Help with new AV Amp ?

[admin_exported]

I have been prowling for a while but this is my first post ! I am hoping for some help. Please ? I am looking for a new home cinema amp that would work well with my set up. My budget is £1000. I am into mostly movies but stereo performance is very important too. Current amp is Marantz SR7300. ( Panasonic 37" Plasma, Marantz DV7001 DVD, B&W 603 Front, B&W LCR 600 and B&W DS6 Dipole rears, Monitor Audio Sub. ) I run a 5.1 system at the minute, and I don't see any change there and networking etc is not that important to me. I know Onkyo seems to be beating all comers at the minute, but is there anything else I should be looking at ? I was considering the Onkyo 875, but would worry about it being too much for my living room (15ft X 12ft ) Is that a valid concern ? I really would appreciate some advice and opinions. Thank you. Tim

 

[Clare Newsome]

Hi Tim,

The Onkyo is the clear choice at that price currently - it does finesse as well as muscle, and is musical for an AV amp without compromising its core movie performance.

But i'd urge you to audition it - with your favourite CDs as well as music - to see what you think. If you're out listening to kit, you might also want to listen to this new £1000 Marantz - we haven't tested it yet, but it looks promising, and could suit your system.

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you Clare. I have not come across that one yet. I have however, managed to confuse the hell out of myself !!

I have listened to an Onkyo 805, Pioneer VX60 and an Arcam 300. There has not been one that I haven't liked !!

The Onkyo 805 was powerful, controlled and fine in stereo. As was the VX60.

The Arcam did sound really warm and engrossing, but I don't know if the beautiful stereo sound warrants compromising on the processing and specs of the other machines. But then also do I NEED those extras ?? And round in circles we go !!!!!

The Onkyo and Pioneer are under budget, and the Arcam 280 would be within budget.

I like a big sound with movies ( as we all do ), but we get back to the old stereo chestnut !!??

Anyone else running a similar set up or going through the same process ?

 

[kungula]

the Onkyo 875 is a very good choice for HD surround.
the Yamaha RX 1800 is the better choice for stereo.
Try both and decide then.
Regards

 

[Anonymous]

Just in case anoyone is interested, I made my choice. Unfortunately budget went out the window, ( sure, it's only money !
Ha ! ) I bought an Arcam AVR350. I just totally fell for the sound !! OK, so I loose out on some new formats and feautures, but this thing sounds unbelievable !! The power just keeps on coming. And it TOTALLY satisfies my stereo requirements ( that a few other amps had left me a bit unconvinced.)

I suppose it depends what you want from your system, I just KNOW I am never going to get bored of this beautiful, rich powerful sound.

Thanks for the replies. Regards. Tim

 

[kungula]

good choice also as you do not need HDMI 1.3.
Does anybody know when Arcam will bring a new AVR with the latest HDMI connections?