Yamaha RX-A3060 vs Pioneer VSX-90

[Grey Goose]

Hi,

I currently own the Pioneer Elite VSX-90 reciever. I am interested in investing in the Yamaha RX-A3060. I saw the Audioholics preview video, read through the user's manual, and have looked over the few reviews I could find on the 60 line in general. The reviews are lite consider that the 3060 is Yamaha's flagship.

Anyway, the Pioneer has been treating me well but I feel that it's starved for power in some applications. I currently have a 5.1 setup using B&W 683 fronts, 685 rears, and the HTM2 S2 center. My only expansion will be a second sub. The room is only 17' X 12 X 8' high. The room does open up to a kitchen on one side and the ajoining wall has a cut out which effectively doubles the volume of the room. (Please correct me if I'm mistaken on this last point.)

I plan on upgrading my center to either the B&W HTM1 S2 or replace my entire front stage with the B&W CM10s. My chief concerns are sound quality with ample enough power to drive my speakers. I like what I see on the RX-A3060 but am unsure if I'm really getting any additional benefits over the VSX-90. I know that the DAC in Yamaha is better and the power amp is stronger, but is it significant enough to prompt an upgrade? Opinions please.

 

[lovinthehd]

Changing avrs for power isn't usually a very good way to go. It takes a doubling of power to gain merely 3dB in spl, which isn't much. The amp sections between these units are more similar than different; if you can't achieve the spl you want with the current avr I'd think more about a power amp than just the amps in another avr. The 3060 could at least provide the pre-outs for power amps that your Pioneer doesn't have.

 

[j_garcia]

3dB is audible. It represents a 50% difference in output, though it is not necessarily perceived as being louder (or quieter) in general. That usually requires 6dB or more.

Agree that an amp is probably more appropriate for this situation and an AVR or pre/pro and an amp would be a better option.

 

[Suthar]

3dB is audible. It represents a 50% difference in output, though it is not necessarily perceived as being louder (or quieter) in general. That usually requires 6dB or more.

Agree that an amp is probably more appropriate for this situation and an AVR or pre/pro and an amp would be a better option.

Yamaha is good but pre-out voltage is only 1V maybe a bit more. If you plan to use an external amp consider the preamp voltage. Denon/Marantz provide much more preout voltage.


Martin Logan 60XT, 50XT, FX, Dynamo 1000, 500
Yamaha RX-A3060
Denon 2313CI

 

[lovinthehd]

3dB is audible. It represents a 50% difference in output, though it is not necessarily perceived as being louder (or quieter) in general. That usually requires 6dB or more.

Agree that an amp is probably more appropriate for this situation and an AVR or pre/pro and an amp would be a better option.

I didn't say 3dB wasn't audible, just that it isn't a lot or as significant as many would think a doubling of power would achieve....and a doubling of loudness in the audible sense is often referred to as 10dB rather than just 6....

 

[PENG]

Yamaha is good but pre-out voltage is only 1V maybe a bit more. If you plan to use an external amp consider the preamp voltage. Denon/Marantz provide much more preout voltage.


Martin Logan 60XT, 50XT, FX, Dynamo 1000, 500
Yamaha RX-A3060
Denon 2313CI

I must have repeated this more than 10X, but I still feel compelled to say this: every bench tests I have seen indicated Yamaha AVRs can output much higher than 1V in typical HT/music applications. The 1V they specified in the manuals and spec sheets are under a particular load condition. Denon/Marantz usually specify 1.2V, but again it means little because there don't seem to be a standard that all AVR makers have to follow. So, like the power consumption figures, don't make assumptions or decisions. I know this is sad, but it is the way it is for the time being.

 

[Grey Goose]

Thank you everyone for your candid feedback. One final question. My current reciever has a single ESS Saber Premier (Sabre9006A) DAC. The Yamaha has two Sabre9006A's and a single
ES9016 SABRE32 Ultra DAC. With the audio equipment I've listed above, do you feel that I will gain anything, audio quality wise, by shifting to the Yamaha?

 

[PENG]

Thank you everyone for your candid feedback. One final question. My current reciever has a single ESS Saber Premier (Sabre9006A) DAC. The Yamaha has two Sabre9006A's and a single
ES9016 SABRE32 Ultra DAC. With the audio equipment I've listed above, do you feel that I will gain anything, audio quality wise, by shifting to the Yamaha?

For 2 channel music in pure direct, you may gain a little with the sabre32 but I doubt the dacs are the weakest link in either system. Source media and speakers will determine the overall result.