Kenwood VRS-7100 and "Bright" speakers (Paradigm)

Latency · « **on:** 9 Dec 2004, 06:27 pm »

Hello all, this is my first ever post on this forum. I've been a member at www.hometheaterforum.com for quite a while. I stumbled here from a link posted about digital recievers. Here's my story and I'll explain it the best I can

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I just recently purchased a Pioneer VSX-1014TX from a local store. My front soundstage consists of Paradigm Monitor 7's and Monitor CC370. For a sub, I made my own, it's a 15" Adire Tempest in a 194 litre box tuned to 18Hz. I use this setup for 50% movies and 50% music. The music I listen to is mainly electronic (the band Orbital being 90% of what I listen to). While I'm happy with my Pioneer, I can't help but to be curious with all of this "digital-amp" hype. I called my dealer today and they said they had no problem with me trading in my Pioneer for a Kenwood VRS-7100 (and they'll even give me a $150 credit after the fact). They don't stock JVC or Panny ..... which is unfortunate becaue I'm hearing really good things about the Panny XR50. So my questions are:

1 - How does the Kenwood compare to the other brands of budget digital recievers out there ? I've read some of the other threads but there was not really a conclusion .......

2 - How well do you think these digital recievers would sound with electronic music when compared to the regular analog designs ?

3 - Because my speakers are considered to be "bright", would they be straining with the Kenwood ?

4 - And is power handling an issue with the Kenwood VRS-7100 ? I don't listen to movies or music very loud, but once in a while it's fun.

I know auditioning is the best thing to do, and I plan on doing that this weekend. But my problem is that my dealer does not carry Paradigm, so it's won't be the most accurate audition. Second, I want to know if it's worth the hassle of packing up my Pioneer and doing the exchange process.

Any input would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks guys

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Latency · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Dec 2004, 06:38 pm »

I almost forgot. I am aware that the Kenwood as no Multi-Chan inputs and small "spring-loaded" binding posts. I don't mind the lack of 6ch analog inputs, but can I use my existing 12AWG speaker wire ? I know some of the spring loaded binding posts only fit 16 AWG wire. Thanks again

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TheChairGuy · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Dec 2004, 08:55 pm »

Latency,

I've ditched multiple $$$ thousand in amplification with the (bone stock) JVC RX-F10. You can find my glowing comments, and plenty of others, here in the Multi-Channel and Digital domain. It is not 'bright' or etched in it's sound quality....it's got the clarity of digital amps with an unusual degree of organic roundness to the music. I'm not a tube lover - it's not tube sound I hear. It's something much more akin to correct sounding than I thought I'd ever find for $250.00.

I have a $4500 front end hooked up thru analog inputs...and am quite satisfied. Empirically at least, my hearing is quite acute....taste is another matter. You don't mention whether you use, or plan to use, analog or digital inputs. The JVC is considerably better theu analog inputs, than digital. The Panny, and I believe the Kenwood you mention, it is the other way around. Their 'magic' is found thru the digital coax route. I've not heard either, so I can't A vs. B them...but there is at least one member that did. Keep searching; you'll find it.

The JVC is also $150 cheaper than the Kenwood...so dipping your toe in the digi pond will be less chilling.

The one thing that seems rather consisstent with all the digi or hybrid digi (which the JVC and the Tripath gear really is) is good power filtration. I use a BPT unit and the difference with and without it is vast. The JVC seems rather un-special thru the wall, but with power cleaned up considerably, seems uncanny that it's the same receiver.

I shoehorn 14 ga. aggregate CAT-6 cable into mine...12 guage won't fit.

Happy hunting

tex-amp · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Dec 2004, 10:16 pm »

Dang how'd I miss analog inputs with the F10? I just switched from digital to analog and it definately warmed things up.

Latency · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Dec 2004, 10:24 pm »

Thanks for the info chairguy. Sorry, I totally fogot to mention what inputs I'll be using. The only thing hooked up will be a DVD player via digital coax. That's it.

I would love to just run out and get the Panny, but the dealer allowing me to exchange my Pioneer only carries Kenwood when it comes to the digital line of recievers. He has the high end Harman Kardon and Sony digital recievers, but he's asking close to $2500 for em (CND prices). My biggest fear is trading in my Pioneer and getting something that sounds inferior. Maybe he'll let me take home the Kenwood for a few days to test out. That's probably the best thing.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Dec 2004, 10:32 pm »

Oooooo, didn't know you were in the Great White North.

The F10 is listed on JVC-Canada's website, I think, but no Canuck has seen hide nor hare of it in your stores there. Too bad.

Not that it matters. If the D/A conversion in your DVD blows, you wouldn't want to use it's analog inputs anyhow. The digital thru-put idea, with unmodded DVD player, seems to be a better idea for you. The D/A conversion would be better internally in the Kenwood, Panny, Sony, etc.

I don't remember if the HK models are Tripath...in which case, the HK's might be better thru the analog inputs, as well.

The Sony's, like the lowly JVC, is interesting because they use linear, not switching, power supplies....that they weigh a bit more than the others tells you they use transformers. Usually, a good thing that is.

tex-amp, welcome to the good life now man

tex-amp · « **Reply #6 on:** 10 Dec 2004, 06:13 am »

"tex-amp, welcome to the good life now man"

I didn't need a nice dac when I got up this morning and now I do.

geneylim · « **Reply #7 on:** 10 Dec 2004, 06:40 am »

Latency, you will not be disappointed by the Kenwood. I've owned almost all of the digital receivers, the 1014, and higher end two channel and multi-channel rigs. The difference in sound quality will amaze you. It's like a veil has been lifted from the speakers, especially with the Kenwood. I found that the Kenwood with proper break in seemed even more transparent than the Panny with a hint of midrange bloom that's perfect for music. I'm currently using the JVC because like Chairguy have found it to be extraordinary with two channel through its analog multi channel input. I now have a xr70 on order for my home theater because I have found the Pannys to be extraordinary for home theater. The Kenwood seems to be a compromise between the two, offering remarkable performance for both. Once you switch to the digital amp sound, you will have a hard time going back to analog amps. i tried to like the 1014, but after having the digital receivers in my system, I couldn't...it seemed like something was missing, or more accurately, something was added...a veil in front of my speakers. Power wise, the Kenwood should be fine with the Paradigms unless you like or need extreme volumes.
As far as electronic music, if it is well recorded it should be fine...again with this added transparency in these digital amps, the source material is usually required to be good for good results, like any high end system.

Nosferatu1923 · « **Reply #8 on:** 17 Dec 2004, 11:38 am »

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MaxCast · « **Reply #9 on:** 17 Dec 2004, 12:30 pm »

Quote from: tex-amp

I didn't need a nice dac when I got up this morning and now I do.

MaxCast · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 Dec 2004, 12:37 pm »

Quote from: Nosferatu1923

I in turn MUCH preferred the 1014 to the Kenwood or any of the Pannys.

Hey, your not helping much here

I like the pros of the digital amps and an "almost" straight digital path. I also like the 7.1 and MACC of the Pioneer....but it doesn't do it on the 5.1 ins