For You A/v Geeks!

[BayouTiger 88]

I just upgraded my main AVR in the den and need to sell my Anthem MRX-300 receiver. Only selling it because I upgraded to the next generation. The Anthem receivers have been generally received as the best in the industry. This is a 7.1 60WPC receiver, but I can tell you that don't be comparing that spec to the Japanese receivers that only rate with two channels. I can tell you that I ran it for awhile with a 250WPC Parasound amp and went back to the onboard amp as it sounded much better than the Parasound.

If you are like me and hate all the crap that the Japs are stuffing into receivers, I can tell you that the Anthems are truly amazing as they focus on the performance and do not include a bunch of stupid surround gimmicks like "Church" and "Club" and other such stupidity. I love that they also treat all the inputs as a patch bay, so you just go into the menu and setup the inputs however you want (video source, audio source, EQ settings).

I have the box, remote, microphone and tripod and everything it comes with new. I will also include a Tripp Lite USB to Serial adapter needed to do the Anthem Room Correction, which is the killer feature on the Anthems.

I'm listing it for $500 shipped on MMF and MF before I post it to the audio boards. I can assure you this is an amazing piece of gear. I take my audio seriously and this is the best receiver I've ever owned (other than the next generation I just got). Also note that this MRX-300 does 7.1 where the new MRX-310 only does 5.1.

Here's a review.

http://www.soundandvision.com/content/anthem-mrx-300-av-receiver

[CruzKing 83]

bump so I don't have to see that I sold my ruger super redhawk.

[BayouTiger 88]

I forgot I posted that!

[StevoHemi 113]

This unit still for sale Chuck?

Stevo

[BayouTiger 88]

Sorry, bud. It's been gone for a few months. I guess I got I had it listed here.

[CaptRon 19]

Chuck, you seem to be our resident AV guy. Do you know anything about Control 4 and Loxone systems?
I currently have Control 4 and if it was consistent I wouldn't consider changing but may switch to Loxone.

[BayouTiger 88]

I am familiar with Control4. As far as I know it's pretty solid. Not familiar with Loxone. I would be a little leery as they don't seen to have a fully fleshed out system compared to other automation systems I am familiar with.

I may be a little biased as I am a Crestron Rep. They are pretty much head and shoulders above everyone else but with the cost that goes along with it. There a reason they absolutely own the commercial market. FWIW I only deal with Commercial lighting so I really have no horse in the home game. I used to rep Vantage and they are also a very premium line. I have managed to stay out of the home side, there's really not enough money in the world to deal with homeowners!

The key to any of them is having a really good integrator. It's all in the programming.

[CaptRon 19]

I am familiar with Control4. As far as I know it's pretty solid. Not familiar with Loxone. I would be a little leery as they don't seen to have a fully fleshed out system compared to other automation systems I am familiar with.

I may be a little biased as I am a Crestron Rep. They are pretty much head and shoulders above everyone else but with the cost that goes along with it. There a reason they absolutely own the commercial market. FWIW I only deal with Commercial lighting so I really have no horse in the home game. I used to rep Vantage and they are also a very premium line. I have managed to stay out of the home side, there's really not enough money in the world to deal with homeowners!

The key to any of them is having a really good integrator. It's all in the programming.

I think that is my biggest issue with Control4. It's been a while but the system seems to hiccup all too often making me reset the whole thing or at least parts of it. It sometimes forgets what to do when I want to turn on say a blue Ray player, DVD etc...

Another question. I have a Binary Matrix that is Composite/ component. The Loxone guy wanted to upgrade to an HDMI 8x8 matrix. His first estimate was 2000-3500 for this single unit. Now he's saying 4300.00!!! WTF?!?!? I won't be buying from him if this is the case and at this point probably won't anyway because of the changes in pricing that he's hit me with. His original bid was approximately 10K (not including the new matrix) to change things to his system and add a bunch of things. We decided to remove the extras and I calculated we could bring it down to 3200-3500. We rocked on for a few months doing nothing. I contacted him to move forward and he wanted to come out and look at the system again. This time with all of the extras taken out and adding the Matrix we're back up to 9800.00!!

So I guess my next question is, do you know anything about Matrix Switches, Binary in particular, their pricing and is there an alternative that is just as good or better?

[BayouTiger 88]

Do you need 8 outputs? The 4x4 switches are pretty reasonable, but as you go up the cost skyrockets. HDMI is a lot easier to deal with but there is a lot more going on vs switching composite audio/video.

Are you just doing whole house A/V or are you doing lighting/security/AirCond/etc?

Whole house A/V is cool, but I'm not real convinced of the cost/benefit with the other options out there for in-house streaming.

[CaptRon 19]

Do you need 8 outputs? The 4x4 switches are pretty reasonable, but as you go up the cost skyrockets. HDMI is a lot easier to deal with but there is a lot more going on vs switching composite audio/video.

Are you just doing whole house A/V or are you doing lighting/security/AirCond/etc?

Whole house A/V is cool, but I'm not real convinced of the cost/benefit with the other options out there for in-house streaming.

I think we do need 8x8. I'm pretty sure that's what we have now, just not HDMI. The current video quality seems fine to me.

Yep whole house AV. We already have it with control 4. There are only 2 lights and the security controlled on the system. Everything else is A/V. What we were adding was security cameras and more lighting controls but decided to cut those because of cost. We don't have HDMI cables running to each room and according to the Loxone guy he won't need to because he can use the existing wires to connect the HDMI. When we were building the control4 guys ran a 2" bundle of wires to each room. I'm assuming they are a mix of coax and cat6. The loxone guy says he can use those wires to "create" an HDMI connection.

[BayouTiger 88]

There are HDMI over Cat6 converters.

Honestly, if you are already on Control4. I think you need to just find a better integrator. Not really any reason to jump ships. C4 is the big dog in the mid level application market. Hard to believe they can't get it straight. Only thing is that most integrators really don't want to reverse engineer someone else's programming. Probably cost you a few hours for them to go through it all.

Here's what you really want!!!

http://www.crestron.com/resources/product_and_programming_resources/catalogs_and_brochures/online_catalog/default.asp?jump=1&model=DM-MD64X64#

[CaptRon 19]

There are HDMI over Cat6 converters.

Honestly, if you are already on Control4. I think you need to just find a better integrator. Not really any reason to jump ships. C4 is the big dog in the mid level application market. Hard to believe they can't get it straight. Only thing is that most integrators really don't want to reverse engineer someone else's programming. Probably cost you a few hours for them to go through it all.

Here's what you really want!!!

http://www.crestron.com/resources/product_and_programming_resources/catalogs_and_brochures/online_catalog/default.asp?jump=1&model=DM-MD64X64#

Oh yea!!! What would that puppy set me back? 10K?

[toofart 148]

Here's what you really want!!!

http://www.crestron.com/resources/product_and_programming_resources/catalogs_and_brochures/online_catalog/default.asp?jump=1&model=DM-MD64X64#

Holy crap.

[BayouTigress 73]

you all think race cars are expensive hobbies? Get in to the mid to high end av market.

[BayouTiger 88]

Oh yea!!! What would that puppy set me back? 10K?

Probably need another digit! That box was a really big deal when they released it. I'm still trying to figure out who can use that many 4K sources much less outputs. Pretty much tailor made to run the largest sports bar you can think of for the next 5 years. Of course if that's not enough, they do have a 128x128.

But thats where Crestron fleshes out their line like no one else. Want a waterproof remote to use by the pool?

[BayouTiger 88]

These are my new toys. I'm pretty much a 2 channel guy.

Audio Research LS27 Preamp

Reference 75SE Power Amp

[HemiSam 188]

'spansive....

HS

[BayouTiger 88]

Hey Louis, Got a e-mail you might be interested in. Not a tremendous incentive, but who knows if you were calling someone anyway....

[CaptRon 19]

Hey Louis, Got a e-mail you might be interested in. Not a tremendous incentive, but who knows if you were calling someone anyway....

Yea, I may call the guy that installed mine to see if I can get anything out of that but I bet it's only for new systems.

[StevoHemi 113]

Hey Chuck....

What is your view/opinion on "Vintage Audio?" Captalbator got me into vinyl about a year ago and I am loving it. Now... I am looking at a second sound system for my man cave downstairs. Been through a few forums and everybody raves about Marantz 22 and 23 series as well as Pioneer SX series. I picked up a very nice Pioneer SX 3700 last week as well as a spare 3700 for "parts" and the big brother to the 3700.... the 3800. The 3800 needs a good cleaning and maybe a "recap" I presume.

I hooked up the 3800 to some Bose speakers and man.... sweet sound. Very loud and clear. Bose speakers could only take the volume up to #4 position.

Have not hooked up my TT yet but my gut is telling me that the Pioneer with TT will sound a lot better than my POS Sony ES 3400.

Hey look..... a Marantz! See it?

Stevo

[BayouTiger 88]

Nothing wrong with "Vintage Audio" but remember that much like Muscle Cars, nostalgia is very powerful. The ones you mentioned especially anything Marantz 22xx (23XX even worse) are usually overpriced. It's also a mixed bag as many units meed service work to include new caps and a good tuner cleaning. You are also giving up things like a remote.

I've bought a few pieces of vintage, just to play with and most have been disappointing. I resold my Marantz 2220B. I just bought a Kenwood KA-3500 and it's a mess inside. Not sure if I'm going to recap and replace the input selectors or not. Only got it for nostalgia as it was my first real amp. I gave away an old Vector Research Amp I had in the cabinet that was very nice.

I have a Bogen RP230 receiver (all tubes circa 1963ish )in the cabinet that sounds nice but not nearly as good as my new NAD D3020 at the same wattage.

Personally I've always loved the old Kenwood Amps

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KENWOOD-KA-5700-Integrated-Amplifier-looks-and-sounds-great-LOOK-/161748074903?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25a8efc197

[HemiSam 188]

My first big boy system, purchased in college, was all Kenwood. Bad to the bone for me back then. Still have some of the units. The linear tracking turntable, sadly, needs work. Sign of the times in the '80s...

Chuck - the Schitt Audio ygg DAC is pretty special. Hopefully you'll get to hear it one day if you and Lisa ever make your way to H-town.

HS

[toofart 148]

Nothing wrong with "Vintage Audio" but remember that much like Muscle Cars, nostalgia is very powerful.

True story and a good point. You really have to listen to old vs. new with the same audio and the same accessories I suppose.

[Renfrick1 83]

Funny how the remastered stuff is not the same as the album that you bought as a kid.

[BayouTiger 88]

That can be a good thing. The Steve Wilson remasters of Jethro Tull and King Crimson are off the rails awesome!