[Advice Needed] AVR vs. Stereo Amp for a 2.0 Bedroom Projector Setup?

[heretobuyanamp]

Hey everyone, hoping to get some thoughts from the community to settle a debate I'm having with myself before I pull the trigger on an amp.


I’m putting together a bedroom theater setup. I am running a JMGO UST projector paired with some power-hungry ELAC DB63s (6-ohm). Because of the room layout, I am sticking to a 2.0 setup for now, though I might add a center channel later under the screen. My budget is around ₹25k - ₹30k (looking entirely at the used market).


Here is my dilemma:


Option A: A Used AVR (e.g., Denon X-series, Marantz NR)

• The Pros: HDMI ARC is a huge deal for me. I really want that single-remote convenience for watching movies in bed. I also get room correction (like Audyssey) for nighttime listening, and the ability to add that center channel later.
• The Cons: I know budget/mid-tier AVRs don't always have the raw current needed to make low-sensitivity ELACs sound their best musically.

Option B: A Used Stereo Amp / Network Receiver (e.g., Yamaha R-N602, Marantz PM series)

• The Pros: Considerably better pure audio quality and the heavy-hitting power supply those ELACs crave.
• The Cons: Almost none of the pure stereo amps in my used budget have HDMI ARC. I would have to use an optical cable from the projector and be stuck juggling two remotes in bed.

For those of you running 2.0 or 2.1 TV/Projector setups, is the jump in pure audio quality from a stereo amp worth giving up the single-remote convenience of an AVR?


What route would you take for these ELACs? Would love to hear your thoughts (and if anyone has gear that fits the bill, let me know!). Thanks!

 

[rwnano]

I use AVR s, in particular, old Harman kardon AVR amplifiers for my system - I'm cheap and happy

 

[heretobuyanamp]

Any recommendations?

 

[Yelamanchili manohar]

Hey everyone, hoping to get some thoughts from the community to settle a debate I'm having with myself before I pull the trigger on an amp.


I’m putting together a bedroom theater setup. I am running a JMGO UST projector paired with some power-hungry ELAC DB63s (6-ohm). Because of the room layout, I am sticking to a 2.0 setup for now, though I might add a center channel later under the screen. My budget is around ₹25k - ₹30k (looking entirely at the used market).


Here is my dilemma:


Option A: A Used AVR (e.g., Denon X-series, Marantz NR)

• The Pros: HDMI ARC is a huge deal for me. I really want that single-remote convenience for watching movies in bed. I also get room correction (like Audyssey) for nighttime listening, and the ability to add that center channel later.
• The Cons: I know budget/mid-tier AVRs don't always have the raw current needed to make low-sensitivity ELACs sound their best musically.

Option B: A Used Stereo Amp / Network Receiver (e.g., Yamaha R-N602, Marantz PM series)

• The Pros: Considerably better pure audio quality and the heavy-hitting power supply those ELACs crave.
• The Cons: Almost none of the pure stereo amps in my used budget have HDMI ARC. I would have to use an optical cable from the projector and be stuck juggling two remotes in bed.

For those of you running 2.0 or 2.1 TV/Projector setups, is the jump in pure audio quality from a stereo amp worth giving up the single-remote convenience of an AVR?


What route would you take for these ELACs? Would love to hear your thoughts (and if anyone has gear that fits the bill, let me know!). Thanks!

I would go with an AVR anyday. I used to use a small Qacoustics Q7000i 5.1 HT system in my previous 11x14 feet bedroom with stunning results. This was driven off an old Marantz SR6011. The proper integration of satellites with a sub, makes a ton of difference in tight spaces. Your goodselves can always add a small sub like the Qacoustics 3060 or 7060 which are thin and also wall mountable to get great sound later.

 

[heretobuyanamp]

I would go with an AVR anyday. I used to use a small Qacoustics Q7000i 5.1 HT system in my previous 11x14 feet bedroom with stunning results. This was driven off an old Marantz SR6011. The proper integration of satellites with a sub, makes a ton of difference in tight spaces. Your goodselves can always add a small sub like the Qacoustics 3060 or 7060 which are thin and also wall mountable to get great sound later.

Thanks sir.
Will keep a note.

 

[DB1989]

Hey everyone, hoping to get some thoughts from the community to settle a debate I'm having with myself before I pull the trigger on an amp.


I’m putting together a bedroom theater setup. I am running a JMGO UST projector paired with some power-hungry ELAC DB63s (6-ohm). Because of the room layout, I am sticking to a 2.0 setup for now, though I might add a center channel later under the screen. My budget is around ₹25k - ₹30k (looking entirely at the used market).


Here is my dilemma:


Option A: A Used AVR (e.g., Denon X-series, Marantz NR)

• The Pros: HDMI ARC is a huge deal for me. I really want that single-remote convenience for watching movies in bed. I also get room correction (like Audyssey) for nighttime listening, and the ability to add that center channel later.
• The Cons: I know budget/mid-tier AVRs don't always have the raw current needed to make low-sensitivity ELACs sound their best musically.

Option B: A Used Stereo Amp / Network Receiver (e.g., Yamaha R-N602, Marantz PM series)

• The Pros: Considerably better pure audio quality and the heavy-hitting power supply those ELACs crave.
• The Cons: Almost none of the pure stereo amps in my used budget have HDMI ARC. I would have to use an optical cable from the projector and be stuck juggling two remotes in bed.

For those of you running 2.0 or 2.1 TV/Projector setups, is the jump in pure audio quality from a stereo amp worth giving up the single-remote convenience of an AVR?


What route would you take for these ELACs? Would love to hear your thoughts (and if anyone has gear that fits the bill, let me know!). Thanks!

There are stereo amps with HDMI ARC in every spectrum of the budget and with room correction like DIRAC. Both option A and B you're considering are based on incorrect factual assumptions. And while its not listed as an option, the assumption that the Elac DB63 are power hungry falls amongst the ken of incorrect assumptions - they are easy peasy lemon squeezy to drive.