[Bob Simon]

I have a stereo audio system that I put together around 20 years ago:
NAD 1700 preamp/tuner
NAD 2100 power amp
Magnaplaner MG-1 speakers

Audio Control Richter Scale crossover
Amber 70 power amp
Acoustic Research subwoofer (twin 10" drivers)

I've been completely happy with the sound and haven't kept up with
advances in audio technology or equipment. But at Xmas, I bought a
50" Panasonic plasma monitor so I've been thinking about adding a
Dolby decoder and need some advice.

A week ago one channel of my preamp/tuner went out intermittently. I
can get it working again for a while by momentarily blasting the
volume. Should I get it repaired or replace it with a modern
receiver?
If repair, can you recommend an external decoder?
If replace, what price range receiver will provide a level of quality
in line with the rest of the system?
Any specific recommendations?

I've heard that the center channel speaker should have similar sonic
characteristics as the main left and right speakers. What does that
mean? Sensitivity? What type of center speaker will work well with
the Magnaplaners? The available space is 15" x 47.75" x 21" (HWD).

I installed some inexpensive Boston Acoustics in-wall speakers in my
kitchen, which provide adequate sound for when I'm cooking. Would
something like these be suitable for the two rear speakers for home
theater? If so, can they be installed in the ceiling to fire down or
should they be mounted in the back wall (an outside wall).

[Kalman Rubinson]

On Sun, 18 Feb 2007 17:46:54 -0600, Bob Simon
wrote:

I have a stereo audio system that I put together around 20 years ago:
NAD 1700 preamp/tuner
NAD 2100 power amp
Magnaplaner MG-1 speakers

Audio Control Richter Scale crossover
Amber 70 power amp
Acoustic Research subwoofer (twin 10" drivers)

I've been completely happy with the sound and haven't kept up with
advances in audio technology or equipment. But at Xmas, I bought a
50" Panasonic plasma monitor so I've been thinking about adding a
Dolby decoder and need some advice.

Stand-alone decoders are rare and, for the most part, are only
available on the second hand market.

A week ago one channel of my preamp/tuner went out intermittently. I
can get it working again for a while by momentarily blasting the
volume. Should I get it repaired or replace it with a modern
receiver?
If repair, can you recommend an external decoder?
If replace, what price range receiver will provide a level of quality
in line with the rest of the system?
Any specific recommendations?

You wil probably have to spend upwards of $1000 for a decent receiver
to drive the Maggies with commensurate quality. I cannot suggest any
specific ones but the regular brands (Marantz, Pioneer, Denon, etc)
are OK. NAD and Arcam also come to mind.

I've heard that the center channel speaker should have similar sonic
characteristics as the main left and right speakers. What does that
mean? Sensitivity? What type of center speaker will work well with
the Magnaplaners? The available space is 15" x 47.75" x 21" (HWD).

Magnepan recommends a small pair of their wall-mounted speakers for a
center. They also have a few small dedicated centers which are OK.

I installed some inexpensive Boston Acoustics in-wall speakers in my
kitchen, which provide adequate sound for when I'm cooking. Would
something like these be suitable for the two rear speakers for home
theater? If so, can they be installed in the ceiling to fire down or
should they be mounted in the back wall (an outside wall).

Side wall is better than either but celing should work for surrounds.

Kal

[Harry Lavo]

"Kalman Rubinson" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 18 Feb 2007 17:46:54 -0600, Bob Simon
wrote:

I have a stereo audio system that I put together around 20 years ago:
NAD 1700 preamp/tuner
NAD 2100 power amp
Magnaplaner MG-1 speakers

Audio Control Richter Scale crossover
Amber 70 power amp
Acoustic Research subwoofer (twin 10" drivers)

I've been completely happy with the sound and haven't kept up with
advances in audio technology or equipment. But at Xmas, I bought a
50" Panasonic plasma monitor so I've been thinking about adding a
Dolby decoder and need some advice.

Stand-alone decoders are rare and, for the most part, are only
available on the second hand market.

A week ago one channel of my preamp/tuner went out intermittently. I
can get it working again for a while by momentarily blasting the
volume. Should I get it repaired or replace it with a modern
receiver?
If repair, can you recommend an external decoder?
If replace, what price range receiver will provide a level of quality
in line with the rest of the system?
Any specific recommendations?

You wil probably have to spend upwards of $1000 for a decent receiver
to drive the Maggies with commensurate quality. I cannot suggest any
specific ones but the regular brands (Marantz, Pioneer, Denon, etc)
are OK. NAD and Arcam also come to mind.

I've heard that the center channel speaker should have similar sonic
characteristics as the main left and right speakers. What does that
mean? Sensitivity? What type of center speaker will work well with
the Magnaplaners? The available space is 15" x 47.75" x 21" (HWD).

Magnepan recommends a small pair of their wall-mounted speakers for a
center. They also have a few small dedicated centers which are OK.

I installed some inexpensive Boston Acoustics in-wall speakers in my
kitchen, which provide adequate sound for when I'm cooking. Would
something like these be suitable for the two rear speakers for home
theater? If so, can they be installed in the ceiling to fire down or
should they be mounted in the back wall (an outside wall).

Side wall is better than either but celing should work for surrounds.


The most worrisome thing to me in your post is the bare 15" height you have
for the center. That would put whatever speaker you chose too close to the
floor for comfort, IMO.

I'd suggest you skip the center...your maggies create a good virtual center,
I assume (since you still seem pleased). Keep them that way. Modern
receivers and/or virtually all multichannel disk players allow you to choose
a speaker setup without the center channel...in effect a quad (or six
channel) set up. I think if you added two of the wall-mounted Maggies on
your rear or side wall, you'd be fine.

I'd keep your power amp and add a second...probably matching or close to
it...NAD. Then add an Outlaw 990 pre/processor to drive the power amps and
switch signals. And a good multichannel universal player for DVD-V, DVD-A,
and SACD. The Oppo or mid-priced Pioneers come to mind...perhaps even
NAD's new one.

When done with all this you'll have a very good, very modern "middle-class"
A/V system comparable to what you have in your current set up. And I would
guess you will be very happy.

[Ron]

On Feb 18, 6:46 pm, Bob Simon wrote:
I have a stereo audio system that I put together around 20 years ago:
NAD 1700 preamp/tuner
NAD 2100 power amp
Magnaplaner MG-1 speakers

Audio Control Richter Scale crossover
Amber 70 power amp
Acoustic Research subwoofer (twin 10" drivers)

I've been completely happy with the sound and haven't kept up with
advances in audio technology or equipment. But at Xmas, I bought a
50" Panasonic plasma monitor so I've been thinking about adding a
Dolby decoder and need some advice.

A week ago one channel of my preamp/tuner went out intermittently. I
can get it working again for a while by momentarily blasting the
volume. Should I get it repaired or replace it with a modern
receiver?
If repair, can you recommend an external decoder?
If replace, what price range receiver will provide a level of quality
in line with the rest of the system?
Any specific recommendations?

I've heard that the center channel speaker should have similar sonic
characteristics as the main left and right speakers. What does that
mean? Sensitivity? What type of center speaker will work well with
the Magnaplaners? The available space is 15" x 47.75" x 21" (HWD).

I installed some inexpensive Boston Acoustics in-wall speakers in my
kitchen, which provide adequate sound for when I'm cooking. Would
something like these be suitable for the two rear speakers for home
theater? If so, can they be installed in the ceiling to fire down or
should they be mounted in the back wall (an outside wall).


Why not buy a new Surround Sound receiver that has Pre-Out/Main-In
couplers? That way you could use the receiver for a pre-amp/tuner/
decoder and still let your NAD 2100 run your main speakers.

I'm using a Yamaha receiver for that very purpose. My Yamaha receiver
also has a "main level" switch that allows you to cut the main amps
power by 10db to better match the lower powered center and rear amps.