Upgrade?


I getting back into the audio world after several years of sitting it out. Need speakers and a receiver to get started. I have been looking at older (5-8 years) "flagship" receivers like the Pioneer Elite VSX-49TXI or the Onkyo TX NR-1000. I know nothing about the video side so was thinking only about the stereo. Now, I'm not so sure. I am finding prices I can live with on new equipment on accessories for less site. Thought on a receiver that a newby would be happy with?

Speakers. I have alway been a fan of Definitive Technology and have been looking for a used pair of BP3s. I have also found some fair prices on Focal 814V chorus series. Can anyone compare the two for me? I have never listened to Focal home speakers but I know their car audio gear sounds amazing.

I also have a Hafler 500 that I can use to power the fronts or a Bedini 100/100 that is also sitting around doing nothing.

any advice is appreciated.

Thank you.
pcthlhown
Given your situation, its probably a very good idea if you were to go out and do some actual listening. Without developing a baseline for the type of sound you like, recommendations on a web site like this will tend to be very random. What part of the country do you live in? If there is a good retailer in your area, someone on this web site will almost certainly know about it.
A lot of the older flagship AV gear can be had for cheap since they do not have HDMI hook up. If you can live with component Y/Pb/Pr then you may want to go that route. Going forward the new products like TVs & DVD players are going to have HDMI. It may be of no concern if you are just using the gear for 2 channel.

The JM Lab speakers (Focal) that I have heard were all pretty bright and analytical.