Question upgrade advice needed

_anonymus_

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Oct 5, 2021
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Hello everybody,
I own a fairly basic audio set-up right now:
I have a Pioneer VSX-521 AV-receiver paired with Klipsch RF-52 floorstanding speaker, a Thorens TD-160 turntable and a TCC TC-750 Phono Preamp. My TV (Sony KD55XG9505) is attached at the wall, with a HDMI-cable running through the wall to the TV.
As my wife wants to make some changes to our interior (and doesn't like the large floor standing speakers), I want to change the large speakers to two quality bookshelf speakers.
Also, I am not very satisfied with the TC-750 Phono Preamp, and my turntable is not in a great shape. I can have it restored but for the price of restoration at a Thorens specialist I can also invest in a better turntable.
My choice for bookshelf speakers would be the Bowers & Wilkinks 606's.
About the turntable I am not sure yet, but Rega Planar 3 and Audio-Technica AT-LP7 are high on my wish list.

Now I am afraid that my pretty basic AV-receiver won't be able to let these other upgrades really shine.
I know that for the best sound I would better buy a dedicated stereo amplifier.
However, it is really important to me that I can also use it to send the HDMI-signal to my TV, and to receive sound signal from the TV.
Any advice on a dedicated stereo amplifier that can also be used with a TV and has HDMI-connection?
 
Last edited:

Tinman1952

Well-known member
Hello everybody,
I own a fairly basic audio set-up right now:
I have a Pioneer VSX-521 AV-receiver paired with Klipsch RF-52 floorstanding speaker, a Thorens TD-160 turntable and a TCC TC-750 Phono Preamp. My TV (Sony KD55XG9505) is attached at the wall, with a HDMI-cable running through the wall to the TV.
As my wife wants to make some changes to our interior (and doesn't like the large floor standing speakers), I want to change the large speakers to two quality bookshelf speakers.
Also, I am not very satisfied with the TC-750 Phono Preamp, and my turntable is not in a great shape. I can have it restored but for the price of restoration at a Thorens specialist I can also invest in a better turntable.
My choice for bookshelf speakers would be the Bowers & Wilkinks 606's.
About the turntable I am not sure yet, but Rega Planar 3 and Audio-Technica AT-LP7 are high on my wish list.

Now I am afraid that my pretty basic AV-receiver won't be able to let these other upgrades really shine.
I know that for the best sound I would better buy a dedicated stereo amplifier.
However, it is really important to me that I can also use it to send the HDMI-signal to my TV, and to receive sound signal from the TV.
Any advice on a dedicated stereo amplifier that can also be used with a TV and has HDMI-connection?
Marantz NR 1200 ?
 

_anonymus_

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Oct 5, 2021
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Thanks, that one was already on my radar.
Seems to be one of the few options? I don't find a lot of stereo receivers that have a HDMI connection.
 

_anonymus_

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In the meanwhile I might have changed my mind about some things.
The more you read, the more you start to doubt your initial choices.

First of all, I took the TD160 to a local HiFi specialist who will revise it for me.
According to this guy, I can just keep my Pioneer VSX AV-receiver, and couple it to a real good amplifier using the 'rec-out' (although I'm not really sure whether the VSX actually has that option). In this way HDMI sound goes via the AV-receiver to the stereo amplifier and all other sources can be connected to the stereo amplifier.
This guy is a LFD dealer and quite passionate about LFD and Fischer & Fischer. I suppose he wants to sell me an LFD, but I'm afraid both an LFD and Fischer & Fischer will be far out of my budget ;-)

Second, the speakers. As I already wrote, because of some changes to our interior I have to replace my Klipsch RF-52 floorstanders by bookshelf speakers.
The speakers will really be placed on a bookshelf, so not on a separate stand.
Will this affect their performance in such a way that it might be better to spend less money on the speakers?
I had my mind set on the KEF LS50 Meta speakers, but I read that these shouldn't be placed too close to the wall. I'm doubting whether it makes sense to spend that much on high quality bookshelf speakers when I can't give them optimal placement? Maybe I just better buy a pair of Q350's then?
 

Tinman1952

Well-known member
In the meanwhile I might have changed my mind about some things.
The more you read, the more you start to doubt your initial choices.

First of all, I took the TD160 to a local HiFi specialist who will revise it for me.
According to this guy, I can just keep my Pioneer VSX AV-receiver, and couple it to a real good amplifier using the 'rec-out' (although I'm not really sure whether the VSX actually has that option). In this way HDMI sound goes via the AV-receiver to the stereo amplifier and all other sources can be connected to the stereo amplifier.
This guy is a LFD dealer and quite passionate about LFD and Fischer & Fischer. I suppose he wants to sell me an LFD, but I'm afraid both an LFD and Fischer & Fischer will be far out of my budget ;-)

Second, the speakers. As I already wrote, because of some changes to our interior I have to replace my Klipsch RF-52 floorstanders by bookshelf speakers.
The speakers will really be placed on a bookshelf, so not on a separate stand.
Will this affect their performance in such a way that it might be better to spend less money on the speakers?
I had my mind set on the KEF LS50 Meta speakers, but I read that these shouldn't be placed too close to the wall. I'm doubting whether it makes sense to spend that much on high quality bookshelf speakers when I can't give them optimal placement? Maybe I just better buy a pair of Q350's then?
I haven’t seen any AVR with a ‘rec-out’. Your LFD guy means a ‘pre out’ for left and right channels…but your Pioneer doesn’t have them. So not possible.
No ‘bookshelf’ speakers should really be placed on a bookshelf as it compromises the sound. You can get away with it if you choose front ported or ideally non ported models and ensure you place the speakers on some form of ‘isolation‘ like ISO Acoustics supports or even acoustic foam pads. Or the bookshelves will be singing along with the speakers!
 

_anonymus_

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Oct 5, 2021
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So, small update.
I stumbled upon a second-hand pair of B&W 606 speakers + stands that still are covered by warranty for € 400 for the speakers + original B&W stands.
Best of all, my wife actually likes the standmounts, she thinks the 606 speakers on the stands look way better than the big floorstanding speakers.
I installed them yesterday, and man, what a difference.
Although I still like the Klipsch sound, the B&W's really let me hear a lot more detail.
The Pioneer (110 watts per channel) works fine with them, although I'm curious to hear them with a better amp.
For music they certainly can play more than loud enough.
For TV-watching I haven't tested long yet, but I think I miss the powerful bass that the Klipsches produced for this.
 
So, small update.
I stumbled upon a second-hand pair of B&W 606 speakers + stands that still are covered by warranty for € 400 for the speakers + original B&W stands.
Best of all, my wife actually likes the standmounts, she thinks the 606 speakers on the stands look way better than the big floorstanding speakers.
I installed them yesterday, and man, what a difference.
Although I still like the Klipsch sound, the B&W's really let me hear a lot more detail.
The Pioneer (110 watts per channel) works fine with them, although I'm curious to hear them with a better amp.
For music they certainly can play more than loud enough.
For TV-watching I haven't tested long yet, but I think I miss the powerful bass that the Klipsches produced for this.
Time for a small subwoofer????
Thought I would get that in before a well known dealer did. :)
 

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