yamaha rx-v2500 vs a rotel RSX-1067 vs sunfire ultimate receiver 3

[nak45z]

I guess I am tring to upgrade or just swapping my audio system. I have the yamaha, and two dealers that carry rotel and the other sunfire. I want to have power, yet very smooth/warm sound. any comments.

 

[nak45z]

from what i have, i want to keep the sub, and dvd player. so i want to change speakers and AVR.

 

[avaserfi]

If you are looking into changing your speakers that is what you should decided on first and formost. After you have decided on the speakers to buy then it is time to decide on an appropriate receiver or pre/pro to power those speakers. In the end choosing a power source is the easiest part.

Of those three I like Rotel and Yamaha in that order, but have no experience with sunfire.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Gotta hand it to Sunfire for one thing, their amps put out a lot of power for their size. Even their entry-level unit is 200 watts X 5 (and 400 watts into 4 ohms, implying very high current.) Might be a good choice for power-hungry speakers.

 

[zumbo]

If the current Yamaha has the features and connections you need, just add a Rotel amp. This will power any speakers you choose.

http://www.rotel.com/products/specs/rmb1095.htm

 

[mike c]

i agree with zumbo.

features wise, the rotel will not win against yamaha.

power wise, the rotel has a clean 100w x 7.

but the 1067 and the 1095 zumbo suggested is the same price, but the 1095 has 200w x 5 and then you can use the yamaha to power the last two channels for a clean 100+w x 2.

 

[wire]

Gotta hand it to Sunfire for one thing, their amps put out a lot of power for their size. Even their entry-level unit is 200 watts X 5 (and 400 watts into 4 ohms, implying very high current.) Might be a good choice for power-hungry speakers.

Agreed .

If you decide on a new or upgrade used , reciever . The Sunfire has more than enough power and its got some good options on Bi-amping that the other 2 dont .
Can't stand Yammy power . Its definetly #3 on my list or bottom of any list ( just my experince with yammy , has no balls ) .

 

[OttoMatic]

Is list on the Sunfire $5K? At that price, why not step up for separates?

 

[nak45z]

Otto what separates are you suggesting......

 

[nak45z]

i was thinking of rotel because the b&W speakers were being powered by rotel.

I was thinking of sunfire because my friend that sells Canton installes canton with Sunfire.

When i bought my Yamaha I got it because my friend that sells Sunfire and Yamaha sells both brands. Once i got it, I was told, well Yamaha is just ok.

I really don't want to do another 1200 dollar mistake. I really want to wow myself when i watching a movie, and listening to music.

I guess i want to blow myself away like i do in my truck.
I got 3 ways in my front stage running active. 2 Alumapro 12's of Zapco amps and Nakamichi HU.

 

[OttoMatic]

Otto what separates are you suggesting......

Well, I buy used frequently, so sometimes I think that way. But I think you could also do it new.

I picked up a Cary Cinema 11 (no video processing at all) for $2k. Picked up a Sunfire Cinema Grand (200x5) and after sending it to the factory for an overhaul, I'm in that for about $1,200. It's a sweet system for both two-channel and movie listening. Admittedly, it has zero video processing, but I don't care about that. Also, when I eventually buy HD-DVD or BluRay, I plan to use the player's audio outs. If that doesn't work, Cary is working on the 11V, which will connect to the 11 and will to audio and video processing for HD/BD. Yeah, that's another $3k when it comes out, but if you pick one up used for less, you're still slightly above that budget.

Prior to the Cary, I used an Outlaw 990. A great pre/pro for $999 new! I also understand they make great amps. Available on AudiogoN all the time are great amps -- Rotel, Sunfire, McIntosh, Adcom, Krell, and so on. Pair one of those up with the preamp of your choice and you'll be set to go.

I think I saw an Anthem 30 for sale on this board (maybe it was HTG) for $1,800. That's a nice pre. There are many out there, especially if you're not set on HDMI capability (the Sunfire receiver doesn't process audio, right?).

Anyway, if you're going for a receiver in that price range, I'd definitely consider separates. Heck, at $2k, I'd suggest Outlaw and Emotiva separates over a Yamaha receiver (and there's nothing wrong with Yamaha receivers!).

Good luck.

 

[zumbo]

i was thinking of rotel because the b&W speakers were being powered by rotel.

Rotel is not going to make your speakers sound like B&W.

When i bought my Yamaha I got it because my friend that sells Sunfire and Yamaha sells both brands. Once i got it, I was told, well Yamaha is just ok.

Sounds like a salesman is working on you. Your Yamaha has a fantastic amp section. A different receiver of similar power specs will be similar in sound.

Adding an amp such as the 1095 to your Yamaha will do much more than the Rotel receiver will. But, your speakers are still gonna sound like your speakers.

I really don't want to do another 1200 dollar mistake. I really want to wow myself when i watching a movie, and listening to music.

A $1200 replacement sub will add more "wow" to your system than any other $1200 item will.

I guess i want to blow myself away like i do in my truck.
I got 3 ways in my front stage running active. 2 Alumapro 12's of Zapco amps and Nakamichi HU.

Behringer with Cerwin Vega!

 

[mtrycrafts]

I guess I am tring to upgrade or just swapping my audio system. I have the yamaha, and two dealers that carry rotel and the other sunfire. I want to have power, yet very smooth/warm sound. any comments.

Firstly, you need to decide what it is that you don't like or have in the present setup?
Speakers and your room make the vast majority of the differences, not components and certainly not wires.

If you don't like the sound presentation, have you considered room acoustic changes, like acoustic panels? Perhaps that will do the trick?

Or, do you need new audio processing power of the newer formats?

 

[nak45z]

i did get a Rockford Fosgate RF2000 two channel amp from a friend to run off my yummy receiver to power my two Phantom 8.3's. I thought it sounded nicer then off my yummy, but the wife hated it. I think because you have to manually turn it off and on, and the point that i spend money on it.

I was thinking of running processor and amps separate. and the only one i was thinking of was rotel or sunfire. rotel being the most economical and of course the sunfire the most expensive. any other brands in the 3 to 4 g's budget that have a soft / smooth sound.

 

[zumbo]

B&K right off the top of my head. Others will come in a minute.
http://www.bkcomp.com/

Arcam
http://www.arcam.co.uk/

NAD
http://nadelectronics.com/index

i did get a Rockford Fosgate RF2000 two channel amp from a friend to run off my yummy receiver to power my two Phantom 8.3's. I thought it sounded nicer then off my yummy, but the wife hated it. I think because you have to manually turn it off and on, and the point that i spend money on it.

Most amps have a 12v trigger that connects to your Yamaha. When you turn the Yamaha on, it turns the amp on.

My wife hated when I added my Adcom 7605 to my Yamaha 1400. Once I got the system fine tuned, she came around.

 

[OttoMatic]

I think i agree with zumbo! If you're looking for a semi-major change to "warm", a speaker change will give you a bigger change than pre/pro and amp. I went to Vandersteen for that same feel. That said, the Cary stuff is more warm to me for electronics.

 

[nak45z]

the main reason i want to change my speakers are, that at different tones not always the front mains rattle. that is the most common problem of the phantom design. I could correct the problem, but i want to change. I feel that the receiver Yamaha 2500 doesn't sound warm or have enough power.

when setting up the receiver with the mic. what are the disadv or advaniges of using it.

 

[OttoMatic]

Sounds good. What's your budget for speakers? Also, what is your usage? Only HT? Only music? Some mix thereof?

when setting up the receiver with the mic. what are the disadv or advaniges of using it

.

I'm not sure what you mean. Are you asking about using a simple SPL meter to calibrate speaker levels? Or using the mic that's included with the receiver?

 

[nak45z]

I am looking for HT (movies) if that what it means. and music dvd's, my budget on speakers is about 2500 to 3300 on Mains, Center, surround. I am keeping the def tech supercube 2.

for music and movies, should the mains be set up in large or small. i notice that it sounds a bit nicer in small. while running my sub.

 

[zumbo]

I am keeping the def tech supercube 2.

Did you miss the whole part about me saying that your sub is the weakest link in your system. OOPS! I guess I didn't put it that way. Well, there you go. The sub is the first thing I would replace.