Depends on your budget.
Suggeste you start with an Anthem AVR. If you still feel 2 channel is lacking, add a Luxman 507/509 integrated.
Suggeste you start with an Anthem AVR. If you still feel 2 channel is lacking, add a Luxman 507/509 integrated.
confused and don't know what to do
Do not buy a receiver. If you do, then at least don't waste money on good speakers. Anything connected to a receiver is just a waste. Only thing worse is multi-channel AV receivers. Its criminal they even sell those. What you want for music is two speakers, an integrated amp, and a turntable or (if you're one of those) CD player. Connected with the best wire you can afford. Whatever you do, don't go throwing money away on multi-channel. Look, think about it. Please. You already noticed you could hear a real difference going to better speakers. Well the same goes for the amp, the source, and the wires. Better costs more, and better sounds better. So you get 2 speakers, they are gonna sound better than any 5 you could buy for the same money. Ditto amp. Ditto wire. Not to mention you don't have the room anyway. Stereo. Integrated. Only way to go. |
Actually Miller you could not be futher from the truth. We have a state of the art Home Theater in my shop: KEF Reference Full Surround sound system, Audio Control Processor, Hegel C55 amplifier, all high end cables, Isotek power conditioning, treated room. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/audio-doctor-jersey-city?select=LYTdw0XSqJh2BIa6MaoiyA Here is the theater we built for Rev Run https://www.google.com/search?q=rev%20runs%20rennovation%20secret%20cinema&newwindow=1&clien... The point is that a really well executed Home Theater setup can sound fantastic for music as well. Unfortunatly really good Home Theater electronics are expensive, therefore the recommendation to get a great two channel amplifer such as a Hegel, Unison Research, Krell, Naim etc that can drive a great set of music speakers with the surround sound receiver powering the center and rears. Also the OP may really love Movies and Video so you can have your cake and eat it too it just depends on how you design the system. Dave and Troy Audio Doctor NJ: |
You say listening to music is the priority so I would start with a good integrated that leans to the warm side to go with the B&W 804's and a sub. If you are doing this in stages I would stop there and see if this 2.1 works for you with movies if not then look at adding the seperate surround processor to power you additional speakers needed. Unless you have a bunch of records or want to buy them forget the turntable suggestion that would start running to a lot of money.. |
To tie onto what audiotroy said, you could use a good 5.1 and just a 2 channel amp to drive the 804's with the 5.1 in bypass/preamp mode as AT mentioned. That's the simple solution and there are plenty of options to make that happen. Downside is an amp requires air space and may not be a practical solution for you. Again, budget and space limitations are your primary considerations, then buying to create the best sound you possibly can. |