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AVR or pre amp recommendations? Going 4K
#431696 04/03/19 10:31 PM
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It's been a while....

I've resisted the urge to make the 4K move in my little 12x18 HT room. I've been very happy with the existing system and had better things to blow money on. I screwed that up and pre ordered a new projector. It's a JVC RS2000, and was just shipped. Now I need to get another receiver, or pre amp, and a 4k BR player. I use a horizontal expansion anamorphic lense for a CIH 2.40 set up. I also use a Lumagen video processor.

I am hopeful that I can ditch the video processor in the chain. The new 4k VPs are horribly expensive, plus they come with their own headaches. The RS2000 will supposedly scale for various 2.40 ratios. Hopefully it does that well and I will not need to use the zoom function.

I am not feeling ambitious enough to install ceiling speakers for Atmos. Can't accommodate them in this room anyway. I use two EP500 subs, a VP 160 center, M80 mains, and QS8's for front height, side surrounds and rear surrounds. All are 4V. I also have ten channels of external amplification, 200 wpc. I've been using a Denon 4311 as a pre amp.

I figured I'd just get another denon AVR, as my last two (4311, 3808) are still working flawlessly, but I've been out of the AV game for several years. I don't know what I don't know...... I want simplicity nowadays. No headaches or constant tweaking. I don't have time for either. I should add that the pre or AVR will serve as the switching hub. Only three inputs, all HDMI.

Any suggestions for consideration?

Re: AVR or pre amp recommendations? Going 4K
michael_d #431706 04/04/19 04:28 PM
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Welcome back - also been awhile for me, although I pop in and read up the latest once in a while without logging in.

Anyway thought I'd share as I've found myself in a similar position as you. Had a 4K TV for awhile but couldn't be bothered to upgrade my AVR to 4K because I was happy with the sound from my old one and don't have much actual 4K signal anyway. Long story short I bought a new Onkyo TX-RZ820 during a huge boxing week sale. Results? Meh. I like that it has updated connectivity and control and 4k from my previous Pioneer Elite, BUT it is not an improvement in sound quality, not worse either, just different. So in the end my life lesson on this is to consider a step up in all areas and not 'just' a lateral move to support the new format.

Hindsight says I should have gone with Anthem, but I didn't have the $$ for that. Everyone I've spoken with raves about the Anthem AVR's, including a few people on this forum I've also exchanged messages with. Unless something else comes along, that'll eventually be my next move. The dream being the Anthem AVM with separate Axiom ADA amplification.

My 2 cents, hope it helps.

Cheers,

Last edited by cb919; 04/04/19 04:29 PM.

Dan
On-Wall M5HP LCR, QS8 & EP500 in 7.1
Re: AVR or pre amp recommendations? Going 4K
michael_d #431709 04/04/19 05:26 PM
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cb, what front, center and sub are you using? How far away are you?

When you say the Onk was meh and just different, was that for movies, music or both? If for music, 2.1 or surround?


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Re: AVR or pre amp recommendations? Going 4K
michael_d #431710 04/04/19 05:31 PM
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If my current Denon would pass the video stream, unmolested, I would not swap it out. It may seem trivial, but I like to see the menu screen of the audio processor on my display.

Which Anthem AVR would you suggest? I have no experience with Anthem.

FWIW, The AV sales rep I am working with suggested the Denon X4500.

Re: AVR or pre amp recommendations? Going 4K
michael_d #431711 04/04/19 06:01 PM
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Originally Posted By Mojo
cb, what front, center and sub are you using? How far away are you?

When you say the Onk was meh and just different, was that for movies, music or both? If for music, 2.1 or surround?


I have a small HT room and overkilled it with 7.1 many years ago when I started with my Axioms - go big and stay home was my philosophy even though it is a small room ;-) As per my signature, I use M5 on walls for LCR with 4xQS8 and an EP500 (the older gen ported version). I'm a believer in vertical center channels if your space allows for it.
Biggest use is movies and gaming. But when I listen to 2 channel music it's usually surround - this is where I think I enjoyed my Pioneer more than the Onk in the ability to play with the center focus more easily.
Room is ~12'x14'x7' (WxLxH) but oddly shaped and not symmetrical. Seating is ~8 feet from front wall.
The Onkyo is equally as powerful as my old SC-05 Pioneer, but is a bit 'softer' in sound if I have to describe it.

Originally Posted By michael_d
If my current Denon would pass the video stream, unmolested, I would not swap it out. It may seem trivial, but I like to see the menu screen of the audio processor on my display.

Which Anthem AVR would you suggest? I have no experience with Anthem.

FWIW, The AV sales rep I am working with suggested the Denon X4500.


I also like having the menu on the TV, one of the details I like on the newer receivers.
No experience with Denon, but for Anthem I'd just pick the MRX series with integrated amps that works for your setup, or go to the AVM 60 processor only and add the amplification of your choice.

Please keep in mind I am basing this on conversations with several people and my own research, but I've not done any critical listening of the Anthem products so I cannot offer my first hand experience.

Last edited by cb919; 04/04/19 06:05 PM.

Dan
On-Wall M5HP LCR, QS8 & EP500 in 7.1
Re: AVR or pre amp recommendations? Going 4K
michael_d #431712 04/04/19 07:27 PM
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Thanks CB. I have heard good things about ARC. Some prefer it over Audyssey. I'll do some research and price queries.

Re: AVR or pre amp recommendations? Going 4K
michael_d #431713 04/04/19 07:36 PM
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Originally Posted By michael_d
If my current Denon would pass the video stream, unmolested, I would not swap it out. It may seem trivial, but I like to see the menu screen of the audio processor on my display.

Which Anthem AVR would you suggest? I have no experience with Anthem.

FWIW, The AV sales rep I am working with suggested the Denon X4500.


I'm currently running a Denon 4500H, if you have any questions. I opted for a 'poor man's separates' setup, with an ADA1000-3 driving LCR, and the Denon handling amplification for the other 8 channels.


Axiom M5HP VP160 M3 ADA1000
Anthem MRX 720
SVS SB-3000 (dual)
Re: AVR or pre amp recommendations? Going 4K
michael_d #431714 04/04/19 09:41 PM
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You've done a great job optimizing your purchases, bman.


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Dedicated mid-woofers are over-rated
Re: AVR or pre amp recommendations? Going 4K
michael_d #431715 04/04/19 10:01 PM
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CB, I really can't see why you would need a separate amp for your setup. The Anthem may be an improvement over the Onk...maybe because of ARC. I can't say because I've never tried.

My 2012 Onk was a huge improvement over my now 18 year old Denon. I have to say though, v4 was an even bigger improvement over v2. When I put the Denon and the Onk side-by-side to drive M3, M5, M100, 160, QS10, 800 all v4, against M80, 600, 150, QS8, all v2, I'd take the Denon with v4 over the Onk with v2 any day! The v4, any v4, is simply excellent.

Your M5s are solid for your room size. Before spending on a new receiver, try QS10s and a sealed sub. Compared to the QS8, the 10s are a big difference.


House of the Rising Sone
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Dedicated mid-woofers are over-rated
Re: AVR or pre amp recommendations? Going 4K
Mojo #431720 04/05/19 01:51 PM
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Originally Posted By Mojo
CB, I really can't see why you would need a separate amp for your setup. The Anthem may be an improvement over the Onk...



Hey Mojo, yeah I know I'm probably overkill in my space, (5.1 was all that was recommended for my small room) but I have no issues with that!
I would love to add another sub actually. I love my current EP500 and would add an EP800 if I could.
I am surprised how much difference you say the QS10 makes over the QS8. I was initially interested when they 1st came out but then figured surrounds wouldn't make that much difference - especially with my satisfaction in the way the QS8's perform. You are making me reconsider. I wonder if just upgrading the side surrounds would make sense and leave the backs at QS8?
The M5's v4 were a nice upgrade for me for sure though.

Regarding the Anthem, I thought as long as you had ample overhead and clean power there wouldn't be a sound diff - or not much. The Onkyo is showing me otherwise vs my Pioneer. That's why I am thinking Anthem, even though I already have 'enough' power for my room. Just want to see if I can up the overall quality.


Dan
On-Wall M5HP LCR, QS8 & EP500 in 7.1
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