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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
bottleflow OP
10 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
10 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.
willland's avatar
willland
846 posts
 
Refurbished can have many meanings.  

1)Returned, deemed defective and repaired and then sold as refurb.
2)Returned not wanted(for any reason) and then sold as refurb.
3)Cosmetic flaw, returned and then sold as refurb.
4)Damaged during shipping, repaired and then sold as refurb.

I am sure there are others.

And yes, HDMI has not been the most reliable standard but I have had great luck with 95% of my HDMI pieces.

Bill

bottleflow OP
10 posts
 
So I have been reading NAD receiver manuals.  I am not understanding if I can set the fronts to one frequency cut-of point and the center to another.  Does the statement (The Speaker Configuration is “global”) mean if I select a cut-off point for one speaker it is used for all speakers?  

I am also guessing that the latest decode standards do no mean much to those using 5.1 and lower?

Also, if Audyssey is used to set up will it boast/lower the bass and treble settings?  Not sure I would want that altered and if so can any Audyssey result be independently altered but keep the other settings?  Are some finding it better to set up manually for a purer signal?

Sorry I am so AV challenged, I am trying to understand...    
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