New Receiver option question

[avnetguy]

I'm currently setup for 5.1 but without HDMI through the receiver so this is the main reason for the upgrade. A secondary reason is to get *a little* more output from the 5 speakers and the main use (>90%) is home theater.

Now the options I'm considering,

Option 1,
Yamaha RXV667 that will drive the 2 surround speakers.
Some external amp (3 channels, emotiva, crown, etc) around 125w @ 8Ohm.

Option 2,
Yamaha RXA2000

So given the above choices is there any reason to really go one way or the other?

 

[HexOmega]

Well, the RX-A2000 is about 2.5 times more expensive than the RX-V667 so the feature set had damn well better be more extensive (US$1200 vs. US$500). It looks like the A2000 adds more "niceties" and a more powerful amp section, but no real world-ending features that the V667 doesn't already have. Two features of the A2000 that are useful are the built-in DLNA networking (w/ iOS control) and possibly the third zone if you need major expansion capability.

If you're running "only" 5.1, you can use the additional 2 amplifier channels in the V667 to bi-amp your front L&R channels. That's my current setup and it sounds great to me, especially with stereo music.

I say get the V667 and take the $800 you save over the A2000 and put it towards something that will actually make a difference in enjoyment, like a speaker upgrade or some new Blu-Rays

This is all without knowing anything about your current speakers and future system goals. If you have LCR speakers that dip down to <4Ohms or greater than six HDMI-compatible sources, then you may want to reconsider the above.

 

[avnetguy]

Not sure if any of the extra RXA2000 options will really get used, which extra ones do you see being useful? Almost all of my movies will be Bluray so I don't see any video processing coming into play.

For speakers I currently have,
Mains: Energy RC-70
Center: Athena AS-C1
Surround L/R: Athena AS-R1

 

[avnetguy]

Yes, the $800 price difference is my concern, mainly to get the 40 extra watts. I'd guess the 2000 *probably* doesn't drop in power as much when driving hard as the 667 but an external amp would sure take care of that, probably end up being close to the same price in the end.

The receiver I'm running now is most likely putting out the same power as the 667 (same specs and weight) so I would like a bit more. I can really only use 5.1 as my livingroom layout isn't good for 7.1.

 

[templemaners]

I would head on over to the Yamaha website compare the feature sets in both and see if the A2000 has a feature you think you need that the V667 doesn't.

Here's a first look at the 667:
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/yamaha-rx-v667

And here's a look at the Aventage A1000 (it'll get your feet wet w/regards to the A2000):
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/yamaha-rx-a1000-aventage

If I was in your shoes and wanted a bit more output, I'd look into the cheaper receiver coupled with a nice 2 or 3 channel amp - more bang for the buck that way than buying a higher powered receiver.

 

[HexOmega]

Not sure if any of the extra RXA2000 options will really get used, which extra ones do you see being useful? Almost all of my movies will be Bluray so I don't see any video processing coming into play.

Check my original post:

Two features of the A2000 that are useful are the built-in DLNA networking (w/ iOS control) and possibly the third zone if you need major expansion capability.

For speakers I currently have,
Mains: Energy RC-70
Center: Athena AS-C1
Surround L/R: Athena AS-R1

Well if you went with either receiver, I would definitely bi-amp those RC-70s. The Athena speakers look to be fairly efficient and thus an easy load for either receiver.

My recommendation would be to thoroughly read the specs of each receiver on the Yamaha website and see if there is anything about the A2000 that is worth the extra $800 to you.

 

[3db]

I'm currently setup for 5.1 but without HDMI through the receiver so this is the main reason for the upgrade. A secondary reason is to get *a little* more output from the 5 speakers and the main use (>90%) is home theater.

Now the options I'm considering,

Option 1,
Yamaha RXV667 that will drive the 2 surround speakers.
Some external amp (3 channels, emotiva, crown, etc) around 125w @ 8Ohm.

Option 2,
Yamaha RXA2000

So given the above choices is there any reason to really go one way or the other?

The big advantage that the A2000 has over the RX-V667 is its YPAO. It provides better room coorectin than teh 667 and it also does multipoint room correction where as the 667 does only single point. The amp and power supply sections are stouter for teh A2000 and will allow you to play a little louder without going into clipping but not much louder. You would need an amp of 200+ watts to hear an appreciable gain in loudeness over the 667. The A2000 also has a phono stage for a turntable should you want to experiment with vinyl.

Like many posters stated before me, look at the feature sets of both to see if the A2000 has anything above the 667 that you would consider useful.

 

[avnetguy]

Thanks for the input everyone, appreciated it. I have compared the user manuals and online info for both models in greater detail as advised.

So here is what I'm seeing (hope I didn't misread any specs here) as the differences that might/would matter to me,

Pros:

RXV667
- About the same price with two Yamaha P2500S or Crown XTi1000 amps.
- Less loss if receiver is upgraded in the future, will still have amps.
- Absolutely no lack of power.

RXA2000
- Better (leanring) remote with Macro function and a second "minimal" remote.
- Better YPAO, multi-position and reflection detection.
- *Might* be enough power to drive hard hitting scenes in a single unit.
- No potential for amp fan noise.
- Web interface control is kinda cool.
- Network firmware update available.

So given the pros listed above I'm leaning towards the 667 at this point. While the better YPAO of the 2000 may save me some time, I can manually adjust the setup (as I've done in the past) with my laptop and REW. Has anyone found the better YPAO to make a huge difference? Also, does the YPAO adjust the parametric EQs for you?

Still have to wait on actual pricing for the amps from my dealer. I guess there will be some additional cost to go from unbalanced to balanced XLR inputs as well.

As far as setup goes, do you think one of the amps listed above driving the mains with the receiver handling the center and two surrounds balance out well? Also, any input on the which amp, Yamaha P2500S or Crown XTi1000, is better suited for the job?

 

[jp_over]

Thanks for the input everyone, appreciated it. I have compared the user manuals and online info for both models in greater detail as advised.

So here is what I'm seeing (hope I didn't misread any specs here) as the differences that might/would matter to me,

Pros:

RXV667
- About the same price with two Yamaha P2500S or Crown XTi1000 amps.
- Less loss if receiver is upgraded in the future, will still have amps.
- Absolutely no lack of power.

RXA2000
- Better (leanring) remote with Macro function and a second "minimal" remote.
- Better YPAO, multi-position and reflection detection.
- *Might* be enough power to drive hard hitting scenes in a single unit.
- No potential for amp fan noise.
- Web interface control is kinda cool.
- Network firmware update available.

So given the pros listed above I'm leaning towards the 667 at this point. While the better YPAO of the 2000 may save me some time, I can manually adjust the setup (as I've done in the past) with my laptop and REW. Has anyone found the better YPAO to make a huge difference? Also, does the YPAO adjust the parametric EQs for you?

Still have to wait on actual pricing for the amps from my dealer. I guess there will be some additional cost to go from unbalanced to balanced XLR inputs as well.

As far as setup goes, do you think one of the amps listed above driving the mains with the receiver handling the center and two surrounds balance out well? Also, any input on the which amp, Yamaha P2500S or Crown XTi1000, is better suited for the job?

I'm looking at the same type set-up. I also viewed the crown and yamaha pro amps but am leaning (later on, depending on how the v667 sounds) towards 3 x outlaw 2200 monoblocks (200 watts rms at 8 ohms). 3 main reasons: 1) 12v trigger to power on, 2) no conversion cables / devices needed, 3) good reviews (not that the crown and yamaha pro amps don't have this last). 2 side reasons: cost is about the same and they look really sharp!

Just my .02...

 

[HexOmega]

The big advantage that the A2000 has over the RX-V667 is its YPAO. It provides better room coorectin than teh 667 and it also does multipoint room correction where as the 667 does only single point.

Thanks for bringing that up 3db, I totally spaced on the multi-position YPAO, which is a notable upgrade.

Thanks for the input everyone, appreciated it. I have compared the user manuals and online info for both models in greater detail as advised.

So here is what I'm seeing (hope I didn't misread any specs here) as the differences that might/would matter to me,

Pros:

RXV667
- About the same price with two Yamaha P2500S or Crown XTi1000 amps.
- Less loss if receiver is upgraded in the future, will still have amps.
- Absolutely no lack of power.

RXA2000
- Better (leanring) remote with Macro function and a second "minimal" remote.
- Better YPAO, multi-position and reflection detection.
- *Might* be enough power to drive hard hitting scenes in a single unit.
- No potential for amp fan noise.
- Web interface control is kinda cool.
- Network firmware update available.

So given the pros listed above I'm leaning towards the 667 at this point. While the better YPAO of the 2000 may save me some time, I can manually adjust the setup (as I've done in the past) with my laptop and REW. Has anyone found the better YPAO to make a huge difference? Also, does the YPAO adjust the parametric EQs for you?

Still have to wait on actual pricing for the amps from my dealer. I guess there will be some additional cost to go from unbalanced to balanced XLR inputs as well.

As far as setup goes, do you think one of the amps listed above driving the mains with the receiver handling the center and two surrounds balance out well? Also, any input on the which amp, Yamaha P2500S or Crown XTi1000, is better suited for the job?

I can definitely vouch for the YPAO - although I should be honest and say I didn't spend hours upon hours doing back to back comparisons - it really makes a difference in my system, mostly from the parametric EQ.

The parametric EQ is adjusted by YPAO, and can also be tweaked by the end-user.

 

[PENG]

If you are sure Yamaha, YPAO and their feature set is what you want then go for the 2000. For 90% HT the 2000 should do fine because you will be crossover the big RC70 at 80 Hz anyway. Otherwise the dirt cheap 667 + amp is more future proof (minimum investment) because your then only loss would be say a couple hundred dollars assuming you can sell the 667 for $300 a year from now, or find other use for it. This is in case you found out later you should have got a Onkyo, Marantz, Denon, or even go separate. You can keep a good 2/3 channel amp for a long time.

 

[3db]

If you are sure Yamaha, YPAO and their feature set is what you want then go for the 2000. For 90% HT the 2000 should do fine because you will be crossover the big RC70 at 80 Hz anyway. Otherwise the dirt cheap 667 + amp is more future proof (minimum investment) because your then only loss would be say a couple hundred dollars assuming you can sell the 667 for $300 a year from now, or find other use for it. This is in case you found out later you should have got a Onkyo, Marantz, Denon, or even go separate. You can keep a good 2/3 channel amp for a long time.

I'm confused? Why should have he gone with an Onkyo, Marantz, or Denon? Is it becuase of Audessy? Have you compared YPAO multipoint to Audessy?

 

[avnetguy]

I'm looking at the same type set-up. I also viewed the crown and yamaha pro amps but am leaning (later on, depending on how the v667 sounds) towards 3 x outlaw 2200 monoblocks (200 watts rms at 8 ohms). 3 main reasons: 1) 12v trigger to power on, 2) no conversion cables / devices needed, 3) good reviews (not that the crown and yamaha pro amps don't have this last). 2 side reasons: cost is about the same and they look really sharp!

Just my .02...

The outlaw amp looks like a nice integration with auto-on and consumer level input, wish the yamaha P2500 amp had that. I read that the crown XTi1000 has some low freq issues but it doesn't matter to me as I can get a much better deal on the yamaha amp with an s-convert.

I can definitely vouch for the YPAO - although I should be honest and say I didn't spend hours upon hours doing back to back comparisons - it really makes a difference in my system, mostly from the parametric EQ.

The parametric EQ is adjusted by YPAO, and can also be tweaked by the end-user.

Thanks, that's good to know. I gather both units (667/2000) adjust the parametric EQ with YPAO and I really only have one seating position to account for so no benefit for multi-point I believe. I would plan adjust the PEQ myself afterwards based on REW readings and listening.

Otherwise the dirt cheap 667 + amp is more future proof (minimum investment) because your then only loss would be say a couple hundred dollars assuming you can sell the 667 for $300 a year from now, or find other use for it.

I typically keep my gear for a long time (> 5 years) so resale isn't an issue plus I normally buy last year's model so I don't pay the new release prices. I still might wait this one out to see if prices fall on both units, tough to get off the fence right now.

 

[3db]

I typically keep my gear for a long time (> 5 years) so resale isn't an issue plus I normally buy last year's model so I don't pay the new release prices. I still might wait this one out to see if prices fall on both units, tough to get off the fence right now.

In followling your logic, try and find a RX-V1800/3800 (single point YPAO) or a RX-V1900/3900 (multipoint YPAO). All of these receivers are rated at 130Wx7 with the 3800/3900 series offering more features than the 1800/1900 series.

I have the older RX-V1800 annd it drives my PSB suite of speakers easily to deafeneing levels without a hint of strain.

 

[PENG]

I'm confused? Why should have he gone with an Onkyo, Marantz, or Denon? Is it becuase of Audessy? Have you compared YPAO multipoint to Audessy?

No particular reasons, I threw some examples, could have included RXA3000, NAD785 (has Audyssey), Rotel etc., the list can get quite long. I do have a RX-V659 but never used YPAO so I will not comment on it.

 

[avnetguy]

In followling your logic, try and find a RX-V1800/3800 (single point YPAO) or a RX-V1900/3900 (multipoint YPAO). All of these receivers are rated at 130Wx7 with the 3800/3900 series offering more features than the 1800/1900 series.

I have the older RX-V1800 annd it drives my PSB suite of speakers easily to deafeneing levels without a hint of strain.

None of those models around here but one I've got my eye on is the RXV2065. Specs are very close to the RXA2000 but looks like it has a slightly weaker power supply and is about half the price. One thing that is unclear in the manual is if you can manually adjust the PEQ settings after YPAO does it's thing and not just select one of their preset settings. Looks like I'll need a few more visits to the store to play around.

 

[3db]

None of those models around here but one I've got my eye on is the RXV2065. Specs are very close to the RXA2000 but looks like it has a slightly weaker power supply and is about half the price. One thing that is unclear in the manual is if you can manually adjust the PEQ settings after YPAO does it's thing and not just select one of their preset settings. Looks like I'll need a few more visits to the store to play around.

I've never been a fan of the 1065/2065 from Yamaha. I think they really scrimped in the power supply section and amp section of these receivers. IHO, I think those were Yamaha's worst models of late. Thankfully, they turned it aroubnd with te *67 series and the new A line.

 

[zumbo]

You may want to check 1900/3900.
http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/av-receivers-amps/rx/?mode=compare&selected=28780_28801_

Denon 4310.
http://ca.denon.com/CA/Product/Pages/Product-Detail.aspx?Catid=f234eea1-3300-4537-8f59-f6cd2f3441d6&SubId=0&ProductId=3578bd2c-3865-4cf6-8203-4988ca9045dd

 

[rnatalli]

I recently compared the Yamaha 667 to the HK 2600. YPAO does a pretty good job, but I found Adaptive DRC doesn't do as well as Audyssey or Dolby Volume. Not an issue if you listen to everything at decent volume, but in my household, I often listen to TV at very low volume so those features are a must.