$2000 US, INTEGRATED AV receiver, powering 5 B&W DM602S3 speakers in a 5.1 configuration, WHICH receiver? ;)

[twochordcool]

I'm leaning toward the Rotel RSX-1550 (or 1560, but I've read in more than one place that it's not as good as the 1550 at $600 less?), however the review section of this magazine makes a REALLY big deal over the Sony STR-DA5400ES.

I just find that hard to believe!

And I don't want bells and whistles that I won't use - especially if I'm paying for them and it has caused the manufacturer to cut corners in sound quality to keep costs down. (NO multiroom, networking, internet Pandora blah blah blah!)

I've also heard that you really gotta tweak and @#$% with the Sony to make it sound so good.

I just want the simplest, best sounding receiver for $2000.

So do I go with "the top of the entry level" - Sony, Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo, Integra, Pioneer?...

Or do I go with what has been referred to in the US as the "entry level of the top end" - Rotel?

 

[Anonymous]

Depends on your taste so let your ears decide, merely because you are looking for the best sounding receiver and care less about fancy stuff.

Preferably in Pure Adio mode to bypass all the fancy stuff and to really make your choice on it's musical qualities. Given your budget I would go to a shop, require a demo and just compare the units on sound.

I recently bought the the Onkyo TX-NR5008, which is Entry of top level (so is the 3008, which has slightly different specs that cause a friendlier price tag over the 5008) and in price and specs comparable to the Rotel.

I have made my choice between NAD T785, Onkyo TX-NR5008, Rotel 1560, Marantz 7005 and Cambridge Audio Azur 650R.

Especially the Rotel is uh, "different" because it uses a Class D amplifier. That generates a specific kind of sound that you either like or not. For me it was a big dislike. If the 1550 has the Class D amp as well, I do not know.

Given the fact that you quote in $ I am presuming you're living in the US. You may want to check the availability of Arcam's new AVR400 as well, which could just fit your budget.

 

[twochordcool]

Thanks for your reply - but with all due respect, isn't that Onkyo one of those top end of the entry level receivers, with a bazillion bells and whistles that I don't need?

I'm wondering if an entry level high-end "audiphile quality" AV receiver such as the Rotel RSX-1550, with minimal unneeded features is a better way to go.

I really want something simple - something in which all of the money went into the production of a great-sounding, simple receiver.

If I'm going to go with a receiver in the upper end of entry level kit, the review section of this magazine basically says that the Sony STR-DA5400ES cannot be beat.

Thanks again my virtual cyber friend!

Anybody else care to share their thoughts and opinions - please?

 

[twochordcool]

Anyone?

 

[Anonymous]

Apart from assumptions, just go and ask for a demo and let your ears decide... The Onkyo really isn't the top of the entry level, but definately part of the high end level with its specs a price tag of appx $2000 to $2500. It just outperformed the Rotel in a way that's hard to believe. I had put my card on the Rotel, but the 1560 (didn't hear the 1550) is kind of an insult to music itself. The performance of the unit was so disappointing, it just lacked of *everything*. But ok, according to MY ears.

Demo some brands and then take the decision... cos in the end price does not guarantee you quality you would satisfy with (Rotel, in my case) and some units have an entry level price but do a good job for the money (Marantz) that make them close finish losers to the way more expensive ones cos they just have a better performance that justifies he price difference.

 

[twochordcool]

Alright basver, with a little research of my own after your recommendation, I owe you an apology and a thank you!

It looks like I've come down to 3 (or 4) choices - unless someone would like to throw a wrench into things with more ideas (please do)!

It has come down to the

Onkyo TX-NR-5008, or the

Sony STR-DA5400ES, or the

Rotel RSX-1550 or RSX-1560.

Anybody else have experience with any of these?

Perhaps with the same or similar speakers?

Which ones sound better in 2 channel stereo music - musicality, detail, imaging?

Purchasing in less than a week - please chime in if you read this.

Thank you.

 

[strapped for cash]

I hate to say it, but the receivers you're looking at are too good for your speakers. Don't misunderstand me, I use B&W 600 series 3 speakers for my front three channels (and they're great).

However, I'm not sure connecting them to a relatively high end receiver (rather than a mid-range model) will deliver huge improvements. High-end receivers should be partnered with high-end speakers (and B&W's 600 series are entry-level).

I honestly think you should look at mid-range receivers, unless you plan to upgrade your speakers at a later date?

Sorry if this adds to the confusion...

 

[twochordcool]

It does add to the confusion!

I politely disagree.

I think a high end receiver would make my speakers sound good, and if I had even better speakers I would then be looking at separates - pre-pro / power amp - at that point.

Anybody else care to chime in - please?!

 

[strapped for cash]

Fair enough, twochordcool.

As others state, auditioning is key. I'm sure dealers will let you demo your shortlisted receivers with current B&W 600 series speakers.

I wasn't claiming that stepping up to a high-end receiver would offer no improvement. I was merely suggesting that on a sound-per-pound (or dollar, in your case) basis, you'd get greater value from a mid-range receiver.

 

[twochordcool]

strapped for cash:and B&W's 600 series are entry-level

In the United States they are entry level of the high end. When I purchased these I couldn't just walk into the big chain electronic stores (Circuit City / Best Buy) and buy them - they had to be purchased at specialty audiophile "mom and pop" stereo stores.

These speakers sound phenomenal. I realize that they are nowhere near the best, but I think I can only make them sound better if I pair them up with better electronics.

 

[twochordcool]

I am, however, considering going with an excellent mid-ranged / mid-priced receiver so that I can purchase a subwoofer NOW rather than waiting - but I am leaning towards buying the best equipment that I can buy with the money that I have, and buying them piece by piece - getting a VERY good receiver now and then getting a sub in a couple of months.

 

[strapped for cash]

twochordcool:
strapped for cash:and B&W's 600 series are entry-level

In the United States they are entry level of the high end. When I purchased these I couldn't just walk into the big chain electronic stores (Circuit City / Best Buy) and buy them - they had to be purchased at specialty audiophile "mom and pop" stereo stores.

But that's because B&W is a British speaker manufacturer that doesn't have widespread distribution in the US. You can't walk into a big chain electrical store in the UK and buy B&W speakers either, but they're easier (and cheaper) to get hold of in the UK.

I was never suggesting your speakers were bad (like I said, I own speakers from the same range); but they shouldn't, in my opinion, be partnered with high-end electronics.

EDIT: there's probably some logic in auditioning 600 series B&Ws with mid-range and high-end receivers. At least then you'll have useful points of comparison on which to base your purchase. If you decide there's little difference, then you've got the extra to put toward a subwoofer.

 

[strapped for cash]

And I should add: since B&W 600 series 3 speakers can sound a little tubby in the bass department in my experience, the addition of a good subwoofer could make all the difference (it certainly did with my system).

 

[twochordcool]

Thanks for the input strapped.

 

[Anonymous]

I disagree with strapped's initial comment and agree with the later on comment. Driving the B&W's with a midrange receiver first and then drive them with a high(er) end receiver will show you the improvement the amp adds to your sound. If the improvement is not that clear you may have reached the max performance of the units. Easy to then switch to another pair of speakers (higher end) and do the comparison again and you'll be able to see the full capacities of the amps. Upgrading your speakers then could be step 2.

But to the OP: What's the hurry of buying within a week???

 

[twochordcool]

Thanks basver, but I won't be upgrading my speakers any time soon. These 3 pairs of DM602 S3's haven't even been out of the factory box yet! (Long story told in an earlier thread)

The hurry is I have been researching this for a while now, I'll be coming into funds soon, and I want to spend wisely before the money trickles away on nonsense!

I like the idea of auditioning different receivers with my speakers - but I don't think it will be convenient. Some places may not want to be bothered - and many places will have one or two things I might be interested in, but not all - which means I may have to go all over God's creation to hear and compare everything - maybe days and weeks apart.

 

[Anonymous]

Twochordcool, isn't there a Hifi dealer around that offers you the choice of various setups that you can easily compare with a switching device?

Given the fact that your speakers have not been unpacked yet adds something different to the issue. As you may be well aware, speakers need some playing hours before they really sound the way they should sound. So take into account your sound will change some over time. If I were you I would test various receivers with your type of speakers, that have had reasonable playing hours. In the end that is more or less how they will sound in the end so that should be your comparison, ideally.

 

[Cofnchtr]

twochordcool:
Some places may not want to be bothered...

Hi,

These places should be avoided and not receive your hard earned cash!

Auditioning is key - I have B&W M1's with a Pioneer amp/BD combination. I love the sound. I used to have 601's all round with a Yamaha amp - again I loved the sound. You could try a similar combination and not like it.

Do you have a B&W dealer near to you? Audition there and listen to their recommendations. Take your own source material and book an appointment.

Don't hurry. You could make an expensive mistake!

Cheers,

Cofnchtr.

 

[Anonymous]

Totally agree with Cofnchtr!

 

[twochordcool]

The problem is Rotel dealers aren't Onkyo Dealers and Sony dealers. I'd probably get to audition the Rotels at a specialty shop but Sony and Onkyo are sold by big chain retailers who may not want to be bothered - and they may not have the higher end Onkyos and Sonys in stock.

 

[twochordcool]

Re: $2000 US, INTEGRATED AV receiver, powering 5 B&W DM602S3 speakers in a 5.1 configuration, WHICH receiver?