Stereo Amp sought

[brendonw]

Currently got an Arcam AVR300. Very pleased with it. The new Arcams are way to expensive for my budget.

Wanting a replacement AV amp with the new sound formats and HDMI connectivity.

Musical ability is also a big consideration. Currently have Monitor Audio RS6s for Fronts and Centre.

Music source is Sonos with CDs ripped in Apple lossless. Sony BDP-370 for Blus.

Main TV source is Sky HD

From what I've read Pioneers are possibly too bright for my speakers and in the past I've never enjoyed the warm sound of Yamahas.

So looking at Denons, of which we had one previous to the Arcam years back. Happy to spend up to 1.5k

Suggestions and recommendations welcome - thanks in advance! [🙂]

 

[The_Lhc]

What a miserable bunch you all are!

 

[kinda]

Marantz might be worht a look if you want musicality.

But it might be cheaper to just decode HD-audio to 7.1 in and get an HDMI switcher. Not quite as convenient, but ...

 

[lobby]

The obvious choice would be the Yamaha DSP-Z7 at £1399 or one of the top end Onkyo's or Denon 4310, but i would definetly demo the Yamaha as it seems to partner the MA's the best.

 

[Anonymous]

Why not go for a multi analogue out BD player will be much cheaper, and will have some spare cash. The Arcam seems very capable. and you will have the hd audio too, i wouldnt worry for hdmi switching as the tv can do that if you have enough inputs.

 

[The_Lhc]

Yes do that brendog, then you can sell the bdp-370 you only bought last week to the Greek idiot for a profit. Maybe...

 

[brendonw]

Unlikley, he's an idiot, but not when it comes to money.

Only thing I'd add to my original post is that I'd like less cables............

 

[The_Lhc]

brendonw:Unlikley, he's an idiot, but not when it comes to money.

I meant the other one...

Did you book a demo with sevenoaks?

 

[Anonymous]

Hmmmm if you reaalllllyyy need less cables to change is the only way, I would look at the Denon 2310/1, 3310, and 4310 and see which one is worth, you dont want to spend too much and not justify the money....... i think.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

brendonw:
Currently got an Arcam AVR300. Very pleased with it. The new Arcams are way to expensive for my budget.

Wanting a replacement AV amp with the new sound formats and HDMI connectivity.

Musical ability is also a big consideration. Currently have Monitor Audio RS6s for Fronts and Centre.

Music source is Sonos with CDs ripped in Apple lossless. Sony BDP-370 for Blus.

Main TV source is Sky HD

From what I've read Pioneers are possibly too bright for my speakers and in the past I've never enjoyed the warm sound of Yamahas.

So looking at Denons, of which we had one previous to the Arcam years back. Happy to spend up to 1.5k

Suggestions and recommendations welcome - thanks in advance!

Hi brendonw

I will suggest Yamaha's DSP-Z7. For its price the DSP-Z7's presentation is well judged which is clear, detailed, coherent and one which can be listened to for hours without fatigue. I believe the DSP-Z7 will be an teriffic match for your Monitor Audio speakers.

The DSP-Z7 is imo the finest VFM AV amplifier currently available on the market (even at its full RRP of £2k). DSP-Z7's are now generally available for £1.4k making it imo a bargain.

Thanks

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[brendonw]

Thanks Rick.

Thought about this for a while now and I think I'm going to go down the road of a stereo amp in conjunction with a cheaper AV amp.

I'm going to add the stereo amp first and am happy to pay up to £1200 but think I should be able to get a better stereo sound than the Arcam can produce for less £'s.

I am able to demo these at home so will work my way through the list but just checking whether I should just rule some of these out anyway. As has been said and written my MA RS6s can be a bit bassy and treble needs to be reigned in.

Looking at the following :-

Cyrus XP6, Rotel RA-1520, NAIM Nait 5i and Roksan K2 as possibles.

 

[brendonw]

Could a MOD move this thread to the Hi Fi seperates part of the forum please ?

Thanks in advance

 

[The_Lhc]

brendonw:Thought about this for a while now and I think I'm going to go down the road of a stereo amp in conjunction with a cheaper AV amp.

More cables!

Looking at the following :-
Cyrus XP6,

That's the Windows talking it's the 6xp!

Rotel RA-1520, NAIM Nait 5i and Roksan K2 as possibles.

You love the Cyrus you do, go on, keep the Cyrus...

 

[brendonw]

Yes yes 6XP.

Sound is so much better than the Arcam in stereo but with the less well produced stuff the treble can seem a bit harsh and the bass abit wooley.

Saying that I was getting used to it yesterday so need to listen to something else now to compare.

 

[brendonw]

wondering whether to add the Leema Pulse to my list to audition - not sure if one of the Arcam stereo amps are worth listening to as well ?

Thoughts please 🙂

 

[the record spot]

Leema Pulse - definitely. Well worth audtioning or having a home loan if you can. Great amp; loads of finesse, not lacking in power. The finish is exemplary but design is a matter of taste (I liked the one I trialled, my wife was less keen).

 

[brendonw]

Thanks - will add it to list. Yes funny that about the design thing. My wife asked if all these amps we were trialling were designed by Stevie Wonder ?

Collected a NAIM Nait 5i today for trial for a few days......

 

[Sorreltiger]

I'd second the Leema Pulse nomination. I recently added one to my system to improve music reproduction and it has done the job extremely well - there is MUCH more clarity and plenty of power. There are some good deals with Sevenoaks Brighton.