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AVR + Amp: Mixing new with the old and wading into the Audiophile pool

Hi everyone! Total audiophile noob here, so be gentle! You guys are sharks in the wave pool drinking margaratas while I’m knee-deep on the zero depth entry side with my lemonade sippy cup!

 

Background: As short as I can, an explanation. For about 10 years I have had Denon 1907 AVR with a set of 5.1 Kenwood speakers. Not audiophile equipment to be sure, but better than a sound bar and what most people have. Still, I felt it was time to upgrade. I basically wanted entry-level audiophile level stuff and settled on a Klipsch RP-450C center channel and a Klipsch RP-112SW subwoofer. I knew the Klipsch speakers would be upgrades over my Kenwoods but I was not prepared for the level of difference. It blew me away to the point that I dove directly into the deep end without even checking the water. First, I wanted to complete the Klipsch setup. So I ordered two Klipsch RP-8000f towers and the matching surrounds. Those have not even ARRIVED yet and my audiophile friend (a big jerk who gets me to spend money) convinced me that my Denon 1907 cannot satisfy my Klipsch towers that are coming and that if I really wanted to hear them hum I needed to buy an external amplifier. SO....I talked with him and researched it and bought a mint condition Adcom GFA 555 amplifier. I liked the idea of it because, from what I can tell, if I don’t like it I can sell it for the same amount I paid. That hasn’t even arrived yet either and I realize my old Denon 1907 doesn’t even have pre outs for the amplifier. SO now I need a new receiver. Honestly, I think I did anyway. It was far from top of the line Denon even when it was new.

 

Problem/Question:  Short Short version; I need a receiver that serves well for HT and is an upgrade in sound to the old Denon 1907, but that also has in mind I want to use the Adcom GFA 555 external to power the towers. I want both worlds. My primary use is HT, by far. That said, this is a new world I’m wading into and I’m definitely interested in discussion of the advantages/disadvantages of my various options. Here are the 3 receivers I’m considering at the moment and my brief thoughts on each. Hopefully enough to spark the conversation I’m hoping for and I DEFINTELY understand it’s all just talk until I hear it for myself. I want to maybe take a step up in HT, but not pay for more than I really need especially considering my use of the external amp.

 

  • Marantz NR1609-7.2 (50W):  my concern is only 50W. I’m using the Adcom for the towers but is this underpowered for the rest of the speakers? Does the sound quality of the Marantz surpass the old Denon 1907 to the point where the loss of power doesn’t matter? I’m aware not all power is equal and sometimes splashing (100x7) on something doesn’t mean it isn’t crap. How little amperage is too little?

  • Marantz SR6013-9.2 (110W):  my only real concern is if this is just too much Marantz to justify for my setup. Do the Klipsch speakers I purchased need these, given that I’m powering the externals with the Adcom?

  • Pioneer Elite SC-LX701-9.2 (135W):  my jerk audiophile friend likes this ones., Naturally the highest costing of the bunch.

  • And Finally…..what about the potential negatives/benefits of a separate preamp/processor? Now that’s really wading into unfamiliar territory for me but I’m willing to listen.

 

I really appreciate any of you willing to take the time to chat with a newbie. I love this stuff….I’m just kinda new to it at this level.

joran6
erik_squires
16,057 posts
 
Anthem is absolutely where you should go. :)  Then if you still feel the need for better amps, you can add a Luxman.
riley804
1,224 posts
 
Then if you still feel the need for better amps, you can add a Luxman.

and while he is at it....he could build his own speakers too.
joran6 OP
1 posts
 
Lol thanks for the posts, everyone! Great stuff. I settled on the Marantz SR6013 because I had reward points at a place selling it. Combining that with a sale they had I got it for $690. At that point I considered it criminal to NOT get it. 
The towers are here and are hooked up to my Denon. They sound great but I have to turn my receiver way up before they sound like what I want and at that volume there is a lot of background noise. The old Denon is, I think, an 85W receiver. The new Marantz coming today is a 110W receiver with discrete amps. It should be much more suited to the task. The Adcom amp comes a day after that. It’s going to be fun to compare with and without. Posts here and another forum have convinced me that I likely don’t NEED the amp. But it may give me a lot more headroom and it’s supposed to be a fantastic sounding amp. So I’ll give it a try with both!
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