2. home-theater
  3. 169572-163578

Looking for a good amp and speaker combo

I currently own an old Marantz AVR that is flaky on overheating and shutting down. It was pushing Paradigm LCR speakers.
So am looking for an better solution. Want to replace the entire sound and speaker ensemble. Decided on the Denon - AVR3700H as the AV system. But want another separate amp to drive the front speakers and maybe the center as well. Any suggestions on a separate amp that may meet my needs? I plan on using my B&W 602's as front speakers to replace the paradigm, but not sure what center will work best. The Paradigm surrounds with be replaced with Ascend bookshelf's. So welcome suggestions and if I should look at other options. Thanks 
dennis041992
dennis041992 OP
17 posts
 
Primarily HT, which is why I chose the Denon 3700h. But I like my music and haven't listened to my old vinyl in a while. I like the idea of using a used Adcom for music. I have a SVS for bass and love it. I have another Definitive Tech bass that I'm not using but really think using it to compliment the SVS will work. I've looked at the Klipsch for center (very efficient) but want something that compliments my 602's. Do you think that will be the case?
My budget, minus the Denon AVR 3700H, will be about $3000. That's for the 2-channel amp and center speaker
dennis041992 OP
17 posts
 
Oh, and a turntable as well. Mine is 40 years old... Direct drive MCS with a Shure cartridge
soix
8,644 posts
 
Ok, here’s what I’d do. @fuzztone is right that the preamp section of the Denon will compromise your stereo performance so adding an amp will only get you so far. Because this is mainly an HT setup, rather than getting into separates I’d go for a better AVR like one from Anthem that’ll get you both better stereo and HT performance. If you don’t need the latest bells & whistles you can get a previous generation Anthem AVR at a relative bargain price and sink the rest into a better center speaker (which is critical IME) and a decent TT. Here’s an MRX720 that’d probably work great for your situation...
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649773664-anthem-mrx-720/

For a center channel speaker I think a good used B&W (one with the tweeter located above the mid) would work well — something like this...
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649742814-bampw-htm2-center-speaker-black/

Just a couple ideas FWIW, and best of luck.
dennis041992 OP
17 posts
 
Always been impressed with Anthem amps and have owned the B&W center before but found it difficult to mount  below the TV. It belongs in a different environment that is different from my perception
dennis041992 OP
17 posts
 
I'm pretty much set on the Denon 3700H to dive my center and surrounds and outside speakers. Really looking for suggestions for an amp to push my B&W 602's and a suggestion for a center speaker. My hearing is lost in the midrange (too many concerts in the 70"s) so looking for an efficient center to compliment my B&W fronts and a good amp to drive them. I will consider a three channel amp to drive the LCR but all pre-amp will be through the Denon 3700H
More to discover