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What is the best surround sound system for under $400 max?

Need a new hub for my living room 2.1 sound system. Audiophiles, help!

  • I'm simplifying my audio setup to a bookshelf speaker/subwoofer system in my living room, after a Peachtree Nova/Ohm Walsh MicroTall setup for several years. I'm looking to spend around $350-400 on an amp/receiver and have several requirements and questions about how to choose the right equipment. One of the main issues is that I don't really intend to go beyond my 2.1 setup, which makes buying a 7.1/surround receiver seem silly. However, several of the receivers that are stereo only lack in some areas I'd like. For example, I plan on using some sort of wireless bluetooth or Wifi option to stream Spotify and other music from my phone/Macbook and most don't have this ability. Additionally, this setup will be the hub for my television, Playstation 4, Wii U, a turntable and occasionally my Macbook using Audirvana for lossless playback. Basically, what am I sacrificing in sound quality in buying a surround sound receiver vs. a dedicated stereo receiver? While I'm using inexpensive bookshelf speakers right now, in the future I plan on upgrading those to be between $500-1000. I am currently using a Velodyne EQ Max-8 subwoofer. Some of the models I'm considering are: Yamaha R-N301 Yamaha A-S301 Onkyo TX-8050 Sony STR-DH850 Yamaha RX V675 Marantz NR1403 Yamaha RX-V477 Some have wifi, some don't. Some have phono in, some don't (if not, I have a cheap phono stage I can use). Some have room EQ ability, some don't. Do I need preouts for the subwoofer and a stereo amplifier? Some lack optical inputs (PS4 and Macbook would utilize those, for example). I'd appreciate some help in understanding what limitations I should be considering if I go with a 2.1 only "hub" (receiver, integrated amp, etc.) vs. what it will offer me in sound that a surround receiver can't.

  • Answer:

    I run 2.1 as well and purchased the Marantz NR1403 a few months back, really happy with it. The room EQ microphone setup made music/movies sound better than they ever have in that room.

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I have a Marantz PM5003 with speakers in your upgrading price range. I love it. Family members have been using various Marantz receivers for decades and they still produce great sound.

JackBurden

Your recommendations nudged me in the right direction! Truly appreciate your input. In the end, I read this review and it sold me on the Marantz: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/B0081N916M/R11TVNW2BC58MN/ref=mw_dp_cr?cursor=1&sort=rd Dude had pretty much the same point of view as I did. I bought an Amazon warehouse unit so it came to $300, then I threw in the Yamaha Bluetooth/coaxial adapter for my Spotify and streaming needs. It's also the only one wth preamp outs, so I could upgrade the 2.1 setup easily if/when needed.

rbf1138

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