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Budget AV Receiver with Magnepan

I'm looking to build a 5 channel home theater/music system using Magnepan MMG-W's and CC2 (or possibly MC1's for FR and FL) with a Monitor Audio sub. Now I'm looking at inexpensive used high end AV receivers to tie it all together:

Rotel - 1055 75x5

NAD - T744 (can be had refurbished with warranty) 5x50W, not sure if this is enough to drive the Magnepans?

NAD - T754, a bit more power, can be had with warranty

B&K AVR 202 - 105 x 5, I've heard one of these and liked it, it's a bit older than the rest

Cambridge Audio 540R - 80 x 6, nice looking unit but haven't heard much about them compared to NAD/Rotel/B&K

And advice/experience on any of these would be greatly appreciated. I'm happy with 5 channel DTS, don't need HDMI (although would be nice), want something that can drive the small Maggies without struggling (don't need ground shaking volume here), and I want something that sounds *good*. I'm coming from a small Denon 75w x 5 Dobly Digital surround receiver (driving Monitor Audio Silver 5i's). I know seperates are better, but I'm trying to keep the wife happy ($$$). Thanks!

Brad
bfrank1972

Showing 2 responses by johnnyb53

johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
It's my understanding that component video goes up to 1080i, and can't do 1080p. I can also see where this might be hard to detect on a 1080p flat panel display, because flat panel displays don't interlace. Ever. So when they see a 1080i incoming signal, they automatically convert it to 1080p so they can display it. If a 1080p display receives a genuine 1080p signal, there should be some improvement in tracking fast-moving action, however.

The only true 1080i displays are CRT-based, whether a direct-view tube or CRT-based front or rear projector. All DLP, LCD, and plasma-based displays are progressive.

For example, my LCD-based rear-projection Hitachi will accept a 1080i signal, but the TV's native mode is 720p, and it downconverts a 1080i signal to a 720p display.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
08-04-08: Bfrank1972
Hah well I was actually looking at the option of my Denon with the Parasound 1205 (a couple on Audiogon for sale), but then I stumbled across a Rotel RSX-1065 ... at a price I couldn't turn down (<$300).
Dude! Score!

I hadn't thought about Rotel in your original post. Based on listening auditions I've done, Rotel is one of the few receivers that should make your Maggies sing. And at $300? Good gawd!

I heard a 70wpc Rotel AV receiver absolutely humiliate a 100 wpc Sony ES. The Sony had no grip on the bass. The Rotel drove the pair of B&Ws like high current separates would, and had both greater clarity and musicality. And you don't want to move up in clarity without accompanying musicality!
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