ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Hi,
I have finally deiced to buy the beolab 14 5.1 system after listening to variety of home theater systems. I intend to use it with a non B&O tv.
1) Cam anyone please recommend a receiver that would go well with these speakers? (preferably ONKYO)
2) Are there any sound processors with 5.1 pre-outs that would not break the bank and would be better than a receiver with amplifier.
Edit: My budget is around $1200.
I was in the same situation. I bought the BeoLab 14 5.1 shortly after it was introduced. I had to replace my old receiver (a McIntosh MHT100) with something a little more modern and had HDMI inputs. I looked around quite a bit and finally settled on the Emotiva UMC-200 7.1 surround sound processor. It worked well with the BeoLab 14's, but there was one thing I didn't like. The 8 RCA outputs were lined up like:
LR LS LF C SW RF RS RR
I bought the RCA to Powerlink adapter from B&O, but the RCA ends didn't have much reach, so I couldn't have one for LS & RS for example. I had to get creative and use one cable for LS & LF and wire the subwoofer accordingly. More disliked than this was the adapter cables were less than 1 foot, so I had to get a shielded ethernet coupler and a 10 foot shielded ethernet cable to the subwoofer.
Like I said everything worked fine, but I was keeping an eye out for a more elogant solution. This is before I knew of Sounds Heavenly, which actually has the cable that would work out perfectly here. When the BeoSystem 4 came out I decided to upgrade to that.
Unfortunately, Emotiva no longer sells the UMC-200 or another "affordable" surround sound processor. I still have mine, now boxed up in an Oppo blu-ray box... Where are you located?
Mark
thanks for the reply mark. Unfortunately, the emotiva is out of my budget as I am based in India and most of the products cost twice as much as that in eurpoe/usa.
Did you hook up the oppo player with it, since it has 7.1 preouts? If so, how is the sound quality? I was planning to buy it but thought that a reciever would produce better sound quality. Also, does the player process sound from external hdmi input?
Thanks,
Sid
Thanks, but this a bit out of my budget 😅.
I had the Oppo Blu-ray player hooked up to it as well as an Apple TV. My music collection is on a Mac mini acting as a music (and video) server, all ripped from CD to AIFF. I was very happy with the sound, and there is very little difference to my ears between a CD in the Oppo, and the AIFF streamed to the Apple TV. I did not use the 7.1 preouts from the Oppo to the Emotiva, as I used HDMI for everything since I try hard to reduce cable clutter.
The Emotiva UMC-200 was highly rated by many sites which was the reason I bought it. There was another similar unit that was always compared with it, but I can't remember it at the moment.
I don't know that a receiver would produce better sound than a good preamp/processor. You wouldn't be using the amplifier in the receiver, so you are basically just using it as a preamp/processor. There may be more options for receivers in your budget range though.
I wouldn't mind giving up my Emotiva to someone who can use it. There is not a whole lot of usage on it! I don't know how easy it would be to ship it to India though...
Oh, also the Emotiva did all of the current surround sound processing from the HDMI inputs. It included a microphone for room adaptation settings, and everything was customizable. I thought the surround sound sounded wonderful with the BeoLab 14's also.
Disclaimer - I am more critical with the sound for music than I am for movies.
I remember the surround processor that was always compared with the Emotiva. Have a look at the Outlaw Audio model 975 7.1 AV Surround Processor. In the US it costs $549, so hopefully it won't be much more than that for you. This is probably a newer model than what was reviewed a couple of years ago, but each review pretty much said it was a toss-up on which was better. They both had unique strengths but everyone generally raved about the quality and value for the money. I'm sure this would go well with the BeoLab 14's. Keep Sounds Heavenly in mind for the PowerLink to RCA cables. I wish I had known about them then!
Thanks a lot Mark! The outlaw as you mentioned has some great reviews, unfortunately, it is unavailable in India. Right now i am thinking of buying a marantz, denon or pioneer avr and use the preouts. My budget is around $1500. Can you suggest any sound processor or avr in that range? Thanks!
I took a quick look at the models being offered by Marantz, Denon, and Pioneer. Marantz made looking at the necessary features (for me) a lot easier. I didn't see any Pioneer that offered 5.1 or 7.1 pre-amp outs, but they could have something. I don't have any experience with any of them, but I would probably lean toward the Marantz SR5010 for US $899. I don't know what your price would be though. The model below this does not have 7.1 or 5.1 pre-amp outs.
But... The BeoLab 14 also has the ability to use the speaker terminals of the receiver I believe, so that opens up your options more. Personally I would strive to use the pre-amp outs, but not for any experienced reason.
I hope something like the Marantz is affordable for you. I really love my BeoLab 14 setup. I wondered a little what I was sacrificing due to the size. I recently purchased a pair of BeoLab 4000's and a BeoLab 11 on eBay, and hooked them up next to the 14's just to see what the difference was. They both sounded very similar, but the 14's sounded a little fuller, probably due to the larger subwoofer.
Let us know what you end up with. I'm sure you will be happy!
Thanks a lot for your help Mark! Right now my options are: 1) Marantz SR5010 -$1300, 2) Pioneer LX58 - $1700 and 3) Onkyo TX RZ800 - $1600. All of them have pre-outs.
The prices I have mentioned are the equivalent prices where I live. Though I am leaning towards Marantz(due to Audyssey), the receivers from Onkyo and Pioneer are quite promising as well. Unfortunately, I can't find an Integra dealer where I live.
Let me know what you guys think? Also, is Aydyssey room equaliser really that good?
sid24: Thanks a lot Mark! The outlaw as you mentioned has some great reviews, unfortunately, it is unavailable in India. Right now i am thinking of buying a marantz, denon or pioneer avr and use the preouts. My budget is around $1500. Can you suggest any sound processor or avr in that range? Thanks!
This is sort of a nit-picky comment on the above.
It sounds like what you need is a preamplifier (no built-in amplifier), not a receiver (has built-in amplifier).
I have an Integra pre-amp/processor that I use for my BeoLab speakers. I purchased it 2nd hand but unused on ebay. You may want to consider going that route.
There are fewer preamp models made vs. receiver models which cuts down on the searching,. Also, it seems that the preamp versions might be a bit "higher end" in terms of features.
Here's a listing from Sound and Vision magazine of reviewed preamps:
http://www.soundandvision.com/content/top-picks-processors-and-power-amps#V8TJLmEtLwdRhxX1.97
Good luck.
D
Thanks Doonesbury. I am actually considering of getting the NuForce Avp 18. Ot ahs got some pretty good reviews. There is a dealer in my area that might be able to rpovide me with one.
What do you guys think?
sid24: Thanks Doonesbury. I am actually considering of getting the NuForce Avp 18. Ot ahs got some pretty good reviews. There is a dealer in my area that might be able to rpovide me with one. What do you guys think?
Here is a review from Sound & Vision: http://www.soundandvision.com/content/nuforce-avp-18-surround-processor#548RPSwHP0OP4tg7.97
Personally, I'd prefer more options, hook-up flexibility (including phono jacks with circuitry for a record player), and Audyssey . I see that it has its own method of room calibration rather than Audyssey. I'd prefer Audyssey as its used by many companies for their receivers and preamps. I see it as a tried and true and established way to set up a surround sound system.