av recievers

[admin_exported]

Hello, i am thinking of buying a new amp .. price £1000 to £1500.. main priority being sound, with just connections to blue ray player and of course morden tv....The amps all seem to come loaded and top heavy with features and am wondering if thats what i am paying for when sound is all i require.. just cds and movies....With the Pioneer VSX-LX53,or Yahama RX-2067, AM I PAYING TO MUCH FOR FEATURES NOT NEEDED?

 

[CnoEvil]

Julie, welcome to the forum.

If musicality and 2 channel is a priority, the Arcam AVR400 should be top of the audition list.

It's a little over budget, but I've seen it offered at less than the £1700 asking price.

Try to get a copy of the latest WHF mag, where there is a good write up.

Good hunting

Cno

 

[Frank Harvey]

Agreed.

 

[michael hoy]

What does the rest of your system comprise of i.e. what make speakers, Blu Ray player.

 

[bigboss]

It's important to know which speakers you're using it for. Even an Arcam will not give you the benefits if your speakers are not capable of bringing the best out of it.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for kind replies and further to my first query... My speakers are Monitor Audio. 270's front and 180's mid & rear with the 720 sub..not technical person to describe fully, but cost £1500 ish 6 years ago... Am looking for big surround sound in cd ( dts and 2 channel played through 5 speakers). and of course for movies ...Want to pay good money for sound and not be overloaded with features.. thanks Julie

 

[bigboss]

Look at Yamaha RX-V3067 / 2067 & Denon AVR4311 / 3311. Don't worry about the "extra features". You'll get superior sound as compared to the cheaper siblings. The Arcam AVR-400 is likely to be superior with music, but I don't think it's better than the Yamaha / Denon / Pioneer for movies.

Audition the Pioneer / Denon / Yamaha & see what you like. I've got Monitor Audio Radius HD as well, & for me, Yamaha was the best of the lot.

 

[michael hoy]

I would probably add the LX73 or LX83 into the suggestions from BigBoss, they go well with my Apex but not sure about the Radius, but worth a listen.

 

[duaplex]

Agreed with Michael, I would go for the LX83 is by far the superior receiver and I went to demo them all!

Well for me anyway get in there and try them out!

 

[bigboss]

Only a proper demo can say which is the best. I personally found the Pioneer - Radius HD combination a bit too bright for my taste.

 

[Anonymous]

I love my SC-LX73 and it matches perfectly with my MA Apex speakers, this would save you a little from the 83. If you find the pioneers a little bright ask the dealer to apply the x-curve feature this should tame any perceived brightness. As BB says you really do need to demo your shortlist for yourself.

 

[ric71]

Hi Julie,

Have a look at the Anthem MRX 500 fantastic with music and within budget.

markjaspi,

I am considering getting the pioneer sc lx83 for my Apex as there are some great deals out there at the moment that I am finding hard to ignore. Havent had a chance to demo it with the Apex. From what you have said it, lx73, works a treat with the Apex. How are you finding it with music?

Cheers

ric

 

[John Duncan]

Just to re-ask an earlier question, what are your sources for music and movies?

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Julie,

Have a look at the Anthem MRX 500 fantastic with music and within budget.

markjaspi,

I am considering getting the pioneer sc lx83 for my Apex as there are some great deals out there at the moment that I am finding hard to ignore. Havent had a chance to demo it with the Apex. From what you have said it, lx73, works a treat with the Apex. How are you finding it with music?

Cheers

ric

Ric, to be honest I have never been a HIFI enthusiast so I don't have too much to measure against. I mainly stream from my iPhone/iPad to the 73 with the Bluetooth adaptor supplied and then apply the enhancer. I find the extended surround sound (7ch stereo) sounds best, as you will know they have bags of detail and the great mid range, visiting friends think they are awesome and expect to see full range speakers. I don't think you could go wrong with the 83.

 

[duaplex]

The Lx73 would be just fine with the Apex, no need to go higher, But if you can that would give it a little more grunt.

As for Music its certainly no slouch and I liked the sound they produced. Of course for Music lovers a tall standing speaker is the first choice always. It really depends what you want to achieve. But for Movies and games i ts spot on!

I know sevenoaks have great offers in the clearance section of the site, I saw an Apex package for £1500 used! It was white, but do check it out!

 

[CnoEvil]

Julie, welcome to the forum. If musicality and 2 channel is a priority, the Arcam AVR400 should be top of the audition list. It's a little over budget, but I've seen it offered at less than the £1700 asking price. Try to get a copy of the latest WHF mag, where there is a good write up. Good hunting Cno

In case it's of intrest, I've found where I'd seen this amp within your budget:

Arcam AVR 400.....£1499 (ex display/demo) Sevenoaks Epsom - if nothing else, use for bargining.

There is also an Arcam AVR 500 in S'oaks Cheltenham for £1399.....though this model has given trouble so do some reading up if interested.

Cno

 

[duaplex]

Oh no not this AVR500 again. I went all the way to Nottingham to demo it as they had one on ex display.

Went for the LX83 in the end, I just found the sound more to my liking and the detail was greater. Also features on the AVR500 are limited and the additions like the network card cost £400.... Then you have the 1.4 HDMI upgrade coming at a similar price. You might as well get the AVR600 at that rate!