[miek_g]

Hi All,

I am just trying to get into my first audiophile system, I have a hodge podge at the moment.

my want is to get the Anthem MRX 540 (8K), but the Dennon AVR-X2700H is $1000 less and has built in Phono.  the $1000 would let me upgrade my Center or surrounds sooner.

what do you folks think? 

Current system:

Pioneer VSX-324 (yes I know bad choice, don't listen to best buy)
Center: Paradigm CC-170 v3.0
Front:  SpeakerCraft CS3, split in two.  it died so I pulled the main board and literally sawed in half.
                                      I will be moving them to the rears, upon upgrade 1 (XLS-Encore)
Rear:  JVC SX-XC60

[FullRangeMan]

Welcome to AC
Seems you are into a HT system.

[WGH]

I have an Anthem AVM60 processor so my guess the MRX540 would sound similar, which would be excellent for a receiver. I never heard a Denon.

Go for the Denon, it gets good reviews and will let you move up from your lobotomized speakers sooner.

[Doublej]

Why are you not considering the Denon AVR-X2800H?

[nlitworld]

What are you trying to accomplish with your system? Most 2ch music with occasional movies or are you a home theater enthusiast who happens to play music every once in a blue moon?

Anthem will have better amplifier stage and room correction software if you are diving into that. Built in phono stages are worth pennies on the dollar compared to a standalone unit. Most likely a Schiit Mani would outperform it. So if vinyl is in your future, stash a couple bucks aside for a basic setup and a good set of cables. Schiit Mani and some Blue Jeans Cables are an affordable start. Also, wait on splurging for 8K functionality until more content is actually being produced in it. Same goes for Atmos really. Had it, underwhelming experiences 97% of the time. A better used 4K receiver would be my choice. Also remember packing big watts is only cool if you're the type to flex in front of a mirror at the gym. Most instances it's pretty pointless as you're likely driving speakers between 1 to 8 watts of power. The extra money not spent maximizing your flexed out watts can be spent on speaker upgrades, better source gear and better cables.

Personally speaking, I was in your shoes a few years back. I still have my Pioneer Elite receiver (vsx-lx101), but I have upgraded everything around it (and slightly modded it) to where my stereo sounds much better than it did years ago. I am now finally at a point where I'm ready to upgrade to a tube integrated amp. Modern receivers are an ok start for the average hobbyist. I can guarantee a decent AVR is usually not the weak link in most people's audio systems.

-Lloyd

[Phil A]

Welcome - besides the above advice (need to decide your priorities), this site may have useful reviews - https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/receiver-processor/  and this may have some items you could browse - https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/avreceiver/home-audio/receivers-amps/home-theater-receivers/1.html

[ArthurDent]

Greetings & Welcome to AC miek   

[AllanS]

Welcome aboard!   I really appreciate nlitworld’s opening question.  What are you working towards?

I was in the same place a few years ago and leaning hard towards the MRX540.  I ended up with a NAD T758 and have been quite content. Something to consider, and one of the reasons for choosing the NAD, was cool running.  I intended to put the unit in an enclosed cabinet with fans and vents but was concerned about comments from folks saying the Class A/B Anthem runs fairly hot.  I cannot verify that but can say the Class D NAD hasn’t ever broken a sweat. 
 
The T758 is also 7.1 ch runs the well regarded Dirac Live and BlueOS.  If you’re considering network audio the BlueSound ecosystem is a good choice.  I didn’t know what I was getting myself into but have since added Vault 2i and PulseFlex2i and can’t imagine going back. 

I didn’t intend this to be a NAD sales pitch but it does highlight some of the things you might want to consider.  Or not.

If you want to stick with Anthem v Denon I totally agree with PhilA’s Accessories 4Less recommendation.  Denon and sister brand Marantz are regular offerings.  The NAD replaced an ‘96 vintage Denon AVR and we bought the daughter child a Denon AVR from A4Less a couple of years ago.  Both were and are fine.

Conventional wisdom is good speakers plugged into mediocre equipment will sound getter than good equipment playing through mediocre speakers.  Everyone has opinions, some more passionate than others, about the relative importance of speaker cables to house wiring and everything in between, including conductor oxygen content.  But I’ve not heard anyone disagree about speakers being the first and most important upgrade.

Balancing the budget and going the A4Less route I wouldn’t have any problem going down scale from the 2700 and put the difference towards speakers if that gets you the speakers you want.  Treat the lesser AVR as the first purchase of your second system or sell it when you’re in a position to upgrade the AVR. 

If there is a SO in your life who might question all of this, my best advice is to start laying the ground work early on.  That way they won’t flip out one night when you’re out walking the dog and you spring on them that you want upgrade the system.  They won’t be able to say, didn’t you just buy that #$&@*%! thing a couple of years ago!!!  It happens…

Best of luck!

[Digi-G]

Yeah, it's tricky for us to give advice when we don't really know what your goals, or priorities are.

Here's my experience and you can take for it what it's worth.  I've had several Denon receivers and really liked them.  My previous one I had for 15+ years - very happy with it until it started developing a high frequency hum/hiss.  It was the top of the line model in 1999.  I replaced it with a less expensive Denon unit (around 2016) that I feel is just 'meh'.  I've had a couple of the HDMI inputs fail and at this point I feel it's the weak link in my chain.  I'm considering replacing it with an Anthem AVM70.  I do music listening and home theater, probably close to 50/50.  I also like surround music, so I try to get the most out of my entire system (not just stereo).

I feel the Anthem would be a better purchase for you than the Denon (imho).  If I were into vinyl (I'm not, I'm more of a digital guy) I'd definitely go for an outboard phono, anyway.  I think it would be better quality and you could always get it later when the budget allows.

Just my .02 cents, or .02 dollars (but that sounds funny).  Anyway, good luck.  Keep us posted.

[artur9]

I recently got an Anthem (avm70) and really like it.  One thing about the more boutique brand, over mainstream like Denon, is that it's a little easier to flip when you're ready for that.

In terms of speakers, the OSD brand has been getting rave reviews from reliable sources and are dirt cheap.

[miek_g]

That is some great reading . Thank you everyone.

My current main focus is Home Theatre, I am happy with 5.1 and am happy with the 4k 60hz pass through of the HTIB I have.

I do like to throw my Vinyl on occasionally or Spotify, when I do the neighbours know what I am listening to.
I have seen reviews on the  Schiit Mani, that would be my next step after the Anthem.  I do have a cheap phone pre amp that gets the job done, but as the Denon has a built in I figured it would be better than my $20 amazon pre amp lol

I have auditioned a Marantz system with full Paradigm surrounds and am quite impressed.

It has been 10 years since I bought the HTIB from best buy with 4k 60hz pass through, so I expect this purchase to really be it, which is why I am leaning on 8k.

Currently 50yrs old so in another 10 years I don't expect to the amp shopping

I am a bit of a tinkerer, hence the soundbar cut down the center, it was a freebe so a fun project, I was going to build a box for them, and still may.
I am pretty much set on a kit, Gr-Research seem to have better caps than Css audio so my fronts and most likely center will be built.   I will probably grab a 10" sub from Css to upgrade my sub box (Polk Audio PSW10) . And try the halved Speakercraft Cs3 speakers as up firing rears, with the built in subs wall firing.

I just tried my hand at doing a 4wire braided 16awg loom for the sub and center and am going to try a 6wire 20 guage loom. Both of which end up being about 10awg and far better than the lamp cord I was running.