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  3. 1217520706

Budget AV Receiver with Magnepan

I'm looking to build a 5 channel home theater/music system using Magnepan MMG-W's and CC2 (or possibly MC1's for FR and FL) with a Monitor Audio sub. Now I'm looking at inexpensive used high end AV receivers to tie it all together:

Rotel - 1055 75x5

NAD - T744 (can be had refurbished with warranty) 5x50W, not sure if this is enough to drive the Magnepans?

NAD - T754, a bit more power, can be had with warranty

B&K AVR 202 - 105 x 5, I've heard one of these and liked it, it's a bit older than the rest

Cambridge Audio 540R - 80 x 6, nice looking unit but haven't heard much about them compared to NAD/Rotel/B&K

And advice/experience on any of these would be greatly appreciated. I'm happy with 5 channel DTS, don't need HDMI (although would be nice), want something that can drive the small Maggies without struggling (don't need ground shaking volume here), and I want something that sounds *good*. I'm coming from a small Denon 75w x 5 Dobly Digital surround receiver (driving Monitor Audio Silver 5i's). I know seperates are better, but I'm trying to keep the wife happy ($$$). Thanks!

Brad
bfrank1972
bfrank1972 OP
15 posts
 
Hah well I was actually looking at the option of my Denon with the Parasound 1205 (a couple on Audiogon for sale), but then I stumbled across a Rotel RSX-1065:

http://www.technofile.com/articles/rotel_1065_receiver.html

at a price I couldn't turn down (<$300). It's a receiver yes, but this thing looks more like Rotel crammed one of their preamps and amplifiers in one box - I'm sure there are plenty of compromises but it does everything I need and has plenty of power (peering through the top grille I see the thing has a good size toroidal transformer sitting in the middle)... all in one tidy and inexpensive box.

Right now I'm going with the MMG-W setup, which are small and hopefully easier to drive than the full Maggies - and I've always liked Rotel equipment. So we'll see how this setup works and if I'll feel the need for a seperate amp down the road.
ekobesky
259 posts
 
Holy you-know-what. If you found a Rotel RSX-1065 for less than $300, you got the bargain of the century. You do realize that a new one was over $2,000, right? Anyway, I'd say your done shopping. The 1065 is actually overkill for your setup. Enjoy it.
bfrank1972 OP
15 posts
 
Yeah I know! It looks brand new and I felt like a thief walking out of the store with it - it's a local hi-fi shop as well who said they'd give me 14 days if anything went wrong with it. Mission accomplished ;) Thanks for your help!
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
I think you can find a Denon AVR 3806 (which does have HDMI switching) in your price range, and it will definitely drive the Maggies. I owned this reciever, and loved it. I have had some very serious problems with NAD recievers and would never buy one again.

I have never owned one, but have heard and been impressed by the Marantz recievers over the past few years.

Good luck.
johnnyb53
3,490 posts
 
08-04-08: Bfrank1972
Hah well I was actually looking at the option of my Denon with the Parasound 1205 (a couple on Audiogon for sale), but then I stumbled across a Rotel RSX-1065 ... at a price I couldn't turn down (<$300).
Dude! Score!

I hadn't thought about Rotel in your original post. Based on listening auditions I've done, Rotel is one of the few receivers that should make your Maggies sing. And at $300? Good gawd!

I heard a 70wpc Rotel AV receiver absolutely humiliate a 100 wpc Sony ES. The Sony had no grip on the bass. The Rotel drove the pair of B&Ws like high current separates would, and had both greater clarity and musicality. And you don't want to move up in clarity without accompanying musicality!
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