Need advice re: an AV amp to power my spanky new Quad Lites...

[Richdog]

First of all let me just say a big hello to the forum... i'm a young Brit from somewhere just below London and have only just woken up to the fact that the aural sex i've been getting the last few years just hasn't cut the mustard... I need something a bit more stimulating.

Anyway I tried AV Forums out and found it to be a good source of info, but not as good for posting threads... then I found this board, which upon close inspection seems more my type of place, and once I find a good forum I tend to stick to it. So yeah er... you're stuck with me.

Ok on to the point of the thread... choosing an amp to power my brand spanking new Quad Lite 5.1 system (Rosewood, mmm). I need something that is going to be a jack of all trades, master of none... something capable of driving movies and games like a demon, yet able to kick back and play my vast music collection with depth and clarity.

First, being a complete audio noob (seriously, i'm rubbish) I was digging around looking at any old rubbish... but as I began to research and research I started to make sense of what wa son offer, what features were important, and which brands can cut the mustard. I initially started off with a £400 budget, but after reviewing what is on offer I have now raised that by around double to £750 or so in order to be able to get something high-end that will last me a long time.

Current amps I am mulling over are:

Marantz SR7002 - ~£800

This is currently my first choice. From reviews and user feedback that i've read, this baby is the dogs scrotum in terms of audio quality at this price-point... movies are as cinematic and detailed as it gets, and music is a pleasure to listen to compared to many other AV amps, notably the Onkyos. Also has 2x HDMI outs which is always good for future-proofing. Also doesn't bother with video upscaling... another bonus in my eyes.

Yamaha RX-V1800 - £800

Reviews and user feedback on this baby are very good... seems a capable all-rounder, but from what i've read not quite as musical as the Marantz. However reliability will be top-notch, their DSP's are legendary, and it does support everythihng I need.

Denon AVR-2309CI - £650-750?

Not released yet but due in the next couple of weeks form what i've read. Main concerns seem to be whether build quality and components will be up to snuff due to it being made in China now? I'm not sure of this one as there's not enough info available, but I threw it in there just in case it was a worthy contender.

Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K - £550

Now i'm not really sure how good this one is... but i've seen a lot of hype about it. I love Pioneer TV's and other electrical products due to their quality but have never really seen what their audio is like. It's also a couple of hundred pounds cheaper... but does have 1 less HDMI in port.

EDIT - Scratch that, it only has 2x HDMI ins... this is now out of the running.

.

So in light of the above... what would you guys suggest may suit my requirements and budget bearing in mind I need the best mix of movies and game possible? Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks in advance.

 

[mike c]

Yamaha RX-V1800 - £800

Reviews and user feedback on this baby are very good... seems a capable all-rounder, but from what i've read not quite as musical as the Marantz. However reliability will be top-notch, their DSP's are legendary, and it does support everythihng I need.

Denon AVR-2309CI - £650-750?

Not released yet but due in the next couple of weeks form what i've read. Main concerns seem to be whether build quality and components will be up to snuff due to it being made in China now? I'm not sure of this one as there's not enough info available, but I threw it in there just in case it was a worthy contender.

if you toss a coin between these two, i don't think you're gonna make a mistake. that said, i have a 2307 (also made in china) that seems to be well made and have given me no problems at all.

personally, I'd choose the 2309 simply because it was newer which might make it a wee bit more future safe and more compatible to the latest formats, but the 1800 has beefier amps i would guess.

 

[Richdog]

Do you not think much of the Marantz then mike?

 

[mike c]

i have no experience with marantz, so I did not comment on it

i have a Yamaha RX-V640, and considered the 1800 one time - but purchased the Denon AVR3808 instead.

 

[Richdog]

Ok cool thanks for the input mike... anyone else got any opinions?

 

[Midcow2]

Ok cool thanks for the input mike... anyone else got any opinions?

Just check you speaker system the Quad Lites in rosewood - looks very nice . The sensitivity is about average sateliite =86 center=87, maybe a little below. To drive hard you are probably going to need a pretty solid AVR at leat 100 RMS per channel. All three of you choices easily meet this requirement.

I personally like the Marantz choice. I have the SR8002 and I am extremley please with it. The SR7002 is excellent also.

Mike_C coice of Denon AVR3808 is also good. I have had a lot of receivers and HT equipment, Marantz, Pioneer Elite, Yamaha, Sony, Panasonic, Denon over the years. I think any of your three choices are good, but again I would choose the Marantz, just personal perference. Even though made in China the quality is superb.

You didn't mention Pioneer Elite and from my past experience and only my experience, there were two issues: (1) a little light on Power and (2) Tech support was substandard.

Good Luck!

 

[Richdog]

Guys I can get the Denon AVR2808 for a decent price of £550 and this seems to support all the latest formats... would that be a decent purchase?

EDIT - Ahh only 2x HDMI inputs... doh.

 

[bandphan]

Guys I can get the Denon AVR2808 for a decent price of £550 and this seems to support all the latest formats... would that be a decent purchase?

EDIT - Ahh only 2x HDMI inputs... doh.

ALL of these receivers have component video, so is hdmi being limited to 2 inputs that bad? 3-5 HD inputs for most is alot

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I would go with the 1800 but then again, I am a Yammy fan.

 

[Richdog]

Hmm with the new Denon 1909 coming out I think that may be a wise purchase... £399 and supports all HD formats... it should sound better than the Onky 606 musically too if previous Denons are anything to go by. I guess I don't NEED to spend £800 on an amp when a £399 one should suit all of my needs.

As much as I would love a Marantz... it's too much dough, and I hear a lot of reported problems at the moment requiring sending units back for firmware updates... not fun.

What current or upcoming Yamaha amps would compare to the Denon 1909 at a similar price-point?

It's really tough deciding what to get...

 

[Mw`]

Where did you read that the 1018 only has 2 hdmi inputs? I believe there are 3. I'd also consider some or these "upper-end" receivers like the onkyo 805 that are getting cleared out at great prices. They are refurbs though so you never know.

 

[Adam]

Where did you read that the 1018 only has 2 hdmi inputs? I believe there are 3.

Yep, that's right. It has three of them. The product brochure (PDF) is at this link for more details.