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
1,538 posts
 
Best I can tell, the Acurus/Mondial amps are a slightly colored / slightly liquid type of sonic signature - much like the liquid/lush cleaner type "Class A" amps, such as the older Krell (or new Krell iBias) or even a little like Levinson (though, not nearly as liquidy sounding as Mark Levinson is).  If this is the sound you're after, you could give it a try, but I suspect the warm sounding Marantz may create somewhat of a mush/mess with this amp.  If you got a very clean HT processor, such as the Anthem, then the Acurus might have been an interesting "coloration" on the sound.  The Acurus is not completely clean/clear when compared to other amps.  I would take that "200 hours" with a huge grain of salt! lol.

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The Rotel amplifiers are going to sound a lot cleaner and clearer and they mate well with the B&W speakers.  There is an Emotiva XPA-5 "Gen 1" on audiogon for $699 OBO.  The Emotiva is a very fast amp, but if you load it with Furutech fuses, it sounds quite good.  It may be a good match between Marantz processor and B&W speakers. 

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There is a Rotel RMB-1582 for $699.  It's only stereo, but you could start with that and then look for another good resolution 3-channel amp. 

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Just ideas.
lightfighter2018 OP
75 posts
 
thx.

will consider those for sure.


lightfighter2018 OP
75 posts
 
In my search for amplifiers I have run across various deals on the following:

Bryston -
B&K
Parasound - older - HCA stuff?  
Lexicon ( rebadged bryston? )
Proceed ( Mark Levinson? )
Sunfire Cinema Grand
McCormack 
Classe -

I know Rotel and Parasound Halo's have been recommended several times, and I am keeping my eye for them. But in the mean time, what/which of the above ( with or without a fuse mod ) would be a good fit for my CDM9NTs?

 Any solid advice is appreciated.
caphill
496 posts
 
The Rotel will pair better with your B&W. 
auxinput
1,538 posts
 
B&K - I had a B&K 7200 a long time ago. It was a very nice amp, very powerful.  However, in the end, it was just too warm sounding for me.  Nice amp, though, if you like the warm sound.
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Sunfire Cinema Grand - I also had one of these.  The sound was pretty good, but ultimately it wasn't that interesting/exciting.  Good resolution, but the circuit was much like a class d circuit (patented downconverter).  It sounded rather boring.  Others have different opinions.


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Classe - the older Classe Audio amps and equipment were a LOT warmer sounding than the new stuff.  Nice, but warm, lol.
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Parasound HCA and Classic - these are lesser refined versions of the Halo A21 stuff.  Very good for the money and can pack a lot of power.  Parasound is on the slightly warm side of neutral, but not as warm as B&K.  However, pairing warm Parasound with the warm Marantz may lose too much resolution.


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Bryston - this is the one amp out of the list that is different from the rest, lol.  Bryston is extremely fast and high resolution.  The older first generation stuff was somewhat dull sounding, but they got better and better as time went on.  The SST2 version is probably the oldest I would buy right now.  It is very fast and high resolution, but I think it was a little sterile.  Not bad at all.  It might work out very well with the stock Marantz processor (without the fuse upgrade).  You could try the Bryston amp and do a Furutech fuse upgrade internally - that might make it sing better.  The Bryston is likely a little faster and much more refined than the Emotiva XPA amp.  I've heard people who had Marantz processor with a Bryston amp and they were very happy.
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