I am pretty much an audio beginner, and am putting together a system
for listening to classical music CDs in a 12 x 12 foot room, at
not-very-loud volume. So far I've bought only B&W DM601-3 speakers, and
am seeking advice on what receivers would go well with the DM601's.
This is for music only, not home theatre, so a stereo receiver would be
fine. I've been looking at receivers at $300 or less, but am flexible
on price. Below are four possibilities I've found at J&R. (I like that
the Yamaha RX-97 has *knobs*, I don't like remotes.) I'd appreciate any
comments on these, or other advice/suggestions.

Thank you!

==============

Harmon Kardon HK3480 stereo receiver $265
Onkyo TX-8511 stereo receiver, $240
Yamaha RX-397 stereo receiver, $250
Denon DRA-395 stereo receiver (factory refurbished) $180

wrote:
I am pretty much an audio beginner, and am putting together a system
for listening to classical music CDs in a 12 x 12 foot room, at
not-very-loud volume. So far I've bought only B&W DM601-3 speakers, and
am seeking advice on what receivers would go well with the DM601's.
This is for music only, not home theatre, so a stereo receiver would be
fine. I've been looking at receivers at $300 or less, but am flexible
on price. Below are four possibilities I've found at J&R. (I like that
the Yamaha RX-97 has *knobs*, I don't like remotes.) I'd appreciate any
comments on these, or other advice/suggestions.

Thank you!

==============

Harmon Kardon HK3480 stereo receiver $265
Onkyo TX-8511 stereo receiver, $240
Yamaha RX-397 stereo receiver, $250
Denon DRA-395 stereo receiver (factory refurbished) $180

Go with the Yamaha. I'm familiar with the RX-396 -- it looks to be the
same as the 397, but based off what I'm seeing, I like the 396's face
and remote better. Anyway, Yamaha is one of the last companies to
still make a solid entry-level stereo receiver, even shoving in good
components for FM radio.

Good call on the speakers, but is it too late to get the 602s instead?

In article .com,
" wrote:

I am pretty much an audio beginner, and am putting together a system
for listening to classical music CDs in a 12 x 12 foot room, at
not-very-loud volume. So far I've bought only B&W DM601-3 speakers, and
am seeking advice on what receivers would go well with the DM601's.
This is for music only, not home theatre, so a stereo receiver would be
fine. I've been looking at receivers at $300 or less, but am flexible
on price. Below are four possibilities I've found at J&R. (I like that
the Yamaha RX-97 has *knobs*, I don't like remotes.) I'd appreciate any
comments on these, or other advice/suggestions.

Thank you!

==============

Harmon Kardon HK3480 stereo receiver $265
Onkyo TX-8511 stereo receiver, $240
Yamaha RX-397 stereo receiver, $250
Denon DRA-395 stereo receiver (factory refurbished) $180

Why do you want a receiver? I suggest avoiding them, as will virtually
all other audio enthusiasts. Get yourself an integrated amplifier. That
way you aren't gumming up the works with the added noise of additional
apparatus, and you aren't paying for the tuner.

Cambridge Audio (not to be confused with ___ Soundworks) makes some good
low-priced integrated amps. Also Rotel has been noted for a
not-enormously-powerful entry-level integrated -- currently the RA-931.

Buyers' Guide at hifichoice.co.uk can be helpful.

Try audioadvisor.com for the CA. The Rotel may require a local dealer.
Used on Audiogon.com can be a good idea too -- expect to pay about half
of retail. Lots of itchy upgraders selling things that haven't had much
use. Arcam, Creek, NAD.

SE.

Steve Emerson wrote:
In article .com,
" wrote:

I am pretty much an audio beginner, and am putting together a system
for listening to classical music CDs in a 12 x 12 foot room, at
not-very-loud volume. So far I've bought only B&W DM601-3 speakers, and
am seeking advice on what receivers would go well with the DM601's.
This is for music only, not home theatre, so a stereo receiver would be
fine. I've been looking at receivers at $300 or less, but am flexible
on price. Below are four possibilities I've found at J&R. (I like that
the Yamaha RX-97 has *knobs*, I don't like remotes.) I'd appreciate any
comments on these, or other advice/suggestions.

Thank you!

==============

Harmon Kardon HK3480 stereo receiver $265
Onkyo TX-8511 stereo receiver, $240
Yamaha RX-397 stereo receiver, $250
Denon DRA-395 stereo receiver (factory refurbished) $180

Why do you want a receiver? I suggest avoiding them, as will virtually
all other audio enthusiasts. Get yourself an integrated amplifier. That
way you aren't gumming up the works with the added noise of additional
apparatus, and you aren't paying for the tuner.

Cambridge Audio (not to be confused with ___ Soundworks) makes some good
low-priced integrated amps. Also Rotel has been noted for a
not-enormously-powerful entry-level integrated -- currently the RA-931.

Buyers' Guide at hifichoice.co.uk can be helpful.

Try audioadvisor.com for the CA. The Rotel may require a local dealer.
Used on Audiogon.com can be a good idea too -- expect to pay about half
of retail. Lots of itchy upgraders selling things that haven't had much
use. Arcam, Creek, NAD.

SE.

Thanks, I will research these. Re "why do you want a receiver", the
answer is, I don't-- this was my error in posting. ("audio beginner" =
not clear on difference between receiver & amp!) I don't really care
about radio for this system, just playing CDs. Sounds like amp is the
way to go.

Steve Emerson wrote:

Used on Audiogon.com can be a good idea too -- expect to pay about half
of retail. Lots of itchy upgraders selling things that haven't had much
use. Arcam, Creek, NAD.

SE.

Agreed. A brief perusal of Audiogon yields the following:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ran&1146788171

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ran&1146778521

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ran&1146040023

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ran&1144699967

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ran&1144176865

Also, you can find on Ebay vintage Sansui integrated amps (I recommend
the AU-517 and AU-717). These are older (from around 1977), but are
built like tanks, have lots of power, and sound great. You should be
able to get either for under $200.

Bob Harper

Thanks to all for your advice, in this thread and via email. I ended up
going with B&W DM602-3 speakers (instead of 601's) with Rotel RA-1062
integrated amplifier and Rotel RCD-1072 CD player. Total cost was more
than I'd first planned on spending, but I'm very happy with this
system.

In article .com,
" wrote:

Thanks to all for your advice, in this thread and via email. I ended up
going with B&W DM602-3 speakers (instead of 601's) with Rotel RA-1062
integrated amplifier and Rotel RCD-1072 CD player. Total cost was more
than I'd first planned on spending, but I'm very happy with this
system.

I don't have personal experience with the other items, but I like the
Rotel CD player very much. Enjoy!

In article .com,
says...

Thanks to all for your advice, in this thread and via email. I ended up
going with B&W DM602-3 speakers (instead of 601's) with Rotel RA-1062
integrated amplifier and Rotel RCD-1072 CD player. Total cost was more
than I'd first planned on spending, but I'm very happy with this
system.

The 602s are very nice speakers imo. I own some other speakers in that
series: the 603s in my living room, and the small 600s for my kitchen.
I'm sure you'll love your system.

--
Bill