I've decided to start a seperate 2.1 music only system using a pair of M80s for another larger area of my house, and as most of you great folks know, I'm completely lost (but learning daily) on the technical side of things, so...

Do I go for an intergrated stereo reciever or seperate amps? And why? What other componets should I look for to achieve good quality sound?

If you were putting a music only 2.1 system using the 80s, what would you do within a realistic (not ridiculus) budget?

What would be your budget for this system ?

Are you talking 2.1 or 2.0, ie are you planning to have a sub as well as the M80s ? If no sub, my first thought would definitely be to pick up a decent used stereo receiver and a big honkin' 2 channel power amp or monoblocks, even if I didn't really need the power.

I really don't know Rick, I don't have a cap limit per say but I think spending something like 10k at one time would be stretching it by a long shot *but* if the componets were bought over a period of time I do believe I can sneak quite a lot of stuff past by the Misses without much being said.

How much would I need?

BrotherBob - I recently purchased a new 2.0 music only system. I would have loved to get seperate amps/receivers. In fact, I spent quite a bit of time checking out Rotel, NAD, Outlaw, etc.. If nothing else the Rotel's look like works of art to me. Basicly for me it came down to my impression that my ears wouldn't be sensitive or educated enough to discern a difference in a system that was much more expensive than I purchased. I wound up going with m60's and an H/K 3480 receiver (120 watts per channel) and I couldn't be happier. This system plays very cleanly to my ears at no matter what level I listen. Sometime at night I'll listen to CD's while the family is asleep in other parts of the house without them even hearing it and it sounds great. I don't feel like I'm missing anything playing the music that softly. But it also plays very loud, in fact, the other day I had the receiver set at 0db (-15db's for me is very loud) and It was uncomfortably loud and I could feel the beat thumping my chest (although it was still very clean). Your m80's are even more efficient, and if you add a powered sub which will take some of the load off your mains I don't think you'll need that much juice.

All that being said, if I had unlimited funds, I'd probably still go for a big honkin' tower of amps. If nothing else, it'd be a blast putting a system like that together. Then you could compete with Tharkon to see who's system plays louder.

Just my 2 cents.

I think I'd probably want a sub. I thought maybe the imput from you folks would help me with some of my decsions, I do believe you guys know a heck of a lot more than I do regarding audio equipmen, I just want the end result of a great sounding music dedicated system that *may* be cranked up from time to time.

I really appreciate the help, you guys have all been very helpful with my other stuff, thanks!

For the record, I agree completely that something like the HK3480 is the smart thing to do and will be more than enough power for any reasonable room... and that if you go with something like an HK receiver the sound will be indistinguishable from a discrete power amp (IMO). I just miss having a big honkin' power amp and miss watching the meter needles dancing to the music (the original multimedia experience )

EDIT -- forgot to ask the usual questions... room size, what kind of music ? Personally I'm not a big fan of subs for music, but then again all my pipe organ recordings are vinyl and I'm not a big hip hop listener.

Actually I was looking at the H/K 3480 and that is when I started wondering about wether to go with seperate or something like the 3480.
What are the benefits of a seperated amp componet system as opposed to a stereo reciever?

And, for a really stupid question...what and how exactly does a pre/amp system do and how are they connected? Bear with me, I can be totally dumb at times.

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EDIT -- forgot to ask the usual questions... room size, what kind of music ? Personally I'm not a big fan of subs for music, but then again all my pipe organ recordings are vinyl and I'm not a big hip hop listener.

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Oh sorry, John(right?) the room is 23 x 27 x 12 high and I listen to just about anything, mostly rock, blues and anything and everything Stevie Ray Vaughn or the likes.

The H/K 3480 is a great unit for the $.Adding a sub to that reciever will not take a load off the reciever as the receiver has no crossover unit to it so it will still send a full range signal to the speakers.

If I were to start a 2 channel system I would go the amp preamp route unless you listen to a lot of radio.Even though the 80s are a sensitive speaker they really do like the power put to them.I would go for a 200 watt amp of good quality and a matching preamp.For now I would forgo the sub and add it at a later date if you felt the need for it.