Which AV Amp for MA PL100 Fronts?

[CnoEvil]

Now you've got your short list, it's a matter of seeing which presentation you prefer......make sure you bring a good variety of your favorite music, as this is where the differences will really be shown up. It is essential to listen long enough to make sure that an initially dramatic sound doesn't become fatiguing after a while.

With some of these big powerful amps, ventilation is important. I have my AVR600 in an open rack so its never been an issue. You should be able to check out the manuals on line to get a guideline.

I don't believe that the Arcam can handle any 3D signal without the board (which can be a retrofit).....but a quick phone call to (Matt) at Arcam Technical will give you an answer (they are most helpful, but respond better in person than by email).

 

[teapea]

I think your right regarding air ventilation, I don't like them on show but it is probably for the best

I will definatly be buying a MA PL centre, it's just the amp and other speakers I need to decide on, I will keep looking into it.

 

[CnoEvil]

You have been given good advice above.

Ideally, you need your centre to match your front L&R, so if the PLC 150 is too much of a stretch, you either have go 2.1 or put in a cheap centre to fill in, until you can do the upgrade.

Your rears are less important and can come from further down the range.

A good sub is vital for the full "AV experience". It doesn't have to come from MA, unless matching aesthetics are important. Something like the SVS SB13 Plus would be ideal, as it is great VFM (unless it's taken a big price hike). If it's on the dear side, look to BK.

Everything said about whether you will like the sound, is purely academic at this stage......when you go and listen for yourself, everything should become clearer. If space is at a premium, the AVR600 may well be the best bet, as I think the likelihood is that its 2 channel performance will exceed your expectations.

The trouble with buying great speakers, is that everything else has to be in the same league to get the most from them. Anyway, report back with how you get on and what you finally go for.

Cno

 

[CnoEvil]

I think your right regarding air ventilation, I don't like them on show but it is probably for the best

I will definatly be buying a MA PL centre, it's just the amp and other speakers I need to decide on, I will keep looking into it.

I think you are making the right decisions. As has already been stated, the Centre is the most important one in AV....you are in for a real treat when you hook up a really good amp to your (soon to be) Platinum front end.

IMO If you have budget constraints, you are better to compromise on your Rear Speakers than on your Sub (which will have a greater impact on your enjoyment).

 

[bigboss]

As has already been stated, the Centre is the most important one in AV....

I would say it's the sub. :twisted:

 

[CnoEvil]

As has already been stated, the Centre is the most important one in AV....

I would say it's the sub. :twisted:

You might have a point.....f**k the dialogue and give me EXPLOSIONS! :cheer:

 

[BenLaw]

As has already been stated, the Centre is the most important one in AV....

I would say it's the sub. :twisted:

You might have a point.....f**k the dialogue and give me EXPLOSIONS! :cheer:

You must have been to see The Expendables 2

 

[ric71]

As already mentioned do not go for the Arcam AVR 500. I had two before I gave up with them.The 600 does sound awesome, really brilliant with music,just make sure it has a warranty. Also seriously consider the Anthem MRX 700. This receiver is great with music but it's room EQ will give it the edge over most. I replaced my ARCAM AVR 500 with the Anthem MRX 300 and found in my room that once I ran the EQ movies and music sounded the best they have ever done.

Invest as much £ in a sub. Top quality bass does not come cheap. Do not let the sub be the weak link in what looks like is going to be a very good system.

You should consider MA Apex for the rears and def stick to the PL centre.

This is purely my opinion based on my personal experience.

 

[bigboss]

Invest as much £ in a sub. Top quality bass does not come cheap. Do not let the sub be the weak link in what looks like is going to be a very good system.

Agreed.

 

[teapea]

I have purchased a PLC350 and a PLW15 and I am going to order some apex's for the rears, then hopfully once i have moved to a detached house i will buy some PL300's and use my 100's as rears!

That just leaves me with a amplifier to buy.

What I am wondering is, because I use MKV Files from my mac mini media centre and plan to plug that straight into my receiver.

the audio on the MKV files is often in FLAC As when I rip them using Make MKV I convert the DTS-HD or whatever audio track into FLAC. Will most receivers be okay with this or will it cause a problem? Quite a technical question I know!

 

[CnoEvil]

I have purchased a PLC350 and a PLW15 and I am going to order some apex's for the rears, then hopfully once i have moved to a detached house i will buy some PL300's and use my 100's as rears!

Lovely Jubbly!

That just leaves me with a amplifier to buy.

A demo is the only way.....but it needs to be good, so don't be tempted to skimp!

What I am wondering is, because I use MKV Files from my mac mini media centre and plan to plug that straight into my receiver.

the audio on the MKV files is often in FLAC As when I rip them using Make MKV I convert the DTS-HD or whatever audio track into FLAC. Will most receivers be okay with this or will it cause a problem? Quite a technical question I know!

Sorry, can't help you there.

 

[teapea]

i found the answer on another forum anyway so i have figured that one out

the PLC350 has arrived today and i cant believe how huge it is!

It was a bargain though i got it used for £1200 on ebay which i am happy with!

 

[CnoEvil]

i found the answer on another forum anyway so i have figured that one out

You certainly did. It's one of the best out there.....It's hard to fully describe how stunning it can sound.

the PLC350 has arrived today and i cant believe how huge it is!

Yup, I hope you have room for it - but it's why it will sound so good.

It was a bargain though i got it used for £1200 on ebay which i am happy with!

Wow, I'm not surprised!

Please keep us informed how this all goes, as it has amazing potential.

 

[teapea]

Thanks,

I will do,

 

[teapea]

okay tonight i have done something that people may not agree with but I don't want to take the risk with an arcam they're just too buggy from what i have read.

I have bought a primare receiver on ebay, at £1300 i think it’s a good price;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320970546776#ht_500wt_1407

and if i don't like it i will re sell it and buy something different!

I cannot believe how huge the PLC300 is i have just been unboxing it and it took two of us just to lift it out!

What type of speaker cable should I use? particularly for the rears as i will need quite a long length! I'm currently using QED silver for my front speakers which seems okay and so will probably just use that for the centre etc

but it's a little bulky for the rear ones I'm thinking?

 

[CnoEvil]

Well, I suspect you've done well (again)...and who can blame you for avoiding possible trouble.

My advice for speaker cable would be to avoid silver plated copper, which can exaggerate the treble. Something like Van Damme UP LC-OFC would be fine for the rears, and I would also suggest that you consider something like Atlas Hyper 2 for the fronts.

Enjoy your new toys

Cno

 

[VoodooDoctor]

I use Van Damme UP LC-OFC with my set up.

 

[teapea]

Thanks for the responses guys

The final thing that I am pondering is the rear speakers.

What would be best, between say;

- A pair of apex A10's

- some cheaper bookshelf speakers like the monitor audio RX1's or GX50's

- wall mounting some MA GXFX speakers

What would be best? or does it not really matter with there being little audio coming from the rear?

 

[VoodooDoctor]

I have a pair of Apex A10's. They're good for the surrounds and in my master plan they'll either become speakers 6 & 7 of a 7.1 system or height speakers when I finally take the plunge with Platinum floorstanders for the fronts.

 

[teapea]

Hey guys, back again,

The primare spa22 arrived last week but was unfortunatly faulty and didn’t work on arrival (The irony after wanting one of them over a AVR600!)

So it's going back and should be getting a refund next week

In the mean time a AVR600 popped up for sale less than 15 miles away from me so I am going to pay for/collect that tomorrow.

I now have, PL100 fronts, PLC350 centre, PL15 sub, and Apex A10 rears

So looking to be a good system even though I have no amplifier yet...! My question is, when setting up the AVR600 tomorrow night, in the settings would the A10's be classed as small or large speakers?

Thanks for all the help so far its been really usful and I will get some photos etc. up of everything once its all in!

Cheers,

Tom

 

[CnoEvil]

Hi again.

Is the amp from a dealer and do you know its history?.....and does it have the remainder of the 5 year warrenty and the 3D board fitted?

IMO. The AVR600 is a wonderful match with the Platinums, so look forward to what you think.

Going by the book, all speakers that are not "full range" (20 Hz - 20 kHz) should be set to small, with the sub picking up the deep bass.....so all your speakers are small.

I have my front Kef Refs set to large as I prefer the way it sounds, but this isn't strictly correct.

 

[teapea]

Hey, yeah its 2 years old has the 3D board which has been done at arcam and comes from a dealer who said he will warranty it for 12 months it looks pretty immaculate. So im reasonably content with that.

Im still a little worried but no way do i want to pay for a new one :dance: so will take my chances.

The total cost for the system comes in at £6350 without cables which im very content as its all pretty much like new, looking forward to getting it all wired in now !

 

[CnoEvil]

Well you've given it the very best chance to work...great stuff!

For 2 channel, I found bi-amped through Stereo Direct sounded best....and will be surprised if it doesn't dampen your need for a stereo amp, well at least for a while.

For less than Reference Level listening of films, imo Dolby Volume is a great asset.

Anyway, don't be a stranger

Cno

 

[teapea]

Probably but until i have moved house this will have to do

thats the most important upgrade

do you think its worth me bi amping the pl100's from the avr600 then? I had read somewhere that it wasnt worth bothering?

 

[CnoEvil]

do you think its worth me bi amping the pl100's from the avr600 then? I had read somewhere that it wasnt worth bothering?

IMO. Bi-wiring is not worth doing, but Bi-amping is......provided you don't have to spend a lot of money on the extra speaker cable. The extra amps are there so why not use them.

If you decide not to bi-amp, make sure you remove the standard cheap links that are provided with a bit of your speaker cable.

Here are my views on another thread, where I also talk to Garrynic about setting up Dolby Volume:
http://www.whathifi.com/forum/av-receivers/arcam-avr600-ex-dem-£1500

If there's anything I can help with, just ask.

Cno.