2. home-theater
  3. 129394-96112

Krell HTS 7.1 vs Denon AVR-X4300H

Trying to build a home theater system which can double as audiophile stereo, either 2 channel or 5 channel. 
Sound is more important for me than picture. 

ordered epson 5040ube
already got krell KAV500 amp
just placed an order for oppo 205 blue ray
have rel S5 sub
considering vienna acoustics 4 ohm speakers, mozart for front and haydn for rears, with center maestro

Need a home theater processor. Have a good offer on Krell HTS 7.1. (1000$) vs. Denon avr x4300h
What would be better for my setup. What are pros and cons of either preamp? I would use the devon as preamp for sound only as it doesn't have anything modern in terms of video. As I mentioned, music is very important to me. What would be a logical choice here? Any other suggestions for preamp and spearers are welcome, I'm new to this home theater stuff. Also, Dolby atoms is not important to me, my amp only has 5 channels, unless i can use denons amp in addition to my krell amp to add more speakers, not sure if this is possible. 

My current 2 channel audio system is Mcintosh ma6600 with mcd550 and vienna acoustics mozart, and I love the sound. 
ei001h
ei001h OP
67 posts
 
Can this be done: 

connect OPPO to KRC3 and HTS7.1 and then to krell KAV500? 
If so, how exactly would it work? Im having difficulty visualizing this. Would I need an extra amp for 2 channels? Extra speakers? Does this even make sense? 

I would really like to integrate KRC3 into my system. By the way, I do not have the Denon. I have to pick either denon or HTS7.1 or like some suggested marantz processor. 

On a separate note, what about really old Mcintosh processors, mx-119, mx132? etc. Are those any good for my use as Home theater and preamp for stereo? If I use oppo analog output into an old mx, would that be better than krell HTS7.1? I think prices are pretty close for those two. 
auxinput
1,538 posts
 
@sfall - yeah, totally understand.  My answer was under the assumption that he wanted to use both a 2-channel preamp with a HT Processor/Receiver.
auxinput
1,538 posts
 
Can this be done:

connect OPPO to KRC3 and HTS7.1 and then to krell KAV500?


I would not do this at all.  You are running the audio signal through two preamps, first a very low resolution KRC3 and then a nice but soft HTS 7.1.  Trying to merge both a 2-channel system and an HT system together with both 2-channel and multi-channel preamps is not a good approach.  Like I said, you really can't have both worlds unless you spend a lot of money.  If you're looking at the really old Krell stuff, I would just get an HTS 7.1 and use it as a 7.1 preamp with the Oppo.  The preamp quality of the HTS 7.1 is much better than the KRC 3.  I know you like the asthetics, but this will not actually improve the sound quality if you have both of this in the signal line.

ei001h OP
67 posts
 
Exactly the answer I was looking for. Thank you. 

Now, the question about old Mcintosh MX processors, 119 and 132 I think are around 1000$. How would those compare to HTS? Pros and Cons. 
mgattmch
372 posts
 
I have an Oppo 105 connected to a Krell HTS 7.1 plus Krell TAS in my HT system. 5.1 audio processing is done in the Oppo, consequently the Krell HTS 7.1 is just being used as a glorified volume control. I use the same system for regular 2C stereo; CD, SACD and computer audio. All I can say is the sound to me is excellent for HT and 2C stereo. In fact, regular cinema sound, and video, is noticeably far inferior to my own HT system. Don’t know if I am being delusional here, I just much prefer watching Blu-Ray movies at home versus a good cinema. Overall, I am very happy with the Krell HTS 7.1, owned it for over 10 years now and have no plans to change it for something "better". No idea how it compares with the Denon AVR-X4300H; I doubt there would be much difference in sound quality.
More to discover