Yamaha R-N602 vs Onkyo TX-8150

[chebby]

What it says above.

 

[insider9]

Any must have features? Plans for future multi-room? What speakers are you going to use with it?

 

[chebby]

Any must have features? Plans for future multi-room? What speakers are you going to use with it?

Single room. Efficient speakers at moderate volumes.

FM, AirPlay, BT and cheap (but good) range matching CD player a possibility.

Tone controls. Two optical inputs.

Lights up like a Christmas tree (Ok they both do that.)

Not counting DAB (that I detest anyway) it looks like a dead-heat on features that I want.

So - given the Onkyo currently costs £80 more - which would you choose from the two?

 

[Al ears]

Any must have features? Plans for future multi-room? What speakers are you going to use with it?

Single room. Efficient speakers at moderate volumes.

FM, AirPlay, BT and cheap (but good) range matching CD player a possibility.

Tone controls. Two optical inputs.

Lights up like a Christmas tree (Ok they both do that.)

Not counting DAB (that I detest anyway) it looks like a dead-heat on features that I want.

So - given the Onkyo currently costs £80 more - which would you choose from the two?

Personally the Yamaha but purely for their musical heritage and, to me, looks. Having said that I would whip down to RicherSounds to audition both first. ;-)

 

[chebby]

Any must have features? Plans for future multi-room? What speakers are you going to use with it?

Single room. Efficient speakers at moderate volumes.

FM, AirPlay, BT and cheap (but good) range matching CD player a possibility.

Tone controls. Two optical inputs.

Lights up like a Christmas tree (Ok they both do that.)

Not counting DAB (that I detest anyway) it looks like a dead-heat on features that I want.

So - given the Onkyo currently costs £80 more - which would you choose from the two?

Personally the Yamaha but purely for their musical heritage and, to me, looks. Having said that I would whip down to RicherSounds to audition both first. ;-)

My nearest RS branch is a cupboard! You'd have to buy both and return one!

I'm tending towards Yamaha on price (possible range matching CD player cheaper too) and looks (it's a bit more 1970s) and Yamaha's 'heritage'. I recall their customer care was pretty good too.

 

[muljao]

I never used either but researched them both quite well a few months back as they were an option. Everything I've read points to the Onkyo being musically better (few guys on avforums had both and pretty much agreed). As for function i think they are both great but Yamaha does have that musicast thingy.

 

[insider9]

Ease of use - the Yamaha app is better than the Onkyo. Both may not be perfect but are adequate at least

Looks - again Yamaha for me

Features - I'd say it's more or less tie. One thing would be a deal breaker for me but might not be for you is gapless playback from USB. I'm not 100% sure this Onkyo can do it. From reading manual it looks quite fussy.

Sound - I've not hear either of those units but other units I've heard/owned at this budget I preferred Onkyo every time. It was more musical. Yamaha felt less musical and more analytical.

 

[itsme]

Don't forget the new Onkyo TX-8270.

multiroom and HDMI included

 

[drummerman]

HifiWorld have a penchant for Onkyo and their AV Receivers. They always measure very well, are more powerful than specs list and are said to have a certain 'warmth' to their sound.

The only thing I would say is that I dont think the 8150 has a fully functioning USB. The new version has.

No idea about the Yamaha.

 

[Andrewjvt]

Ive yet to hear a bad yamaha.
Budget or higher up.
All sound good to me So for that reason id pick the yamaha.

 

[seemorebtts]

Onkyo with the EB acoustics eb2s.this could be amazing.open and airey sound with precision

 

[Al ears]

Onkyo with the EB acoustics eb2s.this could be amazing.open and airey sound with precision

But chebby has AudioNote speakers.... ;-)

 

[tino]

Pioneer SX-S30DAB ... plus this one has HDMI and room correction.

 

[seemorebtts]

Onkyo with the EB acoustics eb2s.this could be amazing.open and airey sound with precision

But chebby has AudioNote speakers.... ;-)

oh well nice thought tho ;-)

 

[Al ears]

Onkyo with the EB acoustics eb2s.this could be amazing.open and airey sound with precision

But chebby has AudioNote speakers.... ;-)

oh well nice thought tho ;-)

That's not to say it will not sound good through those as well.

P.S. I also have EB2's. ;-)

 

[Vladimir]

Considering you can power those ANs with a midsummer breeze and it's a dead heat on facilities, deciding factor should be looks/desirability IMO.

Yamaha looks more like an amp, while the Onkyo looks more like an AVR. The knob action on the Yamaha is buttery, delicious and clicky. I would be more inclined to go with the company that utilizes music tuning forks as a logo.

Trivia: Yamaha bought Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik GmbH, Vienna, Austria for less than €11 million in 2007. Though many snobs and purists threw a fit, it was a welcomed rescue of the old piano manufacturer. I'd rather have Yamaha keep them alive than a random Russian billionare whose mistress likes pianos.

 

[Al ears]

Considering you can power those ANs with a midsummer breeze and it's a dead heat on facilities, deciding factor should be looks/desirability IMO.

Yamaha looks more like an amp, while the Onkyo looks more like an AVR. The knob action on the Yamaha is buttery, delicious and clicky. I would be more inclined to go with the company that utilizes music tuning forks as a logo.

Trivia: Yamaha bought Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik GmbH, Vienna, Austria for less than €11 million in 2007. Though many snobs and purists threw a fit, it was a welcomed rescue of the old piano manufacturer. I'd rather have Yamaha keep them alive than a random Russian billionare whose mistress likes pianos.

+ I

 

[chebby]

Considering you can power those ANs with a midsummer breeze and it's a dead heat on facilities, deciding factor should be looks/desirability IMO.

There are also things like 'drop-outs' to consider when using the two device's various wireless modes. I have noticed a few references to these occurring on the Onkyo. (Even mentioned in the WHF review but it still gets 5 stars.)

On balance I favour the Yamaha a little more.

Oh yes, hello again Vladimir. That was unexpected after almost a year away! Good to see you.

 

[rainsoothe]

To me, all Yamaha amps I heard have a pretty wimpy, fuzzy-ethereal kind of bass (AS-500, AS-701, AS-3000), so do try to audition. Have no experience with the R-N602 or the Onkyo, though.

 

[chebby]

I have just encountered the Yamaha.

After all these years with 'compact' amp/dacs and all-in-ones it's size was a shock!

Despite having everything i'll ever want (and more), i'd be cowering in front of it like one of Stanley Kubrick's cavemen in front of the monolith!

Meanwhile the £650 Naim muso QB across the room was looking extremely tempting in comparison.

My old hi-fi 'demophobia' came back with a vengeance. Brrrr.

 

[drummerman]

Similar thing here. After years with cyrus taking my Sony str db out is a bit of a difference. However, the sound ... the sound ...

 

[Nelis87]

I have been looking at the Onkyo tx-8270 for some time now, first review this week by hifichoice. Havent heard it yet, but did hear the Yamaha. It was decent but I think the Onkyo will be even better. Onkyo's stereo equipment is a class above their own multi channel systems. I really like the stereo amps and their wrat technology.

 

[drummerman]

I haven't seen the HiFichoice review but Onkyo's usually do well.

That box does a lot.

 

[steve_1979]

The Yamaha looks nicer.

 

[Nelis87]

I haven't seen the HiFichoice review but Onkyo's usually do well.

That box does a lot.

Is something like the 8270 the same bang for bucks as lets say their new A-9150 + a network streamer? Or will it be outclassed by seperates in the same pricerange?