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AV receiver a better bet than my current setup?

Hey all

I have a Backert Labs Rhumba, a Krell KAV-250a and B&W 702-S2s

I was, some time ago, in a hi-end audio store looking to get info about something I knew little about: home theater.

The store owner explained it all to me (now I get it), and recommended an AV receiver by Marantz. I forget the model #, but it was in the 2k range.

During the course of the convo, I told the owner that I would need speakers for the HT as the B&Ws were for music listening (stereo that I currently have). He seemed a bit surprised, and recommended that I run my CD player to the Marantz, plug the B&Ws to the Marantz, and listen to music that way. When I told him I was surprised he recommended that, he said that this setup would sound better than what I currently have.

I am sure the Marantz sounds good, but have doubts that it sounds better than the Rhumba to the Krell. Thoughts on this?
egrace
fiesta75
1,378 posts
 
I highly doubt that a Marantz or any AVR will sound better than your Krell and Backert setup. AV receivers just don't sound very good, I have sold all my surround sound amps and preamps after trying for 20 years. AVR's don't come close to the equipment I got rid of. Maybe a Trinnov or STR preamp along with separate amplifiers would be okay, just not for me.
egrace OP
2 posts
 
Thank you.
I doubt it as well.
Cheers.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Do what I did. Find the best HT you can, bring it home, compare side by side with whatever leftover solid state amp you can find from the 70's.* Be careful, possible side effects range from laughing yourself silly (that anyone buys into multichannel) to spine/nerve damage from shaking your head in disbelief, to falling into a Heisenberg fugue state at the psychic disconnect over what HT promises vs what it actually delivers.  

Then call the dealer ask him to come pick it up. Explain he might want $1500 but it is not worth the cost of the gas to drive it back, so come and get it.   

*(Not a joke, not hyperbole, I did this with a 70's era Kenwood KA8004 integrated amp.)
soix
9,420 posts
 
Is this a joke?  You’ve got some GREAT electronics and am surprised you’d even be taken in by the salesman’s BS that you should consider ANY receiver over them.  If this is true, NEVER speak to that salesperson again as he/she obviously has NO idea what they’re doing and just trying to make a sale.  If I’m not mistaken, Backert may be one of the few tube preamps that can deactivate their tubes while being in HT bypass mode, and if this is the case it would even make it an easier decision to get an AVR with front pre-outs so you can just run them into the Rhumba and have the best of both worlds with the push of a button.  Either way, RUN AWAY from the ABSOLUTE IDIOT who’s recommending a Marantz AVR over your excellent electronics.  Yeesh. 
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