Advantage of A/V receiver vs. stereo receiver

[df4801]

Is there any advantage of a A/V receiver (7.1 capable) over a 2 channel stereo receiver in power?

I will be using a receiver to run several pairs of speakers for backround music in the house, coupled with a 4 pair speaker selector box. Both the A/V receiver and stereo receiver I am looking at are rated at 100W/channel, and are similar price. But the A/V is a 7.1 capable and stereo only 2 channel. I will not be using surround modes.

I am not sure how each of these splits their power. ie, does the A/V split it among 7 channels, so if you only use 2, then you lose power?

If all is equal, I will probably get the A/V so in case someday I want surround modes.
Any other advantages or disadvantages of each?

 

[WmAx]

Is there any advantage of a A/V receiver (7.1 capable) over a 2 channel stereo receiver in power?

Any other advantages or disadvantages of each?

No inherant difference in power. The 2 channel stereo output mode power rating should be a 'both channels driven' for both units. Check the specifications.

The only advantage I can think of in relation to a stereo reciever is that some of these still have preamp out --> direct amp input loops on the back. A valuable feature if you need to add electronic external crossovers/equalizers for expanded performance/versatality of your system.

-Chris

 

[j_garcia]

Often, the power rating listed for multichannel receivers is their 2ch rating, which may not be representative of the amount of power available when playing something that uses more than 2 channels. That power is only split up when the other channels are also demanding power, so if you are only playing 2ch, then you should be getting plenty of power.

If you don't need processing/decoding or video functions (or an FM tuner built in), a stereo integrated amp will generally give you better performance than a receiver. Don't pay for "all that other stuff" if you don't plan to use it anytime soon. A stereo receiver is the next best choice. If down the road means later this year, then go for a HT receiver.

 

[zumbo]

There is the .1 feature that is for a powered sub on the HT receiver. And many have all pre-outs for adding amps for each particular application. And, they have a seven channel stereo mode which outputs equal l/r stereo signals to all speakers. While not a recommended feature for high levels for extended periods of time, it does work well within reason. And, with added amps to the pre-outs, could be quiet powerful.

 

[df4801]

Thanks for the input guys!

The model I was looking at, (pioneer vsx-815), does have pre-amps out, but I wasnt planning on getting a separate amp. I was also looking a the Onkyo TX-8511 stereo receiver.
I do need the FM tuner built in.
I wont be adding a sub, as this is just for 2-channel stereo in the 4 rooms (ie, background music)
I doubt I will need surround modes within the near future (several years, if ever)

J garcia -
"a stereo integrated amp will generally give you better performance than a receiver"
Thats what I thought, but if both rated the same, is there still a big difference?

I was going to get a "stereo receiver", but the deal at Vann's (vsx-815 plus Klipsch SCW-3 in walls for $300) seems too good to pass up.

Does any of this change your recommendations?
Thanks again for sharing the knowledge.

 

[tbewick]

While receivers with the same specification may be different in terms of their capability, I'd suggest sticking to using specifications for comparisions. For example, two receivers rated at 90W x 2 chan (both cont. driven) at 8 Ohm, 0.5 % THD. may have a different amount of headroom before clipping. My Denon receiver is rated at 90W but has a 'fidelity firewall' of ~104W before distortion and clipping begins (given in a review of the receiver), which is a headroom of ~14 W.

I think it's better buying a receiver with a higher power rating as this ensures performance is better. j_garcia might be correct about stereo receivers being slightly better (more headroom), but I'd go on specifications. Dolby recommend to studios 4 dB of headroom in amplifier power over the maximum rating of the speakers in order to prevent clipping. I'm sure you know but the pre-amp in many integrated amplifiers usually will drive the power amp into clipping at higher settings.

Do stereo receivers have digital inputs these days for CD playback? A connection over a toslink or s/pdif may sound better than an analogue connection.

 

[j_garcia]

I installed a 8211 (1 model down from the 8511) for a friend in a similar setup to what you are asking about. It is powering 3 sets of speakers in 3 rooms via an impedance matching switch, and it worked great. I'd say the 8511 is a great choice.

As tbewick mentioned, you have to pay attention to the specs, because taking the 100w at face value without comparing the rest of the specs may not be telling you the whole story. Comparing a stereo receiver to a HT receiver from the same manufacturer, say Onkyo, that if the two are rated the same, they will have similar reall world output.

It might be out of your price range, but this guy is one of the nicest stereo integrateds I've seen recently (maybe not the nicest looking...). http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/rr2150.html