7 Channel catch??

[AVGoneToMyHead]

There are many non thx certified 7 channel amps that say they are 7 channel but u need another amp to drive the 2 xtra channels. Such as the yamaha v757b if not mistaken. My question is is there any non thx certified true 7 channel amps? and what are the more affordable thx certified 7 channel amps? What do u guys think about the Kenwood KRF-X9080D-S??

 

[jaxvon]

What would you define as "affordable"? Most Yamaha recievers do have 7 channels of amplification, even the lower end HTR line.

 

[Spiffyfast]

theres also the Pioneer 815, reviewed here on audioholics about a week or two ago, then if you want thx certified check out the pioneer 1015tx, its going for around 400-500.

 

[j_garcia]

What does THX have to do with 7.1? Yes, they helped develop DD-EX, but it is not exclusively the realm of THX.

 

[AVGoneToMyHead]

Yeah but in order to get an all channel driven amp..u gotta go for the top end thx cert amps. The ones that are not...aren't all channel driven and you need an extra amp for the other two channels..in to achieve 7.1

 

[jaxvon]

Uhm....

Check out this article on the all channels driven thing.

Also, take for instance the Yamaha HTR-5860 with an MSRP of $549. This reciever has 7 channels of amplification at 110wpc. So, it CAN drive all 7 channels without help from a separate amp.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

There are many non thx certified 7 channel amps that say they are 7 channel but u need another amp to drive the 2 xtra channels. Such as the yamaha v757b if not mistaken. My question is is there any non thx certified true 7 channel amps? and what are the more affordable thx certified 7 channel amps? What do u guys think about the Kenwood KRF-X9080D-S??

I'm assuming your in the UK? Welcome to the forum!

Those models are slightly different here in the US. Most of the mid to higher end receivers (amps) are now delivering 7 channels of music. Don't assume you'll get 120watts into all 7 channels simultaneously, though. I have a Denon 3805, and the best it will do without audible distortion is 93 watts into each channel, all channels driven. Also keep in mind with movies, the center channel will be utilized most, then the fronts, and the rears and rear center will only provide minimal surround support. Explosions are usually very short, so even a modest receiver should fit the bill as long as your subwoofer is up to par, and you've set your speakers cutoff around 60-80Hz. It's a totally different animal if you're playing music with 7 channel stereo. All channels will play equally loud if the receiver (amp) is set properly. Then you'll really notice what a flagship receiver (amp) or high end multi channel amp can do. Room size, as well as speaker impedence and efficiency should also be taken into consideration when pairing up an entry to mid level receiver (amp). THX certification will ensure you have proper power to drive even the most demanding speakers in a given room. It's not an end all, but a nice starting point if you're willing to pay the $150 or so fee they charge for the certification. IE The Denon 3508 or Yamaha 2500 is not THX Certified, but is a much better unit than the THX Certified Kenwood here:
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4028591

 

[AVGoneToMyHead]

Thanks for clearing things up Buckeye1fan & Jaxvon.....i just had the impression that u had to pay top dollar to get a true 7 channel amp. I'm from Australia. I was mostly confused by the audioholics review of the Onkyo TX-DS 989 saying its the only true 7 channel amp. I'm looking into buying a 7 channel amp..but cant afford to pay premium price for a THX cert one or a second amp. The Yamaha RX-V757b has caught my eye and perhaps if i can afford it the V2500. I have Jamo E series speakers. 6ohm speakers the two front E670 speaker, centre and surround. And a mission m5as sub.

 

[Spiffyfast]

Thanks for clearing things up Buckeye1fan & Jaxvon.....i just had the impression that u had to pay top dollar to get a true 7 channel amp. I'm from Australia. I was mostly confused by the audioholics review of the Onkyo TX-DS 989 saying its the only true 7 channel amp. I'm looking into buying a 7 channel amp..but cant afford to pay premium price for a THX cert one or a second amp. The Yamaha RX-V757b has caught my eye and perhaps if i can afford it the V2500. I have Jamo E series speakers. 6ohm speakers the two front E670 speaker, centre and surround. And a mission m5as sub.

The 2500 is a great receiver and has wonderful preouts if you ever decide you want some more power to add to your system. Also its a little "beefier" and would probably be better suited to drive 6ohm speakers.

 

[j_garcia]

It's not an end all, but a nice starting point if you're willing to pay the $150 or so fee they charge for the certification.

This is a myth, there is no certification fee. There is also almost no difference in cost for a manufacturer to develop a THX cert amp versus a non-cert amp, though the time to market may suffer for the time that may need to be taken to get the certification.

The Onkyo in question is about 5 years old, so at the time of the review it may have been one of a few 7ch receivers on the market, but that is no longer the case.

There are also two different levels of certification for amps - Select, for rooms up to 2000cf, and Ultra2 which is for larger rooms ~3000cf.

While it is certainly not a bad thing to have, I really would have to say THX is not something to get hung up on when buying a receiver/amp. My receiver is THX Select, but that wasn't the reason I chose it.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

This is a myth, there is no certification fee. There is also almost no difference in cost for a manufacturer to develop a THX cert amp versus a non-cert amp.

What???? Call Lucas Labs and get a quote on that statement. I'm sure they're handing out THX certification's left and right. Heck, they don't need to pay their techs to review others equipment. It's all non-profit.

 

[j_garcia]

It is NOT free, but that cost is part of the development and does not have a significant impact on the cost of the amplifier. They don't just slap a higher price tag on it so they can use the THX logo on the front, it actually has to pass the tests. There was a very good article on the process of amp & receiver certification in Home Theater Magazine, though I couldn't find it online. I do still have the issue at home though.

Certification means different things for different components. For amps, it only means one thing - enough power to drive a given speaker at ref SPL for a particular room size. For a receiver/ pre/pro, it means they have to have certain processing functions as well as amps that meet the amp spec.

Just because it says THX on it, does not guarantee one receiver will sound better to you than the next one, so I would not use it as a primary factor for selecting a receiver. There are plenty of great receivers and amps out there that are not THX certified.

I never use THX processing because I don't like the way it sounds with my setup.

 

[Azz123]

AVGone......

Have you looked at the RX-V1500??

If you know what buttons to push with a dealer, you can screw them pretty hard... I got a RX-V1500 for $1399 in Brisbane..

As a side note, I'm not sure where in Oz you are though JB-HiFi are now stocking Yamaha. Just make sure you know what you want prior to making your purchase. Those guys dont have the greatest product knowledge, though have a very sharp pencil!!

Good Luck!

A

 

[AVGoneToMyHead]

Azz123

Thats a good deal. Im from Melbourne. The thing is JB or hi fi supermarket now dont stock the mid range or high end stuff. Just called them the other day. They got nothing after the yamaha 757b. I'll have to look at the specialist stores now for the v2500 or 1500. Which is a shame cause jb u can really bargain. And ur rite they dont have great product knowledge at all...