Small AV amps

[scene]

One of my criteria when searching for an AV amp for my dining room was physical size of the amp. This was important as Mrs. Scene didn't want a huge amp in the room, but was happy for one "the size of your stereo amp". Needless to say, I found this request nigh on impossible to fulfill. Although you can find small all-in-one systems, where the amp is hidden in the Sub, or you could dream up some complex system where you had a surround sound processor + pre hooked up to set of active speakers, I failed to find a "small" AV amp.

I know, historically, there have been physical limitations, with having to have 5 amplification circuits, and heat dispersion, etc. But with the advent of ICE fully digital amps, surely this is now possible? And I think, it's something would have its own niche.

Am I missing something here? What do others think?

 

[roten]

Marantz NR1601 small enough?

 

[audioaffair]

It's an interesting point - it was always interesting to me when the insides of many CD players were shown in a photo, most of the components could easily fit within one side of the case - and indeed Cyrus of course did just that with their half size boxes.

It may be the case that a lot of manufacturers are unwilling to offer a fully compact solution as it could be perceived as less than the full sized competition (it could be a subconscious thing after all that size matters with the size of your AVR) and the proportion of customers shopping specifically on size isn't enough of a market segment to justify a model specificially for these customers - but this is something I'd like to see as well. With Class D amps and switch mode power supplies there isn't any reason someone could come out with a more compact solution..

 

[scene]

Marantz NR1601 small enough?

Thanks for that roten! :thumbs-up: [smiley missing!]

That's exactly the sort of thing I mean (and I did miss this :x ) In fact, I note that Marantz make a virtue of its size by promoting it as a "slimline AV receiver"

 

[scene]

It's an interesting point - it was always interesting to me when the insides of many CD players were shown in a photo, most of the components could easily fit within one side of the case - and indeed Cyrus of course did just that with their half size boxes.

I had them in mind when typing my original post...

It may be the case that a lot of manufacturers are unwilling to offer a fully compact solution as it could be perceived as less than the full sized competition (it could be a subconscious thing after all that size matters with the size of your AVR) and the proportion of customers shopping specifically on size isn't enough of a market segment to justify a model specificially for these customers - but this is something I'd like to see as well. With Class D amps and switch mode power supplies there isn't any reason someone could come out with a more compact solution..

I did wonder this, if there was some kind of "my amp's bigger than yours" macho posing issue here

But, I think the size of AV amps, maybe one of the things that reduces the take up of full-fat HD sound - as getting some 23kg behemoth past a disapproving partner does mean that major compromises end up being made...

 

[roten]

Marantz NR1601 small enough?

Thanks for that roten! :thumbs-up: [smiley missing!]

That's exactly the sort of thing I mean (and I did miss this :x ) In fact, I note that Marantz make a virtue of its size by promoting it as a "slimline AV receiver"

Excellent! Glad I could help. Wanting one myself, but will most likely stick with my Cyrus surround amp a little longer. It doesn't do HD audio, but is really small and integrates to my stereo without any problem

 

[The_Lhc]

as getting some 23kg behemoth past a disapproving partner does mean that major compromises end up being made...

Most of that weight comes from the transformer(s), which tend to be bigger when more power is required, that's probably one reason, the other would be the sheer number of connections on the back panel of the average AV receiver, if you make it the same size as a stereo amp where is everything going to plug in?

 

[scene]

as getting some 23kg behemoth past a disapproving partner does mean that major compromises end up being made...

Most of that weight comes from the transformer(s), which tend to be bigger when more power is required, that's probably one reason, the other would be the sheer number of connections on the back panel of the average AV receiver, if you make it the same size as a stereo amp where is everything going to plug in?

Agree about the transformers, but I thought this is one of the things that an ICE / Class D amp helped get round. As for the connections, you don't need to have hundreds, and HDMI has helped reduce the size of some of the normal one. As roten said, the NR1601 manages it, with a reasonable number of places to plug things in...

 

[Ravey Gravey Davy]

Purely out of nosy curiosity ,why do you want surround in the dining room as well or is it for the old Kefs.

 

[The_Lhc]

transformer(s),

Why in dog's name is it putting a smiley in there? That's supposed to be a bracketed plural!

 

[Frank Harvey]

June/July will see a couple of slimline Pioneer receivers....

 

[The_Lhc]

as getting some 23kg behemoth past a disapproving partner does mean that major compromises end up being made...

Most of that weight comes from the transformer(s), which tend to be bigger when more power is required, that's probably one reason, the other would be the sheer number of connections on the back panel of the average AV receiver, if you make it the same size as a stereo amp where is everything going to plug in?

Agree about the transformers, but I thought this is one of the things that an ICE / Class D amp helped get round. As for the connections, you don't need to have hundreds, and HDMI has helped reduce the size of some of the normal one. As roten said, the NR1601 manages it, with a reasonable number of places to plug things in...

Up to a point yes but not if you want to use 5(or 7).1 analogue inputs as it doesn't have them, or if you want to link it to a stereo amp, as it has no preouts, so there are distinct compromises being made.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

transformer(s),

Why in dog's name is it putting a smiley in there? That's supposed to be a bracketed plural!

I have never seen that one before

There is one above in the smileys with Steve on it, what is that suppose too mean then?

Here is it is :steve: - still not showing for me though

 

[Deleted member 2457]

transformer(s),

Why in dog's name is it putting a smiley in there? That's supposed to be a bracketed plural!

I have never seen that one before

There is one above in the smileys with Steve on it, what is that suppose too mean then?

Here is it is :steve: - still not showing for me though

Oh it did work, could not see that when i was posting it though.

 

[scene]

transformer(s),

Why in dog's name is it putting a smiley in there? That's supposed to be a bracketed plural!

I have never seen that one before

There is one above in the smileys with Steve on it, what is that suppose too mean then?

Here is it is :steve: - still not showing for me though

Oh it did work, could not see that when i was posting it though.

There seem to be a few undocumented smileys on the site - like "s)" (drunk s) ) as well as ":x" (kiss :x )

I've no idea why there is a "Steve" :steve: smiley uzzled: :shock:

 

[Andrew Everard]

House Rule 13) Every thread must change subject and discuss smileys as soon as Mr Heligoland becomes involved.

(They're really not that important, people...)

 

[scene]

Purely out of nosy curiosity ,why do you want surround in the dining room as well or is it for the old Kefs.

Yes it is for my old KHT2005.2 eggs - It's a dining area off the kitchen, that will have a TV on the wall, the ubiquitous SONOS and the new AV amp. I'm future-proofing for when my three boys grow older, as could then use this room for games / alternate films (away from main living room... Probably overkill, but... :quest:

 

[scene]

Marantz NR1601 small enough?

Thanks for that roten! :thumbs-up: [smiley missing!]

That's exactly the sort of thing I mean (and I did miss this :x ) In fact, I note that Marantz make a virtue of its size by promoting it as a "slimline AV receiver"

Excellent! Glad I could help. Wanting one myself, but will most likely stick with my Cyrus surround amp a little longer. It doesn't do HD audio, but is really small and integrates to my stereo without any problem

Unfortunately, I've gone with a Yamaha RXV667 - which is not small - but there was a great deal on it, bringing it down to £270... But I'm still interested in this subject, a lot.

 

[Ravey Gravey Davy]

House Rule 13) Every thread must change subject and discuss smileys as soon as Mr Heligoland becomes involved.

(They're really not that important, people...)

It's stevist, and stereotyping.

 

[Ravey Gravey Davy]

Purely out of nosy curiosity ,why do you want surround in the dining room as well or is it for the old Kefs.

Yes it is for my old KHT2005.2 eggs - It's a dining area off the kitchen, that will have a TV on the wall, the ubiquitous SONOS and the new AV amp. I'm future-proofing for when my three boys grow older, as could then use this room for games / alternate films (away from main living room... Probably overkill, but... :quest:

With the benefit of experience(mine) ,you will need three such rooms and more importantly soundproofing

(or on ear headphones for the wife as well)

 

[Andrew Everard]

It's stevist, and stereotyping.

IIWUTM, they'd be gone for good.

 

[scene]

Purely out of nosy curiosity ,why do you want surround in the dining room as well or is it for the old Kefs.

Yes it is for my old KHT2005.2 eggs - It's a dining area off the kitchen, that will have a TV on the wall, the ubiquitous SONOS and the new AV amp. I'm future-proofing for when my three boys grow older, as could then use this room for games / alternate films (away from main living room... Probably overkill, but... :quest:

With the benefit of experience(mine) ,you will need three such rooms and more importantly soundproofing

(or on ear headphones for the wife as well)

Thanks for that info - hmmm...

I know, I may be crazy :crazy: and I may live to regret this. Or I maybe just have found a backdoor way of sneaking a new AV into the house, having been banned from upgrading my existing arcam amp :crown:

Obviously I'm just going to see how it goes...