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2/3 of the way there. HT crash course help wanted

OK, in my continuing and brief HT crash course, I am now at this point:

Purchased: Totem Dreamcatcher 5.1 speaker system (4 identical monitors for front and surrounds, center, and powered sub). Oppo BDP95.

Need help/suggestions with amplification. Here are MY thoughts; would like to know yours:

This HT system will be used for film on DVD playback 80% of the time. 10% for CD playback via the Oppo (having an FM tuner for very occasional use would probably be nice), and 10% (I hope) for the kid's video games.

The system will go into a small/medium size space, and won't be played at terribly loud levels. This system will be used by the entire family (Aargh!:-), so, I am (reluctantly) thinking HT receiver. I am a tube guy and like a sound that is dynamic (PRAT), and full in the midrange; not lean. I know the Dreamcatchers is not a particularly full sounding system, although I like most of it's other traits. I plan on running the video directly from the Oppo to the Panasonic 60" plasma, and the audio to the receiver
or prepro via 5.1 analog connections. I want the amplification to stay under $1000.

Given what I have been able to learn about the sound of the available choices in this price range, I am so far thinking NAD receiver, or a used B&K receiver. The B&K option seems like particularly good value, so I am particularly interested in comments about B&K and also Outlaw; or .... Again, would love to keep it all as simple as possible, although would easily consider used separates as it would be nice to have sound that is not too far away from the quality of my all-tube main music system.

Thoughts/suggestions/recommendations? Thanks.
frogman

Showing 2 responses by internetmin

internetmin
258 posts
 
I've owned several NAD pieces over the years and they have been great products. I still have a 40wpc NAD receiver from the late 80s. Still does the job well. As you know with NAD there is plenty of headroom in the amp section and they underrate their amp power compared to others. The 40wpc NAD had more muscle and sounded better than my 80wpc Marantz receiver driving my Revel speakers in stereo.

I can't speak to B&K but another great company with another great reputation and following. Sounds like a win-win situation. Good luck.
internetmin
258 posts
 
If you are looking for additional brands for receivers--especially room correction--then you should seriously consider Integra and Anthem. Anthem comes with the best room correction because you get both a professionally calibrated microphone and the ARC system. The Integra also comes with the top of the line Audyssey, however, the microphone is not a professionally calibrated one and if you want that extra level, the cost is about $500 for that. Those would be my top two choices for receivers.

I personally have Anthem equipment in my main setup and cannot say enough good and positive things about it. Bullet-proof build construction, stellar tech support (can't emphasize this enough), and products that perform well beyond their peers.
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