanks for the insight.


geek101
284 posts
 
@lightfighter2018 In my own limited experience one can setup a HiFi for less than $4k and sometimes dare I say even with good speakers. Of-course used is the best way.

My electronics setup is less than $4k. My current setup is Tidal/Flac Mac USB -> Audio-Gd Master 5/6 (DAC + Preamp + Headphone amp(class A)) -> Benchmark AHB2. I got the used Benchmark for around $2k now and got the Audio-Gd Master 5 new few years ago for $1.5k. 

You can wing a used DAC + Preamp that is around $1.5k to $2k that could be better than Audio-Gd. 

Since the specs for your speaker clearly states minimum impedance is 3 Ohm, then why not try going for an amp that is rated on paper for 2 Ohm too?. Not sure the volumes and the distance you listen to but for typical you will need super clean and easy 50 Watts to 100 Watts, which means the amp should be rated far from 100 Watts (some exceptions like AHB2 have low distortion till clipping).

Why aim for MidFi when you can go for HiFi :). Well it can be a matter of perspective sometimes. 


lightfighter2018 OP
86 posts
 
@geek101 

Thanks for the input.  I appreciate it a lot.  As many folks do - I am searching for that ideal place where - great and cost effective meet.  



big_greg
6,557 posts
 
I think you're better off getting separates.  A dedicated amp is going to produce more power and the sound quality should be better.  I've had some nice AVRs, my last one being the Onkyo TX-NR3007.  Processors change and you may end up upgrading every 2-4 years while a good amp is something you can hang onto for a long time.

I've owned some of the amps you're considering (or similar models).  Some that have been through my home theater system include a Rotel RMB-1095, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Krell Showcase, and Lexicon LX-7.  The Rotel was nice, but a little "dry" and "grainy".  The Sunfire was a step up in refinement and dynamics, but a little "rolled off".  The LX-7 is still in my system, however I now have some Rogue Audio M-180s powering my mains.  The LX-7 handles my surrounds. 

I recently purchased a Marantz AV7704 to replace my AV8801.  While this might be considered a "downgrade" going from their top of the line to the mid, I'm quite happy with the AV7704.  I use a separate pre-amp for 2 channel listening, but if I did not, I think the 7704 sounds as good as the 8801 and doubt I could have been able to tell them apart in a blind listening test. 

For your budget, you should be able to put together a decent system.  I think I paid about $1400 for the AV7704 (refurbished) and the Lexicon was $1300 used when I bought it.  The LX7 is a little long in the tooth now and you might want something newer (although mine still works great).  I have not heard them, but have heard very good things about the Cinenova amps.  A used one would be on my short list if I was trying to do what you're doing today.
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