Puzzled

[rendu]

I am really puzzled after this weekends experience. I wanted to change my current receiver Onkyo 701E for a new one. I called the hi-fi dealer and mentioned my intention and that I had 3 receivers on my list: Denon 1910, Pioneer 1019 and Denon 2809 (which was on sale). I talked up to 3 persons in the shop because I asked to arrange for a demo and they were passing me from one person to the other in order to organize it. Each of the 3 persons told me the same, that the change I had in mind was not worth it. All of them said exactly the same, that if I wanted to improve the musicality of my equipment I had to purchase a stereo amplifier because I would not get any significant improvement unless I was willing to spend a lot more and go for high-end.

I was shoked and very frustrated because this meant that I had no chance for improvent. What should I do? They are sellers and have a lot of interest in selling so I have to believe them. Is it true that in these past 8 years the multichaner receivers have not made a significant improvent in music? Why do the manufacturers focus so much in adding bells and whisels instead of addressing the first and most important thing which is the soud?

Very frustrating really.... Thanks for any advise,
Pablo

 

[d4v3pum4]

Rather than take their word for it, did you actually demo them so that you could use your ears to decide? Yes certain amp manufacturers have added "bells and whistles" and you only need to look at how some amps seem to be on a crash diet compared to amps from a few years back but most features are warranted and helpful e.g. video conversion, HDMI switching, HD audio formats etc. I don't know how good your receiver is or what decoding abilities it has but I would certainly say that a new receiver would be a step up but it depends on how good your current kit is.

Does it have front pre-outs? If it does, you could add a second hand hifi amp to improve music playback. This would be a cheap and very cost effective upgrade.

 

[nads]

that if I wanted to improve the musicality of my equipment I had to purchase a stereo amplifier

so what does that mean?

that you want a good stereo playback

Or you just want to improve the AV ability?

maybe you were not talking the same language as i have not a clear idea as to what you were actually wanting to do.

 

[rendu]

Thanks for your comments. Yes, I agree I should have go and listen by myself but this place is 3 hours from my house. What I want to improve is the stereo sound and musicallity. I have B&W 685 and I really think that this amp is not getting the most of them. Their reply and the 3 of them told me the same was that the newer AV receivers have more functionality ex. upconversion and HD decodification, etc. but that the amplification itself has not improved so much over the past years. Therefore, if what I wanted was to improve stereo music the only choice was to go for a stereo amp, or add one stereo amp to my current equipment which is probably quite messy. So, I believe I will just leave things as they are and assume that there is no possibility for real improvement. Not very nice....

Thanks, Pablo