I've been looking to get back a a/v receiver and i am wondering about few things.
What you guys thing about getting the big avr from any brand vs a lower model (with pre-out) and then, add a 2-5 or 7 channel power amplification ?

What would be the plus and cons about price/performance.

If you are looking for power, I would look to a seperate power amp and usually a power amp will offer greater stability as well. Generally, the pre-amp sections other than connectivity features, are the same in lower powered A/V receivers and high output receivers. Although the pre-amps sections can be used from an A/V receiver, a dedicated pre-amp would offer a cleaner signal.

Depends on your room size Philippe and how you plan to use your setup, how loud you will be playing, etc.

Ironically, it seems that most--I'd go as far to say, all major makers--don't include pre-outs on their lower end receivers. You have to go to the high end, the ones with the bigger amps, to get the pre-outs.

Philippe, unless you were in the quite unusual situation that the typical 100-150 watt rated receivers couldn't power your speakers to the limits of safe listening levels, the price/performance contest is no-contest. One of the great things about the current audio scene is the relatively low cost at which high-powered, full-featured receivers are available to us. Buying separate units to do the same thing can't be as cost effective.

Well i only asking because i had before a small a/v receiver a Marant SR5003. That was about 75-80watts per channel. Enough power for movies, can't remember it didn't gave me what i asked from the little receiver, but form music, there was plenty of distortion.
I do not have it anymore buti could have purchase a 2 channel or a 5channel power amp just to get some stability. Since i have the lastest HD codec from the avr.

Well haven't lookm for a receiver for a while, where are the best place to get one in canada over the net these day ?

did you have the speakers set to small or full range.

http://www.accessories4less.com/

i have bought a marantz receiver from them, as well as a marantz 5 channel amp. I still use the amp to this day 6 years after my purchase. I think they ship to Canada, you will have to look it up or call them, they were very helpful over the phone when i was making my purchase several years ago...

Personally, I would recommend one of these. You will need a couple of extra components to hook it all up, but you'll never feel like you're short on power for your system again.

Philippe, Accessories4less, which Dak mentioned, has excellent deals on Onkyo and Marantz receivers, but unfortunately don't ship out of the U.S. I'm not aware of any Canadian source that's comparable, but perhaps another of our Canadian members can comment.

damn, sorry man... I though they might ship to Canada....

no problem, there is no rush anyway.

What! what the heck happened to them, has this all been a dream since the 70's, oh good, Rush is real.

Relax. He probably just has short term memory loss from sticking his finger in one of the sockets of that power thingamabob I gave him a link to.

As point of clarification, the only units that Accessories4less will NOT ship to Canada is the Onkyo models. Everything else is OK. The strange thing is that I have found pretty well all the retailers and resellers in the US that sell Onkyo won't ship to Canada either. It seems, unlike all the other mainstream manufacturers, Onkyo is pretty protective of their Canadian distributor(or the distributor has compromising pictures of all the principles in Onkyo).

This allows for inflated prices in Canada despite the value of the Canadian dollar vis-a-vis the US.

Casey, the situation appears to be more complicated: some of the Marantz receivers show "U.S. only", while others don't. If you'd care to test this with your Canadian info on one(e.g., 5004)that shows U.S. only, it might be interesting to see if your order would be accepted(up until the final buy click, of course).

Yes, as I've commented before here, the Canadian Onkyo distributor appears to have a sinister and powerful influence, to the detriment of Canadian buyers.

Yep, you are right and with Marantz this is a recent phenomenon on the A4Less website. Like Onkyo, they are now showing the sales limitation at the bottom of the first page even before you have a chance to order. I would imagine with the Canadian dollar now worth at least 4-5% more than the US for some time now, I wonder if Marantz Canada complained to Marantz USA who put the pressure on these US resellers because of a substantial loss of sales? Sounds like another Onkyo scam to me.

Consider buying used receivers (or any audio gear for that matter) from Audiogon or Canuck Audio Mart. These units are usually good deals but of course, they would not come with any manufacturer warranty if bought used.
These are the best places to find good deals IMO.

In regards to the AVR vs. separate power amp, price to performance certainly gives a nod to the all in one unit, however, in buying used components one can easily put together a "higher end" system for similar or lesser prices. (i don't follow the dogma of "higher end" for the most part, but you can get some really pretty units that originally cost 2k for less than $800; who wouldn't want to buy that used 80k Porsche for only 25k? They're just so darn pretty).

i bought one of my amps through audiogon, I posted a "wanted" add, i talked to the individual over the phone for a while before i bought my amp from him. Overall i have had a good experiences with audiogon. I get the perception that the people selling on audiogon are possibly more respectable than the people who sell on ebay. It seems like the people on audiogon are much more professional than a lot of the people on ebay today. Ebay use to be good, 10 or so years ago, however today i do not trust Ebay very much at all... That is just me though.

Hope this helps

I definitly looking everytime on used market like you guys mentioned. I am use with Canuck Audio Mart. (got over 25 positive feedback there).
Anyway, look like you can get some good price from dealer on brand new avr with full warrantly.

Oh btw I am building a second stereo system and so far i bought a Shuguang Classic S8MK Integrated KT88 Tube Amplifier with Treasure/Psvane upgrade tube. Also added Psvane Copper Foil Teflon Film (CuTF) capacitors. So i might take 100% of the amp can give me. Everything from Grant Fidelity.

I am really looking for a pair of Axiom M50 (Eggshell white) Since i do not have a big room. 12x13x8.
I actually have a pair of M3 but there is a little lack of bass. (Even if M3 deliver a solid bass output).

I bet the M50 would be just enough. Oh i also try my M80 in this room and the bass was totally overkill sadly.