Which Amp to get?

[naqers]

Hi All,

I've recently purchased the Panasonic Plasma TH50PZ800 and the 5.1 SBS-01 system from svsound. I now need to purchase a receiver and was hoping I could get some advice from all the experts out there. My concerns are:
- a lot of the amps that I've looked at (ie. Onkyo 805) tend to run very very hot. I have a toddler running around and wouldn’t want to get something that's so hot that it scorches him if he touches it
- I'm not that technically astute so would prefer the receiver had decent self-calibration
- ideally includes THX (the TV's got it so the receiver might as well also)
- and obviously, optimises viewing/listening experience with the TV and speakers..
- price wise, the cheaper the better, I'm also open to buying pre-owned amps if the new price point is too high (+$1.5k)

Any suggestions thoughts?

[rnatalli]

The Yamaha 663 or Pioneer 1018 should work in your situation. Don't get too hung up about THX certification.

[jamie2112]

Very nice. The SVS setup is great...I would say the Yamaha VX-663 would be a good place to start..It is packed with features and is about $450 to 500

[rnatalli]

Very nice. The SVS setup is great...I would say the Yamaha VX-663 would be a good place to start..It is packed with features and is about $450 to 500

You can get the 663 for $350 shipped if you look around :)

[naqers]

thanks rnatalli and jamie.. one more question is some amps have whats referred ot as night listening.. one of the key things i want to be able to do is watch movies and listen to movies when the wife and toddler are sleeping without cranking up the volume to get all the subtleties.. is this feature worth looking for or is it a marketing gimmick..

[jostenmeat]

Hi All,

I've recently purchased the Panasonic Plasma TH50PZ800 and the 5.1 SBS-01 system from svsound. I now need to purchase a receiver and was hoping I could get some advice from all the experts out there. My concerns are:
- a lot of the amps that I've looked at (ie. Onkyo 805) tend to run very very hot. I have a toddler running around and wouldn’t want to get something that's so hot that it scorches him if he touches it
- I'm not that technically astute so would prefer the receiver had decent self-calibration
- ideally includes THX (the TV's got it so the receiver might as well also)
- and obviously, optimises viewing/listening experience with the TV and speakers..
- price wise, the cheaper the better, I'm also open to buying pre-owned amps if the new price point is too high (+$1.5k)

Any suggestions thoughts?

thanks rnatalli and jamie.. one more question is some amps have whats referred ot as night listening.. one of the key things i want to be able to do is watch movies and listen to movies when the wife and toddler are sleeping without cranking up the volume to get all the subtleties.. is this feature worth looking for or is it a marketing gimmick..

For your last question, I would try out a newer receiver with Audyssey Dynamic Volume. Supposed to work well with lower volumes. Make sure to disengage it for full blown viewing.

I have an 805. People say it runs hot. Tell ya what, if you want to run it cool, just neuter its manhood and set it to 4 ohms. It'll drop the rail voltage 40 watts or so, and runs at the same temp as most.

If you want your balls back, set it 6 ohms, it'll run hotter, but you'll have an Ultra amp that you can only get by spending more than 1k, and is spec'd to handle 3.2 ohms by THX. Of course, you can add a quiet $5 fan if you wanted, I don't see the need.

Audyssey Multi EQ XT and YPAO are in totally different leagues. This in of itself is worth any cost difference between the 663 and most Onkyos, IMO. I like what XT has done.

Depending on my mood, I will disengage the rolloff of the XT curve, while still using it. I was briefly researching pre/pro's with multiple curves, able to set as default, but when I saw that units that cost 3x more than the 805 didn't even have it, I stopped my search quickly.

In any case, if you do have 1.5k to blow, you can get a very nice receiver. Onkyo is the best bang for buck IMO, but Denons are arguably nicer. They just cost 2x more for any given amp and feature set. Manuals are tougher too.

Only issue with 805 is that when using 24p, blacks are elevated to PC levels. I would NEVER have known unless I visited AV forums on a daily basis. I only found out very recently. Guess what, I'm still keeping it. I figure I could probably upgrade color fidelity on my amazing JVC RS-1u before the blacks in fact. Even on a 159" screen.

663 has more limited bass mgmt, clips BTB/WTW, has only 2 hdmi inputs, cannot matrix bitstreams of new codecs (doesnt matter for 5.1 user). Its best asset is that its the cheapest receiver available that can be used as a pre/pro with HDMI inputs, IMO. I don't know why that is getting recommended when you can spend 1.5k. (no disrespect rnatalli).

JMO.

[fuze]

for the two amps noted above, do they only require one HDMI connection for both the audio and video output or an HDMI connection for the video and audio through separate connections…

[fmw]

for the two amps noted above, do they only require one HDMI connection for both the audio and video output or an HDMI connection for the video and audio through separate connections…

I believe both units feature HDMI repeating so one connection will suffice.

[zumbo]

I have an 805. People say it runs hot. Tell ya what, if you want to run it cool, just neuter its manhood and set it to 4 ohms. It'll drop the rail voltage 40 watts or so, and runs at the same temp as most.

If you want your balls back, set it 6 ohms, it'll run hotter, but you'll have an Ultra amp that you can only get by spending more than 1k, and is spec'd to handle 3.2 ohms by THX. Of course, you can add a quiet $5 fan if you wanted, I don't see the need.

Will you please stop recommending people use the ohm switch on a receiver. This is bad information.

Link to why:
http://www.audioholics.com/education/frequently-asked-questions/connecting-4-ohm-speakers-to-an-8-ohm-receiver-or-amplifier/

[jamie2112]

Will you please stop recommending people use the ohm switch on a receiver. This is bad information.

Are you sure about that there Zummy:D:D;)

[PENG]

For a $1.5K budget, the Onkyo 905 or 906 may be the best buy, followed by the Denon 3808. If you are keen on video upconversion, go for the Onkyo, otherwise the Denon may be better in terms of reliability (not proven) and features. Your 5.1 SVS would appreciate the power availability that they won't get from the 663.

[jostenmeat]

Will you please stop recommending people use the ohm switch on a receiver. This is bad information.

OK sure, I'll stop. I was making a point.

My 805, even with the impedance switch at lower setting, will still probably be comparable to most any other receiver you find at sub 1k at max setting.

I was making a point. Which I already said that I believed you missed.

Ok? will you stop already?

Do I ever get into pissin matches as often as you? You might get into them as often as you're here. Try to find my last pissin match.

[PENG]

Will you please stop recommending people use the ohm switch on a receiver. This is bad information.

Link to why:
http://www.audioholics.com/education/frequently-asked-questions/connecting-4-ohm-speakers-to-an-8-ohm-receiver-or-amplifier/

I know what you mean but he clearly stated the conditions of use and the consequence, so I wouldn't say it is a bad idea. I actually thought it is a clever idea that could be effective in some applications.

[zumbo]

I know what you mean but he clearly stated the conditions of use and the consequence, so I wouldn't say it is a bad idea. I actually thought it is a clever idea that could be effective in some applications.

:eek:
I honestly can't believe you made this statement. Honestly.

[PENG]

:eek:
I honestly can't believe you made this statement. Honestly.

Leave that alone for a day or two and see if you change your mind... Okay I'll do the same just to be fair.:D