Yamaha RXV 1800 or Onkyo Alternative

[admin_exported]

I've recenly bagged myself a Pana 42" PX80 plasma and PS/3 and am keen to enjoy the HD experience. I currently have Sky+ and don't really want to upgrade to Sky HD yet as I object to paying an extra £10 a month just to view the same chanels I already have. I was wondering if I upgrade my ageing sony STR-DB930 amp (very old supertest winner) to a new amp that can upconvert and upscale to HD.

I've spoken to 2 of my local AV dealer's and they suggest the Yamaha RVX1800 which I've found online for £699 which is very tempting. Or, do I opt for the (in my opinion) ugly onkyo world beating amps which also have some excellent deals around. My speakers are Bose AM15 which I'm also very happy with.

Your advice and knowledge on this subject would be very welcome indeed.

Thanks

Ashley

 

[Andrew Everard]

IMHO I'd grab an Onkyo TX-SR875 at a knock-down price while I could.

 

[Anonymous]

I have no idea why people object to Sky HD so much. It's extra money so you can view HD programming, just like you pay extra for blu-rays over DVDs ro see the film in HD.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi

I use a rxv1800 and I'm really pleased with it, sounds great easy to use and looks good on the av rack.

 

[Anonymous]

After getting fed up with current delays and issues around the new SonyÿreceiversÿI decided to spend a little more and get a bargain on an Onkyo 875... Obviously I dont know anything about the new models, but I cant believe the quality from the Onkyo. Its absolutly outstanding and Im not even using it to its full potential. I havent hooked up the sub nor the surround rears yet as we are doing a bit of decorating :S. The only thing that I am annoyed about is not being able to afford to buy the flat above us so that I can really crank up the volume. The Onkyo seems to thrive when you push it hard! Hmm actually that is a slight lie... There are a few niggly things which you wouldn't expect with something that once sold for £1000... like the occasional imageÿstutteringÿand rather scary DTS MA BOMB issues... All of which haveÿsupposedlyÿbeen solved with new firmware updates. Mine of course not being up-to-date ÿ

I havent heard the Yammaha so I cant really compare, but I cant see how anyone could beÿdisappointedÿwith the ONKYO (for £650 its got to be a steal!)ÿAlso worth noting forÿcomparisonÿis that Im running the system with some quite old speakers (Kef Q65 SEs,Q35s, 65DSs and Model 100 Centre) and my previousÿreceiverÿwas also an aging Sony STR DB930! I cant begin to imagine what this thing sounds like with more up to date speakers!!?ÿ

ÿÿ

 

[Sliced Bread]

Is it worth pushing up to 905 for an extra 100 pounds, or do they sound pretty much alike?