Home Cinema Amplifier to Partner MT-30s

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Can anyone suggest some suitable amplification to go with my B&W MT-30s?

I was thinking of auditioning the Yamaha DSP-AX863SE but would like to shortlist a few more.

Price wise my limit is about £500 - £600 but you never know it's nearly Christmas.
 
A

Anonymous

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Sounds good, I'm definitely looking forward to Thursday now.

Can I ask though will an Amp in the region of £400 - £600 do justice to the speakers or should I think of saving some more and upping my budget?
 

Clare Newsome

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I'd be looking at the best at the higher end of that range, but you'd be amazed at how much more receivers in this budget now offer (especially when you consider, for example, that the Yamaha 863 cost £800 on launch...)

I'd also look to see if there are any Onkyo 875s left around for a good price - and, as always, try and hear before you buy any AV amp to get the one that best suits your needs/ears/speakers! (Don't forget to take a few favourite discs...)
 

FoxJA

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Clare Newsome:
I'd also look to see if there are any Onkyo 875s left around for a good price

I'd 2nd that, I have B&W MT30 connected to an Onkyo 875 and it sounds great.
 
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Anonymous

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Hi qwerty69

ÿ

I too am currently trying to choose an Amplifier / Receiver to go with an MT-30 system and have also wondered whether the cheaper range of £400 - £600 options would be sufficient to get the most out of the speakers. As a consequence I have also been considering the Yamaha RX-V3900, especially as a couple of specialist suppliers have strongly recommended it (a sceptic might think they just want be to spend more money !). However I am very concerned as to whether or not a cheaper option would do just as good a job or whether, like you, I should set aside a larger budget to achieve a significantly better viewing and listening experience for dvds, blu-ray, satellite and music cds with our Pionner PDP-LX5090 and MT30s.

ÿ

Just out of interest, will the forthcoming group test in WHF make any reference to those models that do cost significantly more and what the advantages of buying them might be?
 
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Anonymous

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I had thought about the Onkyo 875 but don't know if I'd be able to find one.

Fully agree that auditioning the kit is the only way to make a final decision.

Bring on Thursday when I start my shortlist and then the weekend when I go for a listen.
 
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Anonymous

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Clare Newsome:
I'd be looking at the best at the higher end of that range, but you'd be amazed at how much more receivers in this budget now offer (especially when you consider, for example, that the Yamaha 863 cost £800 on launch...)

I'd also look to see if there are any Onkyo 875s left around for a good price - and, as always, try and hear before you buy any AV amp to get the one that best suits your needs/ears/speakers! (Don't forget to take a few favourite discs...)

Hi Clare,

What about the Onkyo 876? Wouldn't that be better than the Onkyo 875? Should MT-30 owners be looking at the next Group Test in the January issue instead as it will be testing AV Receivers in the higher price range of $1000-1500?

Thanks.
 
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Anonymous

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Hi Clare,

Ignoring the 2008 Award Winners, which are the top 3 AV Receivers that we should audition and consider to partner the B&W MT-30s?

Thanks!
 

Big Chris

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FoxJA:Clare Newsome:
I'd also look to see if there are any Onkyo 875s left around for a good price

I'd 2nd that, I have B&W MT30 connected to an Onkyo 875 and it sounds great.

Me too. A match made in heaven.
 

Clare Newsome

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seakingadvice:Clare Newsome:
I'd be looking at the best at the higher end of that range, but you'd be amazed at how much more receivers in this budget now offer (especially when you consider, for example, that the Yamaha 863 cost £800 on launch...)

I'd also look to see if there are any Onkyo 875s left around for a good price - and, as always, try and hear before you buy any AV amp to get the one that best suits your needs/ears/speakers! (Don't forget to take a few favourite discs...)

Hi Clare,

What about the Onkyo 876? Wouldn't that be better than the Onkyo 875? Should MT-30 owners be looking at the next Group Test in the January issue instead as it will be testing AV Receivers in the higher price range of $1000-1500?

Thanks.

In our opinion the 876 isn't as good as the 875 - though it's still a great option.

As mentioned, i'd consider the best of the cheaper amps upwards - we're still waiting to find a killer @£1000 AV amp from this year's models: hopefully that Jan issue test (on sale Dec 11) will help us find people many more options to audition, and to bridge the gap between the Yamaha 863(originally £800) and the Pioneer Award winner at £1500..
 
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Anonymous

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Hello Clare why specifally a 875 and not a 905 how is the 905 sound wise to a 875

greets Emile
 

Clare Newsome

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905 is more muscular - and IMO overkill for the MT30s. As I know - and enjoy! - at home, the Onkyo 905 is best suited to driving full-size speakers.
 
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Anonymous

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Clare how would the 905 sound with B&W CM7 and CM1

I am sorry that I have invaded this thread but no one is posting in the thread i posted on the the matter

http://whathifi.co.uk/forums/t/152505.aspx

greets Emile
 
A

Anonymous

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Clare Newsome:Clare Newsome:

In our opinion the 876 isn't as good as the 875 - though it's still a great option.

As mentioned, i'd consider the best of the cheaper amps upwards - we're still waiting to find a killer @£1000 AV amp from this year's models: hopefully that Jan issue test (on sale Dec 11) will help us find people many more options to audition, and to bridge the gap between the Yamaha 863(originally £800) and the Pioneer Award winner at £1500..

Hi Clare,

Thanks for the clarification. Based on the review of the Onkyo 876, I was under the impression that it was better than the Onkyo 875 but the reason why the Onkyo 876 didn't get 5 Stars was that it hadn't improved as much as it's other rivals.

Would the Pioneer LX81 also be an overkill for the B&W MT-30s? I'm guessing that the sweet spot to accompany the B&W MT-30s would be in the £1000 range, right?

How about the Denon 2809 which got a 4 Star rating at £800?
 
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Anonymous

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Me too.

Clare it would be appreciated if you would give us more details on why the 875 is thought to be better.

Would it still get 5 stars if it was still in production?

PS, think the 875 is a great piece of kit, really enjoying it!
 
A

Anonymous

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seakingadvice:Clare Newsome:Clare Newsome:

In our opinion the 876 isn't as good as the 875 - though it's still a great option.

As mentioned, i'd consider the best of the cheaper amps upwards - we're still waiting to find a killer @£1000 AV amp from this year's models: hopefully that Jan issue test (on sale Dec 11) will help us find people many more options to audition, and to bridge the gap between the Yamaha 863(originally £800) and the Pioneer Award winner at £1500..

Hi Clare,

Thanks for the clarification. Based on the review of the Onkyo 876, I was under the impression that it was better than the Onkyo 875 but the reason why the Onkyo 876 didn't get 5 Stars was that it hadn't improved as much as it's other rivals.

Would the Pioneer LX81 also be an overkill for the B&W MT-30s? I'm guessing that the sweet spot to accompany the B&W MT-30s would be in the £1000 range, right?

How about the Denon 2809 which got a 4 Star rating at £800?

Hi Clare,

Any views on the above?

Thanks.
 
A

Anonymous

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Just read the Group Test in the December issue and no surprise that the Yamaha 863 won given that it has just been crowned Product of the Year. Therefore, from Clare's previous comments, it sounds like at a minimum, B&W MT-30 owners should get the Yamaha 863.

I can't wait for the January issue when the higher end receivers will be tested in a Group Test. Has the WHF Team finalised the contenders yet? Again, I'm guessing that the Pioneer 81 will win this test. The only untested AV Receivers that could potentially hit the sweet spot are the Yamaha 1900/3900 and Pioneer 71. All other recently tested AV Receivers have scored only 4 Stars. I'm hoping that a killer AV Amp besides the Pioneer 81 will emerge...
 
A

Anonymous

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Clare Newsome:

In our opinion the 876 isn't as good as the 875 - though it's still a great option.

Morning Clare, would really like your thoughts on the sound comparison etc on this.
 
A

Anonymous

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OK, I've finally read the Group Test of AV Amps in this months issue and it looks like the Yamaha DSP-AX863SE is firmly on my list to audition.

As is the Onkyo 875 if I can find one?!?

Just one question regards the Yamaha though; obviously it's a top notch piece of kit but will it get the most out of my MT30s?

Everyone speaks highly of the Onkyo, but has anyone got experience of the Yamaha paired with the MT30s?

I haven't heard either yet (unsure if I can even audition the 875 now) but want to ensure that any Amps I shortlist will get the very best out of my speaker setup.
 

Gerrardasnails

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qwerty69:OK, I've finally read the Group Test of AV Amps in this months issue and it looks like the Yamaha DSP-AX863SE is firmly on my list to audition.

As is the Onkyo 875 if I can find one?!?

Just one question regards the Yamaha though; obviously it's a top notch piece of kit but will it get the most out of my MT30s?

Everyone speaks highly of the Onkyo, but has anyone got experience of the Yamaha paired with the MT30s?

I haven't heard either yet (unsure if I can even audition the 875 now) but want to ensure that any Amps I shortlist will get the very best out of my speaker setup.

Any of the receivers/amps that have been mentioned will be good enough for the MT30 system. Albeit a very good style package, it is a style package. The Yamaha and Onkyos are good enough for similar priced traditional set up which are a lot better than the B&W sats.
 

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