I fucking love my RX-A810. That , my Nikon D300, my nintendo 64, and my iPhone 4S are probably the best electronic devices I. have. ever. owned. (The D300 still sits on top, the RX-A810 a close second, and the n64 isn’t on the scale).
It is a device done right. Its analog-like operation masks its digital underpinnings. This can only be achieved by executives, scientists, and engineers who understand the fundamentals, and are not just slapping together the latest digital bullshit the gestalt of industry is throwing out there. Seriously, I’m emotional letting it go. It has provided countless HOURS of reliable and awesome entertainment. I got it with a surround set on craigslist, and I honestly want to kiss the previous owner for buying it. I had no clue about receivers, and he did it right for me.
Gggaahh I love this device...
But there is always MOAR. So I got an RX-A2030, its big brother. Got it all hooked up yesterday.
First impression: this thing is MASSIVE. It dwarfs the RX-A810 that I thought was a huge device. Quality-wise I can’t tell any differences, but I also didn’t scrutinize. It doesn’t fit in my existing cabinet. I’m not sure what I’m going to do actually, it’s kind of a problem. It’s not just so deep it sticks out, it’s so deep the front feet are only halfway on the shelf, and that’s AFTER scrunching it in there. I also don’t have room for the top mounted fan I used with the RX-A810, so I put the fan on the side of the cabinet to pull air out (should I go with a push configuration? idk).
Before I continue, let me provide my setup:
Receiver: RX-A2030, Amplifier: Yamaha M-65, fronts: Polk RTI10, center: CSI A6, Surrounds: RTI A3, rear surrounds: Other polk Bookshelf speakers. Subwoofer 1: Klipsch R-12SW (I think), subwoofer 2: Alison AL10.
Onto the sound, the reason I got it. There is a caveat here, the seller didn’t include the YPAO mic, so I’ve ordered it but it hasn’t come yet.
Sound: There is a noticeable increase in clarity and sharpness compared to the RX-A810, and that’s pretty much it. I haven’t done much surround listening, because I haven’t run the YPAO calibration yet. I attribute this to the upgraded DAC. There is a problem though: I think I hear some clicks during playback that weren’t there in the RX-A810. It’s barely audible, as it’s quite quiet compared to the sound level, but I swear there’s something there, and I attribute it to the DACS. More listening will tell, and I’ll wait for the YPAO mic to pass final verdict (Does “Pure-Direct” bypass YPAO?). This has me nervous. Time will tell.
Other reasons for upgrading: 2 individual subwoofer controls, improved YPAO, better DACS, better amplification,
multi-channel input, MOAR, and probably some other stuff I forgot to mention. I feel like the RX-A810 will depreciate a lot very soon, but the RX-A2030 will always have residual value because of the 7-channel inputs.
I have no interest in 4k, 3D, or HDR. I also have no interest in video processing, my Pioneer Kuro is ISF calibrated and I am happy with it. The only nagging thing now is that I didn’t find an RX-A3040, which is probably the best ever aventage receiver because it offers MULTI-CHANNEL INPUT COME ON WTF.
I’ll update this once the YPAO mic comes in and I’ve been able to do some calm listening. The clicking sound (which I believe might be the dacs) has me nervous. It is barely audible but I noticed it immediately. It might be something that’s always been present but the RX-A810 couldn’t reproduce. I’ve gotten very used to the sound signature of the rx-a810. It’s just such an excellent receiver omg.
Pics included.
