I want a stripped down "audio centric" Hot Rod Receiver!

[Herr Eickhorn]

This is a supplemental thread to the sticky above.

I read every post and I am right in line with the poll, but I don't see any recommendations.

I think the poll is pretty clear. In summary, people DON'T WANT: Legacy connections (ie. S-video, composite video), DSP Modes (not including PLIIx / DTS Neo),HDMI Video processing & Upscaling, Network streaming / XM Radio / Net Radio / etc,THX Certification and Multi Zone features beyond Zone 2.

I think its safe to say they don't really want anything in the poll with the exception of perhaps HDMI pass through switching.

I may need to replace my old Yamaha RX-V2095.

So, I want an A/V receiver with a super high quality amp. 5.1 is enough for me. I want DTS HD master audio and Dolby True HD sound decoding. HDMI switching/pass through is fine but not really necessary.

I guess I want a stripped down "audio centric" hot rod. Does this beast exist yet? Can anyone provide some suggestions? I am even willing to go with an old receiver because I can have my blu ray player decode the new sound codecs.

So point me in the right direction, whether it be new or old. Thanks!

 

[Seth=L]

You pretty much have to live with those extra features being around.

As far as "hot rod" I would look at Onkyo's top end offerings.

 

[anamorphic96]

If an "audio centric" receiver is what you want then Rotel is your company.

http://www.rotel.com/NA/products/ProductDetails.htm?Id=470

 

[3db]

I would suggest you look at NAD. They typically don't run will all the bells & whistles, putting more quality behind their amplifier/power supplies.

 

[walter duque]

B&K
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?miscrcvr&1287963421&/B-K-AVR-317-7.1-Receiver

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

You pretty much have to live with those extra features being around.

As far as "hot rod" I would look at Onkyo's top end offerings.

haha, "hot rod", Certainty checkout Onkyo avrs (jokes aside, analog part in Onkyo avrs isn't that bad at all, maybe you could find good deal for used TX-SR805 - you won't be disappointed as far as it's power supply and analog parts goes, plus plenty of strong featured (only minus no 1080p upscaling, only 720p. However 1080p pass-thru works fine)

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Just get 3 stereo preamps + a 5Ch amp and you have a Hot Rod "AVR" without a single feature. You can just hook the HDMI from your BD player straight to your TV and use the 5.1 analog output for DTS-HD/TrueHD/PCM.

http://emotiva.com/usp1.shtm

http://emotiva.com/upa5.shtm

Total = $1,750 Hot Rod AVR.

 

[tom67]

Your solution is simple......you've got such a receiver now....just keep it. Except for the HDMI connections yours is a quality piece with an excellent amp

 

[Herr Eickhorn]

Your solution is simple......you've got such a receiver now....just keep it. Except for the HDMI connections yours is a quality piece with an excellent amp

You are exactly right, except my Yamaha RX-V2095 is acting up. It intermittently & sporadicly shuts off. There really is no pattern to it and its totally random. I've done some research and talked to a Yamaha expert. It seems it could be almost anything. I'd like to get it fixed but I can see it turning into a real hassle. I don't know of any good techs in Phoenix so I'd probably have to send it out.

I'm thinking I may be money ahead to go with the Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A1000 for $999.00 on amazon.com.

I can't find any real reviews on this product yet and I'm always nervous about being an early adopter. I guess I'll solicit more suggestions and think about it and hope the RX-V2095 holds up for a little while longer.

 

[Mike Ronesia]

Just get 3 stereo preamps + a 5Ch amp and you have a Hot Rod "AVR" without a single feature. You can just hook the HDMI from your BD player straight to your TV and use the 5.1 analog output for DTS-HD/TrueHD/PCM.

http://emotiva.com/usp1.shtm

http://emotiva.com/upa5.shtm

Total = $1,750 Hot Rod AVR.

Nice. crazy, but nice.

 

[tom67]

would buy this before one of the new ones......$599 at new egg

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=5016804&CTID=5000300&ATRID=1000&DETYP=ATTRIBUTE

 

[jostenmeat]

I think the poll is pretty clear. In summary, people DON'T WANT: Legacy connections (ie. S-video, composite video), DSP Modes (not including PLIIx / DTS Neo),HDMI Video processing & Upscaling, Network streaming / XM Radio / Net Radio / etc,THX Certification and Multi Zone features beyond Zone 2.

Join the club!

So, I want an A/V receiver with a super high quality amp. 5.1 is enough for me. I want DTS HD master audio and Dolby True HD sound decoding. HDMI switching/pass through is fine but not really necessary.

I guess I want a stripped down "audio centric" hot rod. Does this beast exist yet? Can anyone provide some suggestions? I am even willing to go with an old receiver because I can have my blu ray player decode the new sound codecs.

So point me in the right direction, whether it be new or old. Thanks!

Umm. I vote for outboard hot rod amp. Add any HDMI 1.0 (or later version) unit as processor. You need to get up to 1.3 to decode the bitstreams though.

Ok, without going separates, how about the new Anthem MRX700? I think this is brand new. The back looks *relatively sparse compared to say the Captain Insano Denon AVP.

http://www.anthemav.com/products/anthem/a-v-receiver

 

[GranteedEV]

Why not get a BD Disk player with analogue outs(IE Oppo BD-83), and hook it up straight to an amp like the UPA-7. And then when switching sources, just run to it and swap em out manually

For other surround sources you might need an adapter like SCART for PS3. Volume control and calibration would be a ***** though

 

[3db]

Join the club!



Umm. I vote for outboard hot rod amp. Add any HDMI 1.0 (or later version) unit as processor. You need to get up to 1.3 to decode the bitstreams though.

Ok, without going separates, how about the new Anthem MRX700? I think this is brand new. The back looks *relatively sparse compared to say the Captain Insano Denon AVP.

http://www.anthemav.com/products/anthem/a-v-receiver

These are beefy units;

MRX 700: 35.4 lb
MRX 500: 34.3 lb
MRX 300: 33.4 lb

 

[Seth=L]

These are beefy units;

MRX 700: 35.4 lb
MRX 500: 34.3 lb
MRX 300: 33.4 lb

You can get beefier units for less money.

 

[Seth=L]

Why not get a BD Disk player with analogue outs(IE Oppo BD-83), and hook it up straight to an amp like the UPA-7. And then when switching sources, just run to it and swap em out manually

For other surround sources you might need an adapter like SCART for PS3. Volume control and calibration would be a ***** though

There's certainly some validity in this. You could get something like the B&K we saw earlier, or keep the receiver you have and use the multichannel analog inputs with the Oppo. The Oppo will handle all the new audio codecs as well as SACD and DVD-Audio if you're into that sort of thing. Clearly Harman thought the Oppo was good enough on it's own to blatantly rebadge one and attempt to sell it for $3500 under the Lexicon brand with no modifications of any kind.

 

[3db]

You can get beefier units for less money.

with the added bonus of heat issues as well.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Why not get a BD Disk player with analogue outs(IE Oppo BD-83), and hook it up straight to an amp like the UPA-7.

That will NOT work because you need volume control. You need an amp with volume control.

 

[GranteedEV]

That will NOT work because you need volume control. You need an amp with volume control.

The oppo does have volume control on its analogue outs, actually.

 

[Seth=L]

The oppo does have volume control on its analogue outs, actually.

I wonder how gradual the step is, or if it has relays. If it doesn't have relays, it may cause the send a pop signal to the amplifier thus to the speakers. Has anyone used the Oppo this way without noise problems or popping?