2. home-theater
  3. 119831-18445

Need a processor and matching amp for about $1k

Have been playing with horns lately and got a pair of Klipsch KLF-20 speakers (horn tweeter and mids w/two 10 inch woofers). The whole family seems to enjoy them as we have been using them in a 2.0 HT system watching movies. (I have a totally separate system for 2 channel music) Works great if you are sitting dead center but pulls to the closest speaker otherwise. So I found a center KLF-C7 (large horn and two 8 inch mid/woofers) to match to try a 3.1 set-up. As I am a 2 channel guy I need some advice. Got $650 in the Klipsch speakers and have an Outlaw LFM-1 EX 12 inch Subwoofer. I have searched for used sets of pro/amps but they are either not paired up or the processor has no HDMI ports. I am currently using an NAD 2 channel C270 amp (120 watts) and preamp set and am pretty happy with the balance. It is set up in our living room that is about 12’ x 28’ with a vaulted ceiling, we are 10 feet away from the 55 inch LCD. Left side is closed to form an actual corner, with an opening behind us to the kitchen, and the right opens up to the front of the house/dining room behind us in a split foyer home. The Klipsch are very dynamic and have good clarity for dialog and we have no problem with having enough power. Thinking they need be mated to electronics that are a tad on the warm side of life. I am trying to keep the price down to $1000. Is the Outlaw 975 pro/5000 amp combo a good fit?
bottleflow
sufentanil's avatar
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sufentanil
782 posts
 
I think that at this price point you'd do much better with a home theater receiver rather than a pre/pro and separate multi-channel amp.

Most modern HT receivers have built in calibration such as Audyssey, where you can locate the microphone at various sitting locations to try to optimize the acoustics.

I would consider units from such manufacturers as Yamaha, Denon, Marantz, Integra, and NAD.  They all make great products.  And your $1,000 will go much further with a good HT receiver than separates.

Michael
willland's avatar
willland
846 posts
 
You are right about the KLF-20 being dynamic.  They are beasts that play loud and clear.  I have been using an NAD pre-pro/Acurus amps combo to drive my Klipsch RF-63 system and the combination is wonderful.  The 63's are probably not quite as revealing as the KLF-20s but do also excel with dynamics.

As mentioned maybe a used or refurbished flagship AVR or near flagship would help keep your cost in line with your budget.  An NAD T775HD2 may be an option but it comes in about $300.00 over your $1000.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/receivers-nad-t-775hd2-t775hd2-3d-ready-home-theater-receiver-with...

Or the T765HD2 at your $1000.00 budget.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/receivers-nad-t765hd2-t-765hd2-3d-ready-av-receiver-with-warranty-...

Bill




bottleflow OP
11 posts
 
Any other way to approach this then? Not thrilled with buying a receiver with 200 ports with an ok amp section. If the processor has issues I will then have to trash the whole kit and kaboodle.

I suppose the Outlaw stuff is not well received here. If I pony up more, is there a reasonably priced, basic HDMI processor to look at and then maybe find 2 used stereo amps or possibly several monoblocks? Is the mic set-up a must for good HT sound? I have played with 2 channel only since the late 70’s so I am green here. In looking at HT equipment it seems it is either cheap junk or an overpriced gizmo box with a bunch of lights and features. I am more interested in sound quality than flash. Thank you for your patience/help!
willland's avatar
willland
846 posts
 
I am very happy with my NAD T175HD pre/pro. Found here on Audiogon from Spearit Sound for $899.00 refurbished. Not "latest and greatest" Atmos capable but very musical(for a pre/pro) and Audyssey MultEQ XT.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/processors-nad-t175hd-t-175hd-preamp-processor-with-manufacturer-s...

Oh, I think Outlaw(ATI) builds nice stuff at it’s price point and target market.

You could also look at some of the Marantz preamp/processor offerings at A4less.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/marav7702/marantz-av7702-11.2-channel-networking-a...

Bill
bottleflow OP
11 posts
 
Been doing more reading and getting more confused. I am not understanding why there are so many refurbished units all over, some 5 or more years old. Reading a lot of complaints of the units not functioning correctly, shutting down/freezing. Many pro/pre’s are several thousand and are unwanted in a few years. I get the impression many manufactures are not interested in building processors and if they do, they want a ton of money for them. Seems like it should be the disposable or easily upgrade-able part of the equation with the race for newer standards but with the silly prices you can’t. Why is this piece of equipment so hard to get right/working reliably?  It has been decades.  Do they not want to or is the HDMI standard flawed? 2 channel is a whole lot easier!!!!! Thanks.
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