Richer sounds extended warranty any good?

[Ian986]

I paid 699 and can add another 500 if I really had too

 

[bigboss]

Which speakers have you got? 5.1 or 7.1?

 

[Ian986]

Monitor Audio Apex 5.1

 

[Alsone]

They may not refund the whole amount, and may deduct a fair value considering you used the product for 4 years. Speak to them and see what they say.

Today I took my unit back to Richer Sounds in Guildford to be sent off to Gen Serve who repair Onkyo in the UK, They will have it for a month to try and find out what is wrong with it.

I was given a loan unit of a Pioneer VSX930 Which when they surgested this was slightly worried it would sound awful and be under powered. After sorting out all the settings the last person left in it which took over a hour to sort who does not use HDMI cables in this day and age. sounded pretty poor then I did the macc set up and transformed this little reciever I cant believe how good it is for the money under 300 quid. Does not have the authority of the Onkyo but awesome for the money, I think I will deffently look at a Pioneer Reciever as a replacement now.

Ian, take a listen to a Sony STR-DN850. It's a What Hifi 5 Star award winner.

I bought this to replace an old Onkyo Sr-605 at nearly twice the RRP price, and the Sony totally blew me away!!! The difference in sound quality is absoultely staggering.

I thought the whole HD sound thing was over exaggerated but this thing is like night and day compared to the Onkyo. (I have it through an award winning KEF egg speaker set up btw (2500's?) , but some years old now). The clarity is absolutely staggering.

The only critisism I can level at it, is it's a bit forward at times, and quite aggressive which I guess could make listening to it tiring over longer periods. However, if you're like me, you probably only use it for films or special programmes with high quality sound, in which case it really brings the cinema experience home.

I did find it necessary to keep my KEF sub on quite low gain settings to prevent the whole room shaking to the point of scaring the sh*t out of the neighbours during on screen explosions, due to the superb bass the amp produces - on higher gain the floorboards and sofa literally vibrate like the cinema, maybe even the walls! However, with the sub backed off a little, the bass is very listenable and it produces great normal levelled bass. If you want the ground shaking bass it's there, but only if your detached! In fairness, it's hard to say how much is down to the amps output and the speaker systems sub which is very well amped. However, be assured the Sony has very good output and crystal clear clarity across all the frequency ranges, at least to my ears.

What HiFi review: http://www.whathifi.com/sony/str-dn850/review

 

[bigboss]

Wow! You've got the Apex!! You must look at either Yamaha RX-A1050 or Pioneer LX59 as a minimum to get the best out of them.

Demo both and you'll know what I mean.

 

[grdunn123]

Agree with BB - I'm using the Marantz SR-7009 with the Apex and a bigger MA sub and they work really well with a mid to high range receiver. I'd try the newer SR-7010 along with the 2 BB mention.

 

[Ian986]

I have spoken to Richersounds today and I have opted for the pioneer SCLX59 only problem they have sold out so trying to get me one from another branch

I have not really got enogh cash to to get the next model up

 

[grdunn123]

It's a good purchase and should sound great!

 

[bigboss]

*good*

Do let us know your thoughts.

 

[Ian986]

Well I picked up the Pioneer SCLX 59 Yesterday afternoon and so far not as good as I thought to be honest but I think it could be the settings I think I need to run the Macc set up again as the boiler came on halfway through the set up. Blu Rays seem pretty good.

Does anyone else have one of these recievers what settings do you listern it seems to default to optimim for surround, is this correct?

Thanks for the advice and help guys

 

[Xanderzdad]

I have the SCLX 58 and it sounds great - after careful setting up.

Have you downloaded Pioneers iControlAV5 app - allows you to easily tinker with all the sound settings and they can make a huge difference.

MCACC is good but the room MUST be silent and do not underestimate the difference that can be made by moving your 2 main speakers, even subtly. Toeing in (or out) and the distance to the back wall make quite an impact.

 

[bigboss]

Pioneer can be a little bright with Monitor Audio. Run MCACC (which will make a significant difference). If you're still not happy with the sound, get the Yamaha. Monitor Audio plays very well with Yamaha. Your other option is the Marantz SR7010.

I've had Monitor Audio -Yamaha combination in my previous house, and now I have Monitor Audio with Marantz. Both superb.

 

[Ian986]

I will re run the MACC set up when I have some more time. I have turned up the sub a bit and also the bass and treble settings and seemed to make it sound better.

 

[Alsone]

Hope you get it sorted Ian. You had a bigger budget than I realised.

You can't generally go far wrong with Pioneer.

 

[Ian986]

I had a little time time tonight to play with the reciever have not changed macc settings yet but I did get Spotify working, but does seem a little backwards compaired to the onkyo the onkyo you login was on the reciever so streamed direct to the onkyo with the Pioneer you have to use app and use air play so you loose quite a bit of quality *scratch_one-s_head*

 

[Ian986]

I just re run the Macc set up and this time it got them spot on ! I checked it after with a tape measure.I also watched Terminator two and was pretty awesome had to turn it off as the explosions where getting to loud and don't want to upset the neighbours!

Can I ask anyone that has an Pioneer reciever what settings they have the surround on as mine seem to default to Optimum.