Sherwood 9080 Combo vs. HK 510 + Amp. (1 Viewer)

[Lando P]

I was considering to add a power amp to my HK510. I was choosing between B&K ST3140 (3 x 140w), AMC 2N100-3 (3 x 150w), and Denon POA-8300 (3 x 120w THX). Yesterday, I went to a local store that had a Sherwood AVP-9080/AM-9080 combo for a demo for $1200. I don't know whether to get the Sherwood and trade the HK510 for more than half less than what I paid for or stick with my present plan of adding a power amp to the HK510.

Any comments?

My speakers are Acoustic Energy Aegis 3 (Fronts), Aegis Center, Aegis 1 (Rears) and Aegis Sub.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[Ted Kim]

I would take the HK into the store and see how well it performs with the Sherwood amp. Compare the pre/pro section of the HK with the Sherwood. My experience is you'll find a big difference in presentation. See Camp's thread about the Sherwood. One last thing, if I remember correctly the Aeigis series uses silk dome tweeters. The Newcastles laid back highs in combination with silk domes might be too much of a good thing in absolute terms. Try before you buy. YMMV.

For the amps, I would recommend both the B&K and Sherwood, forget about the AMC. I can't remember the last time an AMC product got a good review, though I might not have been paying close enough attention. They are basically a NAD imitator.

 

[John Morris]

Lando: I really can't comment on the HK since I've never heard one. However, the SN combo is very nice for the money. The preamp has a great analog bypass and sounds great for movie playback too. However, the SN 9080r preamp does not support 6.1/7.1 or DPL2 though, so if you want that, you should look elsewhere.

 

[Brian Treinen]

Regarding the Sherwood combo, if it turns out you like that you can pick it up for less than the $1200 if you sniff around the internet some - unless you're averse to web buying.

 

[Jeff]

$600 each for the AVP-9080 and AM-9080 is a damn good deal.

 

[Brian Schucher]

Can be had cheaper.. I picked up my AM9080 new in box for 400 and change

 

[Jeff]

Yes, but this is a good price for a local dealer. The only way you can get it for $400 is used on Ebay.

The cheap new ones online are all dried up.

 

[KeithAP]

I don't know if he still has it, but a HTF member has such a combo (new) listed in the Hardware for Sale section for $900.
Here is the link.
-Keith

 

[Philip Hamm]

The combo is only 5.1 but it is stellar. The price is very good. I agree with the recommendation to bring your H/K to the dealer and hook it up and try it out. The remote on the S/N 9080 pre is poor IMO. Budget a good universal if you don't already have one. The AM-9080 can only be switched on by a proprietary connection. If you hook it to your H/K you'll have to manually turn it on. I would be surprised if the dealer is willing to part with the 9080 combo one piece at a time, they probably want to sell them as a combination.

 

[BobAlbano]

What do you guys think about the Sherwood combo vs a Onkyo 898? I have a Onkyo 898 paired with Klipsch and have been considering switching out the Onkyo to the Sherwood combo. Would there be a major difference in sound between the two of them? I know that one is 5.1 and the other is 7.1 but in my current room I can only set up 5.1 so that isn't really a big deal to me. I will be there for a minimum of 2 years so I won't be able to do 7.1 until at least then.

 

[Philip Hamm]

I had an Onkyo 919 before I got the Sherwood combo. To tell you the truth I can't really tell a difference in sound. I never could A/B them and the 919 was AWESOME. I got the S/N combo mostly for ease of use compared to the multiple external decoders that I had to use. That said, I'm sure that the 919 is a lot more robust in the amplifier section than the 898. I would think that you'd get a significant improvement from the S/N combo if you're sticking with just 5.1. But I could be full of shit. Wouldn't be the first time.
One thing: The S/N pre/pro - amp combo will look damn impressive!

 

[Jeff]

Wow, the good 'ol Onkyo 919 and ED-901. I had one of these and then I got a Millennium DTS decoder too. That was one awesome receiver. Probably the best pre-Dolby Digital receiver ever made. It still works today, a friend of mine owns it now.

Jeff