Advice on AV Receiver versus Separates


Starting from scratch here guys on my first Home Theater. Any advice would be appreciated.

I picked up a Marantz AV7005 pre-amp receiver from Best Buy for $705 (open box). I can also probably pick up the MM7055 for about $800.

Is this combo a good option for a 5.1 setup?

Should I rather go for a receiver instead?

I have heard great things about the AV7005, but not as much about the MM7055. Are there other separate combinations I should be considering?

I would like to spend around $1.5k for the receiver / amp&preamp so I have enough left over for speakers, etc.

Thank you.
aman4kr4

Showing 1 response by arcamguy

Aman4kr4,
I think you have two great amps at a great price;

Two years ago I bought a Marantz SR7005 - the top-of-the-line av receiver at the time; I bi-amped the two front main channels (you can configure the SR7005 to do that if you're not running 7.1) with my B&W 805's, and it sounded wonderful.

I've been bi-amping systems for years now, and in my opinion, the sonic improvement is quite real. I would heartily encourage you to do it, and enjoy your two fine pieces of equipment.

Jeff