AVR's - home theater receivers

[twodko]

What are all you folks using as your home theater/music main control?

I've always used separate components....amps, preamp, para EQ, tuner, CD, DVD and like that.
Until about 18 months ago when one button control became imperative for my late wife to watch or listen to whatever. Read....Logitech universal remote and a Denon AVR1913 audio video receiver.
To be sure, this unit is substantial driving 7.1 channels into 8 ohms @ 90 watts per (rms).
Without getting into the boring nuts and bolts of this Denon it is state-if-art in terms of an AVR.

My dilemma is as Scotty would say I need more power but not more boxes! I could kludge together an outboard amp(s) arrangement using "step down" resistance bridges to convert high level outs to low level signals for external amps....this Denon has no preamp outs.
My sub is self powered so I'm solid there. I only use 5.1 which fine for me and my smallish living room but I would still require two outboard amps....$$$$$.

If I money was not a concern I'd buy a McIntosh A/V preamp & a couple amps. Always dreamed of owning McIntosh equipment despite other brands being just as top shelf for 1/3 the money. Gotta be that McIntosh ethereal blue glow of raw power I guess.

So I've been shopping.......my Denon is only 15 months new but I need more power.  Denon has a new state if the art box, AVR X4000 that packs the punch I want with the convenience of a controller, tuner and amplification in one unit. Both Denon's use the Audassey digital room EQ system......awesome!

Marantz, Yamaha and Onkyo both offer similarly capable units.......Onkyo being the priciest and most powerful.

I'd like to hear whats shaking the windows at your homes.

[Mopar Nut]

Onkyo here with two subs, center and six surround.

[Dans 68]

Denon AVR-X2000. I've run it a few months now and love it. The 3000 and 4000 were a bit too much for what I needed. I run Polk speakers exclusively (I even have my original 7's from eons ago). 

Dan

[twodko]

Wow! Polk 7's are right up there with JBL Studio monitors, Klipsch Horn cabinets and Altec Lansing speaks that sound as great now as they did back in the day.

Thanks for sharing your systems. Denon also makes an X40.......something or other 9.1 channel high pressure, small venturi, turbo boosted tritium powered boom shakalaka monster that is most definitely more than I could ever need. Just reading its specs gave me a headache.

Keep sharing your systems folks!

[67tbird]

Pioneer 94thx reciever, 94bdp(wish I'd got an Oppo), Soundlab kornerhorn knockoffs that I put new Crites xovers and woofers in, bought planters clay for horns but havent gotten around to packing them. Klipsch sf-3 surrounds and center(room is 24x12) would really like to hear the kornerhorns with a good 2 way stereo/amp I think I'm losing alot of the mids and highs running 5.1 Dave

[twodko]

Very nice indeed! I finally took the plunge and bought a Denon AVR X4000. My 1+ year new Denon AVR1913 sold through CL within a week of listing it. I was surprised it went so quickly. I met the guy at a local police station. Turned out he was about my age.........old and grumpy. 
The fella called later that evening, had the unit hooked installed and was very happy with it. Good transaction for both of us.

On to my new Denon. It's performance so far has greatly exceeded my expectations! My living room isn't much bigger than yours at 16x24. I'm using only 5.1 channels of the 7.1 it offers but the real "wow" factor is its sound quality across the spectrum. The per channel power output from 90 watts to 125 watts easily provides all the juice and more I had hoped for. I'm really glad I made this purchase and got it for a hundreds less than Amazon, eBay or Crutchfield.
They were all in the $1250-1300 range. A former coworker and fellow retiree started his own high end A/V design and installation business. I bought my box through him at his cost......$875.
Happy happy.

[Dans 68]

Wow! If I had a friend like that I'd had picked up the Denon AVR X4000 also.    Happy listening. 

Dan