Advice on AV Receiver versus Separates

Thanks for the great suggestions guys!

I personally feel that passive speakers with just one sub should do the trick. I care more about stereo performance personally, so want to save the budget for speakers instead of multiple subs.

Good tip on the resistance. I will keep the 6 or 8 ohm impedance in mind as I select speakers.

Also looking at the MM8003 8 channel amp as an option. That way I can biamp the three fronts. Any thoughts on this vs the MM7055?

I thought bi amping would just double the power to the main speakers and improve sonic quality even at low volumes. Is this not right?

Only thinking about it as both this 8 channel amp and the 5 channel Mm7055 are around 800. So I basically get 3 more channels, plus what I believe is a slightly better amp.

Ok. Got it. So what are the benefits of biamping?

Seems like I should just go for the combo MM7055 + AV7005 setup.

My sn was randomly generated by Audiogon. My name, Aman, plus some random letters/numbers. Not so random after all.

To be clear, this will be my main setup in a tri-level condo with walls that I technically don't share with my neighbors, as there is a 1 inch gap, but for all intensive purposes, I should just assume that noise will permeate through them quite easily. The room is rectangular and deep enough to warrant a good setup, but I really don't have room for 2 subs.

I could get a better amp later, I had a parasound before. But for now, I don't mind going with a good enough amp/pre setup as I have to still buy the rest of the setup, including center, surrounds, interconnects, power conditioner, etc etc.

I would like to read the white papers you mentioned. IMD is definitely a concern that would be more pronounced in the 8 channel amp vs the 5 channel. I also have never purchased active speakers. I prefer vienna acoustics Beethoven or b&w nautilus speakers. I also hate that humming noise that systems often generate and I feel my not having active speakers, I get rid of additional culprits that would cause that irratable hum.

Btw, you guys are immensely more knowledgable about all this than I. So I appreciate the information and am enjoying learning from you.

Aman

Thanks again guys.