Best AV Receiver for Music??

[admin_exported]

Hi

First posting on this forum. Would be nice to get a few opinions here for future choice making.

Am thinking of a new AV Receiver with a budget of £1000. What would seem the best for music, as they are all pretty good movie wise. My first thoughts are the Onkyo 876. Anyone think anything different?

Will be playing music from Sonos and probably a dedicated CD player through Monitor Audio BR5 for left and right with MA BRLCR and MA BRFX at the rear.

 

[Dave_]

if it was me, i'd go for the 875 at 599 from richers then use the other four hundred for a stereo amp that can be used to power the front left and rights of the surround system and with the sonos and cdp, as using a a/v receiver is always a comprimise when it comes to music

 

[Anonymous]

That is a possibility but 1: Im pretty sure the richer sounds 875's are only in silver (yuk) and 2: Ive just bought a new cabinet and room is at a premium. I dont want pure Hi Fidelity stereo sound but i want the best I can get from an AV amp. I have compared an Arcam Alpha 6 amp with Marantz CD player through Tannoy Revolutions and the same source with a 606 and it was pure night and day, as it should be, but I thought the Onkyo would perform a little better that it did which is whats worrying me about the 875/876

 

[stuart123]

I have replaced my arcam avr200 with a 875 and think the Onkyo sounds much more powerful and detailed than the Arcam. The 606 is only £400, so what did you expect for that kind of money?

I have a Arcam A90, P90 in my bed room and that is not £1000 better than my Onkyo in stereo,

 

[Anonymous]

you can get the arcam avr350 at pj hi fi for 600 quid.

 

[Dave_]

craigprice:That is a possibility but 1: Im pretty sure the richer sounds 875's are only in silver (yuk) and 2: Ive just bought a new cabinet and room is at a premium. I dont want pure Hi Fidelity stereo sound but i want the best I can get from an AV amp. I have compared an Arcam Alpha 6 amp with Marantz CD player through Tannoy Revolutions and the same source with a 606 and it was pure night and day, as it should be, but I thought the Onkyo would perform a little better that it did which is whats worrying me about the 875/876
might be worth giving the yamaha ax863se a demo, as its just won the whfs&v award, is supposed to be better than the onks and great at music too looking at the review

 

[professorhat]

Also, I'd give one of the Marantz amps at that price an audition (7002 or 8002 models I think). They have a history of making AV amps which are good musically so are definitely worth a listen.

 

[Anonymous]

Interesting points everyone. Thanks.

I dont think I can handle the Marantz remote with its double button presses for selecting sources.

I will definitely audition the 876 and 863. Im used to the Yamaha with my RX-V1500 and have been mightily impressed with it. Just its lack of HDMI connectivity letting it down now

 

[madeinstein]

I assume you're talking about stereo music..

My opition is that if you like stereo get cheaper AV Receiver with preouts and spend the rest of the money on stereo amp.

If want want better 5.1 sound then invest in better amplifier.

I'm not in between Yamaha 763, Yamaha 863 (analog upscaling) or Onkyo 875 (hdmi+analog upscaling). All of these have preouts I'm just not sure if upscaling will make a big difference on my TV.