Mission FS2-AV and Marantz SR5200 - compatible?

[yaffle]

OK - am very, very tempted by these now, as my room is a funny shape and think the NXT panels will give a better soundstage and easier speaker placement. I'm looking for suggestions for a receiver to partner with it which is happy decoding DTS and DD. They'll mainly be used for HT, but musical ability would be very nice too :) Budget around £300? Annoyingly, I live miles away from any decent hifi dealers, so demoing stuff is near impossible :(

[Matt Hero]

I've been using a set of these since July (in partner with a Onkyo TS-DX 595 and a Wharfedale 750 r3) having first had a demo at my local Sevenoaks.

So far I've been very impressed. Mine are laid out in a fairly normal 5 channel pattern, even though they are apparently far less fussy about positioning.

In partner with the active sub they work well, I live in a flat with concrete floors where 'booming' can be a problem, and the natural isolation you achive with the sub spikes in the carpet, and the sat units fixed to the wall means that you can drive them quite hard without neighbour annoying vibration problems.

Anyway, receiver-wise my Onkyo has also been a good buy - DD/DTS & PLII, as well a good stereo output via my mixer for the huge amount of vinyl that I own.

PLII was not on my shopping list, however with broadcast stuff via On Digital box and analogue in, it handles stuff like 'Band of Brothers' for example with aplomb.

Not tested the DTS playback yet - my DVD 750 doesn't output - hopefully going to upgrade to the Tosh 210e in the new year. Any opinions on that anybody ?

I'm sure you can find value in many partners with the AV2 set, as they are none too fussy - but I've not regretted my Onkyo purchase yet !

Sorry, I forgot pricing - you are looking around the £400 for this box - outside the budget you suggested, but to partner a £600-£700 AV set, it's worth saving for a bit longer I'd guess.

Matt

[yaffle]

Thanks Matt - very useful reply :) I've just noticed Justin's post in the Bargain forum offering the Pioneer VSX859RDS fairly cheaply - anyone know if these two might go well? I like the upgradeability to 7.1 with a power amp and a few more NXT panels.

[Matt Hero]

....I didn't demo that set-up, and I don't think I know anybody with one to patch in.

As i said before, I'm told that they aren't fussy....but I've got no way to prove that one way or the other !

Matt

[yaffle]

OK - have narrowed it down further as I want DPLII plus the option of 6.1 at a later date. Anyone got any opinions on matching these two?

[jon smith]

i'd go with your original choice of the 5200, empire direct were doing them for around £350 (though they probably have stock problems). Very musical from the reviews, DPL2, 6.1 and only just outside your budget.

[Deron]

Or you could try thr Denon 1602, which I think would be in your budget (£261 at unbeatable) but doesn't offer 6:1.

However how are you going to get 6:1 when the NXT panels only support 5:1.

They go via your sub so that the crossover can be regulated.

The only way for six is to plug a panel directly into your amp which means that you could have problems later on.

I have the FS2-AV and considered u/g to 6:1 for a while. I decided that I don't need it as the sound is perfect and does everything I want.

However I am awaiting reviews of the Marantz 7200 as I want a v high quality amp to drive some more speakers next door. Also would like to use amp remote for DVD player (Marantz 4100)

The nxt sub is active and is rated at 55w and is plenty loud enough. They recommend an amp with 70w to drive the panels.

The Denon is very good.

[yaffle]

Thanks for all your help guys. Just parted with £800 - just got to wait for it to turn up now :D