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Thread: New CBM-170s Receiver Recommendations

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
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    4

    Default New CBM-170s Receiver Recommendations

    Hello,

    I'm new to the club. I bought the CBMs. I just want a good stereo receiver. I don't need a lot of power. I do listen to jazz, some classical and lots of Latin--from Argentina to Portugal.

    I thought the HK 3380 would be enough for me. Then I started reading about the Cambridge Azur 540. Then the Arcam 65. And then the new Outlaw...which sounds like a very good audiophile choice.

    I am now into full-blown techno lust. Somebody tell me I'll love the HKs, so I can save coin and sleep well at night... are they truly that good with the CBMs? Or convince me to spring for audio Nirvana.

    I aplogize in advance if this is an old question, but I haven't been able to satisfy myself in the accompanying threads.

    Thanks so much

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
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    311

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    The 170s are a small 8 ohm bookshelf with very decent sensitivity, i.e. not a hard load to drive at all so I am not sure how much you'd really hear different between an HK3380 and a Rotel.

    That said, the low-cost and often-reputed "giant-killer" of receivers is the digital switching Panasonic sa-xr55 which goes for around $230 from amazon.com --- in my own experience, running Ascend 340s, they easily demolished a $600 Marantz AVR as well as some NAD separates.

    I would try the Panny first. $15 return shipping if you dislike it. Do a search on this and other forums (esp. AVS Forum) for it.

  3. #3
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    Mar 2006
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    The Panasonic does look good. I found one sight with complaints about it, but it seemed a distinct minority. I wish it looked better, but the savings are amazing, and I'm not sure the Cambridge Asure 640 or the Outlaw would offer that much better sound for the money--even though they look terrific.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Bloomfield, CT
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    291

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    One other thing to keep in mind -- HK's stereo receivers do not have adjustable crossovers for the sub out, so if you have any plans of using a subwoofer and don't want to feed the 170s a full range signal (they perform better when crossed over at 80 or 100Hz), that might be a problem. Not a deal killer, as some subs do have high-pass filters on their speaker outputs, but it would limit your choice of subs...

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
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    311

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    Quote Originally Posted by albertg
    The Panasonic does look good. I found one sight with complaints about it, but it seemed a distinct minority. I wish it looked better, but the savings are amazing, and I'm not sure the Cambridge Asure 640 or the Outlaw would offer that much better sound for the money--even though they look terrific.
    The site you're referring to is ecoustics? LOL they're kind of a wacky fringe site, made up of about 10 regular posters with a definite treehouse atmosphere. I post there sometimes for giggles mostly.

    If you get the Panny get the black version, IMO it looks much nicer than the silver. Like I said, the 170s really don't require massive amounts of power.

  6. #6
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    Mar 2006
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    I think you're right. Black Panny it is.

    Thanks so much.

  7. #7
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    Mar 2005
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    311

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    Quote Originally Posted by albertg
    I think you're right. Black Panny it is.

    Thanks so much.
    good luck, and get back with us with your impressions when you have everything set up.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
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    Will do.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
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    22

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    Would you guys recommend the Panny for a system with 340s across the front and 170's in the rear? I'm looking to upgrade my old Yamaha, and have been looking at a lot of other choices (Denon, HK, Outlaw, Marantz, Onkyo) but hadn't heard much about the panasonic yet (though I did just start looking). I plug all my video inputs directly into my display, so I'm just looking for audio quality. 65% TV, 25% SACD/DVD-A, 10% DVDs.

    Thanks for the input!

    - Steve

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Syracuse, New York
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    1,222

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    Quote Originally Posted by sls7u
    Would you guys recommend the Panny for a system with 340s across the front and 170's in the rear?
    I have 340's accross the front with the Panny 55. It's an excellent combo. The one weak spot for me is the remote but at this price point, I've not found a remote that works great.
    If you order from a good company, you can always return the Panny for about $15. shipping. Not too many folks are going to return this unit. I'm thinking about a second unit for my two channel set-up. When the new 75 comes out, there may be some more than excellent deals on the 55 but I wouldn't wait. It's a killer deal @ less then $250.

    David

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