Amp for movies and for JBL 590s

[jasonjm]

Ok so i just ordered some JBL 590s speakers
i already have a new TCL series 6 TV 75 inch.
I picked up a node 2i for 200 bux

I will only have these 2 JBL 590 speakers no others.

the goal is to
1) listen to amazon UHD music via node 2i
2) watch movies from tv apps using only the 2 JBL speakers for sound (via uhmm i dunno optical out from TV or hdmiarc?)

my room is 16x16 and I will be 9 feet from the speakers

any amp recommendations? obviously i want it to sound good, but at the least wasted money price. thx

 

[sterling shoote]

The new Marantz NR-1200 Receiver is ideal for your application. Check it out. https://www.marantz.com/en-us/product/av-receivers/nr1200

 

[Kvn_Walker]

The new Marantz NR-1200 Receiver is ideal for your application. Check it out. https://www.marantz.com/en-us/product/av-receivers/nr1200

The Denon DRA-800H is $100 or so cheaper and has a tad more power per channel.

I've owned both. I could tell no difference in them sound-wise. The only reason I moved to the Marantz was the preamp outputs. If you think you might want to add an amp in the future, or just like the looks better, get the Marantz, but the Denon is the better value. The remotes are the same, the menus are the same, you wouldn't know which was which if you couldn't see them.

The 590's are very efficient and 6 ohms. Either of those receivers will handle them gracefully.

 

[lovinthehd]

I've used an avr and a coupla different amps with mine, I'd look in the used market for an avr/receiver, save some bucks. If you have no plans beyond 2ch the above choices are okay and either amp section is okay but the speakers can definitely handle more power if you want to get loud. I think you'd probably get better value from a used avr (you don't need the latest/greatest for audio or video it seems....), depending what's available in your area. The Costco deal on the Yamaha TSR-700 comes to mind, too (not sure they're still available, but were going for $400 new).

 

[jasonjm]

thanks for the replies, these ideas are all a lot less than i was expecting to pay.

i can see the denon 800H from bhphoto for 549 with free ship and no tax
i can see the yamaha 700 for around 440 with tax from costco

will the yamaha know how to convert everything down to 2ch audio? even if the source is a movie with dolby whatever sound?

do all these amps these days sound the same when driving 2ch speakers - since all 3 of these seem to be about 100W of power? so it just becomes price / features more than how it sounds?

 

[lovinthehd]

If you input 2 ch to an avr it can play it just fine. Usually a source has a 2ch alternative but avrs can downmix from multich as well. Yes, buy your electronics on the feature set that works for you best rather than some purported "sound".....you don't need much now but also consider down the line. A sub for example, make sure the two channel units come with good bass management like an avr does (much of the 2ch gear has been slow to incorporate bass management, I didn't check the suggested 2ch units).

ps One feature I like to have is pre-outs for amplification options (or even powered speakers), but aside from a sub pre-out often not provided in the lower priced offerings....

 

[sterling shoote]

thanks for the replies, these ideas are all a lot less than i was expecting to pay.

i can see the denon 800H from bhphoto for 549 with free ship and no tax
i can see the yamaha 700 for around 440 with tax from costco

will the yamaha know how to convert everything down to 2ch audio? even if the source is a movie with dolby whatever sound?

do all these amps these days sound the same when driving 2ch speakers - since all 3 of these seem to be about 100W of power? so it just becomes price / features more than how it sounds?

I have no experience with the Denon or Yamaha. I placed the aforementioned Marantz into my mother-in-law's audio system a few months ago. It is used primarily to enjoy cassette tapes, LP's, and iTunes via Airplay. My surprise was the receiver's DAC, which presents unexpected detail and black backgrounds from digital sources. At any rate, I think it's a great match to your JBL 590's. And, should you get the JBL 550P Subwoofer you can manage bass low pass from the Marantz sub output.

 

[Kvn_Walker]

I have no experience with the Denon or Yamaha. I placed the aforementioned Marantz into my mother-in-law's audio system a few months ago. It is used primarily to enjoy cassette tapes, LP's, and iTunes via Airplay. My surprise was the receiver's DAC, which presents unexpected detail and black backgrounds from digital sources. At any rate, I think it's a great match to your JBL 590's. And, should you get the JBL 550P Subwoofer you can manage bass low pass from the Marantz sub output.

Not to knock my own gear, but it should also be noted that neither the 800H nor the NR1200 do room correction or high-pass the main speakers when the sub output is used. I don’t really care about room correction, but the high-pass is a very odd omission.

 

[j_garcia]

Not to knock my own gear, but it should also be noted that neither the 800H nor the NR1200 do room correction or high-pass the main speakers when the sub output is used. I don’t really care about room correction, but the high-pass is a very odd omission.

My guess will be there is a fixed high pass when the sub channel is configured. Since they don't let you adjust it, there is no option shown in the menus to indicate it. Older receivers were this way as well.

 

[lovinthehd]

Just looked at the manuals for both the Marantz and Denon, no mention of anything but a low pass filter....and I suspect it simply doesn't have even the fixed one for the speakers.....and if it does it should be mentioned in the manual IMO. I've seen fixed high pass filters mentioned before in some 2ch gear, tho, just not these....

 

[sterling shoote]

My guess will be there is a fixed high pass when the sub channel is configured. Since they don't let you adjust it, there is no option shown in the menus to indicate it. Older receivers were this way as well.

There's no high pass filter so mains run full frequency. As I recall, the low pass filter is adjustable up to 150 Hz.

 

[lovinthehd]

There's no high pass filter so mains run full frequency. As I recall, the low pass filter is adjustable up to 150 Hz.

Up to 250hz on the Marantz and Denon both on the lpf.

 

[Kvn_Walker]

My guess will be there is a fixed high pass when the sub channel is configured. Since they don't let you adjust it, there is no option shown in the menus to indicate it. Older receivers were this way as well.

No it plays full range from the fronts no matter what. I tested it. It doesn't affect me personally but for the money that's a really particular thing to leave out.

 

[PENG]

I have no experience with the Denon or Yamaha. I placed the aforementioned Marantz into my mother-in-law's audio system a few months ago. It is used primarily to enjoy cassette tapes, LP's, and iTunes via Airplay. My surprise was the receiver's DAC, which presents unexpected detail and black backgrounds from digital sources.

I am not surprised, Denon and Marantz has upgraded the DAC chip to the AK4458 a few years ago and have the chip used in all models except the Denon flagship. That is, all Marantz models including the flag ship SR8015 uses the same AK4458.

 

[sterling shoote]

I am not surprised, Denon and Marantz has upgraded the DAC chip to the AK4458 a few years ago and have the chip used in all models except the Denon flagship. That is, all Marantz models including the flag ship SR8015 uses the same AK4458.

I did not know that.

 

[sterling shoote]

No it plays full range from the fronts no matter what. I tested it. It doesn't affect me personally but for the money that's a really particular thing to leave out.

Interestingly enough, with my low pass set to 60Hz, I can set high pass from 80Hz down to 50Hz and I cannot discern any hole or blending issue from any of these high pass solutions to proper sub integration. At any rate, seems the Marantz .1 not having high pass means the folks at Marantz were thinking any sub hooked up to the NR-1200 would have both high and low pass built-in; but, then what's the point for low pass output? It's wierd.