Not going to ask for advice on *which* receiver to get and things like that but am looking to see if folks have experience or feedback on mid-range av receivers ability (like the Marantz sr 6013; receivers that claim to put out ~100-is watts) to be able to sufficiently and efficiently power a setup with Invisa SPS for l/c/r, HTR 7000 for surround, and Invisa 650 for 4 height speakers. Primary use is movies.

Room is 20x21 with 75” tv going in. Seating is about 10’ Away from tv. I’ll have either one sub or two. All the receivers in this price range have very similar specs but this is going to be a custom install on new construction (and I hate getting the guys out to redo the remote) so now is the time I’m considering adding a more powerful amp, run pre-outs for l/c/r or l/c/r/surround.

And while one never knows until you try, I figure I’d give this a shot I’m case there is overwhelming feedback to suggest going one way or another. Thanks in advance.

Hi

You’ll probably get a range of opinions on this question.

Here’s my thoughts: lots of folks with similar set-ups rely fully on the receiver to power the speakers. With your proposed speaker set-up (good choices!), none of those channels will be full range, all crossed to the sub or subs, so a good part of the power hungry bass load will go to the sub channel(s) and sub amps. The receiver will need, though to power nine channels and the 100 wpc rating is usually for two channels driven, so depending on what sound volume levels you’ll want to play at, the receiver will have plenty to do.

My inclination would be to try the set-up with receiver only as long as sufficient rack space is available to easily later add an amp if you decide you want more oomph/dynamics. It would be fairly easy to run pre-outs from the receiver to a 3 or 5 channel amp and move the affected speaker connects to the amp later as long as the wiring is accessible. Lots of us add to our systems over time.

If budget isn’t an issue, then, sure a good 3 or 5 channel amp would give you some more power reserve and possibly dynamics.

Hope this helps.

Have fun! You’re heading for some real listening pleasure!

Rick

Rick, thanks for the detailed response. Budget is a consideration so I’ll likely try the path you suggested. The most financially approachable options for a separate amp to power the front 3 or first 5 happen to be amps who claim similar power output as the avr, so was hesitant to start there only to find I have the same problem just now spread across two amplifiers and 9 channels. The step up to higher quality and higher rated amps was outside of the initial range to speculate buying with the theory I would need it.

In the end, I think I’ll try things without a separate amp for starters. Really want those fronts to sing and sound amazing.

I think that's a great way to get your system up and running! My first Goldenear set-up, way pre Atmos, was 5.2, with T2 fronts, SuperSat 50c center, Invisa 525 ceiling surrounds plus two other Invisa 525's on Zone 2 for music only, all fully driven by a NAD T757 7 channel receiver rated at 60 wpc (NAD rates more conservatively than other receiver manufacturers, with power available, all channels driven, which means the NAD probably had power reserves equivalent to for instance a Marantz SR 6012 rated at 100 wpc, 2 channels driven). The NAD did a fine job, never seemed strained in any way, even at some pretty loud SL's, made the GEt's just sing. Goldenear speakers are pretty darn efficient.

The speakers you are proposing to use, Sandy and team's latest creations, should sound fantastic!!!

Happy listening!

Rick

Rick's advice is very good - try it with just the receiver (but leave space for an amp to fit if needed) and if it has enough power for your listening levels, you're all good! If not, add the amp. In either case, make sure there's ample ventilation. You don't want your receiver and/or amp to get cooked from heat.