Amp/Preamp or AVR for home stereo and entertainment


Looking to get an AVR or amp/preamp setup to go with a possible combination of speakers, devices, and a television. What I have: a Samsung 55" 1080p LED smart tv, a Technics turntable of reasonable quality, and some speakers. The speakers are as follows: KEF Carmina II's (8ohm, recommended 80-150w), Spica TC-50's (4ohm), Fortura 12 Heil AMTs, and some powered 20w Yamahas that I could use for rear surrounds. Maybe Even some little Braun bookshelf speakers. The Forturas are unfortunately missing the tweeters, perhaps the only reason they were ever any good in the first place. No less, a 12" woofer has to be good for something, right? I don't have a subwoofer yet, so maybe they could take that role. I know that the Spica's are supposed to have great soundstaging but drop off a bit on the highs and fall apart low down so more or less require a subwoofer. Figure the KEF's are the best bet as the speakers of choice for a stereo set up. Maybe the Spica's. This stuff is all quite vintage but in seemingly decent condition.

I'm thinking I'd like the stereo (2 channels) to be the focus, with the television's audio secondary. Are there some all in one receivers of relative quality that can do this? Do AVRs exist that can drive a dedicated stereo set up and sound great to boot? Should I ditch these old speakers and buy a whole new setup? I'll need a CD player too, as my primary physical media collection is such. I have a blu-ray player which will in play and could in theory use it for the CDs but might prefer a dedicated unit.  I was looking at the Denon S930h for sub $600, but I noticed it doesn't have a phono input, and that it really is enhanced for various HD inputs, upscaling, and surround sound processing. I like film and tv, but I will need to get the most out of the cds and digital media. Blue tooth, USB, line in, wifi, even HDMI etc. These are all a plus, which is why this unit was attractive. Also, the power output seems adequate for the speakers I've got.

Oh, and is there any way I can get some use out of the 12" woofers in the Fortura towers? The tweeters are long gone and apparently very expensive/hard to find. Can I wire them in series to the KEFs? My knowledge of electricity is limited.

Budget, ideally, is less than $1000, including AVR or amp/preamp, cables and the CD player.

Naturally, I'm looking for quality on a relative budget. What else is new? Thanks in advance!


128x128samgoldenberg
Next question!

For wireless connectivity when in the mood for laptop DJ mode, which are the better wireless audio adapters? Do you have to get applications with all of them? All I want to do is buy a device that I can plug into RCA/Optical input, and play from my Apple laptop's iTunes. Chromecast looks a bit too tied in to Google, but I could be wrong. Apple Airplay? If I am going to get an Apple TV anyway, maybe it is moot? But at least with the airplay, so far as I understand it, I won't have to have it "turned on" like I would the Apple TV, to allow for streaming. Also, I think blue tooth is out as the sound quality is not what I'd like to hear. I see there are clearly some audiophile grade devices, but which ones rise above the rest, in regards to quality of sound reproduction, ease of use, and cost? 

Thanks, as always.
Here's a question:

What sort of AC Regenerator/Surge protector is needed for a set up like this? I know of the Panamax brand, but not which model would bode well for this system. 
Sam,

On the low end, I recommend Furman with SMP and LiFT. Really good bargains for the noise they remove.

Shop around and you can get them for real discounts.

After this, PS Audio has a nice range.

Best,


E
Furman PST-8D on it's way, and the Integra 80.3 has been purchased! Emails and evidence that it went back to Onkyo for the HDMI board replacement/fix, and it test drove just fine. Guy was a real mensch, through in all of the missing cables I needed to get the whole rig fired up - MIT EXP S2 speaker cables, among other things... Whoa, doggy!