Want to build up a new stereo.....opinions on choices?

[Meghan54]

Looking to build a new stereo system to replace my aging setup (Onkyo SR600 receiver, Mission M71 bookshelf speakers, Mission center, Polk 10" sub.)

I've almost committed to a Marantz SR6007 receiver, Paradigm speakers---either Studio 60's or 100's for fronts, Paradigm center, Paradigm Studio 10's or 20's for surrounds. OR----Paradigm Signature S2's for fronts, S1's for rears. Will be probably buying a Hsu sub to complement.

Any better speakers for the money I should be considering?

 

[JimKiler]

Well you cannot go wrong with Paradigm one of the only speaker companies still making their own speakers from scratch. I know at a local store everytime they upgrade the version of the higher end paradigm speakers people upgrade and the stores has tons of used old ones. Used speakers are a great deal if you want to save some money.

 

[JackBurton]

Paradigm speakers are a great choice. Quality speakers at a very competitive price point. I say go for it.

 

[Soccerman06]

Just so you know, denon owns marantz. Almost all marantz use denon parts and slap a shiny case around it. I would just go for denon and buy a 331x or 4311. As for your speaker choices, I own the 60s and 590 and would buy them again, however at this point I would upgrade to the 100 and 690 just for more output and slightly better low end (plus the center is much better). If you can afford it and have room the 100 and 690 are great. The Signature series are great but just not worth it for only HT, but if you listen to a great deal of music they might be.

 

[s44]

What's your use? HT? 2 channel music with some HT? 5.1 music?

 

[Meghan54]

Just so you know, denon owns marantz. Almost all marantz use denon parts and slap a shiny case around it. I would just go for denon and buy a 331x or 4311. As for your speaker choices, I own the 60s and 590 and would buy them again, however at this point I would upgrade to the 100 and 690 just for more output and slightly better low end (plus the center is much better). If you can afford it and have room the 100 and 690 are great. The Signature series are great but just not worth it for only HT, but if you listen to a great deal of music they might be.

I've considered the Denon line, but the Marantz just looks better.....cleaner face.

As for size of speakers and space, I don't think I'm going to have a wealth of space to work with. The size/shape of the room the system will be going into is an unknown as of yet.....we're selling our property on Cape Cod and moving back down to the SE. Haven't bought anything down there yet, but it won't be huge at all. So, that's why I'm mostly looking at bookshelf speakers as my mains, even with their ultimate output being decreased compared to towers.

What's your use? HT? 2 channel music with some HT? 5.1 music?

A mix of AV and music. Music is almost exclusively 2 channel....never have grown to like surround music.

 

[Soccerman06]

If your not going to have room for the towers then you might want to upgrade to the http://www.paradigm.com/products/pr...reference/30th-anniversary-series/inspiration . Supposedly they sound much better

 

[alkemyst]

budget?

 

[s44]

budget?

From the Paradigm baseline options it looks like $2-3k for the front pair.

I'd look at Salk SongTowers with ribbon tweeter... or the bookshelf version (SongSurround II) also with the ribbon.

Of course, if you're worried about output... ugly but effective.

 

[alkemyst]

From the Paradigm baseline options it looks like $2-3k for the front pair.

I'd look at Salk SongTowers with ribbon tweeter... or the bookshelf version (SongSurround II) also with the ribbon.

parts <> budget, but thanks.

 

[sdifox]

Just so you know, denon owns marantz. Almost all marantz use denon parts and slap a shiny case around it. I would just go for denon and buy a 331x or 4311. As for your speaker choices, I own the 60s and 590 and would buy them again, however at this point I would upgrade to the 100 and 690 just for more output and slightly better low end (plus the center is much better). If you can afford it and have room the 100 and 690 are great. The Signature series are great but just not worth it for only HT, but if you listen to a great deal of music they might be.

Not exactly. Denon and Marantz merged in 2002.

They are part of D&M Holdings

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D&M_Holdings

 

[alkemyst]

in all these battles you will find even if manufactured together, they are different.

 

[JackBurton]

Not exactly. Denon and Marantz merged in 2002.

They are part of D&M Holdings

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D&M_Holdings

Yep, and until recently McIntosh was owned by D&M Holdings. And I can tell you a McIntosh unit is in a whole different class than Denon.

 

[Meghan54]

Budget....around $2K-$3K for front speakers, $1000-$1200 for receiver, center and surrounds will be chosen after choosing mains. $1K for a good sub.

 

[JimKiler]

Yep, and until recently McIntosh was owned by D&M Holdings. And I can tell you a McIntosh unit is in a whole different class than Denon.

D&M Holdings also owns Boston Acoustics. Back when D&M was our client i got a partner discount on Marantz and Denon. I went with Denon because i tried a Marantz and the interface sucked eggs and the remote had important functions on the backside under a flip panel. But i have it is has improved greatly since then. I bought my Marantz 7002 about 6 years ago.

Even if the parts are the same the menu and interfaces are completely different.

The plus to buying Marantz is they have an awesome universal remote which i will keep even after my receiver dies. It has a sensor so you just have to aim you other remote at this one to get it to mimic whatever you want. No codes needed.