Recommendations for Stereo Receiver or Integrated Amp?

[anamorphic96]

Really? Interesting. That amp sure does look cool though...the blue LEDs surrounding the volume knob, the orange indicator for the input selector...sweet...

I'm kicking myself for not tappin' the change jar to try and save up for that amp...I really wanted it, in black...

Anamorphic, honest -- what do you think the sonic differences would be back to back between the 8555 and 9555; would the 9555 sound basically the "same" as the 8555, do you think?

I doubt very seriously that you would hear a difference if it was a proper level matched blind test.

 

[PearlcorderS701]

I doubt very seriously that you would hear a difference if it was a proper level matched blind test.

Are you serious?

 

[its phillip]

Why wouldn't he be?

 

[PearlcorderS701]

It's kind of rhetorical; I don't see how these two units can sound the same, and I've said this before. That's all I meant.

 

[anamorphic96]

Are you serious?

Come on now. You know my position on amps. The only reason I used the word doubt was the 9555 is a hybrid amp design borrowing from both sides. So it might have a different sound. But I doubt it.

Like I have said before. If amps are operating within there intended range and level matched they should not have a sonic signature of any kind. All they do is amplify signals. That's not hard to do these days. What changes the sound is the recording, speakers and room.

The only time to spend serious money on an amp is if you have special circumstances. (low impedance speakers, low efficiency speakers, large space/venue)

 

[washburn]

I recommend Music Hall a25.2: It's heaven when paired with Ref-1s
My detailed pictorial review:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63946

 

[merlin1952]

96, so you don’t believe that the amp/receiver colors the sound? I’m not arguing just asking. I’ve seen several posts recently where the Marantz was referred to as “warm” so you are saying there is nothing to that claim? Again, I’m not arguing just trying to get the facts. I’ll be in the market soon for a new amp or receiver (probably a 2 channel) and was looking for the most bang for the buck. Thanks,

 

[anamorphic96]

96, so you don’t believe that the amp/receiver colors the sound? I’m not arguing just asking. I’ve seen several posts recently where the Marantz was referred to as “warm” so you are saying there is nothing to that claim? Again, I’m not arguing just trying to get the facts. I’ll be in the market soon for a new amp or receiver (probably a 2 channel) and was looking for the most bang for the buck. Thanks,

I said that amps don't color the sound. So if you run a receiver in it's pure direct stereo mode there should be no difference in sound as long as they are level matched and operating within there limits.

Once you factor in all the other room correction, audio and video processing then receivers can sound different.

 

[anamorphic96]

Here are some god links which discuss many myths in audio. Including the more famous Stereo Review article about whether all amps sound the same.

http://bruce.coppola.name/audio/wisdom.html

 

[FattyMcFatFat]

Come on now. You know my position on amps. The only reason I used the word doubt was the 9555 is a hybrid amp design borrowing from both sides. So it might have a different sound. But I doubt it.

Like I have said before. If amps are operating within there intended range and level matched they should not have a sonic signature of any kind. All they do is amplify signals. That's not hard to do these days. What changes the sound is the recording, speakers and room.

The only time to spend serious money on an amp is if you have special circumstances. (low impedance speakers, low efficiency speakers, large space/venue)

So, if thats the case, then there shouldn't be a difference in sound between a tube amplifier and a SS amplifier. Seeing as they both just amplify the signal, is that right?

 

[its phillip]

you obviously get distortion with tubes

 

[PearlcorderS701]

I said that amps don't color the sound. So if you run a receiver in it's pure direct stereo mode there should be no difference in sound as long as they are level matched and operating within there limits.

Once you factor in all the other room correction, audio and video processing then receivers can sound different.

...but how does this come into play if I'm running the receiver in standard "stereo" mode, but with bass and treble flat? Would it still sound similar to the 9555 do you think?

 

[anamorphic96]

So, if thats the case, then there shouldn't be a difference in sound between a tube amplifier and a SS amplifier. Seeing as they both just amplify the signal, is that right?

I should have said solid state amps or been a little more specific. Sorry about that. However if you read the famous Stereo Review article you will see they could not reliably tell the difference between any of the amps. Tubes included.

Tube amps tend to be a different breed and many of them tend to introduce distortion which tends to color the sound on some designs.

 

[anamorphic96]

...but how does this come into play if I'm running the receiver in standard "stereo" mode, but with bass and treble flat? Would it still sound similar to the 9555 do you think?

Yes. When running your receiver in pure direct mode there will be no difference between any of your Onkyos as long as they are operating within there limits and level matched. There will be no difference in sound quality.

I don't have much experience with the 9555 since it's a hybrid amp and does not interest me at all. But like I said it looks to be a well designed amp with good measurements so it should not sound any different than the others.

What I'm getting at is if you where to sit down with a blind fold on, and level match the two amps. You will not here any difference. Let your ears decide if they can hear a difference under these conditions. I doubt you or anyone could reliably tell the difference. It's been proven many times.

 

[PearlcorderS701]

Yes. When running your receiver in pure direct mode there will be no difference between any of your Onkyos as long as they are operating within there limits and level matched. There will be no difference in sound quality.

No -- what I'm saying is, not if I have the 8555 running in pure direct, but rather in normal stereo, and with Bass & Treble set to flat...

 

[Seth=L]

you obviously get distortion with tubes

The tubes themselves aren't responsible for the distortion, it's the implementation, bias and what not.

 

[anamorphic96]

No -- what I'm saying is, not if I have the 8555 running in pure direct, but rather in normal stereo, and with Bass & Treble set to flat...

There should still be no difference. Assuming the tone controls are of good quality and implemented properly.

 

[Seth=L]

There should still be no difference. Assuming the tone controls are of good quality and implemented properly.

Yes and no, by removing them from the signal path you can effectively reduce the noise floor. My Teac A-H500 sheds 5dB off the SNR when I engage the CD direct mode. I don't notice it when I'm listening to music, but when there is not music being played I notice it.

Basically it boils down to, there's a difference, but it doesn't matter.

 

[PearlcorderS701]

There should still be no difference. Assuming the tone controls are of good quality and implemented properly.

Well, how in Christ on a Cracker would I know that?

 

[PearlcorderS701]

Yes and no, by removing them from the signal path you can effectively reduce the noise floor. My Teac A-H500 sheds 5dB off the SNR when I engage the CD direct mode. I don't notice it when I'm listening to music, but when there is not music being played I notice it.

Basically it boils down to, there's a difference, but it doesn't matter.

Can you really hear the noise floor diminish that effectively by taking the TEAC out of stereo mode, Seth?