2 channel reciever or.....

[gs222]

I am setting up a strictly 2 channel music system and have a question. I have decided on Monitor Audio BR2 speakers and am now looking at a reciever. Is there any advantage to getting a 2 channel reciever over a 5.1 channel reciever? I am fond of the Yamaha line and am looking at the following recievers.
RX-V361
RX-397
They are comparable in price. I do not plan on using a sub woofer in this room.

It certainly looks like I would get better bang for the buck on the RX-V361.
Does anyone think otherwise?

 

[Adam]

Hello, and welcome to the forum!

You ask a very good question, and it's one that I can't really answer...but I am looking forward to what others have to say. I've wondered the same thing myself. The stereo receiver may have better components (better power supply, higher quality electronics), and so costs about the same even though it has fewer features. The 5.1 receiver, however, benefits from much higher volume sales, so it might be just as good and is simply cheaper because they can sell so many of them. I don't know which is true.

My advice? If you can, buy both and compare them to see if you like one over the other.

 

[davidtwotrees]

If you are deffo not interested in all the extra crap on the ht receiver, don't buy it. You are strictly interested in two channel music.
It certainly does look like you get more with the 5.1 receiver....but the two channel receiver is clean and does just the one thing-plays two channel music. Just my two cents....

 

[mike c]

the 2 channel receiver will have more power, and I would recommend the most power you can get for the BR2's.

the only advantages the AV receiver has are the built-in tuner and the bass management. if you are not gonna be using a sub, and don't need a tuner, the 2 channel receiver would be better.

 

[markw]

If all you want is two channel, your money is better spent on a two channel unit. There are some excellent two channel receivers out there.

Check out Denon, Rotel, Marantz, etc...

Heck, if you don't want a tuner, you can get some excellent two channel integrated amps that will outperform similarly priced HT receivers in the two channel mode. These are even more common (and cheaper) than most two channel receivers.

check out some excellent two channel integrated amps at http://www.audioadvisor.com

 

[jcPanny]

2 channel receiver

HK also had a couple good stereo receiver models.

If you plan to add a sub or upgrade to 5.1 later, then get a 5.1 HT receiver. You should be able to find some slightly older HT models like the Yamaha RX-V659 or HTR-5860/5960 in the $200-250 price range. The pure direct mode on my Yamaha is a nice feature for 2 channel listening.

 

[gs222]

Wow!!
I didn't expect so many responses so quickly. Thanks so much for the advise guys/gals.

This is actually a gift for my wife who loves music but hates to spend on equipment. She has "her" room....it really is just a sitting room that she uses an old Pioneer bookshelf stereo in. I can't bring myself to buy used when purchasing her a gift.

Given her fear of new technology, I think I'll go for the 2 channel integrated amp to keep the remote control as simple as possible for her. I'll add the same brand CD player and be done with it!!!

Again...thanks for the help and opinions.

 

[j_garcia]

Integrated amp is the way to go for sure. I have no need of a tuner in my 2ch rig, and the amplification quality is generally better than what you will find even in a stereo receiver.