Upgrade time...what to amp go with a Panasonic 42PZ85b... & BMW 603s3 (f) LCR60 (c) and 600 (r)

[admin_exported]

I currently have an old Marantz 4300 av amp which drives the centre and rear speakers, the fronts are driven (via the pre-outs) by my Naim set up of 102/napsc/hicap/140... and looking for a new av amp to make the best use of the audio (and tv)..A new DVD player is also in the pipe line (the panasonic seems like the best option at the moment).

The Onkyo 606 seems like the ideal replacement, but if I go for something like the 875 model, would this seem like overkill, since it is only driving the centre and rear speakers? Is there something in between?

Also, I may want to upgrade the speakers...to maybe something like the Motive 2, or would the newer generation BMW 684/3 model be better?

Any pointers?

 

[Big Chris]

Stick with the 606, as the 875 as you've rightly stated will only be using a fraction of its capabilities. With regards to changing out your speakers, if you're happy with the sound, why bother? I don't think changing to a (slightly) newer version of the same speakers is enough of a jump in performance to justify the outlay. Just my $0.02.

 

[Andy Clough]

Agree. The 875 would be overkill in your system. Stick with the 606.

 

[Anonymous]

Just about to order a 606 but then saw another post that says this amp does not have any pre-outs.... so I cannot route the fronts via the naim pre amp.....

Saved in the nick of time?

Recommendations for another amp with pre-outs?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Good old Bowers M Wilkins...

Nope, no preouts on the Onkyo 606. If you want its capabilities plus preaouts, the one to go for is the Onkyo TX-SR705, although this lacks the 606's upscaling, or wait for the forthcoming TX-SR706, which does have upscaling and preouts.