Any of the modern AV Receivers do a good job at 2 Channel Audio?

[Prolle]

Hi All,

I would like to buy a home AVR and I really want one that will function well for 2 channel audio, as I do not want to have the two separate boxes that an additional amp dedicated for 2 channel audio would mean.

I've heard previous views that a dedicated 2 channel amp will outshine an AVR when it comes to 2 channel audio. I wonder how much of a difference there is these days between the two ?

Interested to hear your opinions.

Thanks

 

[CnoEvil]

Look at Arcam....if in budget.

 

[Native_bon]

Yes I would second that. I did an audition yesterday with my AVR450 with R700 kef's, & it's got me changing my mind from down sizing my system. The kef's & the 450 was mesmerizing to say the least.

 

[Prolle]

Thanks guys. My first opinion on reading that is, if Arcam can do it, then so can the big boys such as Sony, Yamaha, Pioneer etc

 

[Frank Harvey]

Define "good"...

 

[Native_bon]

Yes of course they can, but depends what type of sound your looking for. Anthem are also said to be very good for 2 channel music but yet to listen to that brand myself.

 

[record_spot]

Onkyo needs to be on your shortlist. The company's been working towards improving the two channel performance of AV amps and are probably one of the few in the leading pack. Here's Andrew Everard's review of the company's TX-NR818 amp from a couple of years ago. I have it and he's bang on.

http://www.gramophone.co.uk/editorial/onkyo-tx-nr818

 

[CnoEvil]

Thanks guys. My first opinion on reading that is, if Arcam can do it, then so can the big boys such as Sony, Yamaha, Pioneer etc

Of course, the big boys "can" do it...but IMO they have different priorities. Arcam designs their AV amps from the ground up, making 2 channel a priority...and it shows (IMO).

The acid test is listening...and you mightn't agree with me.

 

[CnoEvil]

The kef's & the 450 was mesmerizing to say the least.

It's a great pairing...especially with a Linn DS for music.

 

[record_spot]

Thanks guys. My first opinion on reading that is, if Arcam can do it, then so can the big boys such as Sony, Yamaha, Pioneer etc

Of course, the big boys "can" do it...but IMO they have different priorities. Arcam designs their AV amps from the ground up, making 2 channel a priority...and it shows (IMO).

The acid test is listening...and you mightn't agree with me.

You're right Cno, and I'm delighted to report that one of the big boys whose amp I have (the aforesaid TX-NR818) have made it their priority too, or at least, not shortchanged it for something else. The performance is of a very high standard and is currently one of my preamps. As a standalone two channel amp, for which I used it for a couple of years before buying my actives, it lost nothing to its two channel coursins and I went through a few to comapre it against.

So yes, Arcam might be good, but they're not the only ones.

 

[CnoEvil]

You're right Cno, and I'm delighted to report that one of the big boys whose amp I have (the aforesaid TX-NR818) have made it their priority too, or at least, not shortchanged it for something else.  The performance is of a very high standard and is currently one of my preamps.  As a standalone two channel amp, for which I used it for a couple of years before buying my actives, it lost nothing to its two channel coursins and I went through a few to comapre it against. ?

So yes, Arcam might be good, but they're not the only ones.  

I'm glad to hear it.

Have you heard one of the recent Arcams?

 

[record_spot]

You're right Cno, and I'm delighted to report that one of the big boys whose amp I have (the aforesaid TX-NR818) have made it their priority too, or at least, not shortchanged it for something else. The performance is of a very high standard and is currently one of my preamps. As a standalone two channel amp, for which I used it for a couple of years before buying my actives, it lost nothing to its two channel coursins and I went through a few to comapre it against.

So yes, Arcam might be good, but they're not the only ones.

I'm glad to hear it.

Have you heard one of the recent Arcams?

No as it happens, I haven't. Then again, why would I need to?

 

[CnoEvil]

No as it happens, I haven't.  Then again, why would I need to?  

Curiosity?

Maybe it's something you are not afflicted with....I just like hearing stuff, when I get the chance. It's bonkers, really.

 

[Native_bon]

No as it happens, I haven't. Then again, why would I need to?

Curiosity?

Maybe it's something you are not afflicted with....I just like hearing stuff, when I get the chance. It's bonkers, really.

Same here. Just when you think it cannot get any better, something comes alone & blows your mind again. *music2*

 

[record_spot]

No as it happens, I haven't. Then again, why would I need to?

Curiosity?

Maybe it's something you are not afflicted with....I just like hearing stuff, when I get the chance. It's bonkers, really.

Sure, I get curisoty, it's been with me in this hobby for gong on four decades now. I just don't need to hear every bit of gear going these days. I'll follow up what I'm interested in, which most recently has been the AE22 actives and a passive preamp, the SM Pro M-Patch V2 which is now in situ.

 

[plastic penguin]

The last time I visited 'The Towers' they had Cno's Arcam receiver connected to MS Performance 6 speakers - sounded bloody awsome. The downside, of course, is that particular combo doesn't come cheap - and you need uber space to make the most it.

 

[record_spot]

I'm sure it was fine PP, I just dispute the suggestion that only one company appears capable of delivering great two channel performance in an AV receiver. Plainly, not so.

 

[philandsue]

I too tried to get better 2 channel audio and stick to just a single AV receiver. I was assured Arcam was the way to go, so arranged for a demo.

When I got there I listened to the Arcam AVR450 first. It didn't blow me away on 2 channel compared with my existing Sony STR DN 1030, though it was 4 times the price.

On the rack by chance was a Music Fidelity M3Si and an Arcam A29, so I asked to listen to them.

I couldn't tell much difference between the AVR450 and A29, but the M3Si was awesome. I went back to the AVR450 just in case my ears were deceiving me (bearing in mind that I really wanted the AV route to be the answer), and it sounded so wooden by comparison to the M3Si, which I ended up buying.

So I bought a Marantz NR 1504 AV receiver which has pre-outs to connect to the 2 channel M3Si unity gain input.

So, my experience was that a £1100 stereo amp blew away a £1600 Arcam AVR, and best to line up some demos.

 

[CnoEvil]

I
So I bought a Marantz NR 1504 AV receiver which has pre-outs to connect to the 2 channel M3Si unity gain input.

So, my experience was that a £1100 stereo amp blew away a £1600 Arcam AVR, and best to line up some demos.
 

IME. A good £1100 Stereo Amp will usually show a clean pair of heels to any AVR of £1600.

 

[Leeps]

I heard the Anthem MRX710 last year at the Bristol Show running through Paradigm Prestige speakers and it was very impressive indeed. I heard the Prestige standmounts in a straight 2.0 and 2.1 configuration with subwoofer engaged. If money was not a consideration, it would be my choice, although the sub wasn't cheap and bears quite a share of responsibility for the very sucessful end result.

The sound was exciting, very punchy but very unforced and natural at the same time. It was in the 'real natural sound' respect that it outshone some very well respected stereo/amp combos I heard the same day. It was the best system I heard at the show that year, to my ears and taste. Much of that I attribute to the very well balanced amp/speaker combo; Anthem and Paradigm are sister companies so the amps are specifically matched to the speakers (and/or vice versa depending on which product line came first).

Although my Pioneer AVR isn't usually considered in the top flight of musical receivers, it's excellent at some duties. It gets the tone of piano exactly right: many systems don't. It sounds lovely in Extended Stereo too (using all available channels), so it's no lemon musically. I wouldn't have bought it otherwise. My old stereo amp was better at some things, my AVR is better at other things and much of that is about tonal balance rather than outright quality as such.

 

[Thompsonuxb]

You really have to listen to an AVamp in the home to judge - most are so tweakable with regard stereo they are rarely set up optimally in a demo.

From turning off unused channels to setting the levels of the speakers. To having the choice of using analog, coax, optical, USB and HDMI....

Plus the option to run a multi-channel stereo config or sub without faff.

And contrary to belief you don't need to spend more than a grand ether.

Talk of 2 channel amps being better.... I don't know.

Go for the DSP version of the surround amp of your choice - they usually have better performance music wise.

I use an old DSP myself and would always recommend them - just be willing to read the manual and spend time tweaking and finding the best input for your device's.

 

[Native_bon]

Everyone has their own sound they listening for. We may be in the same room & disagree what we like best. Its all about choice! I also auditioned the M3SI with the Kef's 700 but was just sounding nice without really engaging me with the music. This may well depend on speakers each component is paired with.

 

[bigboss]

I was part of the What Hi Fi's Big Question few years ago where we compared a budget stereo amplifier with AV receivers at different price points. Although, the stereo amplifier won, the difference as compared to the AV receivers was very small and was apparent only on very careful listening (not the kind you would listen normally).

Arcam and Anthem AVRs are known for their superior 2-channel performance. If they're not in your budget, look at Marantz / Denon / Yamaha. I only heard the Onkyo with movies, so cannot comment on 2-channel performance.

 

[plastic penguin]

I just dispute the suggestion that only one company appears capable of delivering great two channel performance in an AV receiver.

Who's said that, RS? I've not read anything detrimental in this thread about other AV receivers.

In the past other people have been, but that goes with the hi-fi/AV territory.

Apart from the Arcam I've only heard one other multi-channel receiver - the bro-in-laws budget Sony.

 

[record_spot]

I just dispute the suggestion that only one company appears capable of delivering great two channel performance in an AV receiver.

Who's said that, RS? I've not read anything detrimental in this thread about other AV receivers.

In the past other people have been, but that goes with the hi-fi/AV territory.

Apart from the Arcam I've only heard one other multi-channel receiver - the bro-in-laws budget Sony.

Perhaps I ought to have been clearer if you'd been following the thread. My comments followed on from one of Cno's earlier posts herein. No biggie. More of an implication than anything else.