What is the best option of the two choices


Hello we had a fire Christmas night and the Hi-Fi is being replaced and I was given two 0ptions for home theater and music room. Speakers are the same in both. If it's possible I would like opinions on what to do. 

Option 1

ItemsSell PriceQty

KEF R11 Meta

R11 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Gloss Black, Gloss White, Walnut

$3,250.00

x2

KEF R2 Meta

$1,400.00

x1

KEF Q350-WA

KEF Q Series Q350 Bookshelf Speaker - 6.5" | Walnut (Pair)

$799.99

x1

KEF KUBE-12MIE

KEF KUBE12MIE

$1,000.00

x1

Denon DEN-AVR-X1800H

Powering 80W per channel, the Denon AVR-X1800H 7.2-channel8K AV receiver delivers an immersive 3D audio experience,amazing picture quality, and lag-free gaming experience. Plus, ithas Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and the latest HDMI technologyfeaturing HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 8K/60 and 4K/120 passthrough.Thanks to its HEOS Built-in technology, you can streamyour favorite music through Spotify, Tidal, Amazon Music HD,AirPlay 2, and more. And with our award-winning Denon SetupAssistant and Audysseys MultEQ room correction technologybacked up by extended connectivity and custom integrator-friendlyoptions, the AVR-X1800H offers the latest technologies andfeatures.

$749.00

x1

Rega Aethos - Integrated Amplifier

$5,395.00

x1

Rega Fono MM MK5 - Phono Stage Black

$445.00

x1

Bluesound Node Icon

Bluesound Node Icon N530 wireless streaming player

$1,149.00

x1

MISC. PARTS AND CABLES

up to 12' Tributaries speaker cables and rca cables for home theater by pass and the ICON streamer

$959.09

x1

Option 2

 

ItemsSell PriceQty

KEF R11 Meta

R11 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Gloss Black, Gloss White, Walnut

$3,250.00

x2

KEF R2 Meta

$1,400.00

x1

KEF Q3MWA

KEF Q3 Meta Walnut pair

$799.99

x1

KEF KUBE-12MIE

KEF KUBE12MIE

$1,000.00

x1

NAD T758V3i

AV Receiver 7x60W (NAD Full Disclosure Power)

$1,999.00

x1

NAD C298

Stereo Power Amplifier

$2,799.00

x1

Rega Fono MM MK5 - Phono Stage Black

$445.00

x1

MISC. PARTS AND CABLES

includes up to 12' pair of Tributaries speaker cables

$597.72

x1

eltabor

Showing 2 responses by soix

Since 2-channel is important, going with an integrated amp is the way to go because you really don’t want the cheap and compromised preamp section of a mass market AVR being a bottleneck and mucking up the sound, and preamps matter a lot!!!  I’d recommend this Hegel H190v integrated as it sounds great and includes a very serviceable streamer and DAC so no need to spend on the Node, and it’s $800 cheaper than the Rega.  So between the Hegel being cheaper and not having to buy the NodeX you’ll be saving a big chunk of $$$, and you can obviously upgrade the streamer and/or DAC down the road if you feel the need, but you may well be happy just using the Hegel alone at least for a while anyway.

https://www.audioadvice.com/products/hegel-h190v-integrated-amplifier

I’d stick with the KEFs because you’ve heard and like them and would definitely not mix brands especially with the L/R/C speakers,  For an AVR I’d recommend this Yamaha both for its sound quality and because they offer the best reliability in AVRs, which is not a small consideration.  I compared a Yammy AVR directly to comparable Denon, Marantz, and Adcom models for 2-channel performance using my reference recordings and $9k speakers and found it by a good margin to be overall the best sounding of the bunch.  You’ll get great value by buying from this reputable seller.

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrxa4a-rb/yamaha-rx-a4a-7.2-ch-x-110-watts-a/v-receiver/1.html

For a subwoofer I’d highly recommend this Rhythmik F12G that many here have bought and are thrilled with and will give you much more than the KEF sub for not much more $$$ because they sell direct so avoid the considerable dealer markup.  You should talk to them about multiple input options to accommodate both the AVR and Hegel being hooked up to the sub simultaneously so you can use it for both 2-channel and HT, and they’re very helpful and informative via phone.

https://www.rythmikaudio.com/F12G.html

Ok, that’s my long-winded recommendation.  Hope it helps, and best of luck in your quest!

If 2-channel sound is important I’d definitely go with option 1 where you can run the front L/R preamp output from the Denon into the HT bypass of the Aethos so the AVR is completely out of the signal path for stereo.  I suppose if your priority is home theater a case could be made for option 2 as you’re putting more $$$ into the AVR and you get Dirac, but it’s still in the system for 2-channel which is a big negative.  Having an AVR hooked up to a $3k stereo amp is a mismatch and not a good system design IMO, and I’d also be concerned about NAD reliability.  Anyway, that’s my $0.02 FWIW and hope it helps a little.