Ready to upgrade, have a few ?s

[leetamm]

Hey everyone, I'm in the market for a new receiver and I was hoping you guys could help me out a little.

My current set up consists of the following electronics: Nakamichi AV-8, Oppo Digital 970-HD, and a Sony SACD player. I have 4 speakers: Phase Technology V-12 mains and Phase Technology VDT 7.5 rears.

I've really enjoyed the Nak, but I've run up against it's lack of features: no multi-channel inputs for enjoying SACD or DVD-A (unless it's Dolby 5.1) in multi-channel, no DTS decoding, No HDMI.

My current tv is a 36" Sharp CRT that only has composite and S-video inputs. I'm hoping to get an HDTV sometime next year, which is one of the reasons driving me to upgrade receivers.

Nevertheless, we listen to music more than we watch tv, so sound quality is much more important to me than anything else.

I think I've narrowed down my choices to the Onkyo TX-SR805 or the Emotiva LMC-1/LPA-1 combo. I've seen the Onkyo selling for around the same price as the Emotiva combo, so they are both in my relative budget of $800.

I don't plan on adding any more speakers to my setup. I get plenty of bass and I don't feel the need for a center either. I'd love to be able bi-amp the front speakers if possible. Would that be possible with either of these and the number of speakers I have?

Which would you guys prefer? I wish I could audition them both, but alas I cannot. I like the fact that the Onkyo comes with the Audyssey MultEQ system, has Burr Brown DACs (maybe this isn't such a big deal?) and has the latest HD processing modes. On the other hand, the Emotiva seems to have a more substantial (not to mention separate) amplifier section.

Any insight you guys can provide would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Jey Jockey]

I own Emo "big dogs" and love them, amazing SQ for music and HT alike. However, if you want all the latest hi rez tech decoding etc then the 805 would be the answer, one could always add the LPA1 or 2 later if deemed beneficial.

If you can wait a few months, then get the Emo stuff now and upgrade the LMC1 once the new SSP' come out which are supposed to have incredible performance all around ( rumoured to have a new video chip that is much better than the HVQ etc) especially with the higher end MMC and DMC models. Remember, you will get 40% off all future pre/pro purchases which really is a sweet deal especially considering how cheap the LMC1 is right now.

If music is top priority which it is for me I would go for Seperates.

 

[leetamm]

I own Emo "big dogs" and love them, amazing SQ for music and HT alike. However, if you want all the latest hi rez tech decoding etc then the 805 would be the answer, one could always add the LPA1 or 2 later if deemed beneficial.

If you can wait a few months, then get the Emo stuff now and upgrade the LMC1 once the new SSP' come out which are supposed to have incredible performance all around ( rumoured to have a new video chip that is much better than the HVQ etc) especially with the higher end MMC and DMC models. Remember, you will get 40% off all future pre/pro purchases which really is a sweet deal especially considering how cheap the LMC1 is right now.

If music is top priority which it is for me I would go for Seperates.

Thanks. Yeah, I don't mind forgoing the latest HD decoding for now to get superior sound quality. It's still going to be awhile before we can get an HDTV, so it's not like I need it right now. Music listening is top priority for me as well.

I would think the Emo stuff should sound better than the Onkyo, but I didn't know if the Burr Brown DACs in the Onkyo, not to mention the Audyssey EQ system would make it more desirable for music.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

The Emo LPA-1 is a seven channel amp (5 x 125 watts, 2 x 50 watts) so you can easily bi-amp. Plus the new Emo stuff will be HOT!!!

 

[leetamm]

The Emo LPA-1 is a seven channel amp (5 x 125 watts, 2 x 50 watts) so you can easily bi-amp. Plus the new Emo stuff will be HOT!!!

Thanks Ric. Since 2 of the channels are 50 watts how would I wire up the speakers for bi-amping? In other words, I'm assuming I would use 4 of the 125W channels for the basic hook-up (2 front, 2 back). That leaves 1 125W channel and the 2 50W channels.

 

[leetamm]

Thanks Ric. Since 2 of the channels are 50 watts how would I wire up the speakers for bi-amping? In other words, I'm assuming I would use 4 of the 125W channels for the basic hook-up (2 front, 2 back). That leaves 1 125W channel and the 2 50W channels.

Nevermind, I just downloaded the manual and see that the 2 50W channels can be bridged into a single 125W channel.

 

[leetamm]

Here's a good discussion about bi-amping with the LPA-1 from the Emotiva Lounge:

http://emotivalounge.proboards54.com/index.cgi?board=amps&action=display&thread=1197785760