15 year update?

[Qsmkiv]

Well I have had my AV setup for approximately 15 years and looking to do an update. After listening to my friends systems, I feel I want more. I am also going to update my PS2 to a PS3 for GT5, blue ray, and Netflix. My dated system consists of:

Yamaha RXV992 (rated at 80w each channel @ 8 ohm with pre outs)
M&K S100b's L,R,and C (4 ohm and rated 50-200 watts)
M&K S90's L and R rears (4 ohm and rated 50-200 watts)
M&K MX90 powered dual 12" sub (rated 125 rms)
Mitsubishi DD-1000 DVD player
Mitsubishi WD65833 65 DLP Diamond (1 year old)
Direct TV HD

Well I never realized that my speakers were 4 ohm and even though it has worked flawlessly for the past 15 years, I am wondering of I am not using this system to it's fullest potential. I was considering purchasing an amp to compliment my old system. I was thinking of Emotiva amps and these were my options.

1. XPA3 300 watts to the fronts and use the yamaha to power the rears? $529
2. XPA5 $799 300 watts to all 5 channels but out of stock
3. UPA5 $429 185 watts to all 5 channels

I don't plan on going 7.1 and wonder if an amp is even worth it? I am open to any suggestions and I am prepared to get flamed. I have been out of the game for a while which you can tell from my set up. Thanks for any responses/info and look forward being part of Audioholics.

 

[jostenmeat]

They're all just bookshelves? I'd just get the UPA5 then.

The most glaring omission from your rig is a bluray player, are you kiddin' me . . .

You're missing out on an increase of over 600% in pixels (over 2 million with BD), let alone lossless mch audio.

A Panasonic player will be barely over $100 and could be argued as the most reliable on the market. Oh nevermind, you're getting a PS3, sorry forgot about that . . .

 

[90gstman]

I think maybe your first step would be to upgrade your receiver so you can take advantage of the new audio and video formats available to you via the PS3. The mid to upper range Yamahas, Denons, Marantz, Onkyos receivers should all be able to run 4 ohm speakers (obviously check or test first). I think once you do that, you'll feel that a seperate amp won't be necessary right away.

 

[Qsmkiv]

They're all just bookshelves? I'd just get the UPA5 then.

The most glaring omission from your rig is a bluray player, are you kiddin' me . . .

You're missing out on an increase of over 600% in pixels (over 2 million with BD), let alone lossless mch audio.

A Panasonic player will be barely over $100 and could be argued as the most reliable on the market. Oh nevermind, you're getting a PS3, sorry forgot about that . . .

Yeah I was holding out on that one. I was the 1st to buy a DVD player at my AV store 15 years ago and paid a mint and not to mention they didn't have any movies available yet! I made them give me the demo DVD's from the showroom. As I have got tired paying to be 1st and now I am a little more patient. I was also one of the 1st for directv. I am looking forward to blue ray and the picture quality/sound for sure. Yes they are bookshelf speakers on the M&K stands except for the center. The UPA5 definately looks like a good unit and the best priced but wonder if the larger options will give me better clarity and won't run as hard?

 

[zumbo]

As I have tried to tell most here, Yamaha receivers are superb. I ran a complete 4ohm system from a low/mid-fi Yamaha receiver for over a year(hard). The receiver never shut down.

You need to update your receiver.

The smoking deal I am posting on threads is a fantastic Yamaha Z7. The price is just fantastic. 6thave is an authorized dealer.

http://www.6ave.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=YAMRXZ7BL

The facts:
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/rx-z7-7.1/rx-z7-measurements

 

[Qsmkiv]

90gstman and zumbo-

Thanks guys for the replies. I agree that my AVR might be outdated compared to newer units but reading other posts on here most members state that an AVR will never compare to a pre amp set up? Zumbo that Yamaha is a nice unit and I do love the yamaha's. (I have another unit in my other room) The unit specs out to over double the power that my current unit has and I am sure would be an improvement. I use to run all my components through the AVR but now it goes through my TV. I realize that I only get analog signal from there for sound to the AVR but is it that much of a difference? I am just torn wether to go the AVR route and still might not get stable power/quality from the unit or go the pre amp route and have stable predictable power that might give me compareable sound quality? Decisions, decisions....

 

[highfigh]

Yeah I was holding out on that one. I was the 1st to buy a DVD player at my AV store 15 years ago and paid a mint and not to mention they didn't have any movies available yet! I made them give me the demo DVD's from the showroom. As I have got tired paying to be 1st and now I am a little more patient. I was also one of the 1st for directv. I am looking forward to blue ray and the picture quality/sound for sure. Yes they are bookshelf speakers on the M&K stands except for the center. The UPA5 definately looks like a good unit and the best priced but wonder if the larger options will give me better clarity and won't run as hard?

Trust me- you won't be the first on your block to buy a BluRay player. They're less than $100 on the low end- doesn't that tell you they've been out for a while? BD won the war of formats over HD-DVD and that was what, 3 years ago?

Plus, if you want to stream NetFlix, VUDU, Pandora, and some others, the Panasonic comes with that ability out of the box. I have a Panasonic DMP-BD65K and although I connected it in an attempt to help answer some networking questions about that model here at Audioholics, I don't see me pulling it out of the rack anytime soon.

Now, I just have to sell my DVD player.

 

[Qsmkiv]

Trust me- you won't be the first on your block to buy a BluRay player. They're less than $100 on the low end- doesn't that tell you they've been out for a while? BD won the war of formats over HD-DVD and that was what, 3 years ago?

Plus, if you want to stream NetFlix, VUDU, Pandora, and some others, the Panasonic comes with that ability out of the box. I have a Panasonic DMP-BD65K and although I connected it in an attempt to help answer some networking questions about that model here at Audioholics, I don't see me pulling it out of the rack anytime soon.

Now, I just have to sell my DVD player.

I know I have fallen WAY behind the curve. 15 minutes seems to be the lifespan of most current electronics nevermind the 15 years that I haven't updated! My friends remind me all the time. Also I got a Bluray for my mother recently for her birthday and she was still stuck on VHS, so I don't feel so bad. I am for sure looking forward to picking up my PS3 this week and enjoying the quality. I just have to decide pre amp or new AVR.

 

[templemaners]

If you like Yamaha receivers, keep an eye out for Audioholic's review of the Yamaha RX-A3000 Aventage receiver. Supposed to be out Monday.

RX-A3000:
http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/aventage/rx-a3000_black__u/?mode=model

EDIT: Looks like the review is out now:

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/rx-a3000

 

[90gstman]

Qsmkiv,

If you have the cash, by all means go the seperates route, rather than the receiver route. I am of the same opinion, that a good preamp/processor and amplifiers will out-perform. What I was trying to say is that a good preamp/processor (or receiver) is the heart of a system in which all the AV blood passes. It's the key to making all your gear work together, weather from a PS3/blu-ray, usb, hard drive, phono, ect. It will also make using your system much easier for you (less heartburn) so you can enjoy your music or movies and not think about "how do I get there from here".

Amps are important, but they are more like the legs of the system. Better ones will make you run faster, jump higher, travel further. But without a good heart you're crippling your systems potential.

This is just my opinion. You can always buy some good amps now and add a preamp/prossesor later. It's just good to see you got the AV bug back in you.

 

[KEW]

I think the most practical thing for you to do would be to upgrade your system with a modern receiver, and split amplification duties between the old and new receivers. Most all multi-channel receivers will be pulling an easy load and offer extra dynamic headroom if you are giving them 3 or 4 channel duty instead of 7 channels.
Be sure to turn off all processing options you can in your old receiver to keep the heat minimized (obviously it is not that big of a deal since you've had no problems running 7 channels and the pre for 15 years, but why waste energy?).

The cost of entry into a new separate pre-pro is pretty high (not sure if Emotive has completely fixed their unit).
If you have the money laying around, great! But a good receiver will offer a very up-to-date array of features at a great price.
Remember that your pre/receiver is the quickest to go obsolete. I'd have a hard time spending $1500 on something that will be obsolete in, say, seven years! Of course by your history, you might get 15 years out of it.

It is hard to say when a major new technology will come along that truly render old gear obsolete. Obviously, you are not the guy who is going to be too bothered over not having the latest version of HDMI connection. I suppose the potential is there for 3D to become mature and very desirable in the next 3-10 years.

 

[sterling shoote]

You've got a great system. Don't replace any of it until something breaks and you discover parts are not available to repair. Other than improvements in video, and audio for video, which can be enjoyed with the addition of most any $100.00 BD player and a $600.00 40 inch 1080 TV, you won't discern any improvement in today's equipment from what you bought 15 years ago. Stuff purchased 15 years ago from the Asian electronics giants is some of the best audio/video ever designed. That this stuff is unsurpassed in many genre and catagory still to this day is a testimony to what is now becoming recognized as the golden age for this sort of thing. Buy vintage my friend.

 

[bhuskins]

not bad advice at all

 

[Qsmkiv]

Thanks guys. I was only considering an amp to give it a little extra punch but that old Yamaha is still plugging away after all these years.... I don't want to be ignorant to say money isn't an object but I am of the mindset to get my $ worth. I know how I am with stuff like my bikes or cars that once I start upgrading it, I go overkill and then don't use them as much. It's a disease! This system has been good enough through the years and after getting some advice I am reconsidering the purchase. I might even ditch the ps3 idea and just go the standard blu ray. I am wondering if it's worth it to spend 4-500 for a game console just to play 1 game a limited amount of times. Maybe I will just keep it simple for once.