Decade+ old AV Receiver upgrade

[LALi]

Hi this is my first post on this forum!
My question might sound silly but looking for pros opinion on this.
In terms of absolute sound quality only, will there be a big difference if upgrading a 12 -13 year old av receiver? Lets consider if it’s going from Yamaha Rx-v1900 to Yamaha A6A ?
Edit:
Sorry i should have posted my system details earlier here it goes:
Amp yamaha rx-v 1900 - 130w range
receiver running 7.1
Av source : Nvidia shield tv pro
Front: Paradigm monitor 11 V6
Center: Paradigm monitor cc290 v6
Surround: paradigm monitor mini v7
Front presence/height: paradigm monitor atom v7
Sub: paradigm dsp3400
Projector: Optoma UHD 38x
Denon dvd player 1930 or 2930 which now hardly used.
60% music videos 40% movies mostly on youtube and netflix
Getting that urge to upgrade my system considering av receiver for now or it should be the front speakers? Though speakers still sound great just like when bought new !

 

[TankTop5]

Are you using the older AVR internal DAC or an external DAC? Still it probably doesn’t matter much and you probably can’t hear a difference. Short answer is probably no. Long answer is it depends on your source but still probably no

 

[everettT]

Hi this is my first post on this forum!
My question might sound silly but looking for pros opinion on this.
In terms of absolute sound quality only, will there be a big difference if upgrading a 12 -13 year old av receiver? Lets consider if it’s going from Yamaha Rx-v1900 to Yamaha A6A ?

Maybe listing your equipment would help?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Hi this is my first post on this forum!
My question might sound silly but looking for pros opinion on this.
In terms of absolute sound quality only, will there be a big difference if upgrading a 12 -13 year old av receiver? Lets consider if it’s going from Yamaha Rx-v1900 to Yamaha A6A ?

Apples for apples - IE: In direct play mode the difference would be negligible, however, newer AVR has better room autoconfiguration, and support for 4k and 8k, including HDR10+. Many newer audio and video formats which 15yo AVR can't handle like Dolby Atmos & Vision. And many other electric features that you may or may not want. Just read the features/spec list.

 

[LALi]

Are you using the older AVR internal DAC or an external DAC? Still it probably doesn’t matter much and you probably can’t hear a difference. Short answer is probably no. Long answer is it depends on your source but still probably no

Are you using the older AVR internal DAC or an external DAC? Still it probably doesn’t matter much and you probably can’t hear a difference. Short answer is probably no. Long answer is it depends on your source but still probably no

No external dac just as it is the av receiver it self.
Here are my system details:
Amp yamaha rx-v 1900 - 130w range
receiver running 7.1
Av source : Nvidia shield tv pro
Front: Paradigm monitor 11 V6
Center: Paradigm monitor cc290 v6
Surround: paradigm monitor mini v7
Front presence/height: paradigm monitor atom v7
Sub: paradigm dsp3400
Projector: Optoma UHD 38x
Denon dvd player 1930 or 2930 which now hardly used.
60% music videos 40% movies mostly on youtube and netflix

 

[LALi]

Maybe listing your equipment would help?

Amp yamaha rx-v 1900 - 130w range
receiver running 7.1
Av source : Nvidia shield tv pro
Front: Paradigm monitor 11 V6
Center: Paradigm monitor cc290 v6
Surround: paradigm monitor mini v7
Front presence/height: paradigm monitor atom v7
Sub: paradigm dsp3400
Projector: Optoma UHD 38x
Denon dvd player 1930 or 2930 which now hardly used.
60% music videos 40% movies mostly on youtube and netflix

 

[-Jim-]

Hi @LALi welcome to the Forum.

IMHO, your sources will limit your sound quality far more than any av receiver upgrade. I know this will seem strange, but get a Blu-ray player (borrow?) and play a well recorded concert of your favorite Band at a decent volume with a lossless audio stream, from the best listening position, to see just what your system can do. Of course I'm assuming your system is setup correctly for the room to optimize the experience.

I hope this is helpful.

 

[Eppie]

Short answer, not very likely. I try and match my AVR to the capabilities of the TV and the speaker setup. I got over 10 years out of my Denon 2310ci and Panasonic plasma but when I upgraded to a larger 4K OLED TV, I decided to upgrade to a 4k AVR and add ATMOS speakers. The Denon X4800H is more capable but the speakers do not sound any better. I just get a better image and better surround effects. The 2310 and plasma TV were moved in to the living room with a 5 channel setup and are still working great today.

If you want an improvement in audio quality, I would look at upgrading the speakers. I would consider upgrading the front 3. The Mini Monitor v7 should be ok for surround duty. I think the Premier line from Paradigm would be a step up from the Monitors but it all depends on what your budget is and where you're located. It helps greatly if there is a local dealer where you can listen first hand.

 

[LALi]

Hi @LALi welcome to the Forum.

IMHO, your sources will limit your sound quality far more than any av receiver upgrade. I know this will seem strange, but get a Blu-ray player (borrow?) and play a well recorded concert of your favorite Band at a decent volume with a lossless audio stream, from the best listening position, to see just what your system can do. Of course I'm assuming your system is setup correctly for the room to optimize the experience.

I hope this is helpful.

Thank you for your reply will definitely try it! Any other streamer better than Nvidia shield that you would recommend for streaming netflix or youtube for better sound quality?

 

[LALi]

Short answer, not very likely. I try and match my AVR to the capabilities of the TV and the speaker setup. I got over 10 years out of my Denon 2310ci and Panasonic plasma but when I upgraded to a larger 4K OLED TV, I decided to upgrade to a 4k AVR and add ATMOS speakers. The Denon X4800H is more capable but the speakers do not sound any better. I just get a better image and better surround effects. The 2310 and plasma TV were moved in to the living room with a 5 channel setup and are still working great today.

If you want an improvement in audio quality, I would look at upgrading the speakers. I would consider upgrading the front 3. The Mini Monitor v7 should be ok for surround duty. I think the Premier line from Paradigm would be a step up from the Monitors but it all depends on what your budget is and where you're located. It helps greatly if there is a local dealer where you can listen first hand.

Thank you replying! Yes i do have premier series at my local dealer. One thing makes me dubious about upgrading to premier is sound output as at times i like hearing loud music and premier specs and size just seem will be a downgrade in that sense. How about latest monitor lineup? Would that be worth the upgrade?

 

[Tankini]

Thank you replying! Yes i do have premier series at my local dealer. One thing makes me dubious about upgrading to premier is sound output as at times i like hearing loud music and premier specs and size just seem will be a downgrade in that sense. How about latest monitor lineup? Would that be worth the upgrade?

Going off of forums recommendations only will get you spending. You already know enough for a wise choice. @BoredSysAdmin gave you the best answer. Follow that recommendation and you'll be singing happily ever before any money spent. Enjoy

 

[-Jim-]

Thank you for your reply will definitely try it! Any other streamer better than Nvidia shield that you would recommend for streaming netflix or youtube for better sound quality?

I'm not keen on Streaming for Best Quality Audio, hence the Blu-ray concert recommendation; but I do have a Spotify account for convenience. We also have a Netflix, and other video based streaming accounts as well, but they all leave me lacking for audio quality. I don't have an account, but if streaming is to be your only source (YouTube is poor) my understanding is Tidal is good as long as you avoid the Low package. Of course their MAX package has the best specs.

Whatever you listen to, just make certain it's lossless, to bring out the best in the gear you have in your space.

I hope this is helpful.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Getting that urge to upgrade my system considering av receiver for now or it should be the front speakers? Though speakers still sound great just like when bought new !

If your speakers sound great, there is no reason to spend a dime.

If your current AVR does everything you care for, there is no reason to spend a dime.

The only reason to upgrade would be because you want new features or you just felt like it.

 

[Eppie]

Thank you replying! Yes i do have premier series at my local dealer. One thing makes me dubious about upgrading to premier is sound output as at times i like hearing loud music and premier specs and size just seem will be a downgrade in that sense. How about latest monitor lineup? Would that be worth the upgrade?

No, I wouldn't consider newer Monitors as worth the expense. Not if you're happy with the way things sound now. You should try and identify whether anything is lacking and then consider what would be needed to address that. Sometimes we just get the upgrade bug. I shopped around for newer speakers 3 or 4 years ago but ended up sticking with my Paradigms. The difference wasn't big enough to justify the expense. The move from a 52" screen to a 65" was worth it, though, with these aging eyes.

 

[Kleinst]

If your speakers sound great, there is no reason to spend a dime.

If your current AVR does everything you care for, there is no reason to spend a dime.

The only reason to upgrade would be because you want new features or you just felt like it.

This is good advice and probably falls in the category of do as we say and not as we do

Personally I actually have atmos capable receivers and speakers in a 2 setups. But I have a smaller system in another bedroom that includes a formally decent Sony 5200ES and it is fed via digital optical (it has HDMI but not for 4K so I just stream from a firecube right to the 4K TV and let the audio go via the Optical). My point is I'm shocked just how good a receiver and speakers can sound from optical and it shows me that receivers can do a great job in this very manner probably forever frankly if you don't have a ATMOS setup. So even if you get a 4K receiver you can still enjoy the HDR/4K and just let your audio play through your AVR right from the TV.

So lots of options. I'd say upgrade the AVR either because (1) you just feel like it and it's fun to try new gear (2) you want Atmos or something your AVR can't do. (3) this is pretty much repeating what the others have already said... Sorry about that!