Receiver to match ELAC B5 & C5?

[Kisilin]

Hi Audioholics,
I'm new to the audio world. I just purchased a house and one of my dreams was to finally be able to buy a sound system for movies and music. Like a lot of people I'm working with a budget and by reading your many advice I decided to stay away from a 5.1 and start with a decent 3.1.

I pre-ordered the ELAC B5 and C5! Now I'm still trying to figure out what receiver to buy. If I'm right, the speakers are each 120W for 6 ohms. I was looking at the Yamaha RX-V677 (8 ohms 105W per channel) or the RX-V577 (8 ohms 115W per channel). I don't really know how to choose!

I would like to stay around $350 for a receiver. I know this will not allow me to have the best of the best but I think it's a good start. I'm also open to suggestions.

Thank you!!
Kisilin

 

[XEagleDriver]

Kisilin,

First off, welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new sound system.

Researching here and going for 3.1 initially is a smart move.

Concerning the two receivers you referenced, you can not go wrong with either one.
- Yamaha is a reputable brand, with solid products, and good customer service even for the lower end of their line. I have a Yamaha AVR now in a secondary system, and had a different one in my main HT previously, both work/worked great.

The power of the two receivers is for all intensive purposes equal.
- The more relevant power spec is the "8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.09% THD, 2-ch driven" found on the Yamaha web site for the V677 (90W) and V577 (80W).
- There is no practical difference between these two amps, the V677 would have to have ~150W vice the V577's 80W to detect an actual difference due to reasons we can discuss later, if you care.

So how do you choose? Take a close look at each receiver's features (ones you care about) and ergonomics (ease of use).
- Since both are Yammy's they are likely to be very similar.
- I did a side-by-side compare on the Yamaha web site and saw very few differences.

If it was me, I would go with the V677. The MSRP is only $100 more and an on-screen "graphical user interface" is much easier to use during setup, I also like having a Pure Direct audio mode option, and the 22lb weight (vice 18lbs for the V577) gives me a little more confidence in the quality of the build and amplifier components.

IMHO some other reputable receiver makes to consider are Denon, Marantz, and Pioneer. Others may feel differently.

Hope that helps,
XEagleDriver

 

[Kisilin]

Thank you XEagleDriver!!

This makes me feel more comfortable about the 677. I was afraid the receiver would not use the full capacity of the speakers.

Could you elaborate a little more about the 150W vs the 80W in your second paragraph? I'm trying to learn

Thank you,
Kisilin

 

[agarwalro]

As XEagle said, either is fine, pick one with better features.

I'd like to add Dynamic EQ (from Denon) as a must have feature. It gives a boost to the bass at lower listening levels. This creates a very satisfying sound at any listening level.

Accessories4Less has refurbished receivers. You can save a fair amount compared to new. I bought my receiver from them, and has been used for 2 years without incident.

 

[Kisilin]

Thank you agarwalro.
How is the user interface on the Denons? and which one would you recommend?

Kisilin

 

[XEagleDriver]

Could you elaborate a little more about the 150W vs the 80W in your second paragraph? I'm trying to learn

Thank you,
Kisilin

Kislin,
The FAQ over on the AVS site has a pretty good explanation.

- To decipher it you need to understand the difference between dB (a measure of sound loudness), SPL or Sound Pressure Level (what is measured in dBs) and Watts (a measure of amplifier power or strength of those hard working electrons [kind of like particle sized minions ]).
- These terms are related to each other, but not in a one-for-one fashion (i.e. it takes many more Watts to achieve a perceptible change in SPL measured in dB).

From the reference provided above (italics added by me):
"To DOUBLE perceived loudness you will need a 10 dB (not 10W) increase in SPL. An increase of 10 dB SPL requires 10 times the power (in Watts). In other words you need TEN TIMES the power for TWICE the perceived loudness."

To achieve a "just" noticeable increase in loudness it takes ~3 dB more in SPL.
- You will notice a 3 dB increase, but it won't be dramatic.
- In order to increase SPL 3 dB, you must DOUBLE amplifier power (Watts).

That is why I stated you must nearly double the V577's 80W to get a "just" noticeable increase in SPL. Since receivers are more commonly marketed in increments of 25W, I rounded to the 150W figure. Vice the more accurate, but more uncommon 160W figure.

Capich?
XEagleDriver

 

[XEagleDriver]

Thank you agarwalro.
How is the user interface on the Denons? and which one would you recommend?

Kisilin

I love the Denon receiver (older model) in my main HT, but Denon's user interface and documentation is less user friendly than a comparable Yamaha unit. Newer graphical interfaces may narrow the gap, but Denon's approach is just a bit more techie than Yamaha's IMHO.

I agree with agarwalro's advice on EQ, but be forewarned you will probably have to invest more time and energy to "learn" a Denon than a Yamaha.

XEagleDriver

 

[Kisilin]

Thank you XEagle I now understand better what you were saying. I'll also look at the Denon receivers before choosing one.

 

[agarwalro]

Thank you agarwalro.
How is the user interface on the Denons? and which one would you recommend?

Kisilin

I can't compare to Yamaha, but, all brands are fairly intuitive now. The Denon interface is pretty good and the automatic setup is very well done.

In the $350 range, my pick would be,
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrxv677/yamaha-rx-v677-7.2-channel-receiver-w/wi-fi-apple-airplay/1.html

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrx3100w/denon-avr-x3100w-7.2-receiver-wi-fi/bluetooth/airplay/1.html

PS. The Yamaha YAPO Volume feature equivalent to Denon's Audyssey Dynamic EQ.

 

[Kisilin]

Thank you for the suggestions!