Receiver to match M50s

[finke67]

I am starting to assemble a stereo and the next piece on my list is an AV receiver. I would like something that will match the Monitor line well, but don’t know what to get.

Are the receivers listed in this thread still the way to go? Or is there something else I should be looking at?

I am planning to get Monitor 50’s for my fronts and a CS2 for my center channel.

Currently I have Monitor 30’s which I will move to the back for my surrounds. I have a Sony SA-W3000 sub (180 watts, 20-200 Hz response), but am thinking of upgrading to a Bic H-100 after I get all the rest.

I would like to stay around $500 or under.
My audio inputs will be a Pioneer PL-630 turntable and an iPod.
I would like 2 HDMI inputs.

[cnh]

Welcome to Club Polk...

The main problem you're going to have in the 500 or less range is a PHONO input for that turntable if it needs one? But that's not a major problem you can (pre) that before you get to the AVRs RCAs...units exist for such a problem.

Good receivers for Ms....? First you want pre-outs for future amplification when and if you need it.

So.

Harman Kardon AVR 254/354
Onkyo 706
Pioneer 1018 (not the 1019) or an entry level ELITE

Any of those will work well and sound good. But you should listen to them because they're all a little different in sound. All have HDMIs...some have PHONO inputs....see manufacturer..and decent power for M50s, etc.

cnh

[finke67]

cnh Thank you for your reply. I will start looking at those receivers.

The iPod Bridge II set-up on the HK 354 looks pretty neat. Are there other docking stations that let you control your iPod via remote and tv that I could hook up on the other receivers?

If my TV has HDMI inputs on it, should I skip the video on the receiver all together and find a straight-up audio receiver with a Phono input and pre-outs? I do have a simple pre-amp for my current set-up, but that will probably have to be upgraded to get the most out of the set-up I am working on.

Most likely the only upgrading I would do is to the M70's and move the M50's to the rear. Then put my M30s on a simple set-up in the garage or something.

[cnh]

If you plan to use a blu-ray and want Dolby Tru-Hd and DTS..Hd Master Audio decoding, you will need a relatively new AVR with those features and HDMIs as only HDMI has the bandwidth to pass those bitstreams to the AVR to be decoded and also allow 1080p to pass untouched from the receiver to your TV.

I'm pretty sure the AVRs I mention can all do that! As for M70s, I run those as fronts in a second HT set up and they DEFINITELY like amplification and sound much better in two channel with it than with an AVR...so pre-outs may be more important than you currently think. The 70s take on an entirely different character and begin to edge closer to the Rti-a towers with external amps and have a more laid back tweeter than that series...which is a good thing for music!

cnh

[finke67]

ok, thank you.