How much to upgrade and do i need to ?

[admin_exported]

Hi very happy with my system as is but IF i did wanted to "upgrade" for xmas how much and what would i have to upgrade, the amp? (if so what one) or the speakers? (if so what ones) I guess what i really want to know bearing in mind the sources i've got going through the amp already is have i hit my limit so to speak or is there a significant performance gain to be had by changing the amp or speakers? cheers

 

[Ronald Archiebald]

Stu31,

Your amp would be the obvious choice for an upgrade.

Do you like the Onkyo sound? Are you looking to buy new or used?

What's the budget?

Ronald

 

[chudleighpaul]

Normally the biggest improvement to the sound of the system can be had by upgrading the speakers.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Ronald
I thought as much, at present i'm just curious to know how much i'd have to spend (say 500 tops and new) to hear an improvement i'm not sure im getting the most the speakers have to offer at present.
With regard to the onkyo sound its hard to compare it to anything as i previously had a sony str da1200es which didn't have the hi res sound options so i brought the onk soley based on reviews, more interested for home cinema than hi fi.

 

[Ronald Archiebald]

Stu31,

For your budget (£500 tops & new), I would suggest you consider the Denon AVR-2310.You will need to demo this and hear how it fits with your AE speaker package.

Alternatively, a new Onkyo TX-SR875 that is still available for this price would provide a sound that is familiar to your Onkyo TX-SR606 but with the added benefits of having the additional power, grip and refinement in the delivery of the sound.

Ronald

 

[Anonymous]

An 875 for that money sounds great where have you seen this ?

 

[Ronald Archiebald]

Stu31,

It's available on E-Bay.

Ronald

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for that so in your opinion is it the better amp?

I'm curious to know what "improvements" i will hear in comparison to mine as essentially its a £1000 amp, i mean is it a night and day thing ?
I could never justify spending a £1000 on an amp certainly for my set up but at that price i'm seriously tempted, oh another question how do you update firmware on these?
I see you have one would you mind measuring the height and depth for me as i'm found different dimensions listed online.
Sorry for all the questions but you're the only one who has commented on the thread !!

 

[Ronald Archiebald]

Stu31,

No problem. The 875 has higher grade components in it's chassis and is built even better than it's younger siblings, hence the £1k price.

The improvement in sound quality is immediately evident over the mid-range class. Some may lament that the 605/606/607 sound like they go louder - that was my exact thought when I first hooked it up too, but I soon realised that the way all that power is delivered is quite different.

While the explosive characterics of an Onkyo amp was evident in both, the 875 had a much more smoother and refined powerband, hence the more mature presentation.

In my view, the evolution from the 605 (1st generation HD amp) to the 607 (3rd generation HD amp) saw no improvement in pure sound quality, bar the extra features. The 605 was a tough act to beat, obviously!

The 875 (also a 1st generation HD amp), is a higher-end amp that handles steering effects with knife-like precision, and the bigger power delivery is smoother with greater control and grip over the sonic delivery. Detail resolution is up a notch too. The subsequent 876 (2nd generation HD amp) was unable to dethrone the 875 either, from a sound quality perspective.

It is also far more refined especially at the top end where the mid-range amps will struggle with harshness. While you may not be able to turn the volume all the way up on the 605/606/607, you can with the 875! It will be LOUD but composed, if you understand what I mean.

Finally, YES - in my view, the Onkyo TX-SR875 is a better amp than the Denon AVR-2310.

Ronald

 

[Anonymous]

Thankyou Ronald you're really "selling " it to me now ! lol

Only a few more questions,

I use my present amp from cold as i dont leave it on stand by now i have the PF40, i've read that my 606 apparently suffers from heat build up but mine never has and has always been cool to the touch certainly not warm as i only use for a few hours at a time.
I've read this about the 875, if i go for the 875 i'm not going to have alot of height clearance but my rack is fully open front and back so would it be beneficial to add a cooling fan as a precaution or doesn't it get that hot with a few hours use ?

 

[Ronald Archiebald]

Stu31,

I use an Atacama Equinox AV Rack and so I have more than enough space on top and all around. I have never been in favour of closed compartments to house my AV kit.

My amp is left on standy when not in use and I've not found it to be particularly hot when asleep or awake. Not much hotter than my 605/606/607/805.

The cooling vents on the top need sufficient space to dissipate the hot air emitted and owing to the taller height of the 875 over the 6's, you need to ensure that this is possible.

Ronald

 

[Anonymous]

Think i can get away with it may just find and buy a mini fan for peace of mind as i say only use mine for a couple of hours at a time think i'm worrying over nothing to be honest its only 2 cms taller than my 606 and ive had no issues so far thanks for all your help.

Edit. Onkyo's now out as its gonna be too tight for my liking, Denons on the shortlist for when i go to the dealer gonna start a new thread see if people have any other ideas.