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We are looking to replace our receiver (NAD 7130) & speakers (Norman Labs 3-ways, the model 83 on a 6" tilted stand). We listen mostly to acoustic music - jazz, classical, folk/world/roots - w/ a little bit of electrics - classic rock/blues/world pop & some electronics.
We're set on getting another receiver (FM is essential) rather than separates, and are considering either the Outlaw RR2150 ($650) or the NAD C720BEE w/ separate phono pre-amp ($750 total - phono input is also essential). Does anyone have comparative experience w/ these? Is there any sense yet if the Outlaws are as sturdy & reliable as the NAD? Our receiver often runs a good 15, 16 hrs/day, 7 days/week. The Outlaw's USB port is an attractive feature.
We've recently started to listen to some speakers & are still trying to get a handle on what floorstanders are available in the $600-1000 range. So far we've been able to listen to the PSB T-45, T-55, Monitor Audio RS6, Paradigm Monitor7, and a $600/pr of Def Techs that didn't sound too great. We can arrange to hear the Vandersteen 1C, and elsewhere compare one-on-one the Wharfedale 9.6 & some similarly priced KEF's. So far so good, though I'm finding my auditory memory has trouble moving from one listenng room to another in a single store, let alone moving from store to store with differently set-up rooms & equipment . . .
Now we're being tempted by various discounts into a higher quality speaker, moving from the 2.5 configurations into full 3 ways, specifically: a floor demo PSB T65 for a little under $1000; a used year old pair of B&W 604's from the dealer for $900 (he's taking them back in a trade-up & come w/ remaining 4 year warranty) & possibly a floor demo of same for $1100. He was alone & busy w/ customers, so we didn't get to hear them yet. Yesterday we went back to hear the RS6's after listening to the Monitor 7's at Paradyme (the salesperson seemed quite uninterested in bringing out the 9's for us to hear), and were offered the RS8's for $1200 ("today or tomorrow only") because the store (Magnolia) was moving location. Despite the salespitch, we're assuming that we can get the RS8's at that price so long as they're still in stock. W'e're probably going to try to listen to the 604's, T-65's & RS8's all in the same day; unfortunately in three different shops.
We liked the sound of both the T-55 & RS6 models, & hadn't really gotten a good handle on their distinctions yet. There's a noticable difference in both the T-65's & RS8's that we like - a richer sound, esp. in the mids & bass. I'm assuming that's from the additional driver? The full three way configuration seems to be the direction we're heading. Which raises these questions:
Can I run those speakers for a little while on the old NAD 7130 receiver (30w/ch)?
I'm assuming that either of these receivers (NAD C720BEE or Outlaw RR2150) will be adequate to power the Monitor Audio RS8's, PSB T65's, &/or B&W 604's; are there any compatibility issues we should be aware of?
Since we're considering raising our spending limit up to $1200 for the RS8's, are there other speakers we should try to listen to?
Any other thoughts? Appreciate the space to ask these questions; reading the forum threads has already been quite useful.
, set up and run in for a few weeks, order ya one of these 
