5.1 Speaker options $3000 budget

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37 posts

Geek

#966400 13-Jan-2014 19:17

After waiting over 2 weeks for JBHiFi to deliver the Sony STRDN1040 receiver I cancelled the order. So I am on the hunt for a mid range receiver. Thinking the Onkyo 828 or the Yamaha 675. Anyone had any experience with these. I will be able to demo them soon but if anyone has some advice again it is appreciated.

Dunnersfella

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#966408 13-Jan-2014 19:34

The RXV675 is a great receiver in its category, never listened to the Onkyo...
The Denon and Marantz's around that category do a good job too. Toughly competitive area of the market.

afe66

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#966410 13-Jan-2014 19:43

Not Surprise the 1040 is in short supply after getting What HiFi product of the year.

I went for the Denon x3000.

Being able to program the power to mute on power on has probably already paid for itself as small children like turning the volume upto max then pressing the power button. I also wanted the flac spotify network features.

A.

Regs

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Snowflake

#966496 13-Jan-2014 22:07

if you haven't bought speakers yet, check out the post here for Kef KHT speaker set. I have these, in sliver, and am really happy with them. http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=77&topicid=138696

Finknz

37 posts

Geek

#966559 14-Jan-2014 08:38

Dunnersfella: The RXV675 is a great receiver in its category, never listened to the Onkyo...
The Denon and Marantz's around that category do a good job too. Toughly competitive area of the market.

Sure is! Its hard to differentiate them so I guess I take it down to what features are missing off any models. The Onkyo TX-NR828 has Wifi and Bluetooth and a phono input (good for my vinyl) the Yamaha RX-V675 doesn't so I would have to add on $300-$400+ for dongle and pre amp. The Denon X3000 looks good although I am trying to work out if its worth paying the extra $300 over the Onkyo's rrp $1499.

Going to demo them this afternoon so will report back later!

Robbiey60

12 posts

Geek

#966759 14-Jan-2014 12:57

Finknz: After waiting over 2 weeks for JBHiFi to deliver the Sony STRDN1040 receiver I cancelled the order. So I am on the hunt for a mid range receiver. Thinking the Onkyo 828 or the Yamaha 675. Anyone had any experience with these. I will be able to demo them soon but if anyone has some advice again it is appreciated.

I have an onkyo 705, midrange receiver for its day. 1st of the hdmi codec capable units and thx select 2 certified. Only 90w×7 but I now use external amps. Very good units imo. When I upgrade it will be another onkyo or a more expensive seperate pre/pro unit. Have no experience with yamaha.

Robbiey60

12 posts

Geek

#966762 14-Jan-2014 13:03

Finknz: After waiting over 2 weeks for JBHiFi to deliver the Sony STRDN1040 receiver I cancelled the order. So I am on the hunt for a mid range receiver. Thinking the Onkyo 828 or the Yamaha 675. Anyone had any experience with these. I will be able to demo them soon but if anyone has some advice again it is appreciated.

I would look for something with audessey xt32, good dac,s (burr brown preferably) and pre-outs. I myself wouldnt worry too much about video processing, the more audio capabilities the better.

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Finknz

37 posts

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#966866 14-Jan-2014 15:12

Well after the demo I am sold on the Paradigm Monitor 11s. Good deal on them sealed it. As for the receivers its down to the Denon AVRX 3000 and the Marantz SR6007. The didn't stock the Onkyo. The Marantz which usually retails for $2000-2500k was offered for $1500 so I need to do some homework on that model. Its very tempting.

jonathan18

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#966940 14-Jan-2014 16:18

Finknz: Well after the demo I am sold on the Paradigm Monitor 11s. Good deal on them sealed it. As for the receivers its down to the Denon AVRX 3000 and the Marantz SR6007. The didn't stock the Onkyo. The Marantz which usually retails for $2000-2500k was offered for $1500 so I need to do some homework on that model. Its very tempting.

What did you pay for the Paradigms, if you don't mind me asking? They're not a brand you see much around NZ, but typically they offer great value for money (and don't receive the polarised response that some brands such as B&W "enjoy").

I've still got a pair of 9SEs that I've had for about 15 years and I still love their sound (a bit bass-weak, especially for floor-standers, but for HT duties the sub fills in the bottom anyway).

Finknz

37 posts

Geek

#966964 14-Jan-2014 16:58

jonathan18:
Finknz: Well after the demo I am sold on the Paradigm Monitor 11s. Good deal on them sealed it. As for the receivers its down to the Denon AVRX 3000 and the Marantz SR6007. The didn't stock the Onkyo. The Marantz which usually retails for $2000-2500k was offered for $1500 so I need to do some homework on that model. Its very tempting.

What did you pay for the Paradigms, if you don't mind me asking? They're not a brand you see much around NZ, but typically they offer great value for money (and don't receive the polarised response that some brands such as B&W "enjoy").

I've still got a pair of 9SEs that I've had for about 15 years and I still love their sound (a bit bass-weak, especially for floor-standers, but for HT duties the sub fills in the bottom anyway).

The Paradigm 11s were offered for $1799 which is around 700 off rrp. The bass on these was excellent, I would not need a sub straight away. Due to my current arrangement (between homes and living with the outlaws) I may just end up taking the advice of starting with the fronts and making my way through the rest of the speakers as the budget allows. The financial advisor came along and listened to them and was convinced that a $3000 budget was too low. Her stocks are rising.

Dunnersfella

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#967205 14-Jan-2014 23:05

Finknz:
Dunnersfella: The RXV675 is a great receiver in its category, never listened to the Onkyo...
The Denon and Marantz's around that category do a good job too. Toughly competitive area of the market.

Sure is! Its hard to differentiate them so I guess I take it down to what features are missing off any models. The Onkyo TX-NR828 has Wifi and Bluetooth and a phono input (good for my vinyl) the Yamaha RX-V675 doesn't so I would have to add on $300-$400+ for dongle and pre amp. The Denon X3000 looks good although I am trying to work out if its worth paying the extra $300 over the Onkyo's rrp $1499.

Going to demo them this afternoon so will report back later!

Top tip...
Wifi on home theatre amps is normally a recipe for a frustrating experience.
Hard wire, hard wire, hard wire.
Built in bluetooth has yet to impress me either... whereas DLNA or Airplay seem to be the best of the bunch (especially if you hardwire). Maybe add an Airport Express to the Onkyo, or go with DLNA only?
The phono input is found on the next Yamaha up, but you could look at an external phono stage for the RXV675.

I'd be tempted by the SR6007 for the price offered, but you'd want to see what the replacement SR6008 brings to the market first IMHO.

Finknz

37 posts

Geek

#967220 15-Jan-2014 00:54

Dunnersfella:
Finknz:
Dunnersfella: The RXV675 is a great receiver in its category, never listened to the Onkyo...
The Denon and Marantz's around that category do a good job too. Toughly competitive area of the market.

Sure is! Its hard to differentiate them so I guess I take it down to what features are missing off any models. The Onkyo TX-NR828 has Wifi and Bluetooth and a phono input (good for my vinyl) the Yamaha RX-V675 doesn't so I would have to add on $300-$400+ for dongle and pre amp. The Denon X3000 looks good although I am trying to work out if its worth paying the extra $300 over the Onkyo's rrp $1499.

Going to demo them this afternoon so will report back later!

Top tip...
Wifi on home theatre amps is normally a recipe for a frustrating experience.
Hard wire, hard wire, hard wire.
Built in bluetooth has yet to impress me either... whereas DLNA or Airplay seem to be the best of the bunch (especially if you hardwire). Maybe add an Airport Express to the Onkyo, or go with DLNA only?
The phono input is found on the next Yamaha up, but you could look at an external phono stage for the RXV675.

I'd be tempted by the SR6007 for the price offered, but you'd want to see what the replacement SR6008 brings to the market first IMHO.

Yes after having a good think tonight I realised that despite not having the hard wiring available now I would certainly get it sorted for a new home. So wireless isnt necessary. I will get them to hook up the paradigms to both receivers this weekend and see who wins. As the Marantz is a demo model its the last one so I dont know what the procedure is if I had any issues after purchase. The Denon is looking good, reviews seem positive enough. Demo will reveal more no doubt.

jonathan18

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#967246 15-Jan-2014 06:52

Finknz:
jonathan18:
Finknz: Well after the demo I am sold on the Paradigm Monitor 11s. Good deal on them sealed it. As for the receivers its down to the Denon AVRX 3000 and the Marantz SR6007. The didn't stock the Onkyo. The Marantz which usually retails for $2000-2500k was offered for $1500 so I need to do some homework on that model. Its very tempting.

What did you pay for the Paradigms, if you don't mind me asking? They're not a brand you see much around NZ, but typically they offer great value for money (and don't receive the polarised response that some brands such as B&W "enjoy").

I've still got a pair of 9SEs that I've had for about 15 years and I still love their sound (a bit bass-weak, especially for floor-standers, but for HT duties the sub fills in the bottom anyway).

The Paradigm 11s were offered for $1799 which is around 700 off rrp. The bass on these was excellent, I would not need a sub straight away. Due to my current arrangement (between homes and living with the outlaws) I may just end up taking the advice of starting with the fronts and making my way through the rest of the speakers as the budget allows. The financial advisor came along and listened to them and was convinced that a $3000 budget was too low. Her stocks are rising.

Good deal! What shop was that at?

One idea is to keep an eye out on TM for other Paradigm speakers for your centre and surrounds. They're not common but do come up occasionally. At one point I had Paradigms all round (well, 5 speakers; no sub at that point), but sold the rears when we shifted into the current house (no suitable space for full-sized rears) - I regret that decision as, when I had the opportunity to build a HT, I ended up having to buy new rears (but I sensibly had kept my CC350 centre).

WyleECoyoteNZ

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#967660 15-Jan-2014 16:34

I'd suggest considering options like whether the receiver has phono ports, useful if you want to invest in a turntable to play records on in the future.

Also whether the receiver has a 4k upscaling or 4k pass thru.

I think that the Onkyo TX-NR828 handles both 4k upscaling and has the phono ports as well.

Finknz

37 posts

Geek

#974267 25-Jan-2014 19:54

jonathan18:
Finknz:
jonathan18:
Finknz: Well after the demo I am sold on the Paradigm Monitor 11s. Good deal on them sealed it. As for the receivers its down to the Denon AVRX 3000 and the Marantz SR6007. The didn't stock the Onkyo. The Marantz which usually retails for $2000-2500k was offered for $1500 so I need to do some homework on that model. Its very tempting.

What did you pay for the Paradigms, if you don't mind me asking? They're not a brand you see much around NZ, but typically they offer great value for money (and don't receive the polarised response that some brands such as B&W "enjoy").

I've still got a pair of 9SEs that I've had for about 15 years and I still love their sound (a bit bass-weak, especially for floor-standers, but for HT duties the sub fills in the bottom anyway).

The Paradigm 11s were offered for $1799 which is around 700 off rrp. The bass on these was excellent, I would not need a sub straight away. Due to my current arrangement (between homes and living with the outlaws) I may just end up taking the advice of starting with the fronts and making my way through the rest of the speakers as the budget allows. The financial advisor came along and listened to them and was convinced that a $3000 budget was too low. Her stocks are rising.

Good deal! What shop was that at?

One idea is to keep an eye out on TM for other Paradigm speakers for your centre and surrounds. They're not common but do come up occasionally. At one point I had Paradigms all round (well, 5 speakers; no sub at that point), but sold the rears when we shifted into the current house (no suitable space for full-sized rears) - I regret that decision as, when I had the opportunity to build a HT, I ended up having to buy new rears (but I sensibly had kept my CC350 centre).

The shop was at Mason Appliances in New Plymouth, ask for Kev. I got the Denon 3000 and Paradigm 11's this morning and have hooked everything up. Amazing, will still so much tweaking yet to do. Thanks for the advice given in this thread. I think the best advice I got was build a system slowly. Looking forward to purchasing the centre and surrounds next.

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