What Avr For Quad Speakers?

[Garincha]

Hi again

I have been busily auditioning speakers for a new HT/stereo system. So far I have listened to B&Ws, Focals, Paradigms, Monitor Audio & Quads. Out of these I was most impressed with the quads (L12s) music ability however I will be combining them with an AVR and I'm concerned that most AVRs may not do them the justice that a 2-channel amp would.

So far the AVR contenders are

Pioneer LX60 - sounded very good with Monitor Audio RS1s for Movies and quite good for music.

Marantz 7002 - Haven't been able to listen to it but i've been told it's a good match for B&Ws

Denon 2808 - Not sure on this one as it seems short on features & I've been told it's not so good with MAs

Onkyo 606 - This has all the connections I require and it's also the cheapest but I have haven't been able to listen to any of the speakers in combination with it, so I have concerns it may sound too harsh or "firm" with say the Quads

So I guess I'm wondering if do get Quads what would be the best AVR to match for music quality. My budget at the moment is about $3k for a an AVR and a pair bookshelf speakers with a view to adding a CC + Sw at some stage. If I decided on a cheaper AVR such as the 606 the I could afford to get the Quad 22 floor standers otherwise I would be limited to bookshelf speakers.

Many thanks for any sagely advice or constructive criticism

[goldgxl]

i've got a set of quad 22l2's, got them about 3-4 months ago. centre channel l2 is on order.

am using it with an onkyo 705 now (upgraded from a 605 recently), it has line-level outs for each of its 7.1 channels so that I can add a power amp for the front channels into the future.

i'm pleased with my purchase, they look and sound terrific.

i upgraded from a set of heybrook studio monitors. similar mellow sound with significantly better bass response.

Buy the best speakers you can afford and then get your avr.

Denon's have always had a reputation for being "musical" but i'm happy with my onkyo for the time being.

Edited June 16, 2008 by goldgxl

[glennb]

The most musical of the above would be the Marantz, followed by the Denon IMHO.

[Garincha]

Thanks for the response Goldgxl,

I was just wondering how far you have to place your 22L2's out from the wall as I have a smallish living (4m x 5m) room to work with at the moment and I read somewhere that 350mm was recommended ?.

Did you order the L2 cc 3-4 months ago?, that seems like quite a long wait for a product that's made in asia.

Also how did the 22L'2s compare to the 12L2's as I didn't get a chance to try the floor standers, something I may have to organise soon.

Thanks

[goldgxl]

I was just wondering how far you have to place your 22L2's out from the wall as I have a smallish living (4m x 5m) room to work with at the moment and I read somewhere that 350mm was recommended ?.

Not sure exactly, I just kept moving them until they sounded spot on.

Did you order the L2 cc 3-4 months ago?, that seems like quite a long wait for a product that's made in asia.

No, I ordered it on Monday after playing with the Onkyo 705 for a few days.

Also how did the 22L'2s compare to the 12L2's as I didn't get a chance to try the floor standers, something I may have to organise soon.

No idea, I was shopping for floor standers so didn't listen to the bookshelf speakers.

Edited June 17, 2008 by goldgxl

[Garincha]

No, I ordered it on Monday after playing with the Onkyo 705 for a few days.

Ok thats good to know, I've been reading a bit on how popular some of the Quad speakers are, particularly in black although most of those stories are from the UK.

Anyway I'm still a bit confused & undecided, I think I've changed my mind 10 times today, possibly more.

The options I have narrowed it down to are:

A) Marantz 7002 + Quad 12L2s

Onkyo 606/705 + Quad 22L2s

C) Pioneer LX60 + Monitor Audio RS6

My budget is around the $3k I think all these combinations should be close to that, if anyone has some comments to add I would greatly appreciate the feedback.

Thanks

[goldgxl]

Ok thats good to know, I've been reading a bit on how popular some of the Quad speakers are, particularly in black although most of those stories are from the UK.

Anyway I'm still a bit confused & undecided, I think I've changed my mind 10 times today, possibly more.

The options I have narrowed it down to are:

A) Marantz 7002 + Quad 12L2s

Onkyo 606/705 + Quad 22L2s

C) Pioneer LX60 + Monitor Audio RS6

My budget is around the $3k I think all these combinations should be close to that, if anyone has some comments to add I would greatly appreciate the feedback.

Thanks

I paid $900 for the 705 and $1900 for the 22l2's.

[Geoffski]

I've heard that quads are power hungry so you might want to consider a power amp + (cheap?) avr. The guy who said it sounds great on his avr may not have A/B'd. I really don't know what's out there for ~$3K but I'd suggest importing from HK -- you'll pay almost half aussie retail, 2-3 day EMS shipping included.

Re: quad requirements; admittedly this is just what I've read and been advised by a quad owner, I've no first-hand experience -- just something to think about.

(As an aside my Gallos when powered via a power amp do sound much better than the AVR alone -- I use a Sunfire amp + Denon avr for pre).

Edited June 17, 2008 by Geoffrey

[Garincha]

I've heard that quads are power hungry so you might want to consider a power amp + (cheap?) avr. The guy who said it sounds great on his avr may not have A/B'd. I really don't know what's out there for ~$3K but I'd suggest importing from HK -- you'll pay almost half aussie retail, 2-3 day EMS shipping included.

Re: quad requirements; admittedly this is just what I've read and been advised by a quad owner, I've no first-hand experience -- just something to think about.

(As an aside my Gallos when powered via a power amp do sound much better than the AVR alone -- I use a Sunfire amp + Denon avr for pre).

That's interesting and something to consider i guess. It would rule the 606 out because it doesn't have the pre-outs, but I still have my doubts that I would require extra power with my modest listening requirements.

What's "A/B'd"

Thanks

[Cooksta59]

That's interesting and something to consider i guess. It would rule the 606 out because it doesn't have the pre-outs, but I still have my doubts that I would require extra power with my modest listening requirements.

What's "A/B'd"

Thanks

A/Bing is a side by side comparison.

If you cant increase your budget to get a better avr to match up with your choice of speakers I would at least get an avr that could be used as a pre to a power amp if you decide that extra grunt is needed.You may think you have modest listening needs but you will be disappointed if your avr sounds "thin" driving your new speakers.

[TraceyLords]

The Quads are great speakers (I love them), but while they will sound better with great amps, that is true of all good speakers, they are not a difficult load, so all the first three amps you have looked at, Pio, Denon, Marantz would work fine. In fact the differences will be slight for HT an a matter of taste, do not sweat it get the one you like.

Down the line if you really get into music and 2 chanel, then you can upgrade to a HT bypass system with a quality 2 chanel amp, and you can do that with the above.

Just get them you will not regret

[goldgxl]

I've no doubt the Quad's would sound better with a $3000+ amp/avr.

The budget at time of my purchase dictated an entry level AVR, sub-$1000.

The Onkyo 705 has pre outs and it's the same price of the 606, that hasn't.

The next purchase, after I receive the center channel that is, will be a power amp maybe for Christmas.

I decided against the black and went for the Piano Cherry.

I'm happy with the result for both HT and listening to music.

Buy the 22L2's, you wont regret it.

[Juicester]

can you email me the reciept? i havent had anyone get near that price for the tx-sr705... I'll pm you if you're cool with that.

cheers.

[Garincha]

I've no doubt the Quad's would sound better with a $3000+ amp/avr.

The budget at time of my purchase dictated an entry level AVR, sub-$1000.

The Onkyo 705 has pre outs and it's the same price of the 606, that hasn't.

The next purchase, after I receive the center channel that is, will be a power amp maybe for Christmas.

I decided against the black and went for the Piano Cherry.

I'm happy with the result for both HT and listening to music.

Buy the 22L2's, you wont regret it.

Alright, i think I'm convinced, The Marantz 7002 looks nice but I'd rather spend the dosh on good speakers and I'm sure the next gen AVRs will be out in the next year & I can either look at upgrading the AVR or adding a 2-channel power amp.

OK so next day off I have it's off to get a pair of Quad 22L2's & a Onkyo 705 - hopefully I can still find a 705, as the box movers seem to only have floor stock.

Thanks again goldgxl