Recommend receiver for use with power amps

I need opinions about a situation. I rendered two Sony TA-9000ES's and a Sony EP9ES non-workable; they're way out of warranty. Should I look at the cost of repairing one of them or get a new receiver? ...and which one.

I want to power an ATI 2505, two Cinepros and an Adcom amplifier. So, I'm not interested in the amplifier section as much as I am in the preamp/processor end. What's the biggest bang for my buck considering this?

Thanks,
Roy

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

Biggest bang for your buck? Without hesitation, the Outlaw 990.

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

That's exactly what I was thinking!

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

Respectfully, I would suggest that the Yamaha 661 used as a pre-amp is the best bang for the buck going. Available everywhere for $499 and frequently $399 from authorized dealers. The 661 is reported to use the same Burr-Brown DACS used in Yamaha's higher end models and has HDMI 1.2 for full processing of 7.1 PCM.

A friend of mine recently replaced a Sherwood-Newcastle AVP-9080, well regarded in its day, with the 661 and considers it a sonic improvement. The 661 and Onkyo 705 are my final two contenders to replace my 9080 as well.

-Brent

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

Hmmmm ...that's a good suggestion too. I'll check it out.

Thanks

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

How about opinions on the

Yamaha RXV2600BL 7.1-CHANNEL THX SELECT2 Home Theater Receiver?

I can pick this up for less than half of retail ...about $600.00

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

It's one, probably two generations old since the x800 series are shipping, thus the clearance pricing.

Biggest deficiency compared to the 661 or 705 is HDMI audio processing. I can't find what version of HDMI the 2600 has, but it's likely 1.1 which won't handle the 7.1 LPCM audio tracks that HD-DVD/Blu-Ray players use for passing the lossless audio formats. If you don't ever see yourself upgrading to HD/Blu-Ray, then it may be worth consideration.

BTW, the Onkyo 705 I mentioned is also THX Select2 Certified and is readily availabel for $650 give or take from authorized retailers. Additionally, it's HDMI 1.3a which means it will decode the lossless formats internally once players/software allow the bitstream to be passed to the processor before decoding.

In short, I don't see anything that would influence me to choose the heavily discounted 2600 over the 661 or 705. YMMV.

-Brent

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

I'm pretty sure 1.1 will, 1.2 really only adds raw DSD transmission.

I think the 661 would make a fantastic pre-pro pro in just about any system with the way it handles LPCM.

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

True per the spec...had to look it up. It gets a little confusing when receivers, especially the 1.1, are bad about implementing the spec literally...meaning that can't or don't apply BM, channel delays, processing overlays, etc. Even 1.2 and probably 1.3 spec receivers are no guarantee that you'll be able to do everything to the LPCM streams that you can to DD/DTS/stereo. As they say, caveat emptor.

-Brent

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

Absolutely true. The spec tells you what the pipeline is capable of carrying, but you've still got to look at a unit's specific capabilities.

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

FYI, the 805 also uses Burr-Brown DACS. I'm pretty sure the 705 doesn't. At least Onkyo doesn't mention it, and I think they would have.

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

I think that the Yamaha 661 is a very good choice. I would not get the Outlaw 990. You are much better off with HDMI, than with DVI.

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

1.1 will but not all 1.1 preamps/receivers will handle LPCM.

The Outlaw IMHo is a boat anchor in todays world unless you have a HD player capable of analog outs and even then it's a stop gap. If you are looking at HD DVD or BR, then get an HDMI 1.1 receiver or better and make sure it will handle LPCM over HDMI.

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

Yup...like I said above, you've really got to look at the capabilities of the specific unit in question.

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

maybe i am wrong or i just don't get it or maybe just exhausted or just confused. you are looking for a receiver and use the preamp section as a processor am i right. i would like to know which cinepro amps you own. do you realize these amps are world class and to feed them with the top section of any receiver would make eric abrahms turn in his grave...

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

Sounds like a good possibility for me as well. Does the 661 have a phono input? How many HDMI inputs?

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

Two HDMI 1.2a inputs, no phono.

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

Well, I guess no one can say I have no patience! I today ordered a Yamaha RXV 1800! The nice thing is that since it is a pretty high power receiver, I may be able to use it by itself and sell my power amp.

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

Look for a nice review of the 1800 in the Dec. 2007 issue of S&V magazine where they rated it at 105 wpc x 5. The 863 on the other hand could only muster 45 x 5. The only real negative they had about the 1800 was you could only use one crossover setting for all speakers set to small. Otherwise, it was ! I'm on the hunt for a 4600, btw.

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

I want to power an ATI 2505, two Cinepros and an Adcom amplifier. So, I'm not interested in the amplifier section as much as I am in the preamp/processor end. What's the biggest bang for my buck considering this?

I know this is an old post, but why would anyone use a receiver for a preamp for these poweramps?? I don't get it maybe somebody can help me understand. I know for a fact that cinepro amps are around $7000.00 each.
I just don't get it, sorry...What's the purpose?

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

Well, it depends if you want to be able to internally(in the pre-pro) decode the new HD audio codecs that are on BluRay (and HDDVD) movies. The high end manufacturers are just now starting to release pre-pros that can do that.

The Yamaha receivers have at least decent pre sections, and can decode the new codecs for under $1000.

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

Thanks for that info. Hmm, those results with the 1800 are not too bad for a receiver driving 5 channels, from what I've been reading lately. My front L/R speakers are huge, but fairly efficient at over 90, although I think they are rated 4 ohms. My Sony DA4ES seems to drive them fairly well, and I have never thought I heard any clipping, although I do not listen at very loud levels at all.

Yes, I learned that about the crossovers, but what I've heard about the quality of two channel music of the Yamaha outweighed the crossover issue. I think it will be OK for my center and my surrounds to be set the same, at around 60hz.

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

Hey Roy,

I need to know what your plans are and what your budget is?

I see you are all set for power amplifiers.

Depending on how serious you want to get you could go with a pre/pro or a receiver and use it as a prepro.

Now while the Outlaw 990 Pre/Pro may be a good bang for the buck pre/pro it is still way outdated IMHO. The 990 offers 3 component inputs and XLR outs for power amplifiers and DVI connections, but no HDMI. Granted you could use a Bluray player with internal decoding of Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Personally I would pass up the 990 and get something with HDMI.

If you really want to go the Pre/Pro route I would put it off and see what is announced at CES in January. There is a small chance that Adcom may announce a new pre/pro at CES.

Todays receivers actually are more up to date than most pre/pros and they do make good pre/pros. And you can allways get one with assignable internal amplifiers and use them to power alternate zones.

Pre/Pro
Adcom GTP-870

• Audiophile 7.1 Direct Input
• Adjustable Lip Sync
• Independent Room 2 Out w/ advanced equalization
• Scale analog video sources up to a max of 1080p
• 7.1 Surround Processing
• Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES and Prologic IIx
• 4 Component Inputs
• 7.1 XLR Ballanced Outs
• Multi-Channel Input 7.1
• 7.1 Preout outputs
• Dual 24bit/192KHz Cirrus Logic Processors
• HDMI v1.? (Not HDMI 1.3)

No internal decoding of Dolby True HD or DTS-HD Master Audio. No Dynamic EQ or Dynamic Volume and no Audyssey or MCACC room correction.

Integra DTC 9.8

• THX Ultra2 Certified
• Processing: DD Plus, TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio
• DACs: Burr Brown 192K/24 Bit
• 7.1 XLR Ballanced Outs
• Adjustable Crossover - 40/45/50/55/60/70/80/90/
  100/110/120/130/150/200
• Multi-Band Speaker EQ: 15 Band
• Component Video / Bandwidth 3 / 100MHz
• HDMI I/O 4 / 2 - V1.3a Repeater
• HDMI Deep Color Capable (36bit)
• Reon HQV Video Processor
• Multi-Channel Input 7.1
• 7.1 Preout output
• Zone 2 & 3 Ready
• Built-in HD Radio Tuner
• XM Radio Ready
• SIRIUS Radio Ready
• RS-232
• 12V Trigger (w/adjustable delay) Assignable (x3)
• Auto Speaker Calibration w/ Mic. - Audyssey MultEQ XT
• Audyssey Installer-Ready (MultEQ Pro)
• Warranty 3 YEARS

Integra Home Theater


Recievers to use as pre/pro:

Denon AVR-3808ci **
Denon AVR-4308ci
Onkyo TX-SR876
Pioneer Elite SC-05
Pioneer Elite VSX-92TXH

Many things depend on what your needs are currently and what you would like to do in the near future. I would recomend making your purchase as future proof as you can so you do not have to replace this unit before you should have to. Personally I have been looking at a Denon AVR-2809ci but may very well get the Denon AVR-3808ci instead and will eventually use it as a pre/pro.

Ask yourself the following questions,

• How many HDMI connections do I need?
• Do I plan to run video to a second zone?
• Do I plan to run audio to a second and third zone?
• Do I plan to use a Blu-ray player with internal decoding? Or use a Bluray player and bitstream all audio formats to my pre/pro or receiver?
• What is my budget?
• What future components am I considering and will my choice meet the needs of what I am planning?
• Do I want all the newest features like Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ?

Since you have some stout power amps I do not think you will be to concerned about having enough wattage to produce enough sound pressure in a large room. I could make a better recomendation if I knew your budget and what your needs are. I hope this has helped in some small way and I am sure that other will have some good input for you as well.

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

Hi David:

I read your response and it seems that i am also thinking to make similar upgrade in my home theater. I currently have a B&K AVR 307 powering my 7.1 speakers. My left, center and right are 4 ohm speakers. So I was thinking of getting the Denon 4308CI and then later buy a better amp to pwer my main speakers (specially L-C-R). Do you think that should work fine....or will i have issues trying to use the denon as a pre?

Thanks
Kaushik

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

Sorry I meant David not Roy....

Re: Recommend receiver for use with power amps

Emotiva has finally announced shipment of the UMC-1 for end of June with the bulk of the release in July.

I'm on the pre-order list and crossing my fingers I get the credit card call soon!

I'd check it out as a serious processor contender at $699.