Upgraded Speakers now need a better receiver. (1 Viewer)

[4RunnerSeth]

I upgraded my speakers and now am looking for advice on a receiver. I have a yamaha RX-V373. Its a great receiver and has served me well. Before it was pushing some old HTIB speakers. Now i have upgraded speakers to some decent stuff. I have looked at higher end Yamahas and want to know if I'm really gaining any audio quality with these higher end receivers in the 400-700 range or am I just gaining features. I really don't care for more features. I want something that can compliment my now much higher end speakers. I would like to stay under $800. I have my sources are Comcast HD DVR, Sony Network 3D Blu-ray, and a Wii. Front L/R - Sonance VP45 Center - Martin Logan Motion 6 Rear L/R - Martin Logan Motion 2 Sub - Martin Logan Dynamo 700W

 

[schan1269]

More power just equals louder. However it also means greater dynamic range. But, to run into issues you'd have to overrun this AVR. Which if you aren't...more power doesn't make a difference. Believe it or not, these new speakers are probably using less power than the "pre-package" speakers you replaced.

 

[4RunnerSeth]

More power just equals louder. However it also means greater dynamic range. But, to run into issues you'd have to overrun this AVR. Which if you aren't...more power doesn't make a difference. Believe it or not, these new speakers are probably using less power than the "pre-package" speakers you replaced.

So I should just stick with what I have? Is there something in that range that will be a higher quality receiver that will produce better sound and not just more power and features.

 

[schan1269]

I'm not sure if that Yamaha is integrated circuit or discrete... That would make a difference. The only brands(that I definitely know are) "totally discrete" are Denon/Marantz(have been 2-3 years-ish) and Onkyo/Integra(as of the current model year). So I'll "sorta rescind" what I said and I'll look into "where in the Yammy line-up" they switch to discrete.

 

[schan1269]

The 473(on the Yammy USA page, bullet point number 2) says... Discrete amp configuration. http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/av-receivers-amps/rx/rx-v473_black_u/?mode=model

 

[4RunnerSeth]

The 473(on the Yammy USA page, bullet point number 2) says... Discrete amp configuration. http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/av-receivers-amps/rx/rx-v473_black_u/?mode=model

Wait, Ok I think I'm going to have to go home and verify. I thought i had the 373, but now i think i might have the 473. Mine definitely has the larger binding posts for all speaker outputs. The 373 in these pictures show only binding posts for some of the speaker channels.

 

[4RunnerSeth]

OK well... I have a 471. I dont think it has discrete amplifier.

 

[schan1269]

Without writing a 50 dissertation... If you Google... Integratec circuit (or IC) vs. Discrete You'll find that there have been tests/surveys done showing that people can't tell the difference between both styles. IC is much less expensive. That being said. The "other thing" you need to consider is "how much total power is available". No (current) AVR makes its stated power by 5 or 7. They can say it all they want to on the outside of the box. Doesn't make it true. The true mettle of an amps(regardless of amp/int amp/receiver) ability to create sound...is its power reserve. Bass takes more power than high ranges. However...by "size to required force" a tweeter is less efficient than a woofer. Still takes gobs more power to move a woofer. This is like stating it takes 14hp to keep a Honda Civic at 70mph, and it takes 60hp to keep a 80,000 semi doing 70mph. It still takes "gobs more" but the semi is being more efficient. Anyway, bottom line is...more power reserve gives more "oomph" to your music system.