B&K separates or the AVR307?

Check out the B&K AVR 307 information forum for flagship receivers on ezboard. Many of the detailed threads there will address your concerns.

http://pub7.ezboard.com/faussiedvdandhtforumbkavr307informationforum

It's no contest!!!...trust me. The separates will be stronger, more dynamic, more musical, more 3 dimmensional, better detail, and better everything sonically! Receivers are ok for small monitors with a sub, crossed over at around 50hz and above!..that's it. However, If you can do separates, I would do it EVERY TIME!!! No receiver is worth more than $2k personaly. The powersuplly's are inherantly weak in ALL RECIEVERS!..Including Denon 5800 and similar.
We once did a shootout of Denon's old flag ship AVR5600 (150wX5) and Yamaha DSPA3090 receivers, driving some little B&W 601 speakers, and some full range Mirage M3 speakers for giggles. The receivers were rather lackluster on their own. Then, we used the Receivers (both) as preamps, and added a llttle modest Denon 2 channel dedicated power amp(POA8200) to drive the speakers full range on music. WOW!...it was not even close! Infact the receivers were flat put to shame by the little 125w/ch Denon power amp! The receivers amp sections basically sucked in comparison. I mean EVERY aspect of the sound was bettered using the dedicated SEPARATES amp instead.
To this day, I have never heard ANY receiver that could compete with separates overall.
So, if you can spring...I would

After 11 months of looking at every receiver and separates in the $1000 to $7500 range, I chose the AVR 307. It is unbelievable, and I did not notice a difference versus separates. B & K is a very solid choice.

I went through the same quandry appox 3 months ago. Did a little research found that the preamp/processer in the 305/307 is the reference 30. Check the stats on the power amps in the recievers 150/channel, by the time you make your best deal on the reciever the power amps are little to no cost. I bought the 305 had a extra 2 channel power amp and now enjoy 7 channels of rich HT and Great DVD AUDIO

Went down that road. Separates are better. B&K makes great pre/pros and good amps. For the money you can get a better amp. I have the REF 30 with an EAD powermaster 1000. What kind of speaker will you be using?
Tim