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

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!

@eltabor good luck with everything and lol I wish I had a store. I'm just a home theatre freak and stereo freak so I have two systems. And was just trynna help you get what imo are the best components for their price points. So you end up with a comprehensively competent system

@kofibaffour sounds like you may have a shop or store. I would like to send this dialogue to my store. I can go to 3k or 4k higher but prefer not to. What you did with the links would be incredibly difficult for me,  so I would like to thank you again. Others said the NAD are unreliable and if that's true it's sad because I've not had any trouble with components since I started in circa 1974

@eltabor that actually reinforced my recommends. Klipsch are mediocre and Maggies are too narrow for home theatre.

 

I guess I wanted to recommend a setup that actually gives you value for your money without losing the tonal coherency 

 

Don't get me wrong the KEF is what I'd go for too if no hold barred budget. But seeing the allocation of the budget and how skimped you became on other sections, I felt then why not get a setup that is incredibly agile and balanced sounding whilst using the appropriate allocation of funds for each section of your setup

@kofibaffour Thanks for the information. As for the speakers I auditioned Maggie's, Focal, Klipsch and KEF. The Klipsch were exceptionally clear but for my ears they were too high pitched, I guess because I have been usingJBL'S from the 60's, 70's and 80's. After listening to what they had below 8K the KEF's were it. Since home theater became a thing I've been confused and simply haven't had time to learn a lot. This system has to double as home theater and stereo and transition between the two should be easy as possible and a universal remote should be involved. Will that change any of your recommendations?

@eltabor alright.

For your Front L + R: Get the Revel F36 Rather - Revel Concerta2 F36 Floorstanding Loudspeaker (each) New or Revel Concerta2 F36 Floorstanding Loudspeaker (each) (OPEN Box)

Keep the KEF R2 Meta - KEF R2 Meta. Ask the AV Store if they can match the $950, if not ger it from the link I’ve given.

That is your L, C and R.

For the side surrounds, ask again if they can match the $599 asking price here - Q3 Meta

now your 5.x is decided

Get this subwoofer - Power Sound Audio S1512m Get it without the any AntiMode EQ as Bass Management will be done by your Denon

Now our 5.1 setup is set. If you want to do Dolby Atmos, you can add another two pairs of the Q3 Meta for heights, so you have a full 5.1.4 setup

Get this AVR rather - Denon AVR-X3800H

Get this 3 channel Power amp that is solely that, a power amp - Buckeye 3 Channel Amp

Phono Preamp - SPARTAN 20 MM & MC Phono Stage by Michael Fidler - Michael Fidler, Classic Audio Ltd You order this one by sending Michae an email here - order@michaelfidler.com

You need a measurement mic for the setup integration through DIRAC Live(get the full bandwidth license), get this one - UMIK-2 USB Reference Measurement Microphone : Musical Instruments

I would steer clear of NAD.  I had my T778 repaired twice (once under warranty and once out of warranty). When it died a third time I sold it for parts. I considered the Denon line and also Yamaha. I went with Yamaha. The KEF speakers deserve better amplification.

@ soix  Both are important. 2 channel and home theater that is why the AV store quoted it that way. 

@kofibaffour   Yes I’m open to suggestions and the room is12 x 20 with the 20’ length to the left and right 

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. 

@eltabor will you be open to a different recommendation. Some stuff I would keep from your second setup but some too I feel are overpriced for what you’re getting. Also how big is the room?