AVR and Stereo

[Samd]

At what cost level does an AVR begin to equal the stereo output of an integrated amp please? The answer might have to be given in equipment examples but I suppose my question might be is a £1000 AVR good enough on stereo to allow you to ditch a £500 amp?

 

[CnoEvil]

I think the answer is subjective and will depend on the person you ask.

Some will say there is little difference and an AVR is all you need. It may also depend on how much priority the AVR puts into 2 Channel replay.

I am very fussy and Arcam AVRs are the only receivers that I have enjoyed with music....but that's me. Personally, I think that you have to pay such a large premium to get really decent 2 channel, that you are better getting a modest AVR with Pre-Outs and use it with a separate Stereo Amp.

I think you have to find where your level is and it could be quite different to mine.

 

[Samd]

Very useful. I suppose one of the issues I find confusing, is with those manufacturers of AVR who 'just' increase the power and the number of speakers as their prices increase. Denon is a good example whereas Yamaha changeover to Aventage might not be. In other words is a £1000 Denon AVR a better stereo amp than their £300 version?

 

[CnoEvil]

In other words is a £1000 Denon AVR a better stereo amp than their £300 version?

I would need to hear them, but I would expect the 1000 Pound AVR to be a little better.

You have to remember what an AVR has to do....7 Amps, Processing, huge variety of connections, room correction etc etc. When you compare that to a 2 Channel amp, which is much simpler and the delicate signal is easier to preserve, you can see how there is a logical case as to why the Stereo amp sounds better (all things being equal), to some people.

Everything to do with music is personal and subjective, which is why there are such differing views.

 

[Frank Harvey]

As Cno says, you really need to hear them. Book a demo somewhere, try a budget amp out and one at £1k, then try a £1k hi-fi amplifier to see how it compares. If it doesn't compare, try a £2k amp. It's the only way for you to know whether it is a worthwhile investment.

 

[abacus]

Technically the simple amplifier should be better than a same price AVR, however, the biggest problem for a system is the room it is in, and as the AVR has auto correction built in, it can reduce the effects of the room on the sound, whereas a simple amplifier cannot, so while a simple amp is technically better it falls short of an AVR in sound accuracy in the room.

As mentioned, the only way to see what suits, is to try it out for yourself.

Hope this helps

Bill