Yamaha CX-A5200 on sale - should I buy it?

[beanz690]

Hi Audioholics!

I need some advice, currently the CX-A5200 Preamp is on sale at Amazon for $1000 off. I currently have a Mcintosh MC8207 paired with a cheaper Yamaha TSR-7810 receiver as a pre/pro. I posted a while back about the MC8207 only having XLR inputs so I ended up buying monoprice's RCA to XLR cable to connect the receiver pre outs to the amp.

I am currently on a major budget constraint but wouldn't want to miss out on this deal. I would love to hear your thoughts on if it is really worth it to upgrade to a pre/pro over a receiver. I do about 60/40 music and movies.

On the plus side I could really use my TSR receiver in my bedroom setup (recently scored 4 x CM5 S2 and a CMC 2 S2 for dirt cheap locally)

Thanks!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The CX-A5200 will sound every bit as awesome as the CX-A5100 and any other high-end pre-pro.

The only difference will be among the Auto Room Correction software.

However, some of us (like PENG, Gene, and myself) would rather have the CX-A5100 since the THD% on the CX-A5100 is actually better than the CX-A5200 for the front L/R XLR channels. It's not actually audible, but some of us are OCD.

I went from the Denon AVP-A1HDCI to the Yamaha CX-A5100. Gene also went from the Denon AVP-A1HDCI to the Yamaha CX-A5100 before he sold the CX-A5100.

 

[beanz690]

I've watched Gene's review videos and remember him mentioning the 5100 had better performance but the 5100 doesn't seem to be available anymore. The 5200 is going for 1699 right now on Amazon and BH. With amazon I have a ton of reward points and have the option to finance it which definitely sweetens the deal.

One major reason I want to upgrade is because I have to increase the volume a lot on my receiver to get good listening level from the amp, but then my subwoofers get so loud that I have to go in and manually adjust them to -6dB. I don't know whats causing it but I think its due to the low voltage from my pre outs for the amps required voltage.

 

[nbk13nw]

I picked up a CX-A5200 and MX-A5000 last month. Could not be happier with them both.

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I've watched Gene's review videos and remember him mentioning the 5100 had better performance but the 5100 doesn't seem to be available anymore. The 5200 is going for 1699 right now on Amazon and BH. With amazon I have a ton of reward points and have the option to finance it which definitely sweetens the deal.

One major reason I want to upgrade is because I have to increase the volume a lot on my receiver to get good listening level from the amp, but then my subwoofers get so loud that I have to go in and manually adjust them to -6dB. I don't know whats causing it but I think its due to the low voltage from my pre outs for the amps required voltage.

Regardless of AVR or AVP, you just have to balance the individual speaker and sub levels manually if the Auto settings don't give you what you want.

For example, you can increase the FL, FR, SL, SR speaker levels by 3dB. You can increase the Center speaker level 6dB for dialogue. If the Sub is too much, you can decrease the sub level a few dB.

Again, the CX-A5200 should sound as awesome as any pre-pro, especially in Through, Straight, Pure Direct modes. But the salient thing is always in the SETUP!

 

[beanz690]

Regardless of AVR or AVP, you just have to balance the individual speaker and sub levels manually if the Auto settings don't give you what you want.

For example, you can increase the FL, FR, SL, SR speaker levels by 3dB. You can increase the Center speaker level 6dB for dialogue. If the Sub is too much, you can decrease the sub level a few dB.

Again, the CX-A5200 should sound as awesome as any pre-pro, especially in Through, Straight, Pure Direct modes. But the salient thing is always in the SETUP!

Thanks for your replies, I really appreciate the knowledge.

I tried changing the auto settings and adjusted manually the way you mentioned but I still find myself having to adjust on the fly because the bass gets too boomy. The way I perceive my issue is that because my preouts lack the proper voltage for my mc8207 I have to increase the volume/gain more. By doing so the subwoofer volume/gain goes up disproportionately to the speakers. Does that make sense? I might be totally wrong...

That and my wife always complaining the dialogue is too low lol.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thanks for your replies, I really appreciate the knowledge.

I tried changing the auto settings and adjusted manually the way you mentioned but I still find myself having to adjust on the fly because the bass gets too boomy. The way I perceive my issue is that because my preouts lack the proper voltage for my mc8207 I have to increase the volume/gain more. By doing so the subwoofer volume/gain goes up disproportionately to the speakers. Does that make sense? I might be totally wrong...

That and my wife always complaining the dialogue is too low lol.

Setting up can be a long and frustrating process.

And there is no standard for sound levels. Some contents have low dialogue levels, some have high. Some contents have low bass level, some have high. There is no way to have one perfect setting for all contents.

Just know that it is all in the setup.

If you feel the bass is USUALLY too much, then reduce the subwoofer levels more and more until it is not too much. It balancing act among the levels.

Experiment. Like set FR, FL, SR, SL to +3.0. Set Center to +7.0. Set the Atmos ceiling speaker levels to +10.0.

For the sub level, play your favorite song that has good bass - like Eagles Hotel California Hell Freezes Over. Then adjust the Subs up or down until the bass sound about right to you.

Eventually you will get a good feel for the best sound. It takes experience. Takes time. Not overnight.

With my CX-A5100/MX-A5000/AT2005, the ONLY thing I usually change is the Master Volume.

 

[snakeeyes]

I’d be ok with just a 5100 or 5200 sticker on my RXA2060. LOL

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

What subwoofer is it? Has everything been level matched?

 

[beanz690]

What subwoofer is it? Has everything been level matched?

The subs are two B&W PV1Ds and they sit on the outside of each front tower. I ran YPAO and it set the subs (parallel) to -3dB, both L&R at 0, center +2.5dB and I believe the surrounds are -1dB. I have not level matched the subs manually besides the YPAO measurements.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

The subs are two B&W PV1Ds and they sit on the outside of each front tower. I ran YPAO and it set the subs (parallel) to -3dB, both L&R at 0, center +2.5dB and I believe the surrounds are -1dB. I have not level matched the subs manually besides the YPAO measurements.

Ok cool. Jus checkin

 

[beanz690]

With the good price froma mazon and their great return policy I decided to pull the trigger on the 5200 and give it a test. It's definitely a huge improvement over the tsr7810 so we'll see.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

With the good price froma mazon and their great return policy I decided to pull the trigger on the 5200 and give it a test. It's definitely a huge improvement over the tsr7810 so we'll see.

Congrats. I think the Yamaha Pre-pro is awesome.

 

[Kleinst]

Glad you bought the upgrade. Please let us know how it goes. One thing that could be an issue on your old setup is the RCA to XLR cables. I returned those to Monoprice because it seems I lost some DBs that way. RCA to RCA gave me more SPL At the same gain level on the AVR setup.

 

[lovinthehd]

Glad you bought the upgrade. Please let us know how it goes. One thing that could be an issue on your old setup is the RCA to XLR cables. I returned those to Monoprice because it seems I lost some DBs that way. RCA to RCA gave me more SPL At the same gain level on the AVR setup.

He said his amp has only XLR inputs....

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

He said his amp has only XLR inputs....

I agree. His McIntosh amp only has XLR. The CX-A5200 pre-pro also has XLR.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Glad you bought the upgrade. Please let us know how it goes. One thing that could be an issue on your old setup is the RCA to XLR cables. I returned those to Monoprice because it seems I lost some DBs that way. RCA to RCA gave me more SPL At the same gain level on the AVR setup.

All you have to do is manually increase all the speaker channel levels by 3dB and it's all good.

 

[Gmoney]

Just Buy Yamaha AVR, a3080 get full warranty, best company best Reliability in the industry. Sound better than any others plus you get “king of the hill”
they have their own Factories better QC control from start to finish. Plus if they do have any issues with a Yamaha Product if Gene can run test He will find it.
He will post up he’s findings with test results and a Editorial.

 

[beanz690]

Congrats. I think the Yamaha Pre-pro is awesome.

Thanks! It gets here today. In terms of XLR cables, I already have a pair of Audioquest Mackenzie that a friend gave me some time ago. I would use those for L&R but do you guys think I need to match the cables for other channels or will cheap ones from amazon work? I was looking at ones by GLS Audio with great reviews.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thanks! It gets here today. In terms of XLR cables, I already have a pair of Audioquest Mackenzie that a friend gave me some time ago. I would use those for L&R but do you guys think I need to match the cables for other channels or will cheap ones from amazon work? I was looking at ones by GLS Audio with great reviews.

No need to match. I use all GLS XLR cables. Works great for me.