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July 11, 2007 - 3:56pm
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Denon makes some great gear, but I think you can do better with your budget. Since you're primarily interested in movies, consider pairing an A/V preamp/processor with a multichannel amplifier. The NAD T163/T973 combo comes to mind. For a source, a universal player from NAD, Marantz, or Denon might be attractive. Please understand that I'm a music enthusiast and any home theater advice I can offer is academic, rather than experiential.
It's a shame that there aren't any real dealers near you. You might think about expanding your reasonable travel distance, as actually hearing the components is critical. I like B+W products, but if there is a Paradigm dealer anywhere near you (or not near you), I recommend that you go hear their speaker lineup. I don't know how much money you're planning on putting into fronts/surrounds/sub, but I'm almost certain that you can find a full complement of speakers that suits you.
Good luck and come back with any other questions or concerns!
well, it looks like you might be able to help me...i see you go to U of M....i actually live in lansing. do you have any stores that you could recomend?
If you're willing to make a trip to Ann Arbor, Overture Audio is absolutely worth the drive. There's a great bunch of guys working there with a wide selection of equipment. You also might be interested to know that they don't work on commission. It's very low-pressure. Go to www.overture-audio.com to check them out.
I'm a repeat customer and will continue to be so. If you see James Howard, you can tell him Erik says hi. 
Thanks a bunch! I've been searching for stores all over the state, and for somereason, they never came up in any of then
i'll definitely make a trip down there next Monday...i noticed that you are into cycling...have you ever heard of the Priority health cycling team? In the summer i live with the owners of the team.
well, thanks again!
I just read on another forum that NAD stuff is very prone to defects and everyone says to go the outlaw route...i'm not trying to start a huge argument or a flame session here, just wondering what you guys think???
I've not heard that about NAD. Is it just the A/V stuff that's supposed to be unreliable, or did they mean all NAD equipment in general? I personally have no reason to doubt NAD's quality; My 4020A tuner is older than I am!
I admire Outlaw Audio. The only hitch with me is not being able to hear it before I buy it. By all accounts, the Outlaw gear seems to be worth your consideration, though.
No, I'm not familiar with the Priority Health team, but I'll do a little reading. I wish I were in good enough shape to race!
they were refering to the A/V stuff...they said that NAD's customer service is really poor as well...but i'm just repeating what i read.
Priority health is the first place team in the country right now...if you read velo news, they just did a nice spread about their top rider's bike
With your budget it would be a shame to end up with mid-fi equipment such as Denon or NAD. You need to investigate American manufactured equipment. It really is the best. Try, Audio Research, Conrad-Johnson, etc. Italians make really nice speakers. The Brits make some fine equipment such as REL subs, and Rega turntables.
can't be beat.
Be very careful, a $12,000 budget is great, but it can turn into a $12,000 mistake very easily. When you said Stereo I hope you meant it i.e. two channel music system. if you are thinking multi-channel video then I don't think you have a large enough budget to make it worth it. The only multi-channel system I have heard that sounded listenable to me was a system that cost over $50,000! And it was in a custom designed room! Please be careful!
Jim Green