Hello All,
Long time reader, first time poster etc. etc.. I'm slowly building my sound system/small home theatre. I'm currently using an old Sony BTE-885 I got from a thrift store as my AVR/AMP. My speakers are FR/FL JBL590 C: JBL 520C and Surrounds are Polk OWM3. I also have a PB2000 sub and am contemplating a second before they end production. My biggest problem right now is that it will not decode DD+ from Netflix. I'm around 60% music and 40% HT. The ancient Sony allows me to specify different crossovers for FR/FL/C/surround which I like considering my speaker choices, which I read the Arcam may not support?
So I am looking for an AVR upgrade I think. I'd live to go with an HTP-1 and seperate amp, but this is out of budget for how much use it will get. I'm currently considering a refurbished NAD T758 for about $900 but discouraged by how poorly it tested. This has led me to considering an Arcam AVR390 as well that I can pick up for $1400 new unless I find a similar deal. The Arcam seems to have a one of the better DACs for an AVR. As far as I can see these both have support for all current surround formats and Dirac but rather weak amplifiers, especially the arcam. I also read that possibly the bass management in the Arcam is bad? I do love excessive bass in my music, but not in my HT. I am the type of person who feels the need to adjust the Surround speaker db response and subwoofer level for each movie and each different song. I'm hoping Dirac might help me stop that habit but not betting on it
I am strongly considering my next purchase after an AVR may be a Nord or KJF Ncore amplifier NC252MPx4, so in the future I may be using this AVR as a pre pro. I'll admit I am the type of person who tends to be dazzled a bit by numbers and measurements so I'm hoping some folks on this forum can also help me with a sanity check on my plans. Some folks say the terrible DAC measurements of the T758 would be inaudible, others say at least 80 db of DAC dynamic range is necessary.
I would consider myself the opposite of a "golden ear" in that as long as there is no background hiss and the (often times excessive) bass isn't bottoming out I'm usually pretty happy with the sound. Never noticed "increased airiness" or an "expanded soundstage" from one setup to another. My only complaint with the sound of my current system is maybe a small lack of mid-bass "punch" which i think is because all of my woofer/subs are ported. Using the port plugs on the 590's seems to help with that a bit while the sub fills the low-low end very well.
Am I right to be leaning toward the AVR390 for its good DAC numbers or would I be just as happy with the T758 for $500 less? Would it be worth it to stretch to the AVR10? I wish I could find a cheapish pre pro to pair with the amp I plan to buy, but all the pre-pros seem to cost more than an AVR with an integrated amp that I can use until I decide to pony up for the dedicated amp.
Thank you for reading and thank you for any advice or ideas you may have!
Long time reader, first time poster etc. etc.. I'm slowly building my sound system/small home theatre. I'm currently using an old Sony BTE-885 I got from a thrift store as my AVR/AMP. My speakers are FR/FL JBL590 C: JBL 520C and Surrounds are Polk OWM3. I also have a PB2000 sub and am contemplating a second before they end production. My biggest problem right now is that it will not decode DD+ from Netflix. I'm around 60% music and 40% HT. The ancient Sony allows me to specify different crossovers for FR/FL/C/surround which I like considering my speaker choices, which I read the Arcam may not support?
So I am looking for an AVR upgrade I think. I'd live to go with an HTP-1 and seperate amp, but this is out of budget for how much use it will get. I'm currently considering a refurbished NAD T758 for about $900 but discouraged by how poorly it tested. This has led me to considering an Arcam AVR390 as well that I can pick up for $1400 new unless I find a similar deal. The Arcam seems to have a one of the better DACs for an AVR. As far as I can see these both have support for all current surround formats and Dirac but rather weak amplifiers, especially the arcam. I also read that possibly the bass management in the Arcam is bad? I do love excessive bass in my music, but not in my HT. I am the type of person who feels the need to adjust the Surround speaker db response and subwoofer level for each movie and each different song. I'm hoping Dirac might help me stop that habit but not betting on it
I am strongly considering my next purchase after an AVR may be a Nord or KJF Ncore amplifier NC252MPx4, so in the future I may be using this AVR as a pre pro. I'll admit I am the type of person who tends to be dazzled a bit by numbers and measurements so I'm hoping some folks on this forum can also help me with a sanity check on my plans. Some folks say the terrible DAC measurements of the T758 would be inaudible, others say at least 80 db of DAC dynamic range is necessary.
I would consider myself the opposite of a "golden ear" in that as long as there is no background hiss and the (often times excessive) bass isn't bottoming out I'm usually pretty happy with the sound. Never noticed "increased airiness" or an "expanded soundstage" from one setup to another. My only complaint with the sound of my current system is maybe a small lack of mid-bass "punch" which i think is because all of my woofer/subs are ported. Using the port plugs on the 590's seems to help with that a bit while the sub fills the low-low end very well.
Am I right to be leaning toward the AVR390 for its good DAC numbers or would I be just as happy with the T758 for $500 less? Would it be worth it to stretch to the AVR10? I wish I could find a cheapish pre pro to pair with the amp I plan to buy, but all the pre-pros seem to cost more than an AVR with an integrated amp that I can use until I decide to pony up for the dedicated amp.
Thank you for reading and thank you for any advice or ideas you may have!
