Assorted questions re the RX-Z7
Gene- 1) I still need to hear if the RX-Z7 has a phono input and, if not, would it be easy to attach a phono pre-amp to the Z7, something I have never done with a receiver. I mean, the Z7 has the inputs to handle a phono pre-amp, right?
Also, 2) what about the RX-Z7's LFE adjustments? Please recall that I asked about that on AVR Forum in the Pioneer SC-07 thread when you reviewed the 07. I believe you said there that since the 07 only has a single -10dB adjustment for LFE, that users of the 07 should send audio into it from a player as bitstream, not PCM. Recall the sticky thread on AVR Forum a few years ago that listed the LFE adjustments on various receivers? Some had several different -db adjustments for LFE, some had only one, and at least one had none(!). What does the Z7 have? Is is necessary to send signals into it using bitstream too?
3) Would you say an A/V cooling fan lying on top of the Z7 would solve its heat issue if the receiver were sitting unobstructed on its own table?
4) One commentator in here somewhere said that a Yamaha RX-663 receiver plus an Emotiva LPA-1 amp would be an almost unbeatable package for $1,000 for those who don't need scaling or upconversion.
You yourself said here in response to a question about how the Z7 would compare to the Denon 5308 that the Z7 plus an Emo. XPA-2, (at 250 WPC X 2 ), would be a great combo. That Emo is one sale right now for $719.
Here is my question: What current Yamaha receiver would be IDEAL to pair with what current Emo amp? Would the Yammy Z7 with the Emo XPA-2 be as good as it gets? (I just read what Emo says on their site re the XPA-2. They say that when you add a big 2-channel amp to a multi-channel receiver to boost the front mains, you will hear the side speakers come to life too because the receiver now has more power to devote to the side-channel speakers). OR, would some lower numbered Yamaha paired with the Emo "big dog" MPS-2 at $1,699 be better? It is 200W x 7.
Would it make sense to pair the Z7 with the 7 channel MPS-2? I wouldn't think so since now ALL the amplification will be coming from the Emo amp and those in the receiver will be wasted, right? As you can tell, I am quite intrigued with buying a good receiver for its features and then pairing it with a big Emo amp for at least the front left and right main speakers.
Thank you for any response. L. in Fresno.