Receiver Help (Would this upgrade make a difference?)

[Rmbxr9]

You'll have to excuse my ignorance when it comes to all things audio, but I have a few quick questions...

I recently bought a turntable, Pioneer pl-518. I found an old receiver and set of speakers in my parent's basement.
Speakers - Baby Advent II
Receiever - Technics SA-160

The local record store sells a bunch of "Vintage" receivers and speakers, and I had my eye on a Technics sa-404. My question is (Not knowing much about receivers) would it make a difference in sound quality? Would it even be an upgrade?

It's the receiver that the owner uses, so it's it works fine and all...

I found some specs, but again it's a little over my head. Any help?
Thanks.

The first number is the SA-160, second is the SA-404

RMS watts per channel, 8 ohms
40
50


%THD
.3
0.04


%IHF IM
.3
0.04


Rated Power Bandwidth, Hz to kHz
40-20
20-20


dB S/N, "A" wtd., Phono ref 5 mV
68
75


Mono IHF Sensitivity, dBf
11.2
10.8

Capture Ratio, dB
1.0
1.2


Mono Signal Strength for 50-dB Quieting, dBf
20.2
13.7


Stereo Signal Strength for 50-dB Quieting, dBf
40.2
37.2


% THD, 100% Modulation, 1kHz, Mono/Stereo or Stereo Only
0.2/0.3
0.15/0.3

Alt. Chan. Select., dB Wide/Narrow i.f. bandwidth
65
70


Max. S/N, dB, Stereo
71
70

 

[zumbo]

That would be a lateral move.

How much are you wanting to spend? We can find you the best bang for your buck. The market for a stereo receiver or integrated amp(no fm/am tuner) is waaaaay in your favor.

 

[markw]

You won't hear a difference.

 

[Rmbxr9]

Not sure how much I'm wanting to spend.
I just liked the way the older receivers looked, but if it's just a lateral move I guess it's not worth buying anything.

This was being sold for like $80

I haven't looked at new stuff at all.

How much would you have to spend for it to be a considerable upgrade?

 

[JerryLove]

What do you want to upgrade?

The simple truth is that most amplifiers sound the same (looking at the one you have, I'm curious to note it's only rated above 40Hz).

If you are simply performing amplification of an analog signal, then about the only real feature to stare at it wattage. Every time you double your wattage, you add 3db of volume.

Obviously: age can enter into the picture (oxidation on connections, etc).

 

[Rmbxr9]

What do you want to upgrade?

The simple truth is that most amplifiers sound the same (looking at the one you have, I'm curious to note it's only rated above 40Hz).

If you are simply performing amplification of an analog signal, then about the only real feature to stare at it wattage. Every time you double your wattage, you add 3db of volume.

Obviously: age can enter into the picture (oxidation on connections, etc).

I'm just looking for a better sound, without getting into a whole thing about Vinyl, I bought a turntable because I was reading that it had a warmer more full sound. and it was less compressed, etc.

So I was just wondering if my setup was too shitty to really get this effect.

I didn't know if getting a new receiver would help the overall sound at all.
I would like some more options for treble/bass/mid and things.

I'm probably getting new speakers as well.

I don't really know what I'm doing... I'm 25, grew up on walkmans and Ipods. I see all this stuff and the specs and I'm like

 

[bandphan]

start w/ speakers and go from there, put the majority of your budget to them ie 70/30

 

[JerryLove]

I'm just looking for a better sound, without getting into a whole thing about Vinyl, I bought a turntable because I was reading that it had a warmer more full sound. and it was less compressed, etc.

Compression has to do with mastering more than media (though some media has a wider range than others: the range on records is determined by groove size, on CDs it's fixed).

I would say that, given your wants and experience, I'd not think about records or tube amps until you have more experience with "normal" gear. Only then will you be able to determine if you prefer the coloration that those add.

I didn't know if getting a new receiver would help the overall sound at all.
I would like some more options for treble/bass/mid and things.

You buy your receiver based on it having the features you want: HDMI or a pre-out, or DTS-Master decoding. Don't worry about specs like THD on a modern, name-brand receiver; it will be below audiability regardless.

I would suggest looking at Denon, Marantz, Yamaha, Onyko, and Pioneer and finding one with the features you want. Since you are interested in music, you can use an older one (I'm running a 1990 Pioneer VSX-9600 in one room). If this is the beginning of a serious hobby: consider looking for pre-outs on the AVR so you can use it with external amps / crossovers.

For amp (if seperate) or aplification on your AVR, all you really care about is wattage. Speakers have an "efficiency" rating which determines how many db they produce in an open space at 1m with 1w. Presume they will be louder in your room. 2x the wattage increases the sound 3db. 10x the wattage = 10db.

Most AVRs will have at least basic bass/treble adjustments. Some have more sophisticated and per-speaker adjustments. Many now include software to correct the sound coming out of your speakers. The results vary, but I use the auto-adjust as a good starting point of manual adjustments.

I'm probably getting new speakers as well.

I would start there. Speakers (and the room itself) will have the most impact on your sound. Once you know what speakers you have, you can determine how many watts you will needs and find an AVR to drive them.

If you determine a budget, there are articles and threads making recommendations.

 

[zumbo]

An avr(audio-video receiver) is not needed. The OP has clearly described a 2-channel rig.

Stereo receiver- Box with tuner, amp, and pre-amp designed for 2-channel(l/r) operation. Some offer a sub output.

Integrated amp- Box with amp and pre-amp designed for 2-channel(l/r) operation. Some may offer a sub output. Not sure here. No fm/am tuner.

AVR- Box with tuner, amp, and pre-pro designed for decoding audio formats in 5.1/7.1(surround).

Amp- Designed to be used with a pre-amp, pre-pro, or receiver with pre-amp outputs. Box has no controls(volume-bass-treble-etc.)

Pre-amp- Designed to be used with a separate amp for 2-channel operation. Box has controls for operation.

Pre-pro- Designed to be used with a variety of amp applications in a 5.1/7.1 home theater system. The word "pro" indicates processor for audio formats.

 

[zumbo]

Three of the cheapest stereo receivers I can find.
http://www.jr.com/sony/pe/SON_STRDH100/
http://www.jr.com/teac/pe/TEA_AG790A/
http://www.jr.com/sherwood/pe/SHE_RX4105/

Sherwood specs are 40-20. Odd. Same as your current.

Ebay listing 125WPC.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Sony-STR-DE197-250-Watt-Stereo-Receiver-125W-Ch_W0QQitemZ160390015333QQcmdZViewItemQQptZReceivers_Tuners?hash=item2557fd6965

 

[JerryLove]

An avr(audio-video receiver) is not needed. The OP has clearly described a 2-channel rig.

"needed" is a funny word.

Will an AVR be the less expensive choice? Certainly that seems to be the case on new gear: higher sales volume I assume.

Will the OP want to run multi-channel (4, 5, 7) music later?

Will the OP want to do decoding on the receiver from, say, blu-ray audio sources? Do the stereo receivers you mentioned have HDMI in?

So yes, I used AVR interchangably with receiver; and what he actually chooses to use may not be an AVR. I suspect it will be the least expensive option because the b-stock and used markets are flooded with them.

 

[zumbo]

"needed" is a funny word.

My response was to inform the OP of definitions. You seemed to imply an assumption the OP was looking for an AVR.

The OP mentioned he/she didn't have experience. I was giving simple definitions so he/she would be informed.

I assume a stereo receiver will give the most WPC for the $. Supported by post #10.

 

[JerryLove]

My response was to inform the OP of definitions. You seemed to imply an assumption the OP was looking for an AVR.

I acknoledged that implication and appriciate you clarifying it.

I responded out of concern that you were giving the opposite impression: that AVRs should be ignored. They are the most sold, and therefore generally least expensive units availabe.

The OP mentioned he/she didn't have experience. I was giving simple definitions so he/she would be informed.

I have no dispute with that.

I assume a stereo receiver will give the most WPC for the $. Supported by post #10.

Unknown. Since the OP is in the used market: I doubt that is the case. I recently sold an old 125WPC AVR for $27 on eBay. I doubt I was the cheapest to sell.

So yes, the OP should look at both receivers and AVRs, and decide based on what features he needs and what offers the best bang for the buck.