Difference between Stereo receiver and AV receiver

[fths]

Hi guys!

I just bought a stereo receiver, Yamaha A-S501 to power my Monitor Audio Silver 1 bookshelf stereo speakers. It cost me $550.

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha--S501BL-Natural-Integrated-Amplifier/dp/B00MXUCRG0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440451608&sr=8-1&keywords=yamaha+as501

Today, i saw the RX-V677 going for $400.

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V677-7-2-channel-Network-Receiver/dp/B00ILCS182/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1440451897&sr=1-1&keywords=rxv677&pebp=1440451899327&perid=02XKS7R8HEFSZFVFQJEZ

On paper, the RX-V677 looks like it will perform much better and offers more features; however, if we're talking about a performance standpoint for someone who will only use 2.0 speakers, will the av receiver outperform an integrated stereo receiver?

Is there a reason some consumers (who are only using 2.0 speakers) still prefer to have a dedicated stereo receiver instead of an AV receiver?

 

[RobinKidderminster]

An AV has more amps (5,7,9 ...) instead of 2. Lots more DSP & processing options etc. So £ for £ the 2ch amp will be better than the same priced AV. All very obvious. Maybe a 2ch amp costing half an AV should be equivalent? If I only wanted 2ch I would choose a 2ch amp. Greater words of wisdom will pour forth from other forumites.

 

[Andrewjvt]

You need to decide what is more important to you..
If movies are your thing and you only listen to music not as often then get a decent midrange AV amp and youll be happy. An av amp does not play music badly its just a 2 channel stereo amp of the same cost will give better (in my opinion) stereo sound due to all the components dedicated to produce good music.
I love 5.1 for movies but decided to get a very good stereo amp and sell my 5.1.

I still enjoy movies in stereo and can add a 5.1 in the future if i need as my amp has an av input.

 

[record_spot]

I used an Onkyo TX-NR818 in two channel mode all the way and actively pursued using an AV amp over the stereo equivalent. Performance was as good, it did more and all from one box. Stereo integrated amps lacked too much to be serious contenders and audio quality was no better by virtue of they being two channel alone.

 

[MickyBlue]

ive never heard an a/v reciever outperform a stereo amp or even come close, and probaby never will. if its 2ch listening you are after then the stereo amp is the way to go.

 

[Mihai]

The AV will not outperform the stereo amp, I've compared the the RX-V675 next to the A-S500 and the integrated amp was the clear winner. The receiver played music OK, but when I switched to the integrated amp I had the feeling that the speakers came to life, they were singing compared to the AV. After that experience I sold my AV receiver which was an Yamaha RX-V773 and bought a stereo amp.

In my opinion, in the same price category, the stereo amp will win for sound quality and the AV receiver will win for functionality.

 

[record_spot]

Bought my 818 over an Exposure 3010s, a Leema Pulse and God knows what else. If performance wasn't up to it, it wouldn't have been bought. Just sayin'.

 

[Thompsonuxb]

The AV will not outperform the stereo amp, I've compared the the RX-V675 next to the A-S500 and the integrated amp was the clear winner. The receiver played music OK, but when I switched to the integrated amp I had the feeling that the speakers came to life, they were singing compared to the AV. After that experience I sold my AV receiver which was an Yamaha RX-V773 and bought a stereo amp.

In my opinion, in the same price category, the stereo amp will win for sound quality and the AV receiver will win for functionality.?

 

Was that in a demo?

A stereo amp will always sound better in a straight demo purely because many are attenuated to go loud at 9o'clock on the dial.

Unlike AVamps - but an AVamp has the potential to eclipse it due to its tweekabilty.

Options such as digital PCM aswell as analog in and variable channel levels not forgetting multi-channel stereo..... the DSP can also add something.

But swings and roundabouts.......

 

[fths]

Seems like everyone has their own preferences. It does make perfect sense that since the internal components are dedicated to strictly powering the stereo speakers, they should perform better. If both had similar power output, I guess the difference might be clear; however, since the RX-V677 has a higher output, maybe there wont be much of a difference? I'm not too sure, but I'll try to get both products and test them together before the 30 day return window.

Thanks for all the input!

 

[record_spot]

Seems like everyone has their own preferences. It does make perfect sense that since the internal components are dedicated to strictly powering the stereo speakers, they should perform better. If both had similar power output, I guess the difference might be clear; however, since the RX-V677 has a higher output, maybe there wont be much of a difference? I'm not too sure, but I'll try to get both products and test them together before the 30 day return window.

Thanks for all the input!

Here's Andrew Everard's review (formerly of this parish) of my amp, which he also bought. This was in Gramophone back in 2012 I think. Whenever the Onkyo TX-NR818 came out anyway.

Incidentally, as well as being a brilliant music amplifier, I set up Audyssey for movie streaming (try getting an integrated to manage that...), the amp runs DSD natively via HDMI and it gives me over 140wpc (as Hi Fi World measured it) - and that's per amplifier, so I've no worries there. It's the mutt's nuts.

Anyway, I'm using actives now, so all that's academic, but you get the point. There comes a time when you can expose the audiophile wisdom as what it is: perceived wisdom that's at times well shy of fact.

Anyway, that review:-

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

 

[Thompsonuxb]

It would be interesting to see how some set up their AVamps for stereo.

 

[Thompsonuxb]

Seems like everyone has their own preferences. It does make perfect sense that since the internal components are dedicated to strictly powering the stereo speakers, they should perform better. If both had similar power output, I guess the difference might be clear; however, since the RX-V677 has a higher output, maybe there wont be much of a difference? I'm not too sure, but I'll try to get both products and test them together before the 30 day return window.

Thanks for all the input!?

Here's Andrew Everard's review (formerly of this parish) of my amp, which he also bought.  This was in Gramophone back in 2012 I think.  Whenever the Onkyo TX-NR818 came out anyway. ?

Incidentally, as well as being a brilliant music amplifier, I set up Audyssey for movie streaming (try getting an integrated to manage that...), the amp runs DSD natively via HDMI and it gives me over 140wpc (as Hi Fi World measured it) - and that's per amplifier, so I've no worries there.  It's the mutt's nuts.   ?

Anyway, I'm using actives now, so all that's academic, but you get the point.  There comes a time when you can expose the audiophile wisdom as what it is: perceived wisdom that's at times well shy of fact. ?

Anyway, that review:-

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

 

For the link.

 

[record_spot]

It would be interesting to see how some set up their AVamps for stereo.

CD - line input - played back either as direct or tweaked for bass / treble if needed. No need with the new AEs. Pretty much as per a stereo integrated amp really.

 

[Thompsonuxb]

It would be interesting to see how some set up their AVamps for stereo.

CD - line input - played back either as direct or tweaked for bass / treble if needed.  No need with the new AEs.  Pretty much as per a stereo integrated amp really.  

Mine - CDplayer in via digital coax (PCM) , all unused channels switched off, LFE through mains, +10db on output. Tone controls on zero (variable dependent on mood) loudness off. Both A&B speaker out being utilised.

 

[Leeps]

It would be interesting to see how some set up their AVamps for stereo.

Depends on source really.

If it's stereo TV, I tend to use "Direct". This is essentially a 2.1 configuration with room EQ engaged. I tend to find that most of the time, my main speakers just sound better when they're not distracted by handling the full range of bass on their own. They seem to become clearer and more focussed when the sub is handling the bass department. In this instance, I don't want the rear speakers engaged in anyway.

Stereo music, MOST of the time, I use "Extended Stereo", which uses all 5.1 speakers. I do use my app to alter the fader about 2/3 of the way toward the front, so voices sound natural, but this effect just makes music sound fantastic, particularly the genres I listen most to. Going back to Pure Direct just sounds comparatively flat and lifeless. Extended Stereo opens up the soundstage and can also add a harmonic quality that's really captivating, particularly with a track like "Give Away Your Heart" by the Unthanks.

I don't know how Pioneer implement their Extended Stereo, but it's so good (and a different league to the muddy confused sounds of Dolby Prologic) that I'd be quite nervous about moving to another make of AV receiver if it didn't allow this very precise setting.

Multi-channel music (SACD and Bluray Audio) I tend to hop between Pure Direct and Direct depending on how the individual album sounds.

The other factor is not just the source, but the music itself. I do occasionally alter the frequency range EQ. I like bass to be there, controlled and tight, but I don't like too much of it particularly if it overwhelms the mix, but clearly some music producers feel the opposite to this and are quite happy to drown out voices with thumping bass. In those occasional instances, I do alter the EQ to suit. The newest version of Pioneer's AV control app for their AV receivers is fantastic and offers all the facilities I've mentioned in a very visual user-friendly experience.

I've owned a stereo-only set-up before and loved its stereo performance at the time, but I've really appreciated the tweakability of my AVR especially where I live now where my listening room is very difficult acoustically. I think my stereo amp would have struggled with this, as good as it was.

 

[Native_bon]

For me once you reach the 1k price point difficult to find differences between 2 Channel & an av amp. Then becomes a matter of if the av amp was optimised for two channel music.

I fine that 0db level settings on av amps do not give you it's full capacity. I always set the internal volume in the settings, left & right front levels between 80 to 90%, makes for more dynamic sound.

 

[Mihai]

Yes it was in a demo, but even at home the stereo amp outperformed buy far the AV receiver for stereo music.

 

[Native_bon]

Yes it was in a demo, but even at home the stereo amp outperformed buy far the AV receiver for stereo music.

Yes at that price the Yamaha may out perform the AV amp, but thats not to say it will out perform all av amps, or av amps optimised for 2 channel music. (outperform may also be subjective)