Wanting better 2-channel sound in my home theater setup

[lovinthehd]

Does the low output of the Yamaha preouts limit my search for another amp to test/demo? What spec should I be looking at/aware of?

Could well be, look for the sensitivity rating on an amp vs the output level of your pre-outs. It was fleshed out some earlier in the thread. Personally I'd try a Crown XLS 1502 as that has adjustable sensitivity (.775V and 1.4V).

 

[mistergsf]

Have you in this recent switching around tried cutting the Emotiva out of the picture and just using the Yamaha alone?

Well, the reason I added the Emo was because I wasn't satisfied with sound quality. I was told that it would be a good match for the Yamaha. Ended up not making a difference.

 

[PENG]

My Ikons are Mk1. And "rock" = transparency, low distortion, nice overall sound quality. Thanks!

Okay, so that may not be power related, don't really know what it was though.

 

[lovinthehd]

Well, the reason I added the Emo was because I wasn't satisfied with sound quality. I was told that it would be a good match for the Yamaha. Ended up not making a difference.

But did you try it currently? Sometimes you just have to revisit stuff at different times....

 

[PENG]

Does the low output of the Yamaha preouts limit my search for another amp to test/demo? What spec should I be looking at/aware of?

Try to get one that has 29 dB gain or more. Regardless, I really don't trust the A860. I hate to say it, but I am going to say, sell it and get a 2060, or Denon X4300h, or the models above those, and call it a day.

 

[mistergsf]

Try to get one that has 29 dB gain or more. Regardless, I really don't trust the A860. I hate to say it, but I am going to say, sell it and get a 2060, or Denon X4300h, or the models above those, and call it a day.

Would you believe I wanted to get a 2060 in the very beginning? Reason why I didn't? Too big for my media cabinet, LOL. Reality sets in.

 

[mistergsf]

But did you try it currently? Sometimes you just have to revisit stuff at different times....

I will try it again. Nothing to lose, everything to gain. Right?

 

[Leemix]

It may very well be the yamaha not doing what you are looking for as a 2ch pre, a separate 2ch pre might work well for you possibly with home theater bypass so less swapping signal cables. When im listening to music i use a PS Audio stellar gain cell dac/pre instead of my marantz av8805 into a Parasound a31. Sound opens up a lot compared to the proc which is very good on its own, but not quite there vs the 2 ch dac/pre. From reading this thread it seems to be very similar to what you experience with the 2ch integrated, its probably working as a better pre for what you like.


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[AcuDefTechGuy]

Try to get one that has 29 dB gain or more. Regardless, I really don't trust the A860. I hate to say it, but I am going to say, sell it and get a 2060, or Denon X4300h, or the models above those, and call it a day.

Could always try the Denon 4000s or Yamaha 2000s from Best Buy. If doesn't improve, return it.

 

[mistergsf]

It may very well be the yamaha not doing what you are looking for as a 2ch pre, a separate 2ch pre might work well for you possibly with home theater bypass so less swapping signal cables. When im listening to music i use a PS Audio stellar gain cell dac/pre instead of my marantz av8805 into a Parasound a31. Sound opens up a lot compared to the proc which is very good on its own, but not quite there vs the 2 ch dac/pre. From reading this thread it seems to be very similar to what you experience with the 2ch integrated, its probably working as a better pre for what you like.


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Agreed! I think this is the route I will go. I will still take a look at other higher end AVRs while I do my research but I'm happy that my direction is more clear.

I appreciate everyone's input. Thank you all!

 

[mistergsf]

But did you try it currently? Sometimes you just have to revisit stuff at different times....

FWIW, I tried listening without Emotiva in the chain and it actually sounded worse; more distortion. I made sure to try with Pure Direct mode turned on (with and without Emotiva) and there wasn't a noticeable improvement.

 

[PENG]

Could always try the Denon 4000s or Yamaha 2000s from Best Buy. If doesn't improve, return it.

By the way, I was Googling about amps and accidentally found an interesting thread about a group in Mn who compared the AV7005, 7702, 7703 and AV8802A, and then compared them with the Deon 4200 using as a prepro. Apparently the AV8802A sounded much better when sighted but in blind tests no one could differential those prepro and the AVR. One guy then sold his AV7703, return his AV8802A and keep the 4200. We don't see or hear much about preamp/prepro comparisons.

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/90-receivers-amps-processors/2670641-marantz-av7703-vs-av7702-vs-av7005-2ch-stereo-critical-listening.html

I don't know if they did everyone right, but got to give them the credit for taking the time to do the comparison tests, that's a lot of work and very time consuming.

 

[mistergsf]

By the way, I was Googling about amps and accidentally found an interesting thread about a group in Mn who compared the AV7005, 7702, 7703 and AV8802A, and then compared them with the Deon 4200 using as a prepro. Apparently the AV8802A sounded much better when sighted but in blind tests no one could differential those prepro and the AVR. One guy then sold his AV7703, return his AV8802A and keep the 4200. We don't see or hear much about preamp/prepro comparisons.

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/90-receivers-amps-processors/2670641-marantz-av7703-vs-av7702-vs-av7005-2ch-stereo-critical-listening.html

I don't know if they did everyone right, but got to give them the credit for taking the time to do the comparison tests, that's a lot of work and very time consuming.

Thanks for the link. Gonna take a look at this tonight.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

By the way, I was Googling about amps and accidentally found an interesting thread about a group in Mn who compared the AV7005, 7702, 7703 and AV8802A, and then compared them with the Deon 4200 using as a prepro. Apparently the AV8802A sounded much better when sighted but in blind tests no one could differential those prepro and the AVR. One guy then sold his AV7703, return his AV8802A and keep the 4200. We don't see or hear much about preamp/prepro comparisons.

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/90-receivers-amps-processors/2670641-marantz-av7703-vs-av7702-vs-av7005-2ch-stereo-critical-listening.html

I don't know if they did everyone right, but got to give them the credit for taking the time to do the comparison tests, that's a lot of work and very time consuming.

Kudos to those guys for sure.

You trying to get me to recommend X4000s for $200 more than the X3000s?

I have to agree. It’s just $200 more.