Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 2 of 2 1 2
Re: Diff between AVR w/ pre out vs. pre/pro
dennisdxl32 #152228 11/30/06 05:36 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
Dennis, your requirements seem quite modest and realistic and would certainly not indicate a "high-end" (i.e., high-priced)receiver. Three available for around $400, at the beginning of your budget range, would be the Onkyo 604, Pioneer 1016 and Yamaha 659.


-----------------------------------

Enjoy the music, not the equipment.


Re: Diff between AVR w/ pre out vs. pre/pro
JohnK #152229 11/30/06 03:43 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,854
R
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
R
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,854
One of the other things I have noticed over the years is that receivers tend to have more controls/features than the separates.

I've also seen several conversations that indicate separate amps "really open up the speakers", whatever that means. Discussions in forums with recievers vs. separates usually devolve into each side defending their position too fervently.

I've had the opportunity to to hear separates and a receiver using the same set of speakers and I can't tell the difference (although I am sure that the separate amp really opened up the speakers )

See if you can find a mid/high end store and demo a receiver vs separates. At the end of the day, your ears, combined with the itch to get some equipment you think you want and a generous helping of how much you are willing to spend is the recipe you'll mix. The fun is in the hunt!!

Re: Diff between AVR w/ pre out vs. pre/pro
dennisdxl32 #152230 11/30/06 04:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,270
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,270
dennisdxl,

Using a separate multichannel power amp with your AV receiver as a pre-pro is an excellent solution. The residual power drain of the unused amplifier sections would be minimal. Even if you went with a separate pre-pro, it would still have a power supply section that consumes AC for the preamp/processor circuitry.

Use your AV receiver's internal amplifiers for all the surround channels and a separate 3-channel power amp for the fronts.


Alan Lofft,
Axiom Resident Expert (Retired)
Re: Diff between AVR w/ pre out vs. pre/pro
theimage #152231 01/16/07 06:58 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 45
B
buff
Offline
buff
B
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 45
This is probably a dead thread at this point, but I'll add my input anyway.

Quality of receivers vary greatly. On this front, you really tend to get what you pay for. In many cases - particularly in the case of most Japanese receivers - manufacturer specs on amplifier power are very optimistic. Normally, they are rated with two channels driven (at 1KHz, no less, rather than full bandwidth), and produce far less output if all channels need power at the same time. Also, putting what amounts to three components (tuner, pre-amp/processor, amplifiers) in one chassis forces certain compromises that can and do impact performance (some of which have already been nicely explained by Alan, so I won't repeat). Separates, at last higher end ones, generally use superior internal components as well.

From a practical standpoint, there are other things to consider besides potential performance compromises, like upgradability. If you have separates, you can upgrade any part of the equation, keeping the rest of the components. If you have a receiver, you generally will have to replace the entire unit on each upgrade cycle. And with many separate pre-amp/processors, you can upgrade it via firmware instead of new hardware, assuming no extra physical requirements are needed. [While some receivers allow for this, you will pay a premium for this capability.]

From a sound perspective, I have directly compared a high-quality receiver with high-quality separates. The comparison in question is a Arcam AVR300 receiver vs. Arcam separates (AV9/P7) over Thiel CS1.6 speakers. While I was expecting a difference, I was floored by how clear of a difference there was (yes, they were level-matched prior to listening tests). The separates outperformed the receiver by a noticable margin in every category I can think of. Sure, the separates cost twice as much (or a bit more), but the performance increase is well worth it if you can afford part with the extra bit of cash.

Page 2 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  alan, Amie, Andrew, axiomadmin, Brent, Debbie, Ian, Jc 

Link Copied to Clipboard

Need Help Graphic

Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics24,940
Posts442,457
Members15,616
Most Online2,082
Jan 22nd, 2020
Top Posters
Ken.C 18,044
pmbuko 16,441
SirQuack 13,840
CV 12,077
MarkSJohnson 11,458
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 386 guests, and 4 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newsletter Signup
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4