corza13 Posted June 20, 2008 Posted June 20, 2008 (edited) Hi All, I have been thinking re my processing and amplification needs. I really have some space isssues with my equipment and am currently making some comprimises. I do not have my current power amp to go loud (although it does), but I find it really opens up and seperates multichannel sound beautifully. My current rig is an Onkyo 805 as a pre and NAD M25 Maters series power amp. I love the audyssey feature which really cleans up the sound and deepens the bass in my setup. This setup really is a wonderful combination. I have in recent days been considering moving to an absolute top end AVR ie Either Yamaha Z11 or Denon AVCA1HD or whatever it is called (Denon's new topline reveiver) Can I please have some thoughts on whether anyone thinks I will be taking a step down in sound quality? My speakers are Jamo THX Ultra 2 on walls crossed over at 80hz. I have read some staggering reviews on these two recently. I am wondering whether there superior pre amp sectionds would cancel out the loss I will have by using their internal amps? Edited June 20, 2008 by Corza13
norpus Posted June 20, 2008 Posted June 20, 2008 Hi All,I have been thinking re my processing and amplification needs. I really have some space isssues with my equipment and am currently making some comprimises. I do not have my current power amp to go loud (although it does), but I find it really opens up and seperates multichannel sound beautifully. My current rig is an Onkyo 805 as a pre and NAD M25 Maters series power amp. I love the audyssey feature which really cleans up the sound and deepens the bass in my setup. This setup really is a wonderful combination. I have in recent days been considering moving to an absolute top end AVR ie Either Yamaha Z11 or Denon AVCA1HD or whatever it is called (Denon's new topline reveiver) Can I please have some thoughts on whether anyone thinks I will be taking a step down in sound quality? My speakers are Jamo THX Ultra 2 on walls crossed over at 80hz. I have read some staggering reviews on these two recently. I am wondering whether there superior pre amp sectionds would cancel out the loss I will have by using their internal amps? What features do you need on the AVRS that your Onkyo doesn't have? The power amp seperate will be better than the AVR inbuilt Will the preamp sections be better, possibly. But maybe not enough to notice or justify the changeover cost I'd stick with the power amp seperate no matter what.
TraceyLords Posted June 20, 2008 Posted June 20, 2008 Can I take it that you are looking at this because you have a space problem ? and of wish to go back to one box ? rather than simply for sound quality ? Is there any other way to get around the space issue ? because while both the Yam and Denon will sound great, and I would think very much in the same ball park as your current setup, the cost to change will be significant. From a sound quality point of view I would be looking at upgrading to a true high end AV Pre at some stage. You have made the big break to separate power and Pre, seems a shame to go back IMO. However it is your place and your money, so if you will be happier with a simplier one box set up I would think you will be very happy with either (I would lean towards the Yam ) See if you go and have a good listen .
Gutty Posted June 20, 2008 Posted June 20, 2008 (edited) What features do you need on the AVRS that your Onkyo doesn't have? I really have some space isssues with my equipment and am currently making some comprimises. I'm guess only the fact that they're one box solutions. I'm with norpus, seperate power amp is usually a better option, even when compared to the higher end AVRs. For what it's worth, i've heard the Z11, but think i prefer the sound of my humble RX-V1600 feeding an Elektra. More noticable for music than movies, so alot may come down to your listening priorities, movies or music. Edited June 20, 2008 by Gutty
fawlty99 Posted June 20, 2008 Posted June 20, 2008 If I had the money my preference would be the new Denon pre-pro & keep the NAD. I'm not sure of the price difference between the AVRs and the pro-pro however.
corza13 Posted June 20, 2008 Author Posted June 20, 2008 Guys It is a space situation. I do love the sound of the NAD. I am 50/50 music and movies. Most of the music though is 5.1 concerts on DVD, hardly any serious CD listening I just thought for a couple of grand changeover by the time I sell the seperate components, the Z11 might be the go. Happy to hear more reason from you sensisble people though....
zorg1503559539 Posted June 20, 2008 Posted June 20, 2008 GuysIt is a space situation. I do love the sound of the NAD. I am 50/50 music and movies. Most of the music though is 5.1 concerts on DVD, hardly any serious CD listening I just thought for a couple of grand changeover by the time I sell the seperate components, the Z11 might be the go. Happy to hear more reason from you sensisble people though.... I see RIO are advertising good deals on the z11 at the moment in melbourne - price slashed too hot to print hehehehe, maybe worth a visit and listen
cwt Posted June 20, 2008 Posted June 20, 2008 GuysIt is a space situation. I do love the sound of the NAD. I am 50/50 music and movies. Most of the music though is 5.1 concerts on DVD, hardly any serious CD listening I just thought for a couple of grand changeover by the time I sell the seperate components, the Z11 might be the go. Happy to hear more reason from you sensisble people though.... As everyone says Corza ;it would be a shame to go back to the all in one . A workaround space wise is the rotel rmb 1077 [72mm high x432x415] ;if you havent demoed one already ? Power amps certainly seem to sell well on the forum
betty boop Posted June 20, 2008 Posted June 20, 2008 GuysIt is a space situation. I do love the sound of the NAD. I am 50/50 music and movies. Most of the music though is 5.1 concerts on DVD, hardly any serious CD listening I just thought for a couple of grand changeover by the time I sell the seperate components, the Z11 might be the go. Happy to hear more reason from you sensisble people though.... the big difference corza would be the charecter difference going from the nad to denon or yamaha coming from the amp stages. if you have a nice combination with the nad and jamo's I'd be reluctant to split that. I would very much doubt too any of the inbuilt power stages of the avrs equating the capabiities of the m25. inregards the capability of the pre's the differences woul be subtle especially if 2ch ability is not part of this equation. in the denons if thinking the mighty AVC why not the AVP at not much more ? and partner wiht the nad m25 as been suggested already
corza13 Posted June 24, 2008 Author Posted June 24, 2008 Thanks for all of your input guys. I would like to go the Denon Pre route at some stage but that it out of the question right now. I have found a workaround for my space issue which has pretty much been resolved. I do love my current set up and all is well again!!
Guest Posted June 24, 2008 Posted June 24, 2008 GuysIt is a space situation. I do love the sound of the NAD. I am 50/50 music and movies. Most of the music though is 5.1 concerts on DVD, hardly any serious CD listening I just thought for a couple of grand changeover by the time I sell the seperate components, the Z11 might be the go. Happy to hear more reason from you sensisble people though.... I used to have the NAD M25 connected with my Denon A1XVA and would have to say that had a lovely sound to it. If you get a chance audition one.
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