AV Receiver / External Amplifier

[Cedric Winston]

Thanks, time to buy a more powerful receiver

 

[Cedric Winston]

I love the yamaha sound, what do u or any one think of rx a2070?

 

[KEW]

No modern electronics should impart a "signature sound". Anything other than the exact signal from the source being increased (amplified) is, by definition distortion!
Amplification is a mature science and all of the major players will provide a clean neutral sound as the foundation.
Now once you start involving YPAO or Audyssey and various processing like DTS or Dolby there will/can be differences (I don't know how strictly Dolby and DTS control implementation of their products). However, if you run the AVRs in Pure Direct mode and they all have the power required to properly drive the load presented by the speakers, they should seriously sound identical if all other variables (such as speaker location and volume level) are controlled.

However the 2060 has established itself as a fine AVR and there is no reason to believe the 2070 would not be as good.

Personally, I would go for a refurb Flagship A3060 for $1200 with a 18 month Yamaha warranty. Note that these are reconditioned by the manufacturer (Yamaha in this case). Third party refurbs are pretty sketchy, but I have bought over a dozen manufacturer reconditioned units from A4L and they have all been great!
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrxa3060bl/yamaha-rx-a3060-9.2-ch-x-150-watts-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html

It is up to you. I just want to make sure you considered this option. Most of us who have been doing this for a while realize that it is rare that the current model (A2070) offers anything important over last years model (A2060) while there typically is a worthwhile difference in going up to a better model (2060 to 3060).

You can also still buy a new 2060 for $1300 (Amazon). I assume it is discounted as an obsolete model.

Good luck, but none of these options suck. You are choosing between various degrees of good!

 

[Cedric Winston]

No modern electronics should impart a "signature sound". Anything other than the exact signal from the source being increased (amplified) is, by definition distortion!
Amplification is a mature science and all of the major players will provide a clean neutral sound as the foundation.
Now once you start involving YPAO or Audyssey and various processing like DTS or Dolby there will/can be differences (I don't know how strictly Dolby and DTS control implementation of their products). However, if you run the AVRs in Pure Direct mode and they all have the power required to properly drive the load presented by the speakers, they should seriously sound identical if all other variables (such as speaker location and volume level) are controlled.

However the 2060 has established itself as a fine AVR and there is no reason to believe the 2070 would not be as good.

Personally, I would go for a refurb Flagship A3060 for $1200 with a 18 month Yamaha warranty. Note that these are reconditioned by the manufacturer (Yamaha in this case). Third party refurbs are pretty sketchy, but I have bought over a dozen manufacturer reconditioned units from A4L and they have all been great!
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrxa3060bl/yamaha-rx-a3060-9.2-ch-x-150-watts-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html

It is up to you. I just want to make sure you considered this option. Most of us who have been doing this for a while realize that it is rare that the current model (A2070) offers anything important over last years model (A2060) while there typically is a worthwhile difference in going up to a better model (2060 to 3060).

You can also still buy a new 2060 for $1300 (Amazon). I assume it is discounted as an obsolete model.

Good luck, but none of these options suck. You are choosing between various degrees of good!

Thanks you've been very helpful ,and again I apologize for the hijacking earlier I didn't know how this worked.

 

[KEW]

No worries!
We've had worse!

 

[lovinthehd]

Besides, the OP didn't seem to mind and it's somewhat related anyways....

As to buying more powerful receivers, they're not all that different from one another generally, within a few dB of each other (that Yamaha avr is on the weak side of things), plus it takes significantly more power to be meaningful, keeping in mind a 3dB spl increase requires a doubling of power. Another consideration is to get a modest avr with the features/connectivity you need, with a full set of pre-outs so you can add amplification as needed for specific speakers or just to take some work away from the avr.....

 

[Cedric Winston]

Besides, the OP didn't seem to mind and it's somewhat related anyways....

As to buying more powerful receivers, they're not all that different from one another generally, within a few dB of each other (that Yamaha avr is on the weak side of things), plus it takes significantly more power to be meaningful, keeping in mind a 3dB spl increase requires a doubling of power. Another consideration is to get a modest avr with the features/connectivity you need, with a full set of pre-outs so you can add amplification as needed for specific speakers or just to take some work away from the avr.....

 

[Cedric Winston]

I'm ok with adding external amplication just thought going with a more powerful receiver would get me around having to be careful with making sure the amp's db gain was compatible ,or enough I should say.

 

[Cedric Winston]

I'm ok with adding external amplication just thought going with a more powerful receiver would get me around having to be careful with making sure the amp's db gain was compatible ,or enough I should say.

Dolby tru hd thru the 5.2 is sounding really good right now ,think I'll park for a while but I will eventually want to get back to atmos and will need to decide which way to go.all advice is welcomed and appreciated.

 

[lovinthehd]

@Cedric Winston then again just looked at your avr specs and you have pre-outs now so you could simply add amps to the existing unit. Might want to think about your spl goals, maybe use an spl calculator to help estimate for your setup and listening levels to consider further....

 

[KEW]

Dolby tru hd thru the 5.2 is sounding really good right now ,think I'll park for a while but I will eventually want to get back to atmos and will need to decide which way to go.all advice is welcomed and appreciated.

If your current AVR will play 5.2 okay, I am pretty confident the A2060 (or better) would do 5.2.2 without any problems.
However, I hate to see you spend so much on an AVR. Your AVR is especially weak and you should replace it, but I would rather see you spend $600 on a Denon AVR-X3300 and have money left over if you need an amp!
https://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-X3300W-Channel-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B01HL8KYAY/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1511499414&sr=1-3&keywords=Denon+AVR-X3300W

Yamaha probably has a decent option without the expense of the 2060 which is more simular to the $600 3300, I just don't know their gear well enough to make the recommendation.

 

[PENG]

If your current AVR will play 5.2 okay, I am pretty confident the A2060 (or better) would do 5.2.2 without any problems.
However, I hate to see you spend so much on an AVR. Your AVR is especially weak and you should replace it, but I would rather see you spend $600 on a Denon AVR-X3300 and have money left over if you need an amp!
https://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-X3300W-Channel-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B01HL8KYAY/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1511499414&sr=1-3&keywords=Denon+AVR-X3300W

Yamaha probably has a decent option without the expense of the 2060 which is more simular to the $600 3300, I just don't know their gear well enough to make the recommendation.

Even at $799.00 the refrub AVR-X4300H is sold out at ACFL, wonder if we deserved some credits!! So now the SR6011 is probably the next best deal over there. So much for Black Friday Sales..

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/marsr6011/marantz-sr6011-9.2-ch-x-110-watts-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html

 

[Cedric Winston]

I'm know yamaha does but not at that price,and by the way I'm a yamaha fanboy(nothing against Denon) just have no experience with them,at least I know I like yamaha

 

[KEW]

Well, I feel pretty confident if your 850 can do 5.2 will enough that the 2060/2070, or even better, 3060 could handle the extra two channels without much trouble at all!
Also, if you are hesitating on the refurb units, check the price on a 3060 new. I think it may be comparable to a 2070 in price but offers more!

 

[Auditor55]

No modern electronics should impart a "signature sound". Anything other than the exact signal from the source being increased (amplified) is, by definition distortion!
Amplification is a mature science and all of the major players will provide a clean neutral sound as the foundation.
Now once you start involving YPAO or Audyssey and various processing like DTS or Dolby there will/can be differences (I don't know how strictly Dolby and DTS control implementation of their products). However, if you run the AVRs in Pure Direct mode and they all have the power required to properly drive the load presented by the speakers, they should seriously sound identical if all other variables (such as speaker location and volume level) are controlled.

However the 2060 has established itself as a fine AVR and there is no reason to believe the 2070 would not be as good.

Personally, I would go for a refurb Flagship A3060 for $1200 with a 18 month Yamaha warranty. Note that these are reconditioned by the manufacturer (Yamaha in this case). Third party refurbs are pretty sketchy, but I have bought over a dozen manufacturer reconditioned units from A4L and they have all been great!
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrxa3060bl/yamaha-rx-a3060-9.2-ch-x-150-watts-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html

It is up to you. I just want to make sure you considered this option. Most of us who have been doing this for a while realize that it is rare that the current model (A2070) offers anything important over last years model (A2060) while there typically is a worthwhile difference in going up to a better model (2060 to 3060).

You can also still buy a new 2060 for $1300 (Amazon). I assume it is discounted as an obsolete model.

Good luck, but none of these options suck. You are choosing between various degrees of good!

Only thing about buying for ACL is their return policy, seem a little sketchy to me. For example, if you purchased the Yamaha and decided you don't like it or you prefer something else, there is no free shipping on their returns, contrary to purchasing from Amazon, also you might subject a 5-10% restocking fee

 

[KEW]

Only thing about buying for ACL is their return policy, seem a little sketchy to me. For example, if you purchased the Yamaha and decided you don't like it or you prefer something else, there is no free shipping on their returns, contrary to purchasing from Amazon, also you might subject a 5-10% restocking fee

Are you sure?
I just investigated returning a set of headphones I recently bought (I don't want to return them, but they are within the 30 day period and are the closest thing to an AVR I have in my orders).
This was an Amazon Prime item (Bose QC25 noise cancelling phones).
When I go through the return process, there is no option for "changed my mind", "didn't like", or "prefer something else". The closest I could find was "Bought by mistake" or "No longer needed". Both of these options result in:

Return shipping cost will be deducted from your refund.

So I really don't think Amazon has a true Satisfaction Guarantee unless it is a uniquely designated product.

That said, if I indicate "Item not as described" and go back and look at the description and sure enough it says:

No matter how noisy the world is, it’s just you and your music—or simply peace and quiet.

(Marketing being what it is, there is always something being exaggerated or left to interpretation).

Since the Bose are not perfect (they are the best I have heard) at eliminating every bit of noise, the above is a false statement (though I knew that before I bought them). Amazon would pay return shipping because it is ostensibly their (Bose's) fault.

A4L is a good professional company to deal with. If there was mistake on their part, or the item was defective, they would pay return shipping, but I really don't expect most companies to foot the bill if I just change my mind or did not properly research the item before buying.

But if you are uncomfortable with that situation, you should avoid A4L.

 

[lovinthehd]

Only thing about buying for ACL is their return policy, seem a little sketchy to me. For example, if you purchased the Yamaha and decided you don't like it or you prefer something else, there is no free shipping on their returns, contrary to purchasing from Amazon, also you might subject a 5-10% restocking fee

Their return policy is fine, as long as you read it and comply with it....the risk is yours if your reasons for return are nebulous, though. "Didn't like it" or "changed my mind after you shipped it to me" isn't much of a reason for return without fees unless expressly provided for in a return policy (such as a satisfaction guarantee, which A4L does not offer). Their handling of defective merchandise is fine, and they even went beyond their stated terms for me in one case with a defective unit that took just over 30 days to be an issue. Caveat emptor.

 

[Auditor55]

Are you sure?
I just investigated returning a set of headphones I recently bought (I don't want to return them, but they are within the 30 day period and are the closest thing to an AVR I have in my orders).
This was an Amazon Prime item (Bose QC25 noise cancelling phones).
When I go through the return process, there is no option for "changed my mind", "didn't like", or "prefer something else". The closest I could find was "Bought by mistake" or "No longer needed". Both of these options result in:


So I really don't think Amazon has a true Satisfaction Guarantee unless it is a uniquely designated product.

That said, if I indicate "Item not as described" and go back and look at the description and sure enough it says:

(Marketing being what it is, there is always something being exaggerated or left to interpretation).

Since the Bose are not perfect (they are the best I have heard) at eliminating every bit of noise, the above is a false statement (though I knew that before I bought them). Amazon would pay return shipping because it is ostensibly their (Bose's) fault.

A4L is a good professional company to deal with. If there was mistake on their part, or the item was defective, they would pay return shipping, but I really don't expect most companies to foot the bill if I just change my mind or did not properly research the item before buying.

But if you are uncomfortable with that situation, you should avoid A4L.

It's not false. Amazon gives you 30 day return if it was shipped by them. Also, bought by mistake or no longer needed are just words, as long you can return the item and get your money back with no return shipping cost or restocking fee. That's the point I'm making, that's the same as "Satisfaction Guarantee" without even saying it.

 

[Auditor55]

Their return policy is fine, as long as you read it and comply with it....the risk is yours if your reasons for return are nebulous, though. "Didn't like it" or "changed my mind after you shipped it to me" isn't much of a reason for return without fees unless expressly provided for in a return policy (such as a satisfaction guarantee, which A4L does not offer). Their handling of defective merchandise is fine, and they even went beyond their stated terms for me in one case with a defective unit that took just over 30 days to be an issue. Caveat emptor.

Purchasing an item like an AVR online from a company without a good return policy (with at least 30 days and no restocking fee), in my opinion, is not a good idea. The restocking fee is there to discourage you from returning an item, it actually undermines the 30 day return window.

Sometimes we as consumers might just change our mind or we might find out later on that we want something else or we might simply have that buyers remorse that many of experience and we need that cooling off period that a return policy provides for us.

 

[lovinthehd]

Purchasing an item like an AVR online from a company without a good return policy (with at least 30 days and no restocking fee), in my opinion, is not a good idea. The restocking fee is there to discourage you from returning an item, it actually undermines the 30 day return window.

Sometimes we as consumers might just change our mind or we might find out later on that we want something else or we might simply have that buyers remorse that many of experience and we need that cooling off period that a return policy provides for us.

Then you shouldn't buy from A4L. Catering to fickle consumers isn't for all retailers....