2. home-theater
  3. 146771-108096

Upgrade A/V Receiver or get 5 Ch. Amp

Hello folks!
I’m in a little confusion here. I have Rotel RB-1582 MK II running B&W CM 10 S2s as main and a Marantz A/V receiver running my CM Center 2 S2 and CM 1 S2s for surrounds. I know the power from the Marantz (125w/ ch) isn’t good enough for my centers. I’m thinking to upgrade, but confused on which path to take first. Either get a new receiver, ie. Anthem MRX 520 (100W/ Ch) or get the Anthem MCA 30 or MCA 50 amp to run the center and surrounds. I I plan to get both over the time but for now I’m confused as to which one to get first. Or I may get a processor, AVM 60 rather than the MRX 520 or 720. P.S. I live in a town home and I don’t see myself moving to a single family with a theater room at least in the next 2 years.

Thanks!
badaga
badaga OP
27 posts
 
My bad. 125W/ ch is good enough for my center but I was thinking to upgrade to a better receiver on a whole, esp. the ARC might help me with the living room setup.
so I assume a 100W/ ch is good enough too for the center, if I go the MRX 520 route?
mahler123
3,033 posts
 
I have the 520 and it runs a pair of hard to drive Silverline Minuets with ease.  It’s got enough power for your setup.  I would stop worrying about that.  In the unlikely even that you were to find otherwise, it’s relatively to buy a decent second hand multi channel amp for a low cost.  I got an excellent 5 Channel Parasound a few years ago that is now 15 years old for $200.  Honestly, with the 520, you won’t need it
  
badaga OP
27 posts
 
520 it is then. Thanks for all your suggestions.
badaga OP
27 posts
 
Got myself an Anthem MRX 720 after much debate and at a very good price (I guess). A lot of difference between my old Marantz SR5009 and the Anthem, esp. with the 2 ch. music. Haven't setup my ARC yet, tried with my iPhone and didn't work. I have a Macbook. Yet to borrow a Windows laptop from my friend and setup the ARC, hopefully this week.
mi4
66 posts
 
Anthem is releasing the new version of ARC in the next few weeks (ARC Genesis).  It has been redeisgned and will run on your MacBook.
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