New B&W 702 S2 Owner - AVR/Amp Advice


Hello,

 

I’m a new owner of a set of B&W 702 S2, I was able to find them within my price point after the S3 stock came through. I have a couple of questions and clarifications that I need to wrap my head around to help me make the best decision for my budget. 
 

I am currently building a setup and only have the two front and center channel speakers purchased. No amp at the moment. I’m around 60/40 Music/Movies mix, listening to music throughout the day and while cooking, then throw on a movie at night some days. I also have an ATV4K and XSX that I’d like to connect as well. Anyway, I’ve gone down the rabbit hole of figuring out how maximize the speakers and have a couple of questions:

 

Amp Budget: $2k - don’t mind buying used or being patient ;)

Speakers: 8Ω (minimum 3.1Ω), 90dB spl (2.83Vrms, 1m)

Recommended amplifier power: 30W - 300W into 8Ω on unclipped programme

 


Given my mix and inputs I was looking at purchasing the Marantz SR6015 for ~ $1400 to hookup my 3 channel system at the moment. It provides 110 W at 8 ohm for 2 ch. Covers the HDMI 2.1 box nicely and doesn’t have bad power output to start. And it gives me the option to use it as a pre amp for the FR/FL speakers. 
 

Reading online, it seems that the speakers are extremely power hungry and will do very well with an integrated amp for the front two speakers. Websites suggest Hegel 390, Rotel RA-1592 (2x200W), or Arcam SR250 (2x250W). These dedicated amps are very much above my budget price point at the moment, but seem to have the consensus that they will maximize the speakers due to quality material, processing, and power.

 

1.  If I were to purchase a dedicated amp for my speakers, am I “limited” to amps outputting above 110W of power to make it worth it over the receiver? Understanding that AVR don’t have the best processing compared to dedicated amps in general. Would for example a $500 65W amp be worth it?
2.  Would a sub $1k amp along with the AVR be recommended? Or would purchasing the AVR and enjoying my system while waiting for a great deal on a dedicated amp in the future be better (as to not purchase an amp that does the job only to purchase a better dedicated amp in a year or two once my budget has time to recoup - makes me laugh a little knowing which forum I’m on! ;))

3. Lastly, with an open $2k budget, what what you recommend my amp purchase be. $1500 integrated amp, cheap AVR. $2K integrated amp, wait for AVR ( then I couldn’t hookup the center channel or HDMI devices). I listen to lossless audio on a mobile device, if that matters for sourcing!

Thank you in advance, very overwhelmed with the options, but very excited about finally building a system as I was using a soundbar previously :)

 

 

 

jels

Thanks for the suggestions! 

 

I went and listened to AVRs and integrated amps and was surprised at the difference between the two. The integrated amps feels like a wall has been lifted between you and the music or soundtrack, and with focusing on a stereo setup for the time being I focused on buying one. 

I ended up looking at the hegel 120 or the burson timekeeper 3i and went with a used timekeeper due to budget constraints at this time. It seems to have great reviews, and will allow me to use an AVR as pre amp in the future as well as connect a sub if needed. Though I am bummed at the lack of airplay for seamless CD quality sound, as now I’ll have to keep my device plugged into the amp at all times to achieve lossless. Thinking of it now, that was required anyway to go higher than CD quality but the ease of airplay is nice. 

 

The amp comes in this week, excited to get it hooked up and start listening!

 

 

 

Since 2-channel music is important I’d recommend either now or eventually using a stereo integrated and an AVR with front L/R preamp outs.  Here’s one such potential combo…

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649925805-hegel-190-imtegrad-amp-wdac/

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrxa780bl-rb/yamaha-rx-a780-7.2-ch-x-95-watts-a/v-receiver/1.html

Or, you could just start with a better AVR and that could probably hold you over for quite a while before you get the itch for a stereo integrated…

https://tmraudio.com/anthem-mrx-720-seven-channel-home-theater-receiver-mrx720-arc1m-remote/

Personally I’d start with the cheaper Yamaha AVR, which still isn’t bad at all, and then add an integrated whenever you can.  Just my $0.02 FWIW.  Congrats on the new speakers, and best of luck.