What receivers/amplifiers do you use to drive you Arendal setups?

[Kristoffer Svendsen]

I’m curious, What receiver/preamp/source and/or amplifiers do you use with your Arendal speakers? Have you tested brands that worked better than others? I’m curious to know what you guys are using!

I’m using a Yamaha RX-A2060 to power a pair of 1961 Monitors and a 1723 Sub 1v and it sounds great! I might add a dedicated amplifier down the line if I get something bigger, but I definitely don’t feel like I’m missing much with my current setup.

[RobertV]

Luis

The Minolith 3 channel amp is on back order in my area until December. I just bought an Emotiva xpa to drive my 1723s towers and 1723s center. I have the ports plugged and an SVS ultra sub. Crossover set at 60. How do you like your Cinema 50. I have the 40 being delivered tomorrow?

[Luis]

@Robert Valdine – I had Emotiva XPA-2 and XPA-5 Gen 2 amps in my previous home theater; both amps were fantastic workhorses.  My only complaint… they were massive and extremely heavy!!  They didn’t fit in my Salamander Synergy console… the XLRs and speaker connections extended past the shelves, so I couldn’t install the back cover on the console. Granted, they stayed in place while in the system; however, dusting them was a chore as their weight and size made them difficult to slide them around to clean under them.  I also had the XMC-1 processor; the combo was fantastic; however, my previous room was significantly larger than what I have today.

In my newer / smaller room, the Cinema 50 drives my 1961 speakers with ease.  After the speakers and Cinema 50 hit 50+ hours of “break in”, I pushed the volume a bit and measured a 106db peak at the MLP.  106db might not be uber loud; however, the combo had zero strain.  It sounded effortless and I could have pushed the volume further; however, it was louder than I typically listen to, so I backed off.

To be honest, I don’t miss my Emotiva setup at all; the Cinema 50 has all the features I need and sounds fantastic to my ears.  I considered the Cinema 40, but decided on the Cinema 50 as I felt, if needed, I could use the cost difference between the 2 models to purchase an external amp if I found the 50 was underpowered.  Firmware upgrades have been smooth, the Dirac install was problem free, HDMI switching has been rock solid, etc. etc.  Zero complaints thus far… zero regrets.

Keep us posted once your Cinema 40 arrives and you get around to setting it up / listening to it.  Curious to read your thoughts on it.

[Fernando Ayllón]

2 x XTZ A2-300 Edge for my 1961 Monitors LCR ; 2nd hand units, good deal. Hard to resist if you ask me :)

Do they sound better that using the x3600H? Maybe a bit more clarity in dialogs, but not sure.

But, they do not get warm and the receiver is running cooler.

 

 

[chris-lukowski]

Hi Luis, how many channels are you driving with your Cinema 50? I’m looking into that model as well, but I was thus far convinced that it was a bad idea to run all 9 of my 5.2.4 future channels from an AVR whose RMS rating could drop by half once all channels are driven.

Also, how do you feel Dirac compares to Audyssey XT32?

[Luis]

Hey Chris… I’m currently powering 7 channels; however, I plan is to install another pair of heights this weekend, so shortly my Cinema 50 will be powering 9 channels.  Thus far I have zero complaints with the Cinema 50 and I feel, within my room and listening habits, that I have sufficient power.  Give me another week or two to provide feedback once the 9 channels are up and running and I have the ability to watch a few movies.

Dirac vs Audyssey… I’m more used to using Dirac as my previous processor, an Emotiva XMC-1, had it, so it’s more familiar to me.  Sound quality wise… I prefer Dirac for movies, but to be honest, both have been relatively easy to use, setup and configure.  For music, I’m more of a 2 channel pureist… so no processing at all.

[Michael-B]

Marantz Cinema 50 with 1723 S Towers & regular 1723 Center in 5.2.4 mode. Getting 2 SVS SB-3000 subs delivered today. Of course have to run Audyssey again, and looking forward to using the sub app to dial-in the base.  We haven’t been to a movie theater in years since I have it all hooked up to a BenQ 4K projector and 120” screen. It’s better than a movie theater, because you can pause when you need a beer or to go to the bathroom. ;)

[Palmspar]

I use a denon 3400x for the 7 Arendal 1961 speakers in 5.1.2 atmos setup.

Only the sub is a Svs sb2000, i use it before i heard from Arendal.

It blends perfect with the Arendal speakers, Not that good with the Teufel speakers i use

before.

When i now needed a sub it would be the 1961 1s or the 1723 1s but i have a smal room.

maybe is the 1723 overkill, but with 3 eq settings to choose it can be the better choice.

[Jarrett Lott]

I’m running an XPA-5 on my FLCS 1723 THX and it sounds great. I can afford any amp I want, but this Emotiva sounds damn good. The 2 UM18-22 on Behringer 6000D blend VERY WELL.

Denon 3700H source.

[Jarrett Lott]

Holy sht! lol

[Kristoffer Svendsen]

It’s very interesting to read what you all use, thank you for sharing!

Has anyone tried the new topping PA7 or PA7 plus? They measure really well and are quite affordable. Their previous PA5 model had some serious reliability issues, so I want to make sure these new ones don’t suffer the same problems.