Best Sound Quality Home Cinema Amp...

[Frank Harvey]

gdavies09031977: For those that have mentioned in this thread that the Poineer LX-82/3 has more detail and attack, where as the Yamaha Z7 is more smooth and laid back, does the same presentation hold true for the Z11? (Being as this seems to be coming down in price!)

The balance of opinion seems to be for the LX83 over the Z7, but presumably the Z11 kicks the LX83 out of the park, being a step up in budget and spec?

Can those who have heard both confirm their opinions?

The Z11 does have a similar sound to the Z7 (as most manufacturers will have a certain sound that runs through their range), and is quite a step up from the Z7. As mentioned, the Z11 is more suitable for larger rooms and higher quality speaker packages. Also, the advanced processing really does open up the soundstage more.

The LX82/83, being a digital amplifier, does sound different to the Yamahas, and would be personal preference as to which someone would prefer. As I've mentioned before, the Pioneers a are more up front and lively, and the Yamahas are softer and warmer. Which of those people will prefer might also depend on the speakers they're using, which was one of the points that made me choose the LX82 over the Z7. I know that my 150's need a Z11 to drive them properly and bring them to life, but I couldn't afford that at this stage, and because I was already getting a sound which was a little too warm and soft with my previous Yamaha, I knew the Z7 would be better, but still leave me in a similar situation. I felt the Pioneer would have a better chance of bringing my 150's to life, which it has done. For me, I don't like my home cinema system to be too warm sounding, as this results in a loss of detail and attack.

Eventually I'll take a look at whatever Pioneer and Yamaha replace their DPZ11 and SCLX90 with. Unless a nice pre/power takes my fancy in the meantime.....

 

[Chewy]

TheHomeCinemaCentre:The Z11 is an amazing amplifier and exceptionally capable. It still has the Yamaha sound but does have serious gains in performance against the Pioneer. It would be interesting to hear it against the Pioneer with your speakers. Where the Z11 would really win is with a larger speaker set up.

Do you mean here that my speakers may be a limiting factor? i.e. are you saying that the gain in sound quality over the Pioneer would not be as noticeable as it would be on a larger speaker system?

I'm not looking to upgrade my Monitor Audio Silver's any time soon (though I did drool over some Monitor Audio Platinums a few weeks back - the wife would kill me if I bought those!

), so the new amp would need to justify its price by an improvement over my Onkyo 905. If any improvement by the Z11 is going to be limited by the ability of my speakers, then it may not be such a wise investment and not worth the premium?

 

[TheHomeCinemaCentre]

The speakers you have are good but the benefit of the Z11 over the LX83 may not be that apparent with them. If you do decide to upgrade in the coming year then the Z11 would come into its own. The Platinums are a good example - the Z11 would make them sing whereas the LX83 would I imagine be slightly overshadowed.

The with no plans to upgrade your speakers the LX83 would be my recommendation, you could spend any extra budget you may have on a sub upgrade as that also brings big gains.

 

[Anonymous]

gdavies09031977: so the new amp would need to justify its price by an improvement over my Onkyo 905.

Gareth as mentioned earlier, i`ve upgraded to the Onkyo pre/power combo from my 905 and now my MK`s are really being driven properely.

I was wondering would I hear any differences at all, I tried the 905 as pre/amp for about a week or so driving the 5500 and it was an instant improvement.

Then I dumped the 905 and introduced the 5507 and once again yet another big improvement, so I can thoroughjly and personally recommend the 5500/5507.

I might say that someone on here told me that this pre/pwer setup was unbeatable with anything up to 10 grand, i believed him and still do.

just my opinion though

 

[Chewy]

Oh dear! Thats another option in the mix then!

I guess in the end I'm going to have to audition some of these to get to a decision, but thats only going to work if I test them with my speakers in my room, one after the other.

Home auditions anyone?

 

[Chewy]

One quick question for those familiar with the Z11; can the additional channels available for height and width speakers be used for bi-amping of the front Left, Right and Centre?

Also, I see there is a small LCD display on the remote. Does this show the volume level? (My kit is housed behind the seating position and using the Harmony 900 remote I never know what the volume is set at!)

 

[TheHomeCinemaCentre]

gdavies09031977:

Home auditions anyone?

Perhaps.

 

[TheHomeCinemaCentre]

gdavies09031977:

One quick question for those familiar with the Z11; can the additional channels available for height and width speakers be used for bi-amping of the front Left, Right and Centre?

Also, I see there is a small LCD display on the remote. Does this show the volume level? (My kit is housed behind the seating position and using the Harmony 900 remote I never know what the volume is set at!)

Channels 6&7 can be re-routed to the front as they have the full power output. The other channels can be sent to another zone but not to the centre or to bi-amp the rears. If you want to do that then the LX90 will allow you to bi-amp 5.1.

As for the LCD there is no two way control. The Z11 was released at a time that video overlay on HDMI was uncommon so there is no visual cue as to the volume. As luck would have it though we have just set the RF transmitter on the LX83 and it does deliver two way information. You can see the volume, source, internet radio station etc. The RF range is quite good as well, certainly in line with the Nevo or Pronto options that we tend to supply. All very clever really as one of the downsides of the Pioneer range is the lack of on screen display. FYI the RF remote is included in the 83 and optional on the 2020 up.

 

[Chewy]

TheHomeCinemaCentre:gdavies09031977:

Home auditions anyone?

Perhaps.

Perhaps?? I'm not in Scotland by the way tho...

 

[TheHomeCinemaCentre]

If you are in the UK we can help should you wish.