Squishman

Squishman

Audioholic Samurai
Would a Proton 550 be an upgrade from my Yamaha RX-396 in my 2-channel room?
759477819_2295292397884525_8600867496501950362_n.jpg
 
Squishman

Squishman

Audioholic Samurai
It is a sweet looking unit. I'd lose the remote capability though. I'd prefer an integrated amp over a receiver.
 
Squishman

Squishman

Audioholic Samurai
Why would a receiver be a downgrade? In terms of SQ there will be zero difference.
Not in terms of a downgrade. I like the sleek look of this Proton and vintage NAD integrated amps. I don't need a radio on it.
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Audioholic Jedi
Not in terms of a downgrade. I like the sleek look of this Proton and vintage NAD integrated amps. I don't need a radio on it.
Whatever you do, stay away from NAD. NAD stands for Not Always Dependable. I can assure they rightfully earned that moniker.
 
m. zillch

m. zillch

Full Audioholic
I used to sell the twin.

They were good and had lots of headroom which only means for people who like to brag theirs plays louder before audible distress compared to others of the same steady-state wattage rating, they win.
 
Squishman

Squishman

Audioholic Samurai
What I heard was the older units with the square power button are the ones to go for. And to stay away from the round power button units as those are newer when the quality started to suck.
 
m. zillch

m. zillch

Full Audioholic
Other than in looks I don't worry about the buttons. Their reliability seemed generally good to me but I have no idea what happens in year 10, 15, 20 . . . .[and these things are now long in the tooth, first made in the 80's]

If your existing Yamaha seems to have no audible distress at the levels you use it at and you don't hear hiss, I don't think there are any good reasons to swap it unless it lacks a feature you want (or breaks).
 
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Squishman

Squishman

Audioholic Samurai
Other than in looks I don't worry about the buttons. Their reliability seemed generally good to me but I have no idea what happens in year 10, 15, 20 . . . .

If your existing Yamaha seems to have no audible distress at the levels you use it at and you don't hear hiss, I don't think there are any good reason to swap it unless it lacks a feature you want (or breaks).
I have no complaints about the yamaha.
 
m. zillch

m. zillch

Full Audioholic
Speakers, their room position, their aiming, the room dimensions and the reflectivity of the surfaces (drapes, rugs, sofa, glass windows, glass coffee table), and your listening position are the far more important things to worry about. Room correction systems and how you set them also matter, but the raw preamp and power amp of 2ch gear of name brand stuff like this is usually as good as any other if there is no hiss and no overload even when played at the loudest level you specifically need (based on speaker efficiency, listening distance, and personal taste).
 
Squishman

Squishman

Audioholic Samurai
If I found a good deal on an Audio Lab 6000a, I'd probably jump on it.
 
m. zillch

m. zillch

Full Audioholic
Some in the pro community are starting to put the the pieces together and are starting to realize that the reason competent preamps (kept below clipping) measure so well on paper yet many/(most?) people claim to hear distinctions is because they aren't doing fair, bias-controlled testing (blind and precisely level matched, for example).

This is an excellent video, and to say that it is causing quite a stir is an understatement. There are now tons of defiant counter videos and every single one I've examined bring no valid arguments other than "trust me I'm an expert", some even going so far as to supplying botched/(rigged?) demos. [I downloaded and measured one of their supposedly "level matched" comparisons and discovered that when measured using a proper methodology their claim of being "matched" is false].
 
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