Lokking for recommendations for new speakers, amp & surr

chris661 -- Tue, 09/09/2008 - 10:34

I am in the process of shopping around for a new AV equipment and would love the recommendations of experienced audiophiles. I have a room that's 25' x 15'. I currenly have a Hitachi 55" Plasma (only 1080i, will eventually upgrade), and a Denon DVD-1930CI (will eventually upgrade). I am looking to purchase a 5 speaker surround sound system, with sub-woofer, amplifier and surround sound processor that is capable of producing great video and audio for not only movies but also for listening to CD's. There are so many different manufacture's to choose from and it's a little overwhelming to try to select the best possible system for my budget. As far as the speakers are concerned I'm considering: 1. Paradigm's Signature Series, 2. PSB Synchrony Series, 3. B&W , 4. Revel, 5. Focal, 6. Sonus Faber, 7. Other recommendations? For the amplifier and pre-amp souround sound processor I am considering: 1. Anthem Statement series, P5 amp, D2 proseccor, 2. Anthem MCA 50 amp, AVM 50 processor, 3. Bryston 9B SST amp, SP 2 processor, 4. Krell, 5. Ayre, 6. Marantz, 7. Other recommendations? My maximum budget for the speakers, amp and processor are $20,000.00, although I'd would like be able to spend much less for a great system. Any advise or recommendations from experieced audiophiles would be greatly appreciated.

Cemil Gandur -- Wed, 09/10/2008 - 04:43

For my cinema room, I have the Anthony Gallo Acoustics ref system: Ref3.1 for front left and right, Ref AV for center and sides and TR2 sub.

I use Arcam DVD and processor/amp to drive these.

I sometimes listen to CDs on that system (when working on the PC, say), often see music DVDs (concerts etc..) and of course, movies TV etc..

The system sounds great both on music and video. I preferred it to an equivalently priced B&W based system, specially on music reproduction. It is well within your price range and should leave you enough money for wiring and a lot of CDs/DVDs. If I'm not mistaken, Absolute Sound gave a Golden Ear (or a prize of some sort) to the Ref 3.1 some years ago. I would highly recommend that you look at that option.

You might also want to try a Magnepan based system. I was really tempted to go that way, having a spare pair of MG3.5s which I could have used for front left/right. It was just too complicated getting the rest together where I live and trial was not an option.

ngt1977 -- Wed, 09/10/2008 - 10:33

20K will get you into a great system. I think that both Magnepan and Vandersteen should be on your short list of speakers to audition. As far as electronics are concerned, I believe that you should choose them after you decide on a speaker company. Some electronics and speakers don't play nice with each other. Also surround sound is relatively easy to do. It's getting the music right that's the hard part. When auditioning speakers, listen to music that you're familiar with and narrow down your music selections to one or two of your favorites. Don't complicate the experience with what one speaker does better that another. There isn't a speaker made today that can compete with live music. Choose the one that you respond the most to. Meaning buy the one that you're not thinking about critically. Believe me that is easier said than done.

Also, don't forget about the source in your system. That crazy Ivor Tiefenbrun was right! The source is the key.