Back when I was into HT, I bought some nice Paradigm speakers. Do I need a better amp?

Speakers & Subwoofers
#1

Back when I was into HT with a 96" screen via an Optima projector, I bought a Harman Kardon 7.1 setup. The side and back surround speakers were Atom v2’s I think. The front and centers are Pardigm Studio 20’s v3 with a Studio-470 v3 for the center. And a PW-2200 for the sub.

The HK died, so I bought a Denon like 4-5 years ago to replace it. But those aren’t really for Music are they? I don’t use the Atoms anymore. Wondering what the best step is for a receiver. Are there any good options for 3.1 or do I just ditch the center? I believe they are great speakers, I just have never really pushed them for music.

#2

So youre looking at 3.1 to do strictly music using a HT reciever, will you still be using the projector ? Word is Preamp AVR is the way to go for best sound. yamaha RXA3080 using the internal amps, hear yamaha preouts suck except for the flagship CX-5200.

The denon 3600 and current 2020 model line preamp lineouts measure well by ASR for a budget system.

And you probably already know investing in room treatment and room correcting software to tune the setup. I would add one more thing an identical subwoofer for a 3.2 configuration.

Last but not least center placement, if still using some sort of display panel will it be in the middle of L/R since youre going straight music i would mount the monitor high so you can bring the center speaker up inline with L/R. bugs me sound coming from below the display.

#3

Right now, let’s assume I only have the Paradigm Studio 20 v.3’s and the matching center with the PW-2200 sub. I actually don’t have software correction or room treatment, it’s a brand new camp on the lake (it’s pretty “open” by design), I’ve used the mic that comes with it and it auto adjusts everything, but I don’t think I agree with what it’s doing. I’d rather do it manually but this Denon has a really bad interface for tuning everything. I guess I’m looking for a receiver that is easy to tune using some sort of software (is there something I can run on my iPhone 12?). We do watch movies, so I’d say 50/50 Music/Movies. Just not using any surrounds. Thanks! So yes, let’s pretend I have a 3.1 set of speakers and nothing else. What software would you recommend?

#4

Denon/marantz 2019/2020 AVR
denon 3700 $ 1200 USD
denon audyssey editor app. $19.99
Smartphone

Additional tuning:REW ( room EQ wizard) laptop with HDMI
HDMI measuring MIC
HDMI cable

Not sure if you follow the measuring thing by ASR forum of the denon/marantz AVR. basically ASR did testing and found the 2019-2020 denons measure better than marantz, funny thing theyre same company.

read your intial post again and think you are going for a hybrid HIFI/movie setup. As you can guess my suggestion is a budget build. But if i was going to spend the coin a true pre/pro would be the answer along with a couple of audiophile amps. from what i gather the flagship AVRs have the better DACs and the pre/pros has everything and does not have the burden of providing power for amplification only signal. Cant offer specific brands on pre/pro personally havent been at that end of the pool.

You could go Zeos mad science hour. get a used AVR external DACs miniDSP nano digi route.

#5

Thanks! I was hoping for some easy AVR that has Bluetooth to a smartphone and you walk around the room measuring with your smartphone mic (like Sonos does). Haha. I’m so lazy.

#6

Havent seen or read anything in the home theater circles anything like that. Although with denon/marantz the app is $19 bucks and youre on your way.