I have a a $6000.00 integrated amp and wanted to go to an HT setup. I bought an Arcam AVR300 and enjoy the the two channel sound as well as the HT part. The AVR300 does not sound quite as good as the $6K integrated amp, using the same speakers (Merlin VSM-M), but it is very close. I went from $8K separates to a $6K integrated to a $2K receiver. I believe separates could sound better depending on your tastes, but not always. There are very well designed integrated amps and receivers.
Changing receiver from Arcam to?
Hi
I have a Vandy HT system, Hsu VTF 2 sub. (2Ce, VCC-1, VSM-1) with Toshiba DVD as source, and Arcam AVR 200 receiver. Interconnects is MIT Terminator. Speaker cables is AQ Type 4.
My buddy is taking my receiver as he needed a good 220V receiver and I have to replace my receiver.
I am also thinking of setting up my computer as my transport and hopefully also play SACD and DVD A on it (not sure if that is possible).
Receiver wise
1. I can replace with another Arcam 200 or upgrade to a 250 or 300. I am not sold on Arcam, like the sound but don't like that I cant input SACD, DVD A digitally plus not sure it will handle bass.
2. Buy a receiver like the Pioneer Elite with iLink and either get Pioneer Universal or try to to link with my computer with Firewire.
3. Buy a cheap receiver with digital power amplification (think its the way of the future and has gotten increasingly better reviews) hopefully with a way to input SACD/DVA digitally but even if not I can sell and upgrade easily in a year or two.
Given all of these, which of these, or other options should I consider. Don't want to spend the money on separates as in a HT system get 80-90% of sound with a receiver much cheaper.
Thanks a lot for advice
Shriram
I have a Vandy HT system, Hsu VTF 2 sub. (2Ce, VCC-1, VSM-1) with Toshiba DVD as source, and Arcam AVR 200 receiver. Interconnects is MIT Terminator. Speaker cables is AQ Type 4.
My buddy is taking my receiver as he needed a good 220V receiver and I have to replace my receiver.
I am also thinking of setting up my computer as my transport and hopefully also play SACD and DVD A on it (not sure if that is possible).
Receiver wise
1. I can replace with another Arcam 200 or upgrade to a 250 or 300. I am not sold on Arcam, like the sound but don't like that I cant input SACD, DVD A digitally plus not sure it will handle bass.
2. Buy a receiver like the Pioneer Elite with iLink and either get Pioneer Universal or try to to link with my computer with Firewire.
3. Buy a cheap receiver with digital power amplification (think its the way of the future and has gotten increasingly better reviews) hopefully with a way to input SACD/DVA digitally but even if not I can sell and upgrade easily in a year or two.
Given all of these, which of these, or other options should I consider. Don't want to spend the money on separates as in a HT system get 80-90% of sound with a receiver much cheaper.
Thanks a lot for advice
Shriram