yamaha z9 or RX A3020/Pioneer SC-LX86-K/Arcam Old versus new

[jcshutts]

I am hoping the advice I have been given is an opinion rather than fact. I am in the process of purchasing the Apex MA speaker package and was upgrading my Yamaha z9 in order to be able to enjoy HD sound. The Yamaha Z9 for those that remember was over £3k in its time. So when I looked at flagship AV receivers of modern times I got excited to think I was getting all the extras - 4k passthrough, airplay bla bla bla as well as HD sound - but for a fraction of the price I paid for my Z9.

And then someone dropped the bombshell. The sound might not be so good. The amplification will be less and I may notice.......

Please tell me it was just an opinion??????

Not sure how I ended up with two threads sorry - can WHF please delete one!

 

[Frank Harvey]

Well, you know my thoughts, but for those in a similar position, I'd add a Bluray player with onboard True HD and DTS-MA decoding and plug into into your 7-channel input. That way, you can enjoy HD picture (plugging your HDMI to your screen) and HD audio as well. It is plenty good enough to hold its own against sub £2k receivers.

I'd wait a year and see what happens - the Z9 has done you well so far.

 

[jcshutts]

i didnt think blurays were still decoding onboard? any suggestions? the plan is that this will feed a projector which will do the upscaling of the picture so i wont have to rely on the AV to.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi jcshutts

Have a look at Yamaha's new Aventage BD-A1020 Blu Ray player.

http://uk.yamaha.com/en/products/audio-visual/blu-ray-players/bd-a1020_w/?mode=model

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[jcshutts]

Splendid will take a look thanks

 

[bigboss]

i didnt think blurays were still decoding onboard? any suggestions? the plan is that this will feed a projector which will do the upscaling of the picture so i wont have to rely on the AV to.

If not a transport, blu ray players today decode audio onboard.

 

[jcshutts]

That appears to do the trick. It always used to be that inboard decoder a weren't as effective as the amplifier doing the processing. Am I unlikely to tell the difference do you think? Is it likely that the z9 and 1020 combo will be just as effective as the 3020 option. (Certainly a lot cheaper!!)

 

[Frank Harvey]

Almost all Bluray players decode HD audio onboard to analogue. They will then send it out of the analogue outputs and feed into your Yamaha - technically, it is still HD audio. I would recommend the Oppo BDP103, as it has good upscaling for DVD's, it will stream audio and video from other sources on your network, has access to NetFlix and music sources like Rhapsody (Napster), play DVD-Audio and SACD discs, and play CD's to a high standard too. All for £500.

Oh, and it plays Blurays rather well too

 

[Anonymous]

I didn't like the idea of buying a blue ray player with top end decoding, to then pay for top end decoding in the av amp too as I'm paying for something I won't ever use. Your situation reminds me of that, other way round, I purchased a blu ray transport with no decoding functionality, only digital out to amp over hdmi.

I would get a great blu ray player (I like the idea of the oppo one' functionality and flexibility) doing all the picture and sound decoding and let the amp, amplify the sound, after all, amplifier technology hasn't changed much over the years.

Besides, most blue ray players are built with full decoding regardless, so even if you later upgrade your amp, your still no worse off. I may consider investing in better speakers rather than another av amp.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Splendid will take a look thanks

Hi jcshutts

Your welcome although I get the feeling that something is not adding up :? I'll look into this be get back to you.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[jcshutts]

This is great so far as it offers an opportunity to opt for a 7.1 rather than 5.1 new speakers package and I'm looking at the apex MA just to be in with everyone else lol. But seriously, considering 3x A40 upfront and the A10s for the rest. This way I can appease the wife with wall mounts, rather than my previous floor mounts. If this does work out , what interconnects would be best to feed from player to amp?

 

[jcshutts]

Just a thought, can a projector provide the decoding for HD sound? I have my sights on the JVC DLA-55RBE which offers 4k (not sure what I would need to view 4k - I.e. screen comparability? 4k content ??). However this PJ has HD sound ? Is this a solution? Has anyone tested this PJ?

 

[Frank Harvey]

I'm afraid not. Home cinema PJ's have no sound or sound processing on board.

 

[TheHomeCinemaCentre]

Just a thought, can a projector provide the decoding for HD sound? I have my sights on the JVC DLA-55RBE which offers 4k (not sure what I would need to view 4k - I.e. screen comparability? 4k content ??). However this PJ has HD sound ? Is this a solution? Has anyone tested this PJ?

I am a bit late to this but the Z9 is worth keeping if you have other areas in your system you wish to invest in. The X55 is not real 4K more of a pseudo 4k unit using a technology they term e-shift. A good projector excels in a good environment with a good screen so if you are buying fresh look to a good one, if you already have a screen I would look at the whole cinema before investing as there may be bigger gains elsewhere.

As David has confirmed the PJ is just a display so all sound duties are handled prior to that. I have tested the X55 thoroughly so ask away.

 

[jcshutts]

Thanks. I haven't got the screen yet but looking at the ReAct Euroscreen with Draper - feel free to offer views.

If the projector isn't entirely true 4k how does it perform against competitors and is this the time NOT to invest in a PJ when technology appears to be streaking ahead with traditional screens???

re the Z9 advice that's helpful thanks . I am leaning towards achieving the HD sound via an OPPO blu ray

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi jcshutts

You will not be able to use the Aventage BD-A1020 for listening to multichannel loseless HD movie soundtracks with your DSP-Z9 as the Aventage BD-A1020 does not have multichannel analogue outputs. I got the DSP-Z9 mixed up with the DSP-Z7. I am sorry for any inconvenience this has caused.

I''ve looked into this further and an alternative player to consider is the highly regraded Cambridge Audio Azur 651BD.

As for cabling, i'll say that basic interconnects will be more then good enough to connect a Blu Ray player to the DSP-Z9.

Btw, i just want to be clear in that Musicraft does not stock Cambridge Audio products.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[jcshutts]

Thanks Rick

 

[TheHomeCinemaCentre]

The JVC is very good and certainly one of the strongest contenders at the price point. Try to see one if you can as the alternatives may be more suited to your room / preference.

Now is exactly the time to be buying a projector - the performance on offer is staggering. There have been real jumps in picutre quality year on year far more than in most other sectors of our industry. 4K is on the horizon but we need to see how that is implemented at more consumer freindly price points. The Sony VW1000 is astonishing but that is a lot to do with the fact that it is a very good projector and not all to do with 4K.

The Draper screen is a good choice and as before it depends on how you juggle your budget as to the best way to invest. Are you tackling this set up yourself or do you have someone else involved in the project?

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Thanks Rick

Hi jcshutts

Your welcome.

Btw, i'll suggest that you should also consider contacting Audio T (Oxford) and have a chat with Dominic. Dominic has a vast knowledge of projectors and associated components and he is also a nice guy

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[jcshutts]

thanks for the referral.

Am I missing something regarding the Blu Ray Oppo? It does appear to decode on board and have an analogue link to go to my Z9. I would have thought this was a better option that the Audio Cambridge ?

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi jcshutts

Your welcome.

The Cambridge Audio Azur BD651 and the Oppo BDP-103 are both capable of decoding HD movie codecs internally and outputting the soundtracks via their multichannel analogue sockets and into the multichannel analogue input of an amplifier (such as your Yamaha DSP-Z9).

Btw, I just want to be clear that Musicraft has no connection with Audio T.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[jcshutts]

Any idea how these players compare to the Marantz UD7007 and would this achieve my needs around onboard decoding and output via 7.1 analogue?

Hi jcshutts

You will not be able to use the Aventage BD-A1020 for listening to multichannel loseless HD movie soundtracks with your DSP-Z9 as the Aventage BD-A1020 does not have multichannel analogue outputs. I got the DSP-Z9 mixed up with the DSP-Z7. I am sorry for any inconvenience this has caused.

I''ve looked into this further and an alternative player to consider is the highly regraded Cambridge Audio Azur 651BD.

As for cabling, i'll say that basic interconnects will be more then good enough to connect a Blu Ray player to the DSP-Z9.

Btw, i just want to be clear in that Musicraft does not stock Cambridge Audio products.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[ellisdj]

Have I missed something here?

if you feed a reciever 5.1 / 7.1 analogue inouts from a blu ray player is that then just passed straight through to the amplification?

Where is all the levelling, distances and such done - in the player?

Surely that bypasses any processing such YPAO equalizer settings if it does?

If it doesnt then you have an unwanted extra Analouge to digial conversion going on there - that is never a good?

 

[jcshutts]

It's a good point dj and something that had begun tto dawn on me. Should I complete the equalisation via the bluray as opposed to trying to do it through the amp? Is that possible for the oppo 105? I dunno!!!

 

[Frank Harvey]

It's a good point dj and something that had begun tto dawn on me. Should I complete the equalisation via the bluray as opposed to trying to do it through the amp? Is that possible for the oppo 105? I dunno!!!

As with all 5.1/7.1 analogue inputs, the onboard room EQ of the Z9 won't be able to be used.

The Oppo allows you to set large or small, crossover frequency (single point), and speaker levels.