Hi all,
I'm looking for a new amp for my mother. It is to be used for both stereo and HT and the front speakers are JBL 250 ti's.
She likes to play them loud so my thought is to buy a receiver with pre-outs so an external amp may be added later if needed.
The mentioned Yamaha I have a good deal on right now. I myself has an Onkyo 709 which I think sound pretty good. Are they comparable soundwise? Or can you recommend any other brand/model?
Thanks for any input!
Surround receivers are typically priced per features and not sound or build quality.
For sound quality, I like Anthem the best, followed by Rotel and Marantz in that order.
Denon tend to be the most reliable but sound about the same as Onkyo/Integra, Sony, or Pioneer. Yamaha is not a brand I'd recommend for AVRs.
Widget
I have a RX-V750 that I use in a small HT system that also plays music. I also have an RX-Z11 in my main room. I can't say anything bad about either.
Allan.
I have been using a Yamaha RX-Z7 for my HT with 3 separate power amps for more than 4 years. I do not have any complaints. I thought my Yamaha produces good sound quality.
An excellent example of the Internet... several data points and several opinions.
I set up and listen to more of these devices than most people, however I am extremely picky and care far more about audio quality than surround mode options or other features so my opinion may not always be appropriate. Obviously these two Forum members have had positive experience with Yamaha. I would suggest giving an Anthem or Rotel an audition if possible, but then again if the price is right?
Widget
It's a bit tricky I must admit.
Rotel and Anthem's models are quite expensive (at least here in Sweden). I'm looking for something below 1000USD.
Still, I'm not sure if there might be a better route to go. My mom is used to listen to the 250ti's driven by an 1980's h/k 35W/ch amp (PM635i). Now she has discovered (at an age of 70) Youtube and Spotify and has several music DVD's which made her want to move the 250 speakers to her TV-room where she just installed a new 55" smart-TV.
As she is retired and single her budget is somewhat strained so this receiver will have to last a long time. Aware of her listening habits I think we will need to install a separate amp later on to drive the 250ti's, hence the demand for preouts. Her preferences in music is jazz, big band, some modern pop and dance and the occasional classic like Mozart etc. She also has a turntable that comes to use often so a phono-section in the amp is a must.
Soundwise she like analog and she is afraid that a new amp would sound too "digital" to her. With "digital" I think she means harsch, cool and un-involving.
I appreciate all your comments!
My HT room doubles as an often used 2 channel listening area. I had the same concerns about using the Denon AVR for just music.
Solution ? I have the full stereo setup (CD,MD,phono) separate from the Denon , but the main speakers (a/d/s L-1290) serve both systems.
I'm not big into inserting switchboxes into the chain, but in this case it was the key . Searched eBay and found a 6 speaker switcher, pretty common. This was a little different as it also switched between 2 input sources. The Denon AVR outputs directly to the center and surrounds , but the mains go to the box as does the output from the Adcom 2 channel amp. So only the input selector ever gets selected, never the speakers.
All in all it works out very well.
Some kind of happiness is measured out in miles
I agree with her... I would avoid surround receivers if possible. In general any old school analog receiver from 30 years ago will sound better than a modern AVR.Originally Posted by Jakob
Widget
When I had to share my 2 channel and surround zones I used a theater bypass configuration... but like your speaker selector solution these alternatives add operational complexity that most people are not willing to live with.
Widget
yup. pushing one button is very complex.
Some kind of happiness is measured out in miles
You would think that wouldn't you, but I can't tell you how many systems I've seen where the customer would end up listening to the center channel minus the L+R speakers in this scenario.yup. pushing one button is very complex.
Widget
not "surround receiver"...surround preamp
I'm not sure what you're driving at, but the same can be said for Pre/pros as with AVRs.
Widget
I'm not talking .. Pre/Pro , but of AVR's w/no main amps..and of course the front pnl
"Granny" switch for av/discrete
Example..Adcom 880 (which I've seen for half a c note on Ebay..)
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