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I'm helping a friend put together a modest system, just a receiver, speakers, and CD player. She wants a receiver for FM so an integrated amp isn't considered. Probably no more than 50 watts will be needed. The speakers will be ELAC B5s.
It could be a stereo receiver or AV, but she would only utilize the front stereo pair outputs. This is not an area I follow. Based on general reputation I'm thinking of something from Yamaha, Onkyo, etc.
Specific model recommendations would help if you have experience with one. Thanks
"The piano ain't got no wrong notes." Thelonious Monk
Follow Ups:
Outlaw Audio.
I should have included in my initial post that only new with warranty would be considered. She lives too far away for me to be of immediate help which used might require.
If anyone is interested, she ordered the Yamaha that Martin suggested. It offers everything she needs and for a very reasonable price.
The speakers turned out to be an interesting experience. When she visited me I had two models for her to audition, both smaller stand mounted 2-ways designed by Andrew Jones. I expected she would chose the current ELAC B5 which I'd heard at the Newport Show over a year ago. Instead she preferred the older Pioneer BS22. And I agreed with her. They offered a bit more presence, dynamics, and slightly fuller bass. They were amazing for such modestly priced speakers.
"The piano ain't got no wrong notes." Thelonious Monk
Good to hear, hope she likes the Yammy.
Martin
How about any one of those in the Trader.
hi tim,
it looks like you have been well advised. the cambridge is quite alluring but the hk is half the money but seems to lack a phono. it IS pretty in person with its blue circle of light around the gain control.
the cambridge does have a phono with mm/mc capability. probably more solid.
let us know what you select. those ELACS do well with 100wpc!
...regards...tr
As mentioned previously, the HK300 **DOES** have a MM phono input. See the spec sheet https://www.harmanaudio.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dw54473e6b/pdfs/Specification%20Sheet%20-%20HK3700%20(English).pdf
mt
...regards...tr
nt
Thanks to those who replied.
I tried to keep my post brief but only new is considered. She is not technically inclined so nothing used, only new with warranty. And she lives 350 miles from me so I would not be testing it or setting it up.
The Bluetooth may be a good idea. I have no interest so didn't consider that, but it might expand options for her.
"The piano ain't got no wrong notes." Thelonious Monk
If new and wireless capabilities are not a requirement a receivers from the mid 70's may be a good option, they are going to sound as good as the current stuff out there! Marantz, Pioneer, Sansui et al. Just make sure it is a freshen unit
Good luck
Edits: 07/30/17 07/30/17
Check Parts Express, great prices on receivers and with a customer service department second to none. Picked up a couple of Sherwood receivers for my sons a couple of yrs ago, still going strong without a single hiccup. The nice Yamaha unit above is currently on sale for $149, but I see they're on back order until 8/25, not surprising at that price for a 100watt/channel Yamaha receiver.
Martin
For real high fidelity at a reasonable cost, Cambridge.
bigshow
The lowest cost Cambridge receiver is twice what the H-K costs, and doesn't include a DAC or any network stream playback features.The Cambridge electronics might be somewhat better, but it's unlikely anyone could hear the difference on those $230-per-pair Elac speakers.
Don't get me wrong- they're fine speakers for a small system, but they just don't have the kind of resolution or drive requirements that would make audible any differences between the amplifier sections of these two receivers.
So, for no discernible improvement in sound quality, the Cambridge offers less capability for twice the price.
Edits: 07/30/17
I think you couldn't go wrong with a Harman Kardon HK 3700
These sell for $250 BRAND NEW (shop around) and offer decent power ( 85 watts / channel ) phono input, tuner, AND digital inputs and network streaming playback ability.
H-K has a good reputation. I doubt you would hear any difference between this and Yamaha, Sony, Onkyo, Denon, etc. in your setup.
It's not cheap, but nice and good looking.
If I didn't need a turntable, I would probably have an Oppo Blu-Ray disc player with a power amplifier to drive my speakers, unless I bought powered speakers instead of passive speakers. Of course, I like having a combined audio/video system so the Oppo is basically the heart of my system. It plays everything digital and rather than using a tuner, I'd use internet radio. It seems like you can get everything on the internet. In fact, I got rid of cable TV because I can't stand commercials. I primarily watch Netflix and listen to Pandora when I'm not listening to records and hi-res digital. I'd go with a universal digital player like the new Oppo UDP-203 or UDP-205.
Best regards,
John Elison
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